Had a wonderful diner with friends on Saturday night, only problem was that I forgot to take piccies once they all arrived, so you’ll just have to take my word for it when I say it tasted great.

Don’t quite know why the photos turned out so yellow, although they do take on a vintage look. We had chicken liver and salmon pates to start with followed by fillet of beef with a pickled walnut crust, and finished with swiss meringue roulade with passion fruit and orange, washed down with a spot of Orange;Cello from Deinlein.

There’s something so special having friends around you’re table, only problem is that it was Super15 Rugby Rugby finals night and our local team, the Chiefs, were in the final. So the kids had to borrow my laptop and try to watch on line, never quite a goer.

Anyway the night was a great success, spending quality time with real friends and to top it off the Chiefs won.

Swiss Meringue Roulade

Serves 10

6 egg whites

150g caster sugar

50g flaked almonds

Method

Preheat the oven to 220˚C.  Line a swiss roll tray with baking parchment.  Whisk egg whites until very stiff.  Gradually add sugar a little at a time.  Spread on the lined tray and sprinkle with flaked almonds.  Bake for about 10 minutes.

Turn out and cool.  Remove baking parchment.  Spread with whipped cream, orange segments and passion fruit pulp, or any other fruit you like, e.g. strawberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, etc.

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