Millionaires Shortbread

Base

200g plain flour

150g butter

75g caster sugar

Filling

25g butter

25g soft brown sugar

1 large tin condensed milk

Topping

200g milk chocolate

9in square cake tin lined with parchment paper

Preheat the oven to 170C/340F/ gas 3

To make the base

Rub the butter into the flour, add the sugar and stir to combine.

Press into the cake tin and bake for 35 minutes until golden brown

Remove from the oven and allow to cool

For the filling

Place all the filling ingredients in a sauce pan and stir constantly over a moderate heat until it begins to simmer. Continue stirring until it thickens, this should take a few minutes.

Spread over the base and allow to cool completely.

For the topping

Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and spread it over the filling.

Cool completely and cut into squares.

Make Your Own

Raspberry Jam Sandwiches

Delicious with a glass of cold milk or a nice cup of tea.

For the Raspberry jam

Ingredients

1/2kg fresh raspberries

1/2kg granulated sugar, heated in the oven for a few minutes

Method

Place the fruit in a pan and bring to the boil. Stir in the hot sugar.

Allow the sugar to dissolve then boil rapidly until set. If the fruit is firm and fresh this should take about 3 minutes.

Ladle into warm jars, cover with waxed discs, cool completely and cover with lids. Store in a cool dry place.

Quick and easy wholemeal bread

Ingredients

450g wholewheat flour

2tsp salt

355-380ml hand-hot water

1tsp brown sugar

2 level tsp easy blend yeast

A little extra flour

2 x 1lb bread tins, buttered

Method

Combine the flour and salt in a bowl then warm slightly in a low oven for about 10 minutes.

Tip the warmed flour into a mixing bowl, mix in the easy blend yeast, make a well in the centre, and, using a wooden spoon, gradually mix in the water to form a dough. Finish off the rest of the mixing with your hands until you have a smooth dough that leaves the sides of the bowl clean.

Transfer the dough to the bread tins and dust lightly with flour.

Cover the tins with a damp tea towel and leave to stand, in a warm place, for 30-40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas 6

Bake the bread for 35 minutes. Turn out the bread and return it upside down, to the oven for a further 10 minutes to crisp the base and sides.

Cool the bread on a wire cooling tray and store when absolutely cold.

To serve: Cut slices of the bread, spread lightly with butter (optional) spread generously with raspberry jam.

Tip

Top of the loaves with a few sunflower or pumpkin seeds before you dust with flour, prior to baking.

Moist Chocolate Cake

The ultimate in chocolate desserts, this is a cross between a cake and a mousse. Its made with best quality dark chocolate and ground almonds and it has a slightly moist squidgy centre. This cake will sink when it comes out of the oven. It is meant to be gooey on the centre with a crunchy crust on the outside, a bit like a chocolate brownie.

Ingredients

4 eggs

225g caster sugar

1/2tsp vanilla extract

150g dark chocolate, preferably 70% cocoa solids

125g unsalted butter

50ml water

25g plain flour

50g ground almonds

icing sugar or cocoa powder to dust

whipped cream to serve

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C/320F/gas 3

Grease and line a 7in loose bottomed cake tin.

Using a hand held electric whisk, whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

Put the chocolate, butter and water in a large bowl, and heat over a pan of simmering water. When they are all melted, stir gently together.

Using a metal spoon, gently fold the creamed mixture into the chocolate mixture. Stir in the almonds and the flour. Pour into the tin and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Dust with icing sugar or cocoa powder and serve with whipped cream.

Vegetarian Recipe

Roast Vegetables with Asian Pesto

Vegetarians, and non vegetarians, will love this recipe. Its a great way to use up your harvest of Spring/Summer vegetables. The pesto can also be served with pasta or noodles. The vegetables used are probably regarded as Mediterranean but the Asian pesto completely transforms them.

For the roast vegetables

2 courgettes, peeled and thickly sliced, at an angle

1 aubergine, halved thickly sliced

8 whole cloves of garlic, peeled

2 red peppers, cut into chunks

2 yellow peppers, cut into chunks

250g large mushrooms, quartered

4tbsp vegetable oil

2tsp roasted sesame oil

Prepare your vegetables and place them all, except the mushrooms, in a deep roasting tin. Mix the vegetable oil with the sesame oil and drizzle them over the vegetables. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes then add the mushrooms, return them to the oven and roast for a further 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and starting to colour at the edges.

For the pesto

200g fresh coriander, with stalks

250ml olive oil

45g fresh mint

salt and freshly ground black pepper

45g unsalted roasted peanuts

4 garlic cloves, peeled

2tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Place the peanuts, garlic, herbs and lime juice in the bowl of a food processor, at medium speed. Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the mixture, until it forms a smooth paste. Season to taste.

To serve

Drizzle half the pesto over the vegetables and mix to combine, put the rest of the pesto in a jug to serve at the table with toasted crusty bread and the roasted vegetables.

Easy Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice-cream

400g puff pastry

4 crisp green apples

1tsp granulated sugar

1 knob butter

For the caramel sauce

350ml double cream

250g caster sugar

Melt the caster sugar in a heavy saucepan and only remove from the heat when the caramel is quite dark and starting to smoke, but not burn.

Away from the heat, slowly add the cream. Be careful if it is spluttering.

Whisk the sauce until smooth and all the caramel is dissolved.

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas 6

Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick, and leave to rest for 10 minutes.

Cut the pastry into 12.5-15cm discs, using a pastry cutter.

Peel, quarter and core the apples, then slice thinly.

Arrange the apple slices evenly over the pastry discs, overlapping slightly and 3mm away from the edge, finishing with 1 round apple slice in the centre.

Sprinkle the tarts with a pinch of sugar and a little butter.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Sprinkle the central apple slice with sugar, then caramelize using a blowtorch or under a hot grill.

Serve the apple pie with a drizzle of caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream (for the ice-cream recipe, see my blog for 4 June 09)

Something Special for the Weekend

If you are looking for something a bit special to serve to dinner guests or if you are having a celebration meal with the family, you will love this souffle. It can be cooked in advance and reheated. The spiced pears can also be made in advance and refrigerated.

Roquefort Cheese souffle with Spiced Poached Pears

For the souffle

50g butter

50g plain flour

150ml milk

100g Roquefort cheese, crumbed

2 egg yolks

Salt and pepper

5 egg whites

A few drops of lemon juice

60g Brioche crumbs, mixed with 40g ground walnuts

Butter for greasing

Butter 4 ramekins with soft butter and freeze, repeat this step to ensure a good coating.

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/ gas 4

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes a light coloured roux.

Gradually add the milk to make a thick Bechamel.

Add the cheese.

Put the mixture into a large metal bowl, fold in the egg yolks and season with salt and pepper.

In another bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks and add the lemon juice.

Carefully fold the egg whites into the souffle mixture.

Coat each ramekin with the Brioche crumb and walnut mixture.

Add the souffle mixture to the ramekins and tap on a work surface to expel any bubbles.

Smooth over the top with a spatula.

Place the souffles in an oven tray filled with boiling water and bake for 15-20 minutes.

When risen and firm, remove from the oven.

Serve with Rocket salad dressed with a walnut oil vinaigrette and spiced poached pears. Sprinkle with chopped toasted walnuts.

Poached Spiced Pears

250g caster sugar

550ml water

1 Cinnamon stick

1 strip lemon zest

1 strip orange zest

300ml red wine

4 pears

Male a light syrup by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the Cinnamon, lemon and orange zest and the wine.

Peel the pears and cut them in half. Carefully scoop out the cores.

Place the pears in the poaching liquid and cover with parchment paper, cut to size.

Simmer until soft. Then leave to cool and infuse in the liquid.

Remove from the fridge 15 minutes before use.

Serve, sliced, with the souffle.

Tip

Any leftover poached pears can be eaten within 2 days as a dessert.

Quick and easy

This is a very quick and easy recipe. If you don't have time to make the oatcakes, it's also very nice with shop bought oatcakes.

Chicken Pate with Scottish Oatcakes

For the pate

1 large onion, chopped

50g butter

300g cooked chicken

Salt and freshly ground pepper

4tbsp double cream

1-2tbsp dry sherry

1tsp cayenne pepper

Fry the onion in butter until soft. Add the chicken to the onion, mince, or put in a blender. Add the cream and cayenne and just enough sherry to moisten. Season to taste and blend until smooth.

Place in a dish and refrigerate until needed

Scottish Oatcakes

1tbsp bacon fat

100g medium oatmeal

A good pinch of salt

A good pinch of Bicarbonate of soda

Tepid water to mix

Melt the fat and add to the dry ingredients.

Mix to a softish dough with water.

Sprinkle a little oatmeal on a board. Turn dough onto it and knead to remove any cracks.

Roll out and cut into even sized triangles.

Bake on a hot, dry griddle until the edges start to curl. Toast second side under the grill, until crisp, but not brown.

Cool and serve with chicken pate.

Spicy Lamb Cutlets with Sweet Potato

8 lamb cutlets
1tbsp Cajun seasoning
3 large sweet potatoes, cut into wedges, (not too thick)
2tbsp olive oil
2 green peppers, halved, deseeded and cut into wedges
Soured cream to serve

Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7
Preheat the grill or griddle

Rub the sweet potato wedges all over with 1tbsp olive oil and half the Cajun seasoning. Put them in a large roasting tin and cook for 10 minutes. Coat the lamb cutlets and green pepper wedges with the remaining olive oil and Cajun seasoning. Add the peppers to the sweet potato and cook for a further 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Grill or griddle the lamb for 4-5 minutes each side for pink or until cooked to your liking.

Serve the lamb and vegetables with a spoonful of soured cream.

Peppered Pineapple with Vanilla Ice cream

This is an unusual dessert but absolutely delicious, hot pineapple with pepper may sound odd but wait till you taste it. The vanilla ice cream is one of the best I have tasted.

Ingredients

For the ice-cream

4 egg yolks
90g caster sugar
250ml milk
250ml double cream
1 vanilla pod, cut lengthwise

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl.

Heat the cream and milk together until hot, Gradually add the yolks and put the mixture in a saucepan.

Add the vanilla and bring the mixture to just below boiling point, stirring continuously until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon.

Remove immediately from the heat and allow to cool by standing the pan in a bowl of cold water, stirring occasionally.

Strain through a fine sieve and freeze in a container. An ice-cream maker can be used.

For the sauce

100g caster sugar
50ml fresh orange juice
50ml Creme De Cacao (chocolate liqueur)
20ml lemon juice

Melt the sugar in a pan until it becomes slightly brown.

Add the orange juice, Creme De Cacao and lemon juice. Simmer gently to reduce a little. Melt the butter in a pan and allow it to brown a little. Add to the sauce.

For the pineapple

1 Pineapple, peeled, core removed and cut into 1/2in slices.
Freshly ground black pepper
40g unsalted butter
25ml Creme De Cacao

Sprinkle ground black pepper over the pineapple slices.

Heat the butter in a pan, add the pineapple slices and flame with the Creme De Cacao. Add the sauce and heat gently.

To serve: Divide the pineapple slices between four plates and arrange a scoop of ice-cream in the middle of each slice. Pour the hot sauce over the ice-cream and serve immediately.

Spinach Gnocchi with Stilton


600g potatoes, washed
150g plain flour
2 eggs, beaten
1tbsp Thyme, finely chopped
100g fresh spinach, pureed
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg

To make the gnocchi

Cook the potatoes in their skins, peel whilst hot, then push through a fine sieve or potato ricer, into a bowl. Blend in the flour and eggs until smooth. Mix in the Thyme and enough spinach puree to achieve a good colour. Season to taste with salt pepper and nutmeg.

Pipe or roll the mixture into a log about 1in in diameter and cut into 1 1/2in lengths. Dust well with flour and roll each piece in your hands. Press with the tip of a fork to make a pattern.

Poach in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes, and drain carefully.

For the sauce

100ml double cream
100ml Fromage frais
150g Stilton, crumbled
2tbsp chopped, fresh herbs (a mixture of Chives, Basil, Thyme)

Reduce the cream andFromage frais together in a saucepan, then add the crumbled cheese, Stirring over a low heat until melted. Reheat the gnocchi gently in the sauce for about 2 minutes. Add the herbs, test the seasoning and serve hot.

Seasonal Recipe of the Week

A delicious and refreshing sorbet, which can be served with cooled poached rhubarb or ginger biscuits.

Rhubarb Sorbet with Ginger Biscuits

900g fresh rhubarb
1tbsp liquid glucose
350g sugar
2tbsp water
8 mint leaves, finely chopped

Wash the rhubarb in cold water and cut into 1 inch pieces.

Place the rhubarb in a heavy based saucepan and add the water. Cook for 15 minutes, until the rhubarb is soft.

Strain off the juice and reserve 1/2 pint

Put the juice in a pan with the glucose and sugar and bring to the boil. Boil for 4 minutes, strain and cool.

Puree the rhubarb and mint leaves in a food processor, then mix with the sugar syrup.

Pour into a freezable container and freeze for one hour. Remove from the freezer and whisk, to prevent crystals forming. Return the mixture to the freezer and whisk twice more, at two hourly intervals.

Cover and freeze until firm.

Serve with ginger biscuits.

Ginger biscuits

Preheat the oven to 160C/320F/ gas 3

170g self-raising flour
Pinch of salt
3/4tsp Bicarbonate of soda
115g golden syrup
70g sugar
70g butter
1tsp ground ginger

Sieve flour and salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, ginger and Bicarbonate of soda, mix well to combine. Add syrup and bring together to form balls of dough. Space well on a baking tray and flatten slightly.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Place on a cooling tray. When cooled completely, transfer to an airtight container.