And now, by popular demand, the finished Torta Gianduja, ready to be served. It was rated a triumph by the panel of expert judges who enjoyed it last night.
And as a bonus – crediting Dish Magazine April 2010 – the recipe is below.
Tag Archives: New Zealand
My wife and the science of baking
On Sunday afternoon my lovely wife baked. We were going out for dinner at friends and she had offered to make the dessert.
She has a stable of excellent desserts she could have called on but decided to try something new – to bake a Torta Gianduja or Chocolate and Roasted Hazelnut Cake.
The only issue with this decision is that Jean is not a natural baker – as she is the first to admit. Something about the discipline of following a recipe runs counter to her “free spirit” approach to cooking in general. After each baking adventure she wonders aloud why she ever attempted the recipe, why baking is so complicated and stressful, and why she doesn’t learn from past experience.
Testament to the complication and stress involved is the state of our usually spotless kitchen at the end of Sunday’s baking odyssey.
A weekend away
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It’s been a few years since I’ve spent time in the Sounds. Or in this case Kaiuma Bay in Pelorus Sound. It was June’s 70th birthday and a family weekend away to celebrate. After flying from Wellington to Nelson we … Continue reading
There’s something fishy going on here
Driving through Wellington over the last few weeks a recently painted piece of street art on the corner of Cable and Chaffers Streets has caught my eye. The entire side of a building is covered in sharks – of all shapes, types and colours.
I think it’s a work of genius.
It was also painted for a very good cause as part of Shark Awareness Week. To find out more visit: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9144732/Shark-campaign-hits-the-wall.
If you get the chance, take a look.
Green shoots
A week ago I published a post about the outbreak of Spring in our garden – heralded by the first shoot appearing on our grapevine. Well, a week is a long time in spring, as the photos show.
The inevitable drive towards summer is gaining momentum.
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- Our grapevine 27 September
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- And a week later
The shaky isles
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It’s been a few days of shake, rattle and roll in Wellington. And that goes for the ground as well as people’s nerves. Around 40 kilometres south of Wellington and about 20 kilometres down, the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates … Continue reading
Today we turn 300
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Since April 2011 there have been 299 posts to this blog so this one is officially number 300. Over the last 2 and a bit years we’ve covered our trip to Europe – which was the reason for starting this … Continue reading
From one generation to the next
One of the things that our dear old dog Daisy used to enjoy was standing on the arm of our couch, looking out the lounge window to the street, and barking at everyone that walked past.
She taught Poppie and now, it seems, Poppie is passing it on to the next generation.
On Friday I photographed Poppie and her barking apprentice Bella, on the arm of the couch, waiting for a new victim to come into view.
It reminded me of a similar photo from 2005. The only difference is 8 years and a new couch.
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- Poppie and Daisy in 2005
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- Poppie and Bella in 2013
An escape to the south coast – Part 3
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Following the storm last week I did another photo trip around Wellington’s southern coast. Everywhere there were remnants of the storm – rooves covered in tarpaulins rather than tiles, sea walls partially demolished and road edges undermined and collapsing. Even … Continue reading
An escape to the south coast – part 1
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For 2 days I hadn’t left the house. I had no meetings and being winter the weather had been bad. As a result, I became a recluse. By the afternoon of the second day I was going stir-crazy. I had to … Continue reading
Winter arrives 3 days early
Yesterday the first cold southerly blast of winter arrived. The temperature dropped from around 15 degrees to 7 degrees. Snow fell in the Southern Alps and on the volcanic plateau in the North Island closing roads and causing general chaos.
And snow fell on the hills around Wellington. When we woke this morning and looked out the window, the view across the harbour included an early season dusting of snow.
Today is a beautiful sunny day but the temperature is hovering under 10 degrees in the shade. Thankfully the wind has gone and things will continue to improve towards the weekend – when winter officially starts.
Snow across the harbour
Bella Day 7
After a week we are starting to get a routine going. The routine is Bella chewing everything while we spend huge amounts of time outside trying to get her to “go toilet”.
Already the mats are looking a little ragged around the edges and feet – any feet – are fair game for chewing and chasing.
Our slightly chewed Poppie – ears and tail mainly – has worked out that height is the answer. Bella can’t jump up on to couches or beds yet so Poppie spends a lot of time on the bed or the couch – much to Bella’s disgust.
A time to remember
April 25th is ANZAC Day. The day that New Zealand remembers soldiers who have died in past wars.
A few years ago it looked like the significance of ANZAC Day was waining as the number of veterans of WW1, WW2, the Korean War and the war in Vietnam slowly declined. But as the younger generations have grown up so has the respect for the sacrifices made by the men and women who fought in these wars.
Dawn parades take place all over the country and each year the numbers grow as the sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters and even great grandsons and daughters of veterans march and remember the places and times that kiwis fought and died.
In 2011 our trip south through Italy to Positano involved, as it usually does, a stop at Cassino, the site of the battle for Monte Cassino. Located about an hours drive north of Naples we visit the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery located in the town which has one quiet corner where kiwi soldiers lie.
If you haven’t already read the blog post, please do.
The fleet is now complete
A week ago I picked the 356 up from the Powerhaus with refurbished brakes, a tuned engine, new battery and new “stop it leaking oil onto the road” thingies.
The last time I drove it was onto a transporter heading to the Powerhaus before Christmas. All four brake drums had seized so it was more dragged than driven. It was a sad sight.
But now it’s back and better than ever. All it needs now is a wash and wax and it’s back to showroom condition.
Attention to all Ford Falcon fans
On Christmas Day we flew from Wellington to Nelson to spend time with Jean’s family as part of our Christmas break. Mike, our brother-in-law, kindly lent us his spare car to get around.
But this wasn’t your usual “spare car”, it was a 2005 Ford Falcon FPV 320 Boss ute. Now I’m not an expert on Australian muscle cars and all I know is that it goes like stink and the best way to drive is with the window down listening to the V8 in action.
I’m sure at least one of my lovely readers can provide more information about the car – you know who you are.
Ford Falcon Boss 320 Ute
