Mother’s Day 2015: how the stars celebrated (and dirty dessert)

Ah, the stars can wait. Here’s how I celebrated …

I’m not really a wrapping paper and ribbon kind of gal. I much prefer “experiences” – words, gestures, time together.

So my favourite gift on Mother’s Day was the youngest staggering out of bed all tousle-haired and wishing me a spontaneous “Happy Mother’s Day” then giving me a hug and telling me she loved me.

Considering she once did the tousle-haired stagger thing on Christmas morning, sat down between two Santa sacks on the lounge and didn’t even notice them … until I pointed them out … I was very touched that she’d remembered.

The eldest remembered too … after a long, hard stare from me …

Then it was over to my sister’s place for the most delicious lunch where the youngest and I were in charge of dessert. We made “Diggin’ In The Dirt” from Masterchef. Did you see that episode?

The actual recipe – as attempted a few weeks prior – is a nightmare guaranteed to have you weeping quietly in the corner, so we dumbed it down to this yummy concoction and served it to several post-70-year-old guests who got their first taste of popping candy … and seemed a little startled by it.

Recipe: Dirty dessert

1 orange, peeled

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

500g chocolate mousse

spray cream

fresh raspberries

white chocolate bits

1 packet chocolate-flavoured biscuits

1/4 cup popping candy

Method: Make two things the day before …. cut the peeled orange into small – pith and seed-free – pieces and freeze them. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Add orange peel and simmer for 20 minutes, keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn. Remove peel. Pour onto grease proof paper on a tray. When it sets, break it into large pieces and place in a zip-lock bag. Smash into little pieces with a hammer and refrigerate. Next morning, blitz the packet of biscuits in the food processor and stir in popping candy and smashed orange toffee. Just prior to serving … squirt some spray cream onto each plate. Dot each one with 3 raspberries, 3 bits of frozen orange and 4 white choc bits. Place a dollop of chocolate mousse on top. Sprinkle a generous amount of biscuit crumbs on top of the chocolate mousse until the dish resembles a pile of dirt on the plate. Serve.

And, finally, my celebrity Mother’s Day gallery (click on a pic to bring it up as a gallery) …

How was your Mother’s Day?