Get the latest recipes from Vindee http://www.grouprecipes.com/people/vindee Here's my entry to the DEATH BY CHOCOLATE Contest ...CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE...A combination almost too good to be true! This cake is now a firm favourite...a stunning dessert ! Do vote for this by Feb 8th if you like it. http://www.grouprecipes.com/38372/chocolate-strawberry-cake-the-ultimate-combination.html Time to post my daughter's 12th birthday cake. Chocolate cake it had to be because of its universal appeal; in addition, the daughter wanted a 'yin-yang' on top. DH suggested marzipan. That too was readily agreed upon. Having got direction of some sort from all quarters (the son's direction was just 'cake mama'), I painted a picture in my mind. The tough part was to transfer it from a virtual state to 'reality'. WAS FUN (can say so now...Phew!!) & CHALLENGING! http://www.grouprecipes.com/35489/yin-yang-chocolate-cake-with-marzipan-decorations.html For our daughter's birthday cake, DH suggested we make marzipan decorations like we had done for her 9th birthday. I've figured out my own way of making marzipan because we don't get it ready made here. This one is fresh, it's pure...& it tastes GREAT!! We had a tough time resisting the temptation of having 'just another bit'! These can be used for decorating cupcakes too...I think that would look really pretty! http://www.grouprecipes.com/33315/marzipan-decorations-from-scratch.html Dopiaza, Dopyaza "Do" is "two" and "piaz" is "onion"; so dopiaza is a dish which has twice the amount of onions, usually added in two stages. Different regions have different versions, some as far as from Bengal. This is my mother's version from North India. A beautiful blend of flavours; a hint of the sweetness of onions, & the warmth of garam masalas giving it depth. Keep it as hot or as mild as you like. A simple stew , 'grindless', & perfect for even a one dish winter meal. http://www.grouprecipes.com/31249/gosht-do-piaza-a-hearty-popular-lamb-stew.html Christmas Cookies...I make these special 'Iced Cookies' at this time of the year when I am at my creative best ; they are my 'signature cookies' and are much awaited ! They do everything to cheer up the table, are vibrant and full of Christmas spirit. Closer to Christmas, I will be doing a batch to hang up on the small tree that the kids dress up. http://www.grouprecipes.com/30601/iced-christmas-cookies.html The recipe is quite similar to the Lime Shortbread Cookies one I posted a few days ago; except there are no twists to the original recipe this time, but for the shapes. If you haven't got cookie cutters, worry not! Just cut the rolled out dough into fingers with a sharp knife, place the fingers on the tray, prick the tops with a fork & bake. Great with a cuppa tea or coffee... or wrapped as a gift. Always appreciated!! http://www.grouprecipes.com/29659/orange-shortbread-cookies.html This recipe is adapted from one of the first baking sites I used to browse many many moons ago...the 'Joy of Baking'. Just the other day my friend from Kiev & I were chatting online & looking for poppy seed muffin recipes on this site. One thing led to another, & eventually to this delectable looking 'Streusel Coffee Cake'. This was last week, but the picture had been haunting me ever since & I just HAD to bake it. This is a lovely, easy to make & moist cake...delicious to the last crumb!! http://www.grouprecipes.com/29148/streusel-coffee-cake-a-delectable-cake-for-tea-or-dessert.html A cut-out cookie made out of my favourite basic sugar cookie dough. Then smaller bits are cut-out and filled with broken pieces of hard-boiled candy, and put in to bake. In a while you can see the candy melting beautifully into the cut-outs & the cookie baking to a perfect brown. I make these a couple of times in the winter months; in summer they tend to get sticky due to humidity levels being high. They involve an extra bit of effort, otherwise would love to make them more often! http://www.grouprecipes.com/28906/stained-glass-christmas-cookies.html This is a much loved loaf in our house, just right for the season...moist & delicious & low on fat!! A dear friend of mine used to make it with plump dates she got from the UK...with outstanding results. I would suggest you get the best quality dates you can lay your hands on; then sit back & enjoy this treat. Wrap it up as a gift too... http://www.grouprecipes.com/28694/date-and-walnut-loaf.html My all time popular cookies that kids love. They add a burst of colour to the surroundings and are fascinating; delicious too as they are almond butter cookies with a sugar icing. Perfect to be boxed & gifted...birthdays, festivals, anniversary's...whatever. Just cut them according to a theme & colour code them ! Will be doing a batch in Christmas colours soon! The basic cookie recipe is the same one that I use for 'Smartie Cookies'. Its a very versatile one, and works well with this recipe. http://www.grouprecipes.com/27390/iced-sugar-cookies.html