Hadas shares with us two of her most favourite Israeli desserts. Not only delicious, they are also very easy to make and look drop dead gorgeous. Perfect for an afternoon tea or those dinner parties you plan to organise.

Let’s start with Malabi – with its inviting and alluring vivid red of the raspberry coulis contrasting harmoniously with the bright green of pistachio nuts and milky white pudding, perfumed with rose water. It is truly a feast for the eyes (and tastebuds) and I couldn’t stop photographing it from every angle possible. There’s something nostalgic about the look of this dessert…

Hadas: A lot of the dishes I make are inspired by Israeli/Middle-Eastern food. One of my favourite things about going back to Israel is the food and how simple, fresh and yummy everything is. Malabi is a staple dessert in Israel and something I’ve always loved particularly in summertime. It’s a simple and light option for dessert and the best thing is that it’s so easy to make! This is my Mum’s recipe but you can find lots of different variations online.

Prepare the Malabi mixture about 5 hours prior to adding the toppings. Let it cool at room temperature then cover with glad wrap and place in fridge until set like jelly.

Who: Hadas Benjamin

Hadas Benjamin Home is: Redfern

Redfern Family origin: Israeli

Israeli I can’t live without: Family, friends, Matt, oh…and coffee

Family, friends, Matt, oh…and coffee Occupation: Event Coordinator

Event Coordinator Dream Job: A job the lets me sleep in each morning until I am ready to get up

A job the lets me sleep in each morning until I am ready to get up Currently I am obsessed with: My record collection! I’ve always been adding to my collection but the last few months have got out of control. My friends got me a beautiful new record player for my birthday which hasn’t helped my addiction!

My record collection! I’ve always been adding to my collection but the last few months have got out of control. My friends got me a beautiful new record player for my birthday which hasn’t helped my addiction! Childhood taste: Spaghetti with my Mum’s pasta sauce and salad with my Dad’s dressing

Spaghetti with my Mum’s pasta sauce and salad with my Dad’s dressing I will always have in my pantry: Fresh fruit and veggies

Fresh fruit and veggies I learnt to cook from: My family

My family Currently I’m listening to: The National, Frank Ocean, Camera Obscura & Sigur Ros

The National, Frank Ocean, Camera Obscura & Sigur Ros One day I must visit: New Orleans, for the food and the music!

New Orleans, for the food and the music! Go to meal: Fresh bread with cream cheese, avocado and a fried egg

Fresh bread with cream cheese, avocado and a fried egg I am really good at: Enjoying the simple things in life

Enjoying the simple things in life The unforgettable meal: Both meals are made by my Saftas (Grandmothers). Meal 1: Safta Anna’s cous cous with all the trimmings! Hand-made cous cous, veggie soup broth and an array of different salads, pickles and meats – amazing! Meal 2: Safta Norma’s crepalough. I think its a Polish dish which is sort of a hand-made dumpling filled with minced meat and onions, and either boiled or fried. Good on their own, or in bowl of chicken soup

Both meals are made by my Saftas (Grandmothers). Meal 1: Safta Anna’s cous cous with all the trimmings! Hand-made cous cous, veggie soup broth and an array of different salads, pickles and meats – amazing! Meal 2: Safta Norma’s crepalough. I think its a Polish dish which is sort of a hand-made dumpling filled with minced meat and onions, and either boiled or fried. Good on their own, or in bowl of chicken soup My piece of Sydney: Home sweet home

Home sweet home Guilty Pleasure: Love a sweet treat after dinner – chocolate, cake or biscuits are all good options!

Love a sweet treat after dinner – chocolate, cake or biscuits are all good options! Who does the dishes: Usually Matt

Next is the Tahini and Date Syrup Cake.

Hadas: The Tahini & Date Syrup cake was a recipe my Mum picked up after having it at a friend’s place in Israel. She was describing it to me and it sounded so good I just had to make it!