Apple and Plum Tarte Tatin

A quick and easy dessert that's full of flavour. Great way to end a dinner party.



Serves 6

100g Butter, cut into cubes
100g Golden Caster Sugar
6 Apples, peeled, cored and cut into wedges
6 Plums, de-stoned and halved
1 tsp Cinnamon
Ready Rolled Pastry






1. Preheat the oven to 220/200c fan assisted. There are two ways to do this. Slightly easier if you have a skillet but can be done in a frying pan too.  Put the pan on the hob over a medium heat and add the butter and sugar. Melt and combine the butter and sugar. Then add the fruit and cinnamon and cover with the butter mixture. They should be covered and cook for about 10 minutes (they should be softened).

2. Skillet: Roll the puff pastry over the pan and trim the excess pastry and leave about 2cm over the skillet. Then put in the oven for 25 minutes. Then allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Quickly flip onto a plate so the pastry doesn't tear.

Frying Pan: Tip the contents on a pyrex plate or circular shallow pyrex dish. Then cover with the puff pastry. Still leave 2cm over the edge. Cook for 25 minutes and allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Quickly flip onto a plate.

3. Serve warm with a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream.

Triple Chocolate Cookies (V)

Go Big or Go Home should be applied to these delights. Three type of chocolate in one cookie, so bad, its good.

Makes 22-24

175g Unsalted Butter, cubed at room temperature
175g Light Brown Caster Sugar
150g Dark Chocolate, in cubes/chunks
200g Milk Chocolate, roughly chopped
200g White Chocolate, roughly chopped
25g Cocoa Powder
1 Egg
200g Plain Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Vanilla Extract/Essence/Vanilla Bean Paste (I used paste)

1. Preheat oven to 180c/160c fan assisted. Combine sugar and the butter in a mixer or in a mixing bowl. Add the egg and mix.

2. Melt the dark chocolate in a Bain Marie or microwave. Once melted allow to cool slightly then add to the mixture and mix. Then add the cocoa powder, plain flour, baking powder and vanilla.

3. It should stiffen up slightly once you start to combine the flour. Once the mixture starts to stiffen add the roughly chopped chocolate to the dough and continue mixing until combined. Then you have the cookie dough (as difficult it was for me, don't eat the cookie dough, it would mean less cookies!)

4. Take an ice cream scoop or tablespoon if you don't have a scoop. Scoop a spoonful of cookie dough and place on the lined baking tray and press down lightly with the spoon. Don't put them too close. On my 14" x 10" tray I put 6 on the tray, you could get away with 8 as they don't spread out.

5. Put them in the oven for 12 minutes. When they are finished baking leave on the tray for 10 minutes to cool then transfer to wire rack. Eat warm or wait till they are cool to store in a tin for later.

With these the white chocolate is melted in the centre and are sooo goey.  Enjoy!

Proof in the pudding is in the eating and they deliver 

I am guilty at Oven Staring

Cherry Bakewell Cake

Dedicated to the first and biggest influence to my baking. All I can say its a lovely cake. Mwynhewch eich bwyd!

Makes 1 Cake

3 Eggs
200g Self Raising Flour
200g Butter, cubed and at room temperature
200g Golden Caster Sugar
50g Ground Almond
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Baking Powder

Topping/Filling

200g Cherry Jam
175g Icing Sugar
6 tsp Water
Handful of Flaked Almonds
75g Glace Cherries, halved (Optional)

1. Preheat the Oven to 180c/160c Fan Assisted. Line 2 20cm Cake tins.

2. In a food processor or by hand cream the butter and the sugar. Once combined mix the eggs and vanilla extract. 

3. Then add the ground almonds, self raising flour and baking powder and mix till combined. 

4. Then divide between the two tins and bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

5. For the topping of the cake take the icing sugar and mix with water. Add a tsp at a time and it should be thick and smooth. If too thick add a tsp of water. For assembling the cake, take a sponge and spread the cherry jam and then other sponge. Add the icing on top, if it spills over the side it doesn't matter (gives it a unique look). Scatter with flaked almonds and optional cherries. 

Garden Birthday Cake

So it was my partners birthday on Friday so I wanted to make a special Birthday cake for him.

Makes 1 Cake


Chocolate Cake
100g Dark Chocolate (Used 70%)
3 Eggs
300g Caster Sugar
250ml Sunflower Oil
25g Cocoa Powder
250g Plain Flour
Splash of Lemon Juice
2 tbsp Nutella

Spinach Cake
3 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Lemons, juice and zest
3 tsp Baking Powder
180ml Olive Oil
300g Plain Flour
250g Caster Sugar
200g Spinach, pureed

Filling
250g Mascarpone

50ml Double Cream

2 tbsp Icing Sugar

Splash Lemon Juice
Nutella

Decoration
Toothpicks
Food Colouring
250g Ready Roll Icing
Writing Icing
Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/160 fan assisted. Line 20cm Square Cake tins.

Making the Chocolate Cake

1. Put a pan over water over a hob and heat til it boils and reduce to a simmer. Put a large bowl on top and add the dark chocolate and allow to melt. Take off pan and leave to cool slightly.

2. When cooled enough add the sugar and give a good mix til the sugar and chocolate are combined. Then add the eggs, then the oil and mixing throughout.

3. Then add the flour, cocoa powder and lemon juice and mix well. When combined add the nutella, mix then pour in the cake tin

Spinach Cake

1. Mix the eggs and sugar til combined and then add the lemon juice and olive oil, give another mix. Add the flour, baking powder, and spinach. Then finally the vanilla. Mix throughout this process. This can be done in a food processor. Pour in the cake tin.

Put both tins in the oven for 45 - 50 minutes. Take out of the oven leave to cool before taking out of cake tins.

Filling

1. For the filling whisk the mascarpone with the double cream, icing sugar and lemon juice. . Then have the chocolate cake on the base, layer with nutella, cream then the spinach cake.

Decorate

To make the dirt effect breakup some chocolate cake. For the sugarcraft make sure you have icing sugar if the icing gets too sticky.

Sunflower
For these you need ready roll icing, yellow, brown and green food colouring and some toothpicks. Colour the icing with each colour. Wrap the green icing round the toothpick. For the flower, make a large yellow circle. Using a spoon press into it lightly around the edge to make a petal looking design. Have a smaller brown icing circle in the centre and poke with a toothpick.



Carrot Tops and Cabbage
You need green food colouring and ready roll icing. Mix the two. For the cabbage; shape into a small ball and cut another piece into three small triangles and place below the balls. For the Carrot tops, make 3 small sausage shapes and wrap round each other. Cover with the cake dirt.





Flower
For the flower that dots the I you need red pink food colouring and ready roll icing. Mix the colouring and icing til combined. With the ball of icing shave bits off with the tip of the spoon. Then layer  and eventually create a circular design. Smooth the bottom. Write the message using writing icing or piped icing and place the flower over the i.

The Dark Chocolate Knight

As described by one person 'crumbly and melts in your mouth' Also ideal snacking when you need to do some brooding in Gotham. 


Makes 24 - 26 Biscuits

150g Butter
100g Caster Sugar
50g Cocoa Powder
1tsp Cinnamon
225g Plain Flour, plus extra for dusting
100g Dark Chocolate, broken up
100g Milk Chocolate Chips
½ tsp Baking Powder

Topping
175g Dark Chocolate

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/160 fan assisted. In a food processor mix the butter and sugar together. Then melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over boiling water on the hob or in the microwave. Once fully melted add to the food processor and mix.

2.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon and baking powder and give another mix til everything had combined. Finally mix in the chocolate chips. The mixture should be solid. If runny add more flour and if too dry add some melted butter. Put in cling film and but in fridge for about 10 minutes.

3. Put some greaseproof paper and put on trays. Take the dough and put on floured surface. It will be easy to roll out as the chips will stop you rolling out too thin. Should be the thickness of a pound coin. Once rolled out take either a batman butter or a round cutter and cut into shapes and put on tray.

4. Put in the oven for 15 minutes. Allow to cool. Melt the other dark chocolate. Then dip each biscuit in the chocolate to cover one side of the biscuit. Put on a wire rack for the chocolate to cool.

Chocolate Paradise Brownies (V)

Want to impress a date? Night in alone? Need an accompaniment for your ice cream? Then give this recipe a go. All gooey when warm. But always moist.

Makes a Square Cake Worth (Cut into smaller squares)

Resist the urge to eat the mixture (Difficult, I know)

200g Butter, cubed at room temperature
100g Plain Flour
50g Cocoa Powder
200g Dark Chocolate, broken to small pieces
100g Milk Chocolate, cubed
Pinch of Salt
3 Eggs
250g Golden Caster Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 180/160 fan assisted. Line a square 20cm (8 inch) with greaseproof paper. Heat water in a pan. Place a bowl over the pan, add the butter and dark chocolate. Mix well until combined. Leave to cool.

2. While the mixture cools, in another bowl sift the flour and cocoa powder in a bowl then add the sugar and salt. Mix until combined. Add the eggs and stir.

3. When the chocolate mix has cooled enough, gradually add the melt dark chocolate mix to the flour mix. Stir until all has combined.

4. Either mix in the milk chocolate pieces and pour into the cake tin OR pour the mixture into the cake tin and scatter the milk chocolate. Bake in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes. You should be able to poke the centre of the brownie with a toothpick and it should come out clear. Enjoy by themselves or with ice cream and/or cream.

Nice Warm with Cream

Individual Pavlova (V)

Complete your Valentine's day with these lovely desserts. Make them extra special by pipping them to a heart shape. Just trace a cutter or heart shape and fill in with the meringue mix. 

Heart Shaped-ish

Makes 6 Individual Meringues

3 Egg Whites

250g Caster Sugar

500g Frozen Summer Fruits, defrosted

300ml Whipping Cream

2 tbsp Icing Sugar

1, Preheat oven to 150c/130c fan assisted. Put the egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk with an electric whisk (don't attempt a manual whisk unless you have the stamina for it). They should fluff up. Gradually add the caster sugar until used up. Keep whisking until the mixture is glossy and thickened so much it can keep its shape. Good test, if you want to be daring is tip the bowl over your head and it won't fall out. Only do this when you know it's going to stay. 

2. Either spoon on to baking paper or pipe into circles, hearts or any desired shape you want. 

3. Stick in the oven for 30 minutes. Then after that time turn the oven off and prop open the oven door and leave the meringue in the oven. They should be able to lift from the baking sheet with ease. If not put in the oven for longer. 

4. While the meringues are in the oven whip the cream adding the icing sugar to sweeten. 

5. Assemble any way you see fit. Either have one meringue add cream and fruit and crumble one meringue over the top OR stack for the ultimate pudding. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Banana and Golden Syrup Loaf (V)

When you get those ripe bananas, dont throw them away, make this delicious Banana and Golden Syrup Loaf. Waste Not, Want Not. If you need a loaf tin, you can find one in your local cookery shop.

Makes 1 Loaf

2tbsp Golden Syrup
175g Butter
150g Caster Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
200g Self Raising Flour
2 Ripe Bananas, Mashed
2 Eggs, beaten

Icing Topping
50g Icing Sugar
2 tbsp Lemon Juice

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180c/ Fan Assisted 160c. Then cover a 2lb loaf tin with  greaseproof paper.

2, Cream the butter and sugar together til combined. You can use a mixer or a wooden spoon. Personally used the mixer.

3. Add the eggs, bananas and golden syrup and mix well. Then add the the flour and baking powder. It should be a smooth consistency, it shouldnt be too runny.

4. Put the mixture in the loaf tin and bake for 30-35 minutes. It you put a toothpick/skewer through the centre it should come out clear. If not, put back in the oven for a few more minutes (5 at a time). Leave to cool

5. While loaf is in the cooling make the icing top. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. If too runny add more icing sugar and if it too thick add more lemon juice. You should be able to drizzle over the loaf. Drizzle over the cake and serve.

Movember 4 Course - Main Course - Lamb Shank with Mo Sauce

So the Main course I am serving delicious fall from the bone lamb shanks with Mo Sauce (well Mint Sauce but we are going with the Movember theme)

Serves 2

2 Lamb Shanks
Olive Oil
3 Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 Onion, diced
2 Garlic Cloves
125ml Red Wine
500ml Lamb Stock
Sprigs of Thyme
2 Bay Leaves

Mo Sauce
Bunch of Mint
Salt and Pepper
5 tbsp Hot Water
5 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
1  tbsp Caster Sugar

1. Preheat the oven for 200c/180c fan assisted. Take a large casserole dish or large roasting tray and place on hob. Heat the olive oil in the dish/tray. Add the shanks to the dish and add salt and pepper. Brown the shanks all over. I would recommend doing this one shank at a time. Remove from pan

2. Fry the onions and carrots until softened (should take 5 minutes). Add the thyme, bay leaves and garlic and fry for a couple of minutes.

3. Add the stock and wine. Add the lamb shanks to the dish. Then add the lid to the pan or cover with fin foil tightly. Then cook for 2 hours so the lamb is tender. When finished leave on the side for 10 minutes to rest and serve with mashed potatoes.

Mo Sauce

1. Grind the salt and pepper on the mint and roughly chop and add to small dish. Then add the hot and let it cool. Once cooled add the white wine vinegar and caster sugar and mix well. You only need a bit of mint sauce on the lamb.

Please donate here:
http://mobro.co/garetho

Eton Mess (V)

A traditional english poudding. The myth was that Eton mess was crweated when a meringue dessert was dropped accidently, and whatever was salvaged was served as a crushed meringue with strawberries and cream.

Meringue

Serves 6

Meringue
4 Egg Whites
225g Caster Sugar
1 tsp Cornflour
1tsp White Wine Vinegar

Vanilla Pod
284ml Double Cream
1 Punnets of Strawberries, cut the stems off
1 Punnets of Raspberries
2 tbsp Icing Sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180/160 fan assisted. Cover a baking tray with a baking sheet.

2. Using an electric whisk (using a normal whisk is good exercise but takes a long time), whisk the egg whites until it begins to stiffen.

3. Gradually add the sugar while whisking the egg whites. Then when the sugar is used up keep whisking for about 5 minutes. Then add the cornflour and white wine vinegar. It should be stiff and if you tip upside down it should stay in the mixing bowl.

4. Spoon the meringue mix onto a baking sheet. Put in the oven for an hour and 40 minutes.

5. Put the double cream in a bowl then scrape the vanilla pod seeds into the bowl with the icing sugar. Whisk until the cream is stiff.

6. Once the meringue is baked brake up into small bits. Mix with the fruit and cream. Serve.