March into Merivale - Just Desserts

For the 7th year in a row, the Merivale Group is holding their "March into Merivale" event. This years festival moves beyond just food and drink to showcase the Merivale way of life. 

Featuring their best chefs, venues, entertainment and plenty of other surprises it is a chance to experience Sydney in a different way.

Tonights event is Just Desserts

WEDNESDAY • SHOWCASE

JUST DESSERTS

WEDNESDAY, 4 MARCH – 5:30PM TO 8:30PM

Establishment Main Bar

$45 per person includes 6 tokens

ABOUT JUST DESSERTS

Life’s short – e­at dessert first. In fact, why waste room on dinner at all when you can spend an evening indulging on sugary treats from some of Merivale’s sweetest offerings. Dessert stations will be hosted by Mr Wong, est., Lorraine’s Patisserie, Bistrode CBD, Ms.G's, Functions & Events at Merivale and so you’d better bring your sweet tooth.

MR WONG MENU

Mini fried ice cream with butterscotch sauce

Mango pudding with passionfruit granita, mango pearls and tapioca

MS.G'S MENU

Pandan tres leches cake

Banana and Nutella spring roll, salted caramel ice cream

LORRAINE'S PATTISERIE MENU

Milk chocolate ice cream verrine marbled with passionfruit praline mousse

Strawberry marshmallow royal biscuit, chocolate dipped, pink peppercorn jelly

Crème fraîche ice cream wafer wrap swirled with amarena cherries

EST. MENU

Chocolate delice tart with frozen crème anglaise and rye tuile

Malted barley ice cream with caramelised white chocolate and almond ganache

Vanilla mousse with strawberries, rhubarb and hibiscus wafer

FUNCTIONS & EVENTS AT MERIVALE MENU

Oreo dessert of white chocolate mousse, chocolate crumble and milk foam

Toasted marshmallow passionfruit parfait popsicle

Raspberry and lychee macaron

BISTRODE CBD MENU

Dark chocolate crème brûlée and coconut sorbet

Goat cheese and date pastry, fig and burnt orange sauce

Jane’s honey tart and peanut butter ice cream

DRINKS

Innocent Bystander Moscato

Margan Family Style Botrytis Semillon

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc

Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir

Chandon NV

Espresso martini

Menus are subject to change.

You can find out more about events here

I have my eye on this event. If I can't get to Europe, this is the next best thing! 

I love the Merivale venues as both their interiors and food are amazing.

Some of my favourites are

Papi Chulo - you can read about our date night here and Mr Wong here

Have you been to a Merivale venue?

Which ones your favourite?

Saturday Sweets - Chocolate Crunch Bars

Saturday is the day where I usually get a chance to potter around the kitchen.
Sweet always takes preference over savoury in this house, so I am always on the lookout for yummy new recipes to try.  Chocolate anything is always a favourite!
I loved the look of these Chocolate Crunch Bars I saw on TakeaMegabite.com
They also look super easy, I have the ingredients in my cupboard and the kids can help me make them. Win, win, win!

Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe from Mast Brothers Chocolate Cookbook Ingredients:  1 1/2 lbs. dark chocolate, chopped 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter 2 T peanut butter 1 T honey 4 cups rice krispies (rice bubbles) sea salt, for sprinkling Directions: In a double-boiler, melt the chocolate and butter together. Add peanut butter and honey. Mix in rice krispies and pour into a parchment lined 9-inch baking dish. Pop in the fridge or freezer until firm. Slice! Recipe and photo by Take a Mega Bite

Salads & Sides - Christmas Menu ideas

It's about now that I usually pull out my cookbooks and have a browse on Pinterest to find some new ideas for sides + salads to have at Christmas lunch.
It's nice to try something new along with the old favourites. Here are a few recipes that look pretty delicious-

Parmesan, garlic grilled corn

Kale salad with roasted butternut squash, almond and ricotta

Kale & brussel sprout salad with bacon & pecorino

Roasted cauliflower, chickpeas & quinoa salad with jalapeno lime dressing

Moroccan style roast potatoes with coriander yoghurt

I always like to have a few choices for everyone.

We host Christmas every 3 years so it gives me lots of time to think of ideas.

Here is a pic of our lunch buffet a couple of years ago.

I think we had about 20 people that year.

Simon's parents are hosting this year so I don't have to do too much. I'm bringing some dessert and think I'll go with the classic Pavlova & maybe a Champagne berry jelly. 

Here is our dessert buffet from the same year.

Lots of choice!

Are you hosting Christmas Day this year?