This DDT homebake's theme was SPICE. An interesting choice which puzzled many. For a lot of us, we weren't aware that spices were in dessert, but after giving a few examples (spiced fruit cake, chilli chocolate, gingerbread cookies), fellow DDDs were inspired ... and got creative.
Let's start the feast - first, with the lighter flavours:
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Clove and pepper infused strawberry soup (KT) - gorgeously fresh and fragrant, excellent palate cleanser between courses too;  Spiced ricotta cassata: spiced dessert wine soaked dry fruit in ricotta, encased in sponge and topped with spiced wine fortified with brandy (CS) - raised a few eyebrows when first described to fellow DDDs but then was well received on the tasting table! |
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| Greek rice pudding with cinnamon - First attempt by VH who got creative and rolled them into bite-sized balls too! Excellent effort! Very hearty rice pudding, and was better consumed warm! (though presentation is better cold) |
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| Cardamon rice flour pudding with spice infused apricots (left): Rich cardamon flavour, lightly tangy apricot adding depth in flavour to the silky pudding; spiced chocolate mousse with berries (center): first attempt by RD, fluffy and airy mousse with a hint of cardamon, not too rich and sweet but beautifully chocolatey (use of 70% cocoa chocolate); Greek rice pudding coated with cinnamon and topped with Persian fairy floss (VH) |
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| Poh's layer cake (KT) which involved the use of nearly 400g of butter - mmmmm!! (and CS worshipping her food ... eh, photographing, taking advantage of the sun) |
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| Gingerbread and pear upside-down cake (AvH) - Dense and moist cake and its heaviness broke up by pear slices. Gorgeous! Beautiful flavour and texture mix (welcome Annika and Dave!!) |
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| Chilli chocolate creme brulee (CS) - an encore appearance from the "different unusual but noice" DDD home. It was described as "not as nice as last year" as the creator went overboard with 85% cocoa chocolate (200g of 85% cocoa chocolate to only 300ml cream ... no wonder). The spice kick at the end - Yeah baby! |
It was yet another FANTASTIC home bake, and I must say that the DDDs are getting better and better at thinking outside the square and pushing their boundaries. Really really appreciated everyone's efforts especially self-proclaimed non-cooks! You've more than outdone yourselves - in fact you looked as if you've been doing it for years! WELL DONE!!
CS
KT: And of course my Mexican mole which went really well with CS' roasted chicken - and same, went nuts with 85% Lindt but still tasty :D
