Baking for a dear family member or friend in celebration of a special occasion is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. The process takes effort and time which is often in short supply when leading a busy life. But you needn’t wait for a specific occasion. Sometimes just an unexpected meal or favourite dish can lift a person’s mood or give them a helping hand. My friend Ruth, who also happens to be a highly skilled home cook, recently made me a steaming pot of tender, slow cooked lamb shanks with buttered rice and a garden salad. Her gesture was very much appreciated, not only because the meal was delicious, but because she had made such a heartfelt effort. 

When baking for someone’s birthday, I always ask them what sort of cake they would like. So far I haven’t received any outlandish requests. However, one of my daughters is partial to profiteroles and I know at some point she will spot a towering croquembouche in a patisserie window and ask in her usual sweet voice, “Mum, do you think you could perhaps make one of those for my next birthday?” 

My husband celebrated his birthday today and his cake request was simple. CHOCOLATE. I have entire books and whole chapters devoted to different types of chocolate cakes and desserts, many of which I have already made time and time again, so I spent a while trying to decide on which one. In the end I chose a new recipe from Merle Parish’s book, Merle’s Kitchen. Her Donna Latter Chocolate Cake won Merle first prize in the CWA Land Cooking Contest and I can see why! It has a satisfying chocolate flavour while still maintaining a fluffy, light texture. I smothered the entire cake with Nigella’s Lawson’s Sour Cream Icing from her Feast cookbook, it’s richness lending a fine balance to the base. My husband adores fresh berries, so although they are not in season in Australia,  I splurged and dotted the cake with a selection of raspberries and, blueberries

I am continually surprised at how children seem to harbour an extra tummy reserved only for dessert. No matter how much they have eaten THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT. Today’s cake was served up after we had enjoyed the lunchtime birthday feast pictured below.  

  

While the rain poured down, we stayed warm gathered around our family table and ate… barbecued aromatic oregano and cumin lamb kebabs, freshly chopped and tossed tabouleh, hummus, tzaziki, Greek style yoghurt, sweet figs and bocconcini drizzled with vino cotto, a salad of crisp iceberg lettuce and creamy avocado with a honey white-wine vinegar dressing and sticky lemon-garlic roasted potatoes.