Platter food for a long lunch
Serves 6-8 Icing
250g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Hot water Confectionary sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried raspberries for garnish
Place flour, butter and icing sugar in a food processor and mix to crumb stage. Add vanilla seeds and egg. Using the pulse button, mix in cold water until the dough starts to hold together.
Tip dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a brick,
each given their own voice to traverse their inner lives.
There’s Michael, whose dark thoughts begin to overcome his otherwise laid-back surfie wellbeing. Michael is trying to identify with his Ma¯ ori heritage, leading to recurring renditions of the legend of Ma¯ ui, and issues with te reo and marae protocol. His brother John seems to be filled with anger at school, his family and life in general.
Their mother, Valerie, is beset with ever-present guilt at not being there for her children because she is so taken up with the patients at her general practice. Her daughter Elena is so busy blogging about enclosing it in plastic. Chill at least 30 minutes.
Cut brick in half and roll out the first piece of dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 14cm x 32cm. Trim the edges to make them straight. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Place rectangles on a lined oven tray and chill 15 minutes.
Heat oven to 200C. Bake pastry 10-15 minutes or until just golden (do not over-bake as this makes the slice difficult to cut). Take from oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
what she believes to be healthy food for her pregnancy that she misses her partner Malcolm’s increasingly serious dalliance with one of his university students. Malcolm’s ‘‘rock’’, his grandmother, also has a voice, as does Valerie’s ex, Caleb, a stereotypical bloke obsessed with rugby, racing and beer. Michael’s partner Evie is a committed animal welfare activist and vegan, inclined – like Elena – to preach rather a lot about food values and the environment.
The preachiness does get a bit wearing after a while, especially coming at us from two of the main characters, sometimes in
Spread jam evenly over 1 piece of pastry. Top with the second piece of pastry.
Make the icing by combining icing sugar and vanilla with enough hot water to make a thick, spreadable mixture. Spread over the top of the pastry.
Using a sharp knife, cut into bars or wedges and scatter with sprinkles or crushed raspberries.
Slice will keep for several days in an airtight container in a cool spot.
Makes about 16 pieces
Isa Pearl Ritchie has quite a compelling tale to weave of overcoming depression, finding yourself through your heritage, searching for wellbeing.