step 1 Put the gelatine leaves in a bowl, cover with warm water and leave to soak for 5 mins. Drain and squeeze out any excess water. step 2 Tip the raspberries into a pan over a medium-low heat along with the sugar and lemon juice. Cook for 5-6 mins until the berries have completely broken down. Push the mixture through a sieve set over a bowl, discarding the seeds. Stir in the gelatine leaves until dissolved (if they don’t dissolve, pour the mixture into a clean saucepan and heat gently until dissolved). Set aside to cool for 15 mins. step 3 Whip the cream to soft peaks using an electric whisk, then gently fold this into the raspberry mixture. Spoon into the ramekins or moulds and chill overnight, or for at least 6 hrs. Serve with raspberries scattered over