Mini Lemon-Cheesecake Anyone?

Today's special - Mini Lemon Cheesecakes for those of you who love mini-size desserts!

Sometimes when i see a huge cake in front of me, it can look too overwhelming, and not as enticing.. so what's the solution? "DO IT MINI"! - bite-size sweets seem much more tempting and help me feel less guilty ;) 

Enjoy the photos! 

spatulas ready!

whisk, for those with super fast hands :)

mini Kenwood scale! with removable plate - very handy

1. Have your equipment ready - prepare like a pro!
2. If you live in a hot climate - allow cold ingredients (cheese, cream + butter) to reach room temperature (ensures there are no lumps in mixture)
3. cheesecake is definitely done if it jiggles around when you move it, as a solid piece of course

Any biscuits will do, McVitie's are my favourite!

break it down (finger work)

(finger work again)

should be stiff enough to hold

Foster Clarks, old school products are the best

pulling out my gear is the most fun!

non-stick spray or tahina will do

creating the biscuit base thickness is up to the chef! no guidelines for that :)

dairy ingrediants

whipping cream

   

add a little..

and some more..

 more more!

nice and empty :)

setting in the fridge

pop!

how's the size?

no need to top, but for those who like to break the creaminess with a little fruit preserve (blueberry/cranberry/strawberry) whatever you like!

Bon Appetite! 

Apple Crumble For One, Please!

 Mischievous adventures started today in the kitchen as i started rummaging around to find a small pot, to bake an Apple Crumble pie, for one. Unfortunately enough for me, i had to head out to buy one (it was pretty fun actually).

I ended up in Tavola - one of the BEST kitchenware stores i've come across in Dubai.

Enjoy the photos! 

starts off simple

peel peel peel

halves into quarters, and into thin slices to allow optimal absorption of the juices

white + light brown sugar

Tate + Lyle Fairtrade produce absolutley amazing brown cane sugar - gorgeous texture, remains moist all the time, divine smell + flavourful (buy more Fairtrade!) soft light brown is the best for apple crumble 

mix it all up

touch of Nutmeg for that extra kick - for those of you who like desserts that aren't too sweet and generic, try something spicy like nutmeg! works wonders!

Microplane - Premium extra coarse grater - these razors are crazy sharp and perfect for  zests, spices (such as the hard nutmeg) - a MUST-HAVE for cooking enthusiasts! 

once all the toppings are added, the apples start to ooze out their amazing syrup-like juices which fuses everything together

in you go at the bottom..

generous layer of sugar, nutmeg, dash of lemon juice

who needs measuring cups?..  imperfection tastes better!

clarified butter.. changes the entire flavour of the dough were about to create!

butter as always should be at room temperature when used in ANY dessert, turns out lighter when whipped, and easier to manipulate

with pies, grating dough instead of using one big slab is lighter, and nice for change :)

wonderfully light and airy dough

work with layers whenever you get the chance

natural apple syrup - final touches

sneak a taste if you can ;)

see you in 15!

:)

slightly crisp on the golden surface, apple mixture oozing out of the sides and bubbling inside! the puffy dough, light in colour indicates that the dough is light, far from dense!

yum

shred of apple after baking, sweet & spicy