STICKY DATE PUDDINGS WITH BURNT CARAMEL SAUCE

20m prep

35m cook 8 servings

14 Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates, fnely chopped

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 125g butter, softened

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup self-raising four

• 1/2 cup plain four

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• Double cream, to serve

Burnt Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup caster sugar

• 300ml pure cream

• 1 tsp sea salt fakes

• 50g butter

5 Method Steps

STEP 1

• Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced.

• Grease 8 holes of 2 x 6-hole, 3/4-cup-capacity Texas muffn pans.

• Line base of each hole with a round of baking pape

STEP 2

• Combine dates, boiling water and bicarbonate of soda in a large heatproof bowl.

• Set aside for 10 minutes to soak.

STEP 3

• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fuffy.

• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition until just combined.

• Stir in combined fours, cinnamon and date mixture.

• Spoon evenly among prepared holes.

• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of 1 pudding comes out clean.

• Set aside for 10 minutes to cool.

STEP 4

• Meanwhile, make Burnt caramel sauce Place caster sugar in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat.

• Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes until sugar melts and caramelises to a dark brown.

• Remove from heat. Carefully pour in the cream (mixture will spatter at this stage).

• Add salt and butter. Return to low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until toffee dissolves and sauce thickens slightly.

STEP 5

• Transfer puddings to serving plates. Drizzle with hot caramel sauce. Serve with double cream.

Reforms To Level The Playing Field And Deliver Relief For Renters

By JEFFREY GIBBS

The Minns Labor Government will introduce a bill to the New South Wales Parliament which will deliver on a key election commitment to provide cost of living relief and better protection to NSW renters. This legislation will close the loopholes in the existing ban on solicited rent bidding to include owners and third parties, as well as eliminate secret rent bidding by requiring owners and their agents to notify applicants of other offers from prospective tenants which are higher than the advertised price. Additionally, the Government will ensure the appropriate powers are in place to design and enact a portable bond scheme that reduces the strain on renters. The Government’s rental reforms come in response to the tight rental market in NSW, where low housing supply and rising interest rates are putting huge pressure on families, vulnerable groups, and everyday citizens. This is the frst step in implementing the Government’s rental reform commitments to make renting fairer and reduce the stress and pressure on renters across the state.

The Government has also commenced the process of appointing a Rental Commissioner to be a voice for renters – with the position currently advertised. Further, work is being done on reforms to end ‘no grounds’ evictions, make it easier for tenants to have pets, and better protect renters’ personal information.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales stated, “Anyone who rents in New South Wales knows

Budget Will Help Struggling Renters But Big Challenges Remain

Australia’s peak body for homelessness says tonight’s Federal Budget will put desperately needed dollars in the hands of struggling renters, which will provide some relief to their rental stress. But the huge challenge of inadequate supply of social housing and overstretched homelessness services remains to be addressed.

Homelessness Australia

CEO Kate Colvin said the increase in the base rate of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Austudy was welcome but will be quickly eclipsed by further rental increases.

“The increase to income support payments means more desperately needed dollars will be in the hands of renters struggling to make ends meet. Every dollar helps. But unfortunately, many recipients will still be treading water and more rent rises are expected. The truth is, the housing crisis and pressure on homelessness services will continue,” Ms Colvin said.

“An opportunity was missed to invest in a rapid rehousing fund to acquire properties that could be almost immediately made available to homeless families.