Chocolate bread and butter pudding

Serving size: Serves 6

Cuisine type: Modern Australian
Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes
Course: Dessert
Favourite flavours: Cakes/baking, Chocolate

Chocolate bread and butter pudding

INGREDIENTS

1½ cups (375ml) milk
2 cups (500ml) cream
1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon
vanilla bean paste
4 eggs
2 small (200g) brioche, sliced thickly
100g dark eating chocolate,
chopped coarsely
1/3 cup (40g) coarsely chopped
toasted pecans

METHOD

Preheat the oven to moderate (180°C/160°C fan-forced).

Combine milk, cream and sugar in a small saucepan. Split vanilla bean in half lengthways; scrape seeds into pan, then place pod in pan, or if using, add vanilla bean paste. Stir over heat until hot; strain into a large heatproof jug (not necessary to strain if using the paste). Discard pod.

Whisk eggs in large bowl; whisking constantly, pour hot milk mixture into eggs.

Grease a shallow 2-litre (8-cup) ovenproof dish; layer brioche, chocolate and nuts, overlapping brioche slightly, in the dish. Pour hot milk mixture over brioche.

Place the dish in a large baking dish; add enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the ovenproof dish. Bake, uncovered, in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes or until pudding sets.

Remove the pudding from the baking dish; stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave.

Baking bread

Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes

Course: Side dish, Snacks
Favourite flavours: Condiment

Instead of buying bread at the supermarket or the bakery, try making your own bread at home. It's easy, cheap and lots of fun.

INGREDIENTS

Basic bread
Makes 1 loaf
Prep time 20 minutes
Resting time 90 minutes
Cooking time 40 minutes

3 cups (450g) plain flour (white, or a mixture of 2 cups white and 1 cup wholemeal)

2 teaspoons bread improver (optional)
1½ teaspoons salt
1 sachet instant yeast
1½-1 2/3 cups (375-420ml) warm water

METHOD

1. Sift flour, bread improver and salt into a large warmed bowl, then stir in yeast. Make a well in centre and add warm water. Mix flour and water with a wooden spoon, then beat with a hand, adding a little more water or flour if necessary to make a soft dough.

2. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead by folding far edge towards you, then pushing it firmly away with heel of hand. Turn dough a little and repeat. Continue kneading for about 5 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic and springs back when you make a dent with a finger.

3. Place dough in a clean, warm, oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel. Leave to rise in a warm, draught-free place for 1-1½ hours (or in a cool place for longer). Test by pushing a finger into dough. If indentation remains, it is ready. Knock back dough by punching with your fist several times, squeezing out any large bubbles. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead three or four times.

4. Preheat oven to 240ºC or 220ºC fan. Lightly oil a 12 x 23cm loaf pan. Pat dough into a round and fold sides under to form a neat oblong. Place in prepared pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth and leave in a warm place until risen to top of pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn pan around, reduce heat to 220ºC or 200ºC fan and bake another 20-25 minutes, until golden brown all over and bread sounds hollow when underside is tapped with knuckles.

Tips:

• Make a Walnut Bread for serving with cheese at a special dinner or picnic.

• Add 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts to basic bread dough when you start the first kneading. Top bread with another ½ cup roughly chopped walnuts before baking.

• For a crisp crust all over, take bread out of pan and bake directly on oven bars for last 10 minutes. Bread is cooked if it sounds hollow when underside is knocked with the knuckles. If not, return to oven for more baking. Turn bread out of pan as soon as it comes from oven, and cool on a wire rack.

• More water is needed when wholemeal flour is used.

• You can add up to half wholemeal to half plain flour if you like a denser loaf of bread. Bread flour (from good health-food stores) is best because of its high gluten content, but you will still get good results with ordinary plain flour.

• It is best not to double the quantities to make two loaves because it can be too unwieldy to knead. However, it’s a great idea to make two lots while you’re in the mood and pop one loaf in the freezer for another day.

What to do in a style emergency at work

If your workplace calls for you to look polished and preened all day long, a style emergency isn't what you want to suddenly have on your hands. But don't fear  whatever the situation, it can be easily solved in a matter of minutes.

Style emergency: You have a run in your stockings.

