FINYS FABULOUS FOODS AND FINDS

Despite the fact that the recipe was created in Florence during the Renaissance, and later exported to France, Florentine biscuits are considered to be a typical French pastry! These are delicious Florentines which, although they do not look as symmetrical as they do when you buy them in the shop, they taste so much better, and are without all the preservatives! They are quite simple to make though slightly "fiddly" with spreading the chocolate on the bottom after they are cooked -well worth the effort though! You could use any brand of chocolate - I just feel that if you use a good quality chocolate, it is like a good wine - the recipe turns out nicer.  So, my lovelies, any dark chocolate will work on this recipe, though BEWARE - they are moorish, and will disappear fast! Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 4 - 6 minutes Makes: About 18 Florentines Ingredients ¾ cup sultanas 2 cups Corn Flakes ¾ cup toasted unsalted peanuts, chopped   coarsle...

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...

Baklava is considered a national dessert in countries like Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. I love this sweet, odd shaped dessert or accompaniment with afternoon tea.  It is quite sweet, but the taste of the filo pastry mixed with butter and nuts is just divine. They are not real big, and if you didn't want to eat as much, you could always cut them into smaller shapes than I have, as mine are cut to the traditional size. I made it slightly different to the traditional Baklava you buy, however it has no added chemicals as the store ones do, and they taste absolutely delicious. Here in Australia these tiny morsels can cost up to $5.00 a piece, so I decided to make my own.  I had a few failures before they actually turned out right, but I think these are even nicer than the store bought ones as there is more  walnuts and almonds in them. An added benefit is that it's cost is so much lower than $5 a piece! Preparation Time: 40 minutes Cooking Time: 55 minutes Mak...

My parents were European and when they came out to Australia many years ago, my Mum brought all her recipes with her. The majority she actually knew and didn't have to refer to a cook book to make, however on thinking back, I think she just used to make them up as she went, depending on what was in the fridge at the time. This  recipe is for the "sweet tooth" or it is very impressive if you are having visitors - is a well known specialty of Austria, and is a biscuit or slice, called LINZER SCHNITTEN. They are more like a slice which gets cut up into whatever size pieces you want, and they are guaranteed not to last long! Add some thickened or whipped cream if you want them to be even moorish, and if calories do not bother you! Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes Makes: About 25 pieces Ingredients 150g unsalted butter (also works with ordinary butter) 150g flour 140g almonds 130g sugar ¾ cup strawberry jam 1 egg Dash of cinnamon ...

I used to make these without the chocolate as an almond biscotti, however decided to try it with chocolate this time instead. They are very crunchy (don't break a tooth!) and last for many months if the family do not get at them first! I am a sweet tooth who has recently had to cut down on my sugar intake due to high readings, however I find that I only need to eat one or two of these with a cup of coffee to satisfy my sweet craving.  Even though there is sugar in these, one or two of them at a time does not contain a lot of sugar. They are quite easy to make and get baked twice to get that "crispness". Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 60 minutes Makes: 40 -50 servings Ingredients 1 ¾ cups plain flour, sifted 1 ½ tsp baking powder ¼ cup cocoa powder, sifted ¾ cup caster sugar ¾ cup blanched almonds 3 eggs 2 ½ tsp vanilla extract Method Preheat the oven to 180°/160° fan forced. Place the flour, baking powder, cocoa, sugar and almonds...