In My Tropical Kitchen, April 2026

The month of March and into early April, including Easter Week, called for some calming and comforting food, and some careful planning. I needed assurance that food would be catered for throughout the month and particularly over Easter when our club's Annual Easter Indoor Pickleball Tournament was being held, and most importantly, our daughter Shannon was driving home for Easter. I know that also means that a cake needs to be baked, and I also planned that her favourite Monte Carlo biscuits would be in the biscuit tin, or in the refrigerator, still necessary at this time of year.

Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding Tart

My Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding Tart has very caramelised crispy edges, which your family or dinner guests might just fight over, if given the chance, and the vanilla scented custard filling layered with pops of chocolate and marmalade is amazingly light, smooth and delicious. This is my idea of a perfect dessert over Easter this year, when there may be some chocolate indulgence, requiring a well balanced dessert with just a hint of chocolate and sweetness to be on theme.

Pesto Lentils with Zucchini and Capsicum

 

I'm so happy to share with you an outrageously delicious, simple, filling, and healthy lentil and vegetable dish. When I talk to our friends these days about food and what they are cooking for themselves, many are now eating more simply than ever, particularly during the week. So let's go mental for lentils, they tick lots of boxes.

Pesto Pine Nut and Parmesan Muffins, and my Basil Pesto Recipes

 

Here's a simple little muffin recipe for you, for when you need a savoury addition at your morning or afternoon tea or even for breakfast. Bake them large or small, and you will be delighted with the result. Pesto, Pine nuts and Parmesan are perfect ingredients in so many savoury goods.

French Pear Cake

 

This is just a quick post late on a windy Sunday afternoon, to share with you a cake which is a firm favourite of mine. The soft and tender cake combined with juicy pears will leave you wanting a second slice. 

Monte Carlo Biscuits

Hope's delicious Monte Carlos have been a favourite biscuit amongst our family for as long as I can remember. When our daughter said she would love Ma Ma's (my Mum's) original recipe, I was inspired to find it. I've really enjoyed doing some research, baking a few batches of biscuits, comparing her handwritten recipe with others, and now I am very happy that I can bake Monte Carlo's exactly the same as Mum did, from her original recipe. They taste perfect.

In My Tropical Kitchen, March 2026

 What a memorable month February was. It might have been the shortest month of the year, only 28 days, but it was action packed, with a Pickleball tournament to be entered, and I can mention that as even the sport we play has a foodie name; and my birthday was almost "smack bang in the middle" of fabulous February as well.