Cheesy Pull-Apart

It's quick and easy and oh-so cheesy.

Have you ever just wanted to make something tasty but time wasn't on your side. Or maybe the fridge or pantry were the enemy.

This instant cheesy pull-apart is simple, no-fuss, no-mess (okay maybe a little) and appetizing little snack. It serves great as a side dish and can really be enjoyed at anytime of the day from breakfast to dinner.

It is full of flavour with a wonderful blend of garlic and parsley butter.

You will need:
- 1 round Vienna bread
- 2 -3 cloves of garlic - minced
- A small bunch of parsley or any herb of your choice - chopped.
- 2 - 3 Tbls of butter or margerine
- Cheese to desired taste. I used Parmesan and Vintage Cheddar - Yumo!
- Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C

2. Cut 1 inch vertical slices though the Vienna bread. (Be sure not to cut all the way through the bottom otherwise it won't have the pull-apart effect).

3.  Repeat this process by cutting the bread horizontally.

4. In a small dish, mix together the minced garlic, butter and parsley.

5. Roughly spread the garlic-herb butter on all slices of the bread. Drizzle a bit of olive oil to cover the cut pieces of the bread (otherwise it will be dry).

6. Sprinkle a good dash of salt and pepper.

7. Stuff grated cheese in between the bread.

8. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crusty.


Like I said, it's simple to make and pleasant to eat.

Let me know how you guys go.

Enjoy.

Blue Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

RED is so last year.

Put a little twist to that delicious red velvet cupcake. I've used the same great recipe but instead of using red, I've use blue food colour.

The colour really pops out and the floral piping technique makes it look attractive.

Although this tastes just as amazing as it looks, I must admit there is something psychologically delicious about the 'red' velvet cupcake. I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

To get this eye catching and vibrant blue colour, I use Wilton blue gel colour and Queen's liquid blue. You need to put a generous amount of blue food colour otherwise it will turn into an pleasant green colour. I also slightly reduced the amount cocoa powder (but not too much as I still wanted that delicious hint of cocoa to come through).

I just love piping flowers on cupcakes. It's my new thing to do. It's not as hard or tricky as it looks. it requires some patients and very steady hands. The first time I every piped flowers was when I did the Mother's day cupcakes and I was please with how good they turned out (however I do still need to brush up on some techniques). Like they say 'practice makes perfect' (and.. we get to eat cupcakes too).