Cherries and chocolate for Christmas

Cherries from the Granite Belt are plentiful at Christmas... here is something cool and sweet for a hot summer's day.

Chocolate pannacotta with cherries and raspberries

Ingredients

200ml milk

375ml cream

2 tbsp castor sugar

100 g dark couvertures, chopped small

2 leaves gelatine

4 cardamom pods

1 dessertspoon coffee beans

150g cherries

150g raspberries

Method

In a heavy based saucepan, warm the milk, cream, castor sugar, cardamom pods and coffee beans.

Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 2 minutes to soften. Remove and add to milk mixture along with the chocolate.

Stir to dissolve and strain out coffee beans and cardamom pods into a bowl over ice.

Stir continuously until mix starts to cool and pour into moulds or martini glasses and let set whilst covered over night.

Turn out onto plates and decorate with cherries and raspberries.

Add a scoop of your favourite icecream.

Queensland wine match:2005 Ballandean Estate, Sylvaner

Christmas in Queensland

Christmas Day in many households in Queensland starts off planned as a day of festive cheer. It quickly turns into a week of torture as we organise for family and friends to celebrate with each other at this special time. This year, break the mould - get your partner more involved, do your preparations early and don't be a slave to tradition or the kitchen!

Buy some beautiful fresh vegetables and fruit, in particular delicious berries and stone fruit from Stanthorpe, but of course keep it simple. For those visiting, what better present than Queensland prawns, oysters and mudcrabs.

Order your produce for the festive season in advance to secure the best ham, turkey or prawns.

Salad of shaved ham, fetta and figs

Ingredients

420 g shaved ham

9 purple figs, ripe

180 g Kingaroy fetta

2 bunches of rocket, trimmed and washed

large basil leaves

150 g fresh peas, podded

1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts

extra virgin olive oil

aged balsamic vinegar

Method

Place shaved ham to cover the outside of the plate.

Cut figs in half and place 3 halves per plate.

Follow with rocket leaves dressed with a splash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Scatter with peas and hazelnuts and finish with Kingaroy fetta.

Queensland Wine Match: 2009 Witches Falls Fiano