Desserts

Grilled Nectarines with Vanilla Ricotta

This dessert is so simple it barely requires a recipe!  Because it's so simple, try to use good quality ingredients so that the flavours really stand out.

Gulab Jamun

These little dumplings floating in sugar syrup imbued with rose water and cardamom are one of my favourite desserts in India.  Originally from the North, they are so popular they are now found throughout India.

Hazelnut Meringue Cake with Grapes

This is probably the favourite dessert from my cordon bleu training days. I have successfully shared it with students over many years of cooking classes and it never dates or seems old fashioned. The layers of crisp, nutty meringue are sandwiched together with softly whipped cream and you can add fresh grapes, strawberries or raspberries.

Icecream Christmas Cake

A Christmas cake recipe with a twist! This recipe's ideal for those who don't like traditional fruit Xmas cakes - which can be a bit heavy. This alternative is just yuletide right and the kids will love it!

For more recipes by Trudi Nelson, go to www.freshinthekitchen.co.nz

Individual Minted Cheesecakes with Raspberry Puree

This is a lovely simple dessert to make. Crisp puff pastry contrasts with the soft, baked, minty ricotta filling. When raspberries are in season, simply puree them with a little sugar, keeping a few for garnishing. In the off season, you can thaw and puree frozen raspberries and sweeten to taste.