Solution: If the run is in an inconspicuous spot, stop it in its tracks by putting clear nail polish around the hole. If the run is in a noticeable area, lose the stockings altogether nothing can save them, and bare legs will look better than pantyhose with gaps.

Style emergency: You've got make-up on your collar.

Solution: Use baby wipes to blot the area until it's clean. Baby wipes (or make-up wipes) are also great for freshening up your skin on hot days, or even to wipe over shoes that have become dirty on rainy days.

Style emergency: You got oil/butter on your shirt just as you're about to rush out the door.

Solution: Don't, and we repeat don't put water anywhere near the stain. Instead, remove the garment, cover with talcum powder and then kitchen paper, and sit something heavy (such as a thick book) on top. Leave for a few minutes before tapping off the powder to reveal grease-free clothing.

Style emergency: Your hem has come down.

Solution: Three words: double-sided tape. Use it to temporarily mend stitching that's come undone, stop a blouse from gaping or keep tops with thin straps from slipping off your shoulders. Strips of Hollywood tape should be in your handbag at all times!

Style emergency: Your hair's gone flat and lifeless.

Solution: Whether you've got this hair problem, or any other one, there is a solution. All that's needed to make hair look full and voluminous is to hang your head upside down under the hand drier for 30 seconds, and to use a fine-toothed comb to tease the area around the crown. Voila hair with volume and bounce.

Style emergency: Your teeth are yellow from lunch, and you have a presentation in five minutes.

Solution: Keep mini teeth whiteners in your handbag. They're great at quickly cleaning your teeth (no toothbrush required) and giving you minty breath at the same time.

Style emergency: You have to go to an after-work event, and there's no time to go home and change.

Solution: Always be prepared by keeping a few style must-haves in your desk drawer: a bright lipstick and black eyeliner to take your look from day to night; a fancy brooch that can add instant glam to a work shirt; sparkly earrings to dress up your look and a comb, clip or ribbon to add interest to your hair. 

Beat bad hair days !

In a poll by  Your Beauty Spot 15 percent of people admitted to having had a sick day at least once because of bad-hair (news that's sure to make any boss unhappy). Ensure that never happens again, with these tips

Problem: It's raining

Rain is the fastest way to put your hair in bad spirits. A few drops and your immaculate blow-dry isn't so immaculate. If it looks like rain, be prepared and skip wearing your hair out, go for a bun or ponytail instead. No can do? Well, steal this tip from beauty editors: carry a hand-bag sized umbrella everywhere you go.

Problem: It's humid

For a lot of women, the mere thought of humidity is enough to make your hair frizz, turning your sleek, polished look into one that resembles a frazzled housewife. If this sounds like you, make an anti-humidity spray your new best friend.

Problem: You've got bed head

Thanks to Kate Moss, bed head isn't the problem it used to be. Hair that's a little dishevelled can look quite sexy, but in a corporate office environment you might want a look that's a little more structured. Solution: a head band will sweep hair off your face, making you look 'done', as will a tousled low-swept bun.

Problem: You're running late

Who hasn't encountered this dilemma at some point? The good news is that with a quality ceramic straightening iron your hair can look fab in under five. But if hitting snooze is a habit of yours, you might want to try planning ahead by plaiting your hair before bed or twisting it into a low bun so you can say, "Hello, soft waves" in the morning.

Problem: Your hair's greasy

If you haven't heard of dry shampoo before, it's time to take notice. Use it if you're scarce on time in the morning, or use it after returning from the gym in your lunch break. It's simply a matter of shaking, spraying and going. Tip: dry shampoo works best on light to medium hair, so if your hair's darker (or you don't have any handy) we suggest a quiff style instead. If your roots are pulled back sleek they'll be less noticeable.

Problem: Your roots look ghastly

With the long hours that work can sometimes bring, finding time to visit the hairdresser to get your colour re-done can be next to impossible. Buy time between salon visits by opting for zig-zag only parts, as they'll draw less attention to your dire need of colour. Another insider tip: sunnies left perched on your head make a great cover-up when it comes to bad hair.

Problem: Your hair's gone flat

A long day filled with dashing from meeting to meeting can leave your hair looking flat and limp. Fix this with one of two tricks. One: head to the ladies and flip your head upside down under the hand dryer (AKA the sneaky girl's hairdryer); or two: use a comb and tease small sections of hair around your crown and voila, you've got hair with life.

