Hi folks, I've mentioned this previously but here's my adapted recipe for natural yoghurt which 1) bypasses the need to heat up the milk and let it cool down 2) produces a milder (ie. not so sour) yoghurt, which is how I like it. https://cookidoo.com.au/created-recipes/public/recipes/en-AU/01KDV8RWF7E077GFAMXS7B39BK

CHOCOLATE BISCUIT CAKE During the Cookalong (last Cookalong of 2025), I was making Florentines for our Church New Year’s Eve Service & Party, and I mentioned that I would also be making Chocolate Biscuit Cakes which used to be our late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite cake. It’s a lovely cake that doesn’t require baking. It turned out to be a bit hit at the New Year’s Eve party. @Cathy Raff — As promised, here’s the recipe for the Chocolate Biscuit Cake. Enjoy!

Chill Cookalong with Jackie — she was doing her usual multitask magic. She was cooking Barramundi fillets, frying Shiitake mushrooms & using some to braise with Pak Choi & Taufu, and at the same time whipping up a large batch of crispy fried onions. Meanwhile, I baked a few batches of Florentines with all the festive ingredients in preparation for the Church New Year’s Eve Party. I let the Florentines to cool to perfection. Then I went in with melted chocolate, applied it onto the flat base of each Florentine and let them to cool slightly before marking zigzag in the chocolate with a fork.

We had friends over for Boxing Day lunch. Had cold meats (roast turkey, Italian Salami & Prosciutto) egg mayo, boiled potatoes, green salads….and the star of the show — my Cranberry Camembert Pastry Wreath! It tasted spot on, but needs a bit more finesse. Will have another go, and I will bump up the Camembert & swap basil for spinach leaves. Think that’ll give it the boost it needs. My pastry work also needs some TLC! 😅