Street Xmas Party

Our lovely neighbours, Larraine and Vicki, decided to throw a neighbourly get to together Christmas potluck dinner for all the neighbours that live on our street. Given that we have quite a number of new people, including us that recently moved into the area, they thought it would be a good idea that everyone get together and mingle over Christmas potluck and put faces to houses in this case.

As we recently had a couple of break-ins in our area (recent one was just the house opposite us!), we were trying to be vigilant about the whole thing and help everyone to get to know know one another so we know who live around here and who do not. Nothing beats a good neighbourhood watch!

We've always been quite lucky with neighbours and are very glad that all the neighbours turned out to be very nice and friendly. I also met and got to know Sarah, a young stay at home mum who also has an 18 months toddler boy and another one on the way! It's always nice to know that there's a fellow mummy in the neighbourhood.

Anyway, we were to bring two items to the potluck - a main and a dessert. It was unquestionable what I was going to make for dessert as I ALWAYS make pavlova for Christmas season. It's easy, delicious and very Christmassy. I had to think for a while about the main as I want something easy to eat and not fuss, hence finally decided that I'd make a mini bacon and egg pie and I know that everyone loves a good pie! Not to toot my own horn here but I do make a very mean bacon and egg pie! It's one of John's favourite and it's so easy to make!

Recipes below if you're interested!

RECIPES
Mini bacon and egg pies (makes 12)

3 sheets frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed (you can make your own)
500g bacon, thinly sliced
1/2 onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped chives
1 cup of shredded cheese
seasonings, salt and pepper
12 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease 12x muffin pans. Cut pastry sheets into quarters. Gently ease a square of pastry into each muffin pan.
2. Cook bacon in a small frying pan over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until light golden. Drain bacon on paper towel and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Dice the onions, set aside. Place three-quarters of bacon and some dice onions into base of each pastry shell. Whisk eggs, chives, salt and pepper until well-combined. Pour egg mixture over bacon and onion in each shells. Sprinkle top with grated cheese.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is cooked. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Season and serve hot.

Pavlova

4 Egg Whites
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 tablespoon cornflour
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Beat egg whites until stiff (forms peaks). Add sugar - heaped tablespoon at a time - beating well after each addition. Then beat for at least 10 minutes. This is very important. Then mix in vinegar, cornflour and vanilla essence into mixture. Beat until blended.

Place baking paper on a baking tray. Heat oven until 300°F (or 150°C). Pour the meringue mixture ontop on the baking paper and try to make a round shape but be careful not to flatten it. Put pav in oven and immediately turn oven down to 250°F (or 125°C) and leave for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the oven off and leave pav in the oven to cool down until completely cold. (Usually overnight). This would make a nice crust on outside.

Before serving, whipped some cream and dollop on top on pavlova. Cut some of your favourite fruit and place onto of cream and serve.