Dressing for success

First impressions can make or break your career. Learn how to scrub up for your next job interview.

Do your homework
Before you have a chance to convince a potential employer what an asset you'd be to their company, they'll judge you on your appearance. Be prepared by researching industry standards. Generally, corporate roles require well-cut suits and closed-in shoes, while it may be more appropriate to wear a dress to a creative industry interview. Also, consider the interview location. A panel interview or recruitment agency meet calls for smart, conservative attire, while it's generally okay to lose the tie for a cafe meet.

Wardrobe

Her:

• Choose a dress or skirt that falls below the knee and which you can sit down comfortably in. Tailored pants have the potential to be assertive (which may or may not work in your favour). Never wear jeans.
• Choose block colours over loud patterns (which may distract the interviewer). Hint: colour experts say warm colours (red, orange, yellow) say "hire me now!" while cool colours (blue, green, purple) convey dedication and commitment. Black always looks clean and sharp but may come across as boring to a creative role interviewer.
  Chose the statement you want to make and colour code your outfit.
• Conceal cleavage, bra straps and panty lines.
• Wear heels you can walk in.

Him:

• Wear a suit to a corporate interview and a crisp shirt, pants and a jacket — not a jumper — to an interview for a trade-like role.
• Opt for basic black shoes. Never wear sneakers (especially white ones) or thongs.
• Avoid jeans in favour of tailored pants that sit above your underwear line.

Accessories

Her:

• Avoid cheap jewellery, and pieces that jangle nosily.
• Match subtle accessories (like a chain bracelet and diamante earrings) or wear a single statement-necklace or cuff. Dangly earrings scream nightclub rather than nine-to-five.

Him:

• Lose novelty ties and cufflinks. If you need a tie, opt for a subtle block colour that complements your suit and shirt, and wear simple chic cufflinks.
• Don't bring a briefcase unless you need it. Interviewers will see straight through props.

Grooming

Her:

• Wear minimal, natural-looking make-up (no bold shadows or lippy).
• Style hair so it doesn't fall over your eyes. A slick ponytail says "I'm confident and efficient" while edgy haircuts and colouring scream "I'm unpredictable".
• Clean fingernails and pedicured feet assert your attention to detail. Chipped polish conveys the opposite.
• Wear anti-perspirant deodorant and spritz perfume at least 15 minutes to half an hour before the interview, so it's not overpowering.

Him:

• Shave, moisturise and use hair product, if necessary.
• Wear anti-perspirant deodorant and go easy on the cologne.

You got the job …
Even if your office has the same dress code as a Balinese beach bar, don't take advantage of it. Keep shoes on, hair brushed and clothes pressed at all times. You never know when the "big boss" will show up unannounced. Same goes for office functions — you may be out of the office but you (and your outfit) are still in a work environment. Tip: pass on the second margarita! 

Worst Parenting Advice Ever Heard

Moms and moms-to-be on TheBump.com share some of the wackiest parenting advice they've ever had the displeasure of hearing.

If you feel like you got hit with tons of parenting advice the second you started sporting a bump, you're not alone. Moms-to-be often discover that everyone from future grandparents to the guy at the corner deli have plenty of unsolicited words of wisdom to share. Sure, some of the advice you get from well-meaning friends (or strangers) may turn out to

 be helpful, but sometimes it can also be downright crazy. Moms and moms-to-be on TheBump.com share some of the wackiest parenting advice they've ever had the displeasure of hearing:

Smack baby's gums?
"I was told to smack my daughter's gums with a spoon so I could tell if she's teething. I guess you'd hear a click if there are teeth under the gums?" --soon2beMrs.H

Our take:Ouch! We're pretty sure all this will get you is a screaming baby. Trust us, a spoon won't be necessary to tell you whether or not baby's teething -- you'll know. Some telltale signs include raw gums, constant crankiness, and over-the-top drooling. Most babies hit the teething stage between 4 and 7 months, so if this sounds like your tot, drop what you're doing now and stock up on teething toys, frozen washcloths, and baby pain reliever. You can run your finger along baby's gums to see if there are any teeth breaking through.

No car seat?
"My father told me to not worry about a car seat. He said, 'Your mother kept you and your sister on her lap on the ride home!'" --april 145

Our take: Do baby a favor and don't pull a Britney. Sure, Dad may mean well, but times have definitely changed since you were in diapers -- for the better. Car seats aren't an option; they're a must (legally speaking), and babies should never go for a ride anywhere unless they're properly strapped in. Make sure you have yours already inspected and set up in your backseat well before your due date. This way, you'll be prepared in case baby decides to come early. Wondering where you can get your car seat inspected? Go to SeatCheck.org to find a safety inspection station near you.

Playing with ice cubes?
"My sister's ex-husband felt it was okay to let the baby 'play' with ice cubes. When I pointed out that he could choke on them, he said, 'They'll melt, won't they?'" --faithe2009

Our take: In terms of potential babysitters, this guy deserves to be blacklisted. As a general rule, baby should never be able to grab anything that's small enough to fit through the tube of a toilet paper roll. Ever. When your little guy starts to crawl and later walk, he'll turn into an instant detective, wanting to inspect everything -- and babies often explore new items by putting them in their mouths. Make sure you keep anything that's small enough to be a choking hazard far away from his grasp and don't forget to baby-proof all of your cabinets and drawers. Ice cubes are fine in a mesh feeder, but otherwise? No.

Don't swaddle?
"I was told by my grandmother that I shouldn't swaddle my newborn because it'd cause her arms to be deformed and that she needed to be able to stretch her muscles." --silvurturtle

Our take: Sorry, Grams, but this one's just plain wrong. Swaddling has been practiced for hundreds of years as a way to keep baby warm and toasty, and the fact that it reminds her of being in the womb will also calm her down and help her sleep better. If you're not sure how to swaddle, ask for a quick lesson before you leave the hospital.

No cuddling?
"I was told that if you hold a newborn or infant too much, you'll spoil them." --Beaniesmommy

Our take: Surprisingly, we hear this one a lot, even though it couldn't be further from the truth. You don't have to be Dr. Sears to know that bonding with baby is hugely important -- especially in those first few months of development. Feel free to cuddle and hold baby as much as you want! Just make sure you still allow him some independence as he grows. If baby cries when you put him down, try rubbing a sock or small cotton cloth on your body and placing it near him. Your familiar scent can help calm him even if he's not in your arms.

Best way to Brand You

Kleenex, Band-Aid, Starbucks -- the name tells you everything you need to know. Somewhere along the way, name and product became one and the same and they both scream quality and value. In brand we trust. But brand-building isn't just the miracle tool of multinationals and their in-house marketing machines. If you've got some career ambition, it's more than worth it to develop your own personal brand and be the definition of your career for other people. And guess what? It's easier than you think with these tips:

Make a mental picture. Clamp your eyes shut and picture who you are and what qualities you want people to call to mind when your name comes up (or when a job presents itself that would fit you like a glove). Those qualities should be the cornerstones of your brand.

Become a tangible product. For those branding giants -- our aforementioned Kleenex, Band-Aid, and Starbucks -- the image is reinforced with logos, trademarks, commercials, catch-phrases, and customer service. Each time a customer interacts with a given product, the corporation reinforces the brand until, when you need a tissue, you think Kleenex. You, however, are not a tissue. You are a living, breathing brand, with ample opportunities to reinforce this on a daily basis. If your personal brand involves innovation, be innovative in all things: the food you eat for lunch, the gadgets you rely on, the style that swirls around you. Keep in mind that this can work against you, too: If you always do shoddy work, your desk is a mess, or your wardrobe is atrocious, those are the qualities that people will associate with you. Yikes.

Be your brand. My brand involves two words -- communications diva -- and I strive to epitomize these words in all my interactions. From my bold eye shadow to my to-the-point

e-mails; from my leopard-print wallet to the cool head that guides me through crisis situations; from the bistros where I schedule meetings to the sassy logo on my business cards, I define what I believe a communications diva to be. And judging by the staggering number of referral calls I receive on a weekly basis, my branding efforts are working.

Commit to your message. Brand-building requires complete focus; one misstep and your brand crumbles. (It's going to take more than a couple of apologetic press releases for consumers to trust the pet-food companies embroiled in the tainted-food scandal). Ideal personal brands are realistic and super-easy to reinforce because they're second nature. If your dream brand involves fearless public speaking but you're meek as a mouse, you might want to back-burner this aspect of your brand and revisit it after a couple years of confidence-building exercises.

