It’s nearly Easter folks, so hop on the baking bandwagon to make this soul-warming recipe.
Recipe
SERVES 6
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS
6 Hot Cross Buns
Butter (for spreading and greasing)
150ml Whole milk
500ml Vanilla custard
1 tbsp Vanilla essence
3 tbsp Caster sugar
1 tbsp Cinnamon (optional)
METHOD
Prepare ingredients and pre-heat oven to 180C.
In a mixing bowl whisk the custard, vanilla essence and milk together.
Cut the buns in half, spread with butter, half again, layer in greased baking dish. Evenly pour over the custard mixture, heavily soaking the buns.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until there is just a slight wobble in the centre of the custard. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together. Take the pudding out of the oven and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the surface.
Change the oven setting to hot grill and grill for 2-4 minutes until the sugar starts to melt and caramelize. Keep watching so it doesn’t burn.
They say the best things in life are free. And although this remains true for the most part, whoever came up with this sentiment must have momentarily forgotten about delicatessen-style foods. We’re talking about all those specialty goods like mouth-watering dry-cured meats, artisanally produced cheeses, and all of those delightful dips and spreads — ultimate charcuterie board goals.
When it’s time for a picnic or a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun with wine in hand, these foods are the perfect accompaniment. But getting your hands on such fare is no easy task. You must know where to look, folks. Head to the supermarket deli counter if you must, but if you yearn for divine savours — and believe you deserve the very finest — read on as we run you through the Gold Coast’s best gourmet deli’s.
Manolas Bros Delicatessen After a recent swoon-worthy refurbishment, Manolas Bros has only gone and cemented themselves as one of the Coast’s ultimate spots to treat your tastebuds. Not content with just being a continental style deli, you are also now spoiled with wood-fired pizzas, an extensive bar offering, and heaps of takeaway options in the form of some robust filled-to-the-brim food hampers. All we can say is specialty dishes, baked goods, and festive sweets are some of the many reasons people keep coming back to this Surfers Paradise foodie hub. Where: Shop 3G, 14 Capri on Isle of Capri, 15/21 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
The Standard Market Company, Ferry Road Markets (image supplied)
The Standard Market Company – Southport Brickworks Your one-stop place to fill your larder with the finest goods the Gold Coast’s CBD has to offer. Specialising in freshly baked breads, cheese, olives and imported gourmet goods, your next picnic will be elevated to lofty new heights. But this isn’t all; their very own butcher counter will tease you with expert cuts of free-range and organic meats, alongside a vast selection of handmade sausages crafted with flavourings from all around the world. Around the world in 80 snags, anyone? Where: 107 Ferry Road, Southport
Barbosa Fine Food Deli Cheese is life. A fair statement in anyone’s book (sorry vegans), but with cheese, one must have suitable chutneys, relishes, pickles, and crackers; luckily for Barbosa Fine Food Deli at the Kitchens in Robina Town Centre has all the above plus more. Grab yourself an organic Fairtrade coffee and discuss your next blissful charcuterie board with any of their friendly staff: they’ll help direct you through their incredible assortment of imported and Australian goods. And for those with a craving for fresh truffles, look no further, truffle season is upon us, and these guys have got you covered. Where: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre
Golosi Food Emporium This hidden in plain sight place of delectable goods is Burleigh Heads’ ode to fine foods — and we suggest, if you haven’t already, to make this a regular place to stop by. Even if you’re having trouble conjuring up a list of things you might want, don’t fear. Once you step inside, the vast assortment of fare will quickly have you imagining cheese boards and snack plates from your wildest dreams. And if you plan on having yourself an easy dinner one evening, their selection of fresh pastas and divine ready prepared meals are by no means a shortcut. Where: 3/45 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Golosi Food Emporium (image supplied)
Ambarella Fine Foods This enclave of gourmand food and drinks ensures an authentic paddock to plate experience with every visit. Whether you’re looking to stock up on farm-fresh vegetables, lusting for one of our city’s largest selections of cheese, or adamant you must have yourself only the best superbly baked European style bread, then, you’ll find all of these under the one roof here in Burleigh Waters. However, searching out the best goods is tiring — and hungry — work. We suggest you take a rest and fuel up at their café and juice bar, where fresh over-filled sandwiches/wraps and squeezed-on-the-spot juices await you. Where: Shop 12/1 Santa Maria Court, Burleigh Waters
Quince Fromagerie Cellar
On the southern end of the Coast, the Cornerstone Stores have been a haven of boutique goods impressing locals for the last three and a half years. Integral to this space is the cutest looking wine and cheese shop, Quince Fromagerie — but don’t be fooled, this is a serious case of good things come in small packages. Friendly shop manager Rafa is on hand to lead you through the diverse selection of gourmet goods and cheeses, and if you ask nicely, he may even give you a taste of some. We’re also pleased to say wine plays a role here, and should you want to pair one of their many bottles with anything edible you purchase, go right ahead, you cultured thing, you. Where: Shop 5/570 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun
Quince Fromagerie and Cellar (image supplied)
Russian Delights Those with family ties to Eastern Europe or Russia often know only too well how hard it can be to find foods from the old country here in Australia. One place that disrupts and challenges this status quo are the good guys at Russian Delights. This long-established business has been procuring and distributing various foods from several different cultures for over twenty years and shows no sign of slowing one bit. Specialising in smoked sausages and cured meats, they pride themselves on only stocking the very best produce made by the strictest traditional recipes and welcome customers from all varying backgrounds to come and enjoy their selection of international goods. Trust us when we say, locals who know their meats, get it from here. Where: 1/35a Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads