Tim Tam Slice

I wanted to try a new slice creation when asked to ‘bring a plate’ to a friend’s BBQ the other week. Normally I take my rocky road, or lemon slice, but with a packet of Tim Tams sitting in the cupboard – well I had my inspiration to try something new.

On the subject of Tim Tams – they really are quite iconically Australian, aren’t they. So much so that when we had Japanese exchange students stay with us when I was younger, they took back packets of Tim Tams by the suitcase-load.  They weren’t all that fussed about Vegemite, but they couldn’t get enough when it came to Tim Tams!

But I digress.

This ‘no bake’ Tim Tam slice was made simply with biscuits, Tim Tams (of course), condensed milk, butter, coconut and cocoa powder.

Combined, pressed into a pan, then topped with white chocolate and more biscuit pieces. Then it was into the fridge to set – no baking required.

Then, after a few hours, the slice was ready to slice and serve.

I’m pleased to report that the slice had all the hallmarks of their biscuit inspiration. Full of chocolate and crunch.

A word of warning though….you may find it difficult to stop at just once piece…

Print Recipe
 Tim Tam Slice
Course Baking
Cuisine Slice
Prep Time 20 minutes + cooling time
Servings
pieces
Ingredients
Course Baking
Cuisine Slice
Prep Time 20 minutes + cooling time
Servings
pieces
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Line a slice tray with baking paper.
  2. Place the sweetened condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder in a small saucepan, and heat over a low heat - stirring until the butter has melted and the mixture is combined. Remove from the heat.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the Marie biscuits, half of the chopped Tim Tams and coconut in a large bowl. Add the butter mixture and stir until well combined. Press into the prepared slice tin.
  4. Melt the white chocolate, and pour over the slice. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped Tim Tams and place into the fridge for a few hours to set. Slice and serve.
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Australia Day 2017

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You might recall that last year we indulged in a full tasting menu for Australia Day. Yes, 8 courses that took us on a culinary tour around the Country – celebrating fresh, local and seasonal produce.

And while this year was much more ‘low key’, we still filled the day with family and food, and a favourite pastime – a morning hike!

Needless to say after the morning’s outdoor adventures, we were quite hungry when the afternoon rolled around. Our family joined us for an early dinner – and with the temperature exceeding 30 degrees outside, a BBQ seemed to be the most logical, if not sanest, choice.

On the menu?

Some homemade sausages by our local butcher. Served with a few “Aussie-themed” sides.

Starting with a mango macadamia salad – comprising of salad leaves, fresh mango, avocado and macadamias. Dressed simply with a mixture of lime juice, seeded mustard, oil and sliced red chilli.

I also turned on the oven for 20 minutes or so, in order to make another iconic Australian side…damper! Flavoured with camembert and cracked pepper (and these turned out very moreish indeed).

For dessert we kept things pretty simple. Instead of a large pavlova, I went with mini versions instead. Topped with cream, lemon curd and a fresh raspberry.


And to keep us hydrated, we served a fresh fruit cocktail.

Akin to a punch – I guess you’d say – made with vodka, coconut rum, cooled tea, pineapple juice and ginger ale – finished with some frozen honeydew balls, mint and raspberry.

And so another Australia Day came to pass  – and we retired to bed with full bellies and fond memories of the day.

What about you? What did you get up to this Australia Day?

Cherry & Seed ANZAC Slice

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We kept things low-key this ANZAC day, opting for silent and personal reflections on the significance of the day – rather than heading out with the crowds for the Dawn Service or a game of two-up.

There was, however, an opportunity to pay tribute to an ol’ classic of the day – the ANZAC biscuit.

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Although, on this occasion, I made a slice instead of individual biscuits. It had all the usual ANZAC biscuit characteristics – with oats, coconut and golden syrup making their star appearances. But it had a few new flavours also – with wild cherries and various seeds being thrown into the mix.

IMG_8073 The result being a rather lovely little slice that we have been nibbling on most of the day.  A handy addition to the kids’ lunchboxes this week too, I suspect.

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Cherry & Seed ANZAC slice

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup dessicated coconut
  • 1/2 cup seed mix
  • 125g butter
  • 2 tbs golden syrup
  • 2 tbs boiling water
  • 1/2 tsp bicarb soda
  1. Preheat oven to 170C and line a slice pan with baking paper.
  2. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar and coconut in a bowl – then stir through the cherries and seeds.
  3. Meanwhile, melt the butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan over a low heat. Remove.
  4. Add the boiling water to the bicarb soda, and stir. Then add to the golden syrup mixture (careful – it will bubble up).
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir until combined.
  6. Spoon into the prepared slice tray, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Slice and serve.

What about you? How did you commemorate ANZAC day?

Other ANZAC baking ideas you might like to try:

Our Australia Day ‘Tasting’ Menu

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This year we decided to celebrate Mr BBB’s birthday on Australia Day – for the whole family had the day off (and his actual birthday is only a day later in any event).

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It seemed only appropriate to go with a very Australian theme, but I struggled to settle on a menu. For every region of this beautiful Country seems to have its own unique flavours, tastes and influences – and it would be shame to overlook them.

Then I had a lightbulb moment. I would create a menu of ‘tastes’, and take our family on a culinary tour of Australia. Inspired by and hopefully highlighting local and native flavours.

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My big goal was to use only Australian produce and ingredients, and I am pleased to report that with the help of the markets, delis and local stores, that goal was met

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Tasmania

We started our tour in Tasmania – a State that I have never visited but heard so many wonderful things about.

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Our first dish was created using Tasmanian Huon smoked salmon, dill crème fraiche (Yea) and cucumber –  resulting in a lovely little canapé to start our meal.

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From there we headed across the Bass Straight to Victoria, where ricotta and Beechworth honey were the key ingredients in our second dish.

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On the menu? Ricotta crostini with ricotta, pear, walnuts and honey.

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Washed down with a Napoleone & Co apple / pear cider from the Yarra Valley.

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Australian Capital Territory

We headed to my hometown next, and I knew that smoked chicken from Poacher’s Pantry had to feature (yes, yes, I know it is technically located just over the border but we can claim it as our own surely??!).

IMG_6311 Our third dish of the day was a smoked chicken tarlet, with a homemade rocket pesto and bush tomato relish from Posh Nosh (a local creator of all things relish!).

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New South Wales

We then continued our journey north, stopping in New South Wales for a salad.

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Created with spinach, apples, feta and wild cherries, dressed with a tasty black genoa fig vinegar from the Hunter Valley.

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Queensland

Next stop – the Sunshine state. With gorgeous Tiger prawns and an abundance of tropical fruit as our focus.

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I marinated the prawns in a little oil and lemon zest, then they were cooked on the BBQ. Accompanied by a fruit salsa – comprising pineapple, mango, nectarine and mint.

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Served with a Pepper Tree Pinot Gris.

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Northern Territory

Then it was onto the Northern Territory – with barramundi as our key ingredient.

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Seasoned with native lemon pepper from Herbies, and cooked on the BBQ. Finished with a little Murrumbooee mango and tamarind chutney on the side.

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On the side? Some freshly baked wattleseed damper rolls.

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Western Australia

We then headed west for our last savoury dish of the day (letting out our belt-buckles as we went). I couldn’t resist including kangaroo on the menu (and it turns out that Little J is a big fan!).

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Marinated in white wine and ground pepperberry, and cooked on the BBQ. Served on a carrot puree with a red wine and pepperberry jus.

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Enjoyed with a glass of Marmaduke Shiraz.

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South Australia

Our last stop for the day was South Australia. With inspiration taken from its gorgeous wine regions.

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To conclude our meal? Sparkling Shiraz jellies – with raspberries and blueberries. A sweet ending.

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And just like that our culinary trip around Australia was complete. Although not before squeezing in a few games of Australia Day bingo (or should that be Australia Day ‘cooee’).

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It was definitely a fun afternoon, sampling so many unique flavours. Not to mention rekindling a love for local ingredients and suppliers, discovering some new favourite products along the way.

What about you? How did you spend your Australia Day?