June 2012 ~ Pies and Puds

Being Irish, I secretly yearn for the chillier winter months after a sunny Australian summer. Wrapping up in coats and scarves to head outdoors, and returning home to the smell of baked goods fresh from the oven reminds me of home. I love nothing better than a good bottle of red and great comfort food to enjoy with friends in front of a roaring fire, finished with a rich, luscious pudding, crumble or pie for dessert. This chocolate brownie pie with a crumbly chocolate pastry is always a crowd pleaser. It looks amazingly rustic and at the first bite, any chocolate lover will be in heaven. Serve it warm from the oven with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or drizzled with cream. The apple and blueberry crumble comes with its own blanket of super-crunchy, nutty topping, which sits atop a bed of soft, oozy fruit. And I dare any sticky toffee pudding fan not to lick the bowl clean of my sticky fig and pecan pudding served with lashings of warm toffee sauce.