I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.


Gluten and lactose are not my friends.


Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.


I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

May 7, 2011

Ginger Kisses


High Tea is just so lovely.

I once took my sister for her birthday to a Very Swanky Hotel that specialises in high teas. To go with your dainties you got a lovely glass of sparkling wine as well as endless refills of your choice of tea. The tea was hot, the music was subdued, the waitresses were ever so professional.... until one of the poor girls with a tray full of champagne glasses full of bubbly caught her heel on a rug and dumped the whole lot in my sisters lap! The management was apologetic and covered us in towels, new bubbly was bought at the double, dry cleaning charges were promised- but personally I think a private suite to dry off in while our clothes dried would have been much more appropriate :) We went on to have a nice afternoon of (now complimentary) nibbles and beverages, but I got my own back by taking all the smoked salmon finger sandwiches off the buffet, just eating the salmon and hiding my bread under scrumpled up serviettes. But don't tell, they might remember who I was.

The atmosphere, the slight sense of 'grownup' superiority that makes you wonder what all the little people are doing, the chance to gossip with friends, wear something a little dressy for a change, the scent of Earl Grey drifting from fine china teacups, and perfect tiny little morsels to nibble on- unless of course you're one of us InTolerants who just sip tea wistfully and nibble on an apple in the background or steal sandwich fillings when no one is looking....

I don't think Tea occasions should be just for those special times or just for those non-InTolerants who can eat out without fear. Nor do I think it's acceptable just to crack open a packet of biscuits that call themselves gluten-free, but are made of cardboard and sawdust either. That's why I made these little Ginger Kisses.

Ginger Kisses are tiny little sponges of loveliness, slightly spiced and tasting ever so gently of honey. Sandwiched together with buttercream custard marbled with glace ginger syrup.... Yummm...
More sophisticated than a cupcake, more elegant than a slice, definitely not made of sawdust.

Perfect with a cup of tea.



Ginger Kisses

2 eggs
1/3 cup of castor sugar
1 Tabsp Honey
1/2 cup gluten free flour
1/2 tsp gluten free baking powder
2 tsp mixed spice - ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon





Put eggs, sugar and honey in mixer and whip until tripled in size. We want as much air in this as possible.



Triple sift the dry ingredients, the easiest way to do this is to sift onto a piece of baking paper or flexible cutting sheet then tip into the bowl at the end.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, again be as careful as you can to keep the little air bubbles in so the cakes are nice and fluffy.




Put small spoonfuls into greased patty tins, just barely filling them. And by the way, aren't these the cutest little tins around? I found them in an old pile of junk that someone was getting rid of and ever so kindly took the tins out of their hands. I'm nice like that.



Bake at 180* for about 12 mins. The cakes should just spring back when gently touched with a finger.




Cool for a minute in the pans, then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling.

When the little kisses are cool, and just before eating, sandwich these together with some custard butter cream, or whipped cream. To keep the ginger theme going I folded through some of the ginger sauce with some of the finely chopped ginger chunks for extra yumminess. This will make 12 complete little kisses, so you need 2 tins of with 12 holes each.



You can find my buttercream recipe back in the blog a bit, or just quickly make up a custard with 1/2 cup lactose free milk, 1 egg yolk, 1 tab gfree custard powder and 1tab sugar. Whisk over heat until thickened and cool.
Beat in 3 tabs room temperature butter and 1/3 cup icing sugar, until it's light and fluffy.
Fold in some ginger syrup and place generous spoonfuls between the sponge kisses.

These should be served with a lovely cup of Earl Grey Tea, with a side of ambiance and gossip!

So lovely Readers, do you enjoy High Tea?

22 comments:

  1. I really liked going there too. The whole thing wasnt ruined by the waitress. Thanks again.

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  2. How stunning is this! What beautiful ginger kisses. I've never had high tea! I feel like I'm missing out, it sounds just lovely, as you've so beautifully described :)
    Heidi xo

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  3. I love ginger kisses, but too sweet for me!

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  4. High tea is a time when people can have intimate conversations without the stuffiness of a sit down dinner.

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  5. I adore ginger kisses but sadly I haven't had them much at high tea except for one lovely place in Melbourne. And Happy Birthday to you! I hope your weekend has been marvellous (and happy mother's day to you too ;) ).

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  6. I know EXACTLY what you mean about feeling grown up and sophisticated -always drink with your pinky out and maybe even put on a swanky British accent (other people do this, right?)

    Your ginger kisses look divine!

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  7. haha oh my - what a memorable high tea experience!

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  8. Oh wow, they look amazing. Wishing I had one of them right now. And yes, they would be perfect with a nice cup of Earl Grey!

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  9. High tea...what a good way to pamper ourselves sometimes...;)

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  10. high tea...what a good way to pamper ourselves

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  11. Definitely something that should be mandatory to all high teas! Delicious :)

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  12. YES! I've been hoping to make gluten-free ginger kisses for years now! They used to be my favourites so when I went G-free I swore to myself that one day I would make them. Thanks so much for proving that it is possible!
    You're a legend, love your blog!

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  13. What exactly is high tea? And gosh, what a nightmare for a waitress to stumble with a champagne tray! :O (Love how you snacked away all the salmon. :D)

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  14. Those look absolutely delicious...and GF, even more amazing!

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  15. Oh! These ginger kisses look so cute and do delicate. Love it, and sure perfect for tea...but high tea? I did not get this one :-) Hope you are having a wonderful week!

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  16. Yum I love high tea! That baking tin is so pretty!

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  17. Ginger Kisses to you all Dear Readers!

    Simcha- When you come back we'll have to go again!

    Heidi- You really have to go sometime, wait for a special occasion then spoil yourself!

    Fiona- Kisses should always be sweet!

    Chopinandmysaucepan- giggles and gossip are perfect for a high tea

    Lorraine- you must be the definitive guide to high teas and you've had some lovely ones featured on your blog. Thanks, and same to you!

    Lucy- Oh yes, pinkies at the ready! When I took my (other) sister, we listened to Noel Coward on the radio with his humour and poshy accent- perfect!

    Lucy- definitely!

    Spiceandmore- Earl Grey is the perfect match- especially the Dilmah brand

    Tigerfish- we all need some pampering now and then don't we?

    JasmyneTea- Of course!

    Theresa- Thanks, glad I could help you out

    Kath and Juliana- High tea is an afternoon tea extrodinaire! Lots of sweet and savoury morsels, preferably very posh and tiny, a glass of bubbles and tea. Perfect little bites of grown-up delight and a chance to break out your posh frock. I hope you can experience one soon.

    Indie.Tea- never underestimate a detemined chef!

    Carol- Of course not!

    Have a lovely week dears, thanks for stopping by, and be on the lookout for a couple of giveaways coming soon! Ginger Kisses to all xx

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  18. High tea AND those beautiful ginger kisses sound ABSOLUTELY wonderful!!

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  19. Gf ginger kisses! I LOVE you xx

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  20. Oh my, how cute are those shells! Great find, B! And lovely recipe too...very elegant looking indeed.. :)

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  21. Mom and I were just talking about the cookie moulds with patterns and wondered where on earth we can find them? Your shells are gorgeous. And, what a hoot, imagine what the waiters said when they found the pile of bread with the filling gone?

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