FINYS FABULOUS FOODS AND FINDS

DUCK - I used to breed them, so now it is a bit odd to eat them! They are beautiful creatures, but then again if you think this way, we would all be vegetarians! Many people just love duck and some, of course, do not like it.  I think there is an art to cooking it, and I have cooked it over the years many way. One of my favourite meals, when I eat out is Peking Duck and you can read about some of the restaurants I have tried at this link , or this link . When done correctly, duck can be tender and delicious, however getting it right is not so easy. The latest way I am doing it is in slow oven, and baking it for longer than normal.  Getting the skin crisp is an art that I sometimes achieve and sometimes not.  I have even bought an Asian speciality to make the skin look like it does in the photos on the above links, however it was difficult to work with, went a nice colour but was still not crisp. One good way to bake duck is in a clear bag that is freely availa...

Mandelbrot is German and literally means almond bread.  It is a biscuit similar to the Italian biscotti, which is crisp, and sliced into slices. It does have quite a lot of sugar in it, however these 20 or so servings go a long way, and you would possibly only eat a few of these at a time.  Beware however, as they are very moorish. They last for ages, and are great in lunch boxes or served on the saucer with a cup of tea or coffee - well, if you USE saucers, of course! Mandelbrot or biscotti is usually baked twice, however "Dresden" Mandelbrot is only baked once. I also made some as a plain round biscuit instead of the loaf type that is typical -hence the two types in my photos! This recipe makes a large amount, and unless you have a very large family,  I would suggest halving it. Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Makes: 20 servings Ingredients 3 large eggs 300 g sugar 300 g plain flour 1 tsp ground cloves ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp...

This recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds, as it just delectable. My visitors voted this a hit, and gave it an 11 out of 10, and quickly came back for more!  Sadly, there were no left-overs for me for the next day - it is quite rare that visitors ask for another lot of dessert, but this one with it's tart sweet taste is just one of these popular desserts that most people seem to love. I have made several different versions of a lemon dessert, however I think this one is the best. The flavour of the lemon mixed with cream, and the runny texture of the middle of the pudding, will make this dish a "stunner" for any visitors, or family.  Best make it for family, then you might get more yourself! Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time : 45 minutes Makes: 5-6 servings Ingredients 60 g softened unsalted butter, or ordinary butter 1 cup caster sugar 1 tbsp marmalade 3 eggs 60 g self raising flour 350 ml milk Grated zest of 2 lemons 80 ml lem...

If you like caramel, you will love this recipe - it has apples in it so it can't be unhealthy!  Doesn't an apple a day keep the doctor away? You could substitute a different nut for the pecans, however they DID give it an extra nice taste, and the combinations on this slice work brilliantly together. As with much of my other baking, I have used coconut sugar as it is an organic product that is not real sugar and is not refined, and therefore healthier,  It is also not as sweet as sugar. I have used bought caramel sauce in this instance, however you could make this yourself. Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: 16 servings Ingredients ¾ cup butter, softened 1 cup coconut sugar - or brown sugar 1 cup plain flour 1 cup rolled oats 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp baking soda ½ cup finely chopped pecans 3 cups chopped unpeeled apples - about 3 ¾ cup caramel topping ¼ cup plain flour Vanilla ice cream, optional Additional caramel topping, op...

This is a recipe that I have made several times and it never fails to impress my friends and visitors. It looks professional yet it is really very simple to make. Strudels are recipes that have been handed down to me by my European mother, and she used to make them quite often. However I deviate from the ones she taught me, as hers were mostly apple strudel which is the traditional Austrian or German strudel that is well known. In this recipe, I have used a bit of ginger this time, however as it is quite an overpowering taste, I did not use a lot.  You can vary this to your individual taste, or even leave it out totally if you do not like ginger. Either way, this strudel is a flavoursome afternoon tea, snack or late night craving food.  Add some cream or ice cream to make it even nicer! Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Makes: 8 servings Ingredients 4-5 bananas (Lady Fingers work well but are expensive) 60g dark chocolate, chopped 2 sh...

The word roulade means "rolled" and was adapted from the French.  Traditionally, a roulade has a meat filling, however I have made this as a vegetarian roulade, and also used roasted peppers. You could make these peppers yourself by grilling them skin side up until they burn and then letting them cool, and peeling off the blackened skin.  However, in this instance, I used a jar of the roasted peppers. This roulade would do you proud at any dinner party! It is also made from several cheeses, and looks very professional when served up on a long plate with one slice cut. I used the spinach I grow in my garden, however baby spinach can be used if you do not grow your own. It is best to prepare the chopped ingredients before you start the recipe, and have it all ready. Preparation Time: 50 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: 8 servings Ingredients 60g butter 50g plain flour 1 cup milk 3 large eggs, separated (or 4 medium) ½ cup grated hard cheese or p...

I love cake and sweets, and I like to incorporate vegetables and/or fruit into a cake as I then think it is healthy! I now use mainly coconut sugar in my baking as this is a natural product and is unrefined, unlike sugar. The secret ingredient in this cake, which will leave your visitors wondering and never guess, is zucchini. Although the cake has more ingredients than a lot of other cakes, this one is still easy to make,  and the end result is well worth the effort. Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Makes: 12 servings Ingredients 1 cup coconut sugar ¼ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup oil (preferably vegetable) 1 medium ripe banana, mashed 1 tsp vanilla 2 large eggs 2 cups finely grated peeled zucchini 2 cups plain flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ½ tsp baking powder 1 ½ tsp baking soda ½ cup dark chocolate chips ¼ cup low-fat sour cream Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing ¼ cup light cream cheese ¾ cup icing sugar 1 tbsp cocoa powder ...