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Photo: panduh / Flickr

Mille-feuilles are a classic pastry treat made from puff pastry that has been filled with custard. If you’re not keen on custard, you could use whipped cream and raspberries or strawberries instead. There’s no limit to what you can do if you use the puff pastry as a base. This custard filled mille-feuille recipe makes four and requires puff pastry, pastry cream, Chantilly cream and icing sugar. You will need half an hour of preparation time and 15 minutes of baking time. (more…)

Photo: harald walker / Flickr

Carrot, apple and tomato are an unusual combination in this recipe yet they impart a lovely, subtle flavour. The soup should be served warm with a dollop of cream and some fresh, crusty bread or some croutons. For an extra special touch and a splash of colour, garnish each bowl of carrot, apple and tomato soup with marigold or other edible flower petals. This recipe takes a quarter of an hour to prepare and an hour and a quarter to cook. (more…)

Photo: Paul Ponraj / Flickr

This is a spicy dish and rather filling one too. A variety of vegetables can be used to stuff the brinjals in this recipe, including sweet potato, lima beans, broccoli and cauliflower. One ingredient which is essential though is tomato, so whatever you do, include tomatoes in the stuffing. You will need six brinjals to serve six people. Use ripe and firm brinjals that have shiny, smooth skins. Allow for a preparation time of an hour and a cooking time of an hour. (more…)

Photo: pigsonthewinguk / Flickr

A common problem with warping in furniture is when one area absorbs more moisture than another area. This is repairable if the warped piece in question is removable. What you have to do is strip the piece completely so that all varnish, oil, paint, wax or other finishes are removed. The reason for this is that the fibres will be able to absorb moisture and then dry in a uniform way, once you’ve moistened the dry side. (more…)

Photo: Photosbychristensen / Flickr

Drawers on old pieces of furniture often get stuck when you’re trying to close them. This is especially the case when hardwood has been used to make the exterior and softwood has been used for the interior sections. By lifting sticking drawers up towards the end of sliding them in, it’s easier to close them. While this indicates the age of a piece, it is also a sign that the runners or the sides have worn down through years of use. (more…)

Photo: YellowDog / Flickr

This recipe might take you back to childhood because these pumpkin fritters have sugar and cinnamon sprinkled over them. Besides pumpkin, you will need some flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, sunflower oil, butter and of course, cinnamon and sugar. Sweet potatoes would serve as a good substitute for pumpkin in this recipe. Allow for a preparation time of 25 minutes and a cooking time of 20 minutes. Once made, serve your pumpkin fritters immediately as they should be eaten while they are still hot. (more…)

Photo: cesarastudillo / Flickr

You will need star bun moulds to make these star buns. If you’re going to be buying moulds, look out for a star-shaped silicone tray that allows for eight star buns. Otherwise, if you’re happy not to create a star bun shape, an ordinary muffin tray will do the trick. The ingredients required include a vanilla pod, milk, golden sugar (granulated), flour, egg, butter and rum. The preparation time is 20 minutes and the cooking time is approximately an hour and a quarter. (more…)

Photo: andriesss / Flickr

Sangria and gluhwein are both made with red wine. The difference is that gluhwein is mostly served hot, which makes it a great winter warmer, and sangria is served cold with ice-cubes, making it a refreshing summer drink. To make sangria, you’ll need a bottle of red wine, brandy, soda water, freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice, caster sugar and orange slices. Gluhwein requires a bottle of red wine, cloves, a cinnamon stick, caster sugar and lemon rind. Read on for the recipes. (more…)

Photo: Laineys Repertoire / Flickr

If you have an old piece of furniture with a jammed lock, don’t despair. It’s almost always possible to free up a jammed lock. It may not be as easy to replace missing casters if the wood surrounding the original metal socket is badly damaged, but it’s a breeze if the wood is still in good condition. Tightening hinges may be the easiest repair you’ll ever have to make. Read on for some related furniture restoration tips. (more…)

Photo: on Mountjoy / Flickr

This milk tart recipe uses puff pastry as a base and egg custard for the filling. The custard is thickened with flour and cornflour and finally decorated with a dusting of cinnamon powder. If you use bought puff pastry, allow for a preparation time of half an hour for the filling. The cooking time is 25 minutes. Milk tart is great for tea time but it can also be dressed up for dessert by presenting it with crystallised fruit. (more…)