Unless you're Paris Hilton (who, as a celebutante -- "famous for being famous" -- is nothing but a brand) and have a publicity machine forever in tow to keep your brand on track, you don't need to obsess about personal branding with every interaction. Cliché as it sounds, you just need to stay true to you (and a few weeks in the slammer fits Paris' brand perfectly). How do you know when you've succeeded at building a brand? When someone you respect says, "This awesome job I just heard about is so you."

Vegie spring rolls

Serving size: Serves 10 or more
Cuisine type: Asian
Cooking time: Less than 30 minutes
Course: Finger food

INGREDIENTS

50g dried vermicelli noodles
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 whole fresh corn cob, kernels removed
1 carrot, grated
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
½ cup frozen peas, thawed
227g can water chestnuts, coarsely chopped
1½ cups shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons kecap manis
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons corn flour
1 tablespoon water
1x 300g packet frozen or fresh spring roll wrappers
sweet and sour sauce, to serve

METHOD

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced.

Place noodles in a large heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes or until soft. Drain. Using scissors, cut noodles into 3cm lengths.
Heat oil in a large wok and add the water chestnuts and all the vegetables except for the cabbage and cook for 2 minutes or until softened slightly. Stir in cabbage, sauces and cornflour dissolved in water and continue to cook for 30 seconds or until mixture thickens; cool slightly.

Place a heaped spoon of filling in one corner of each wrapper. Brush edges lightly with water. Fold corner over filling, then roll up firmly and press to seal. Place on tray and spray or brush with olive oil.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden (or cook in plenty of hot peanut or vegetable oil until golden brown). Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Chicken Arrabbiata

Serving size: Serves 4

Cuisine type: Italian, Modern Australian

Cooking time: More than 1 hour

Special options: Heart friendly, Low Carb, Low fat

Course: Main

Favourite flavours: Chicken, Saucy

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil

1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges

4 chicken marylands (thighs and legs), about 1.2kg

1 bulb garlic, cloves peeled

150ml dry red wine

2 hot red chillies, chopped

2 punnets cherry tomatoes or two cans of cherry tomatoes, well drained

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

polenta, to serve

Soffritto base:

2 large cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped 

50g fatty pancetta, cut into cubes

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves

METHOD

To make soffritto, combine 2 chopped cloves garlic, pancetta and rosemary in a small processor and pulse until finely chopped. Alternatively, chop on a board with a sharp cook’s knife. 

Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan over moderate heat, add soffritto and cook about 5 minutes or until pancetta fat runs, stirring frequently. Add onion, chicken and garlic cloves and cook for about 8 minutes, browning chicken on both sides.

Stir in wine and cook for 1 minute, then add chilli and tomatoes, and season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook gently for 40 minutes. The chicken is cooked if the liquid runs clear when a skewer is inserted between thigh and leg. Adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with parsley and serve in deep, heated plates, with polenta. 

TIP: You could serve chicken arrabbiata with a steaming bowl of penne as an alternative to polenta.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cheese cake

Serving size: Serves 10 or more
Cuisine type: Modern Australian
Cooking time: More than 2 hours
Special options: Vegetarian
Course: Dessert
Favourite flavours: Cakes/baking, Cheese

INGREDIENTS

200g chocolate wheaten biscuits, broken
60g butter, melted
½ cup (125ml) milk, plus 1 tablespoon extra
¾ cup (210g) crunchy peanut butter
250g cream cheese
½ cup (110g) caster sugar
30g dark chocolate, melted

METHOD

1. Line base of a 23cm loose-based flan pan with baking paper. Process broken biscuits into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and extra tablespoon of milk and process until well combined. Press mixture over base and sides of pan. Chill while making filling.

2. Place peanut butter and remaining milk in a small saucepan and heat on low for 10 minutes, stirring, until smooth. Remove from heat and cool.

3. Using an electric mixer with paddle or V-groove beaters, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Stir in peanut butter mixture. Spoon into chocolate crust, cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill for three hours, until firm.

4. Place melted chocolate in a small plastic bag and snip off corner. Drizzle melted chocolate finely back and forth over cheesecake. Return to fridge and leave to set for 15 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve.