Searching Pavlova

I was first introduced the Pavlova during my company's christmas party back in 2006. I did not like it one little bit. It has no substance as it melts in your mouth. It is overly sweet as it is basically made out of nothing but egg white and sugar. At that moment, I thought to myself : Who would actually like a cake like this ?

However, as I am getting to know Australia a little bit more day by day, I came to realize that Pavlova is not a cake. It is actually a dessert, like Soufflé. It is not only just a dessert but a traditional Australian/New Zealand dessert. Now I can understand why Australians love Pavlova.

Everyone knows that Australian and New Zealand are always in constant competition. Even this too has caused some heated debate between the two countries claiming the origin of the Pavlova. So as usual, I being as curious as ever did some googling and found out about the history of the Pavlova. Come to think of it, I wonder why I even bother ? :>

Anyway, for the rest of you who are curious, the famous Pavlova is actually the name of a famous Russian danseuse who visited Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s and enthralled her audiences with the grace of her dance. In the event to honour her during her visit there, chefts and cooks in both countries had invented a dessert to capture her light, airy spirit and appearance.

Anna Pavlova

At that time, there was no generally agreed basic rule nor was there a list of the essential ingredients and an agreed method for making a pavlova. However, as time goes by, people wanted to know the origin of the Pavlova and the traditional recipe for it. The recipe, including a list of its essential ingredients and a matching method for making the ever sought after “pavlova”, was created by Chef Herbert Sachse at the Hotel Esplanade in Perth, Australia, in 1935.

Today, there are more than one recipe of Pavlova out there but the basic ingredients and methods are still the same. So I too have tried making one - my own Peach and Strawberry Pavlova.

Apple Cinnamon Cake

I found a simple cake recipe in a magazine one day. The recipe looked and sounded delicious but I wasn't sure if my cake will turn out to be as good as it looks in the magazine. So I decided to take the challenge and give it a go.

Here are the ingredients...



2 eggs, separated
165g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour
180ml milk
45g butter, melted
½ teaspoon vanila extract
1 apple, cored and sliced

Cinnamon Topping
10g butter, melted
1 tablespoon caster sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon


Here are the step by step procedures:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C and lightly grease a 20cm cake pan.

2. Beat eggwhite until firm peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly, until mixture is thick and glossy.

3. Beat in egg yolk.

4. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold through flour alternately with combined milk, butter and vanila extract, beginning and ending with flour.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and arrange apple slices on top.

6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

7. To make cinnamon topping,

brush the hot cake with melted butter and sprinkle with combined sugar and cinnamon.

8. Cut and serve warm.

There you go, yummy apple cinnamon cake. Mine looks like a mountain cause my cake pan is too shallow. If you use a deeper pan, you will get the perfect cake shape.

Now you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your afternoon tea with a slice of homemade cake :>

New Found Passion

I have always had a thing for cooking since my younger days but never really put it into practice. I hardly cook at my own rented place because it is just not worth going through the hassle cooking for myself. It is far economical to eat out anyway compared to cooking. So the only time that I really get to cook is when I'm back at my parent's.

However things changed ever since I came over to Australia. I had to cook for most of my meals because eating out is just way too expensive and the food portion here is way too big for me :p The only time I would eat out is when I go out with friends. During times when I am lazy to cook, I would just order take away. This way, I can divide the big portion into 2 or sometimes even 3 smaller meals for me :>

I started cooking only simple dishes at first but as time goes by, I started to explore deeper and trying out new dishes (new for me). I have also started developing a new interest in reading recipe books/magazines and watching TV programmes associated with food - e.g. Ramsay's Kitchen, Better Homes and Garden, Food Safari, Jamie At Home etc.

Besides cooking, I have also fallen in love with baking, which has become a weekend past time for me. I surprise myself for what I am able to do. I never used to bake. I still remember the very first time I tried to bake a cake with my sister for mother's day. It spelled DISASTER !! Ha ha... the cake turned out to be cookie like.

I like to take photos of the items I have made. It is a combination of the love for photography and keeping a record of my progress. I think my mum would be so proud of me knowing that I have become such a good cook/baker now. Ha ha ha... hey... for a girl who grew up a tomboy, I think I did pretty well :>

Thanks to my mum who first taught me how to cook.

Seafood Fettucine

Fish Fingers with Tartar Sauce and Salad

Grilled Saveloy tops with Bacon, Onion and Cheese

Stir Fry Udon

Lamb Cutlets with Salad

Bacon Mushroom Shells in Creamy Sauce

Bacon and Egg Pie (Whole)

Bacon and Egg Pie (Sliced)

Blue Berry Crumble Slice

Caramel Pecan Swirl