Fig & Goat's Cheese Tarts

Makes 8

2x 200g sheets store-bought shortcrust pastry
125g soft goat's cheese
4 black figs, halved
3 eggs
185ml single cream
1 tbsp chopped chives
20g finely grated parmesan
sea salt & cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares.
Line 8x lightly greased 8cm-round, fluted tart tins with pastry.
Trim excess pastry & lightly prick bases with fork.
Divide goat's cheese & fig halves among cases.
Place eggs, cream, chives, parmesan, salt & pepper in bowl & whisk until well combined.
Pour egg mixture into cases & bake for 25 min or until puffed & set.
Cool to room temp & serve.

Simple Lime Sorbet

Recipe can also be used for lemon, grapefruit or orange sorbet; simply substitute juice for your favourite citrus fruit.

Serves 6-8

1 tbsp gelatine
1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 cup lime juice

Sprinkle gelatine over 1/2 cup cold water in medium pan.
Stand for 10 min.
Add boiling water & stir over low heat until gelatine is dissolved.
Add sugar & stir without boiling until it's dissolved.
Add remaining cold water & strained juice.
Refrigerate.
Pour into freezer trays & freeze for 2-3 hours until just firm.
Alternatively, pour into bowl of ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
Scrape or scoop frozen mixture into chilled dessert dishes or wine glasses.
Garnish with citrus leaves or shreds of lime rind.

Weekend cocktails:

Campari Lady

30ml gin
45ml Campari
120ml ruby red grapefruit juice
30ml tonic water
1 cup ice cubes

Shake ingredients together.
Strain into highball glass with some of ice & garnish with a cherry.

King of Denmark

60ml Pernod
15ml Crème de Cassis
45ml blackcurrant cordial
120ml water

Stir Pernod, creme de cassis & cordial.
Add several big ice cubes with water.

Liquid Love

For Virgin Love, omit vodka.

45ml vanilla vodka
4 medium frozen strawberries
90ml cranberry juice
10ml sugar syrup
10ml lime juice
1 cup ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Pour into glass & garnish with strawberry & straw.

Mango Nectarine Daiquiri

60ml Bacardi
60ml mango liqueur
30ml lime juice
1 mango, skin & stone removed
1 nectarine, stone removed
1 cup ice

Blend ingredients until smooth.
Serve in a hurricane glass.

Pimm's No.1 Cup

Serves 4

4 cups ice
1 lemon, sliced thinly
1 orange, sliced thinly
160ml Pimm's No.1
125ml lemonade
125ml ginger ale
1/2 Lebanese cucumber, cut into thin strips

Place 1/2 ice in 1L-capacity jug.
Add lemon & orange slices.
Pour in Pimm's, followed by lemonade & ginger ale.
Stir to combine.
Divide remaining ice among 4 tall glasses.
Place cucumber strip in each glass & fill with cocktail.

For more cocktails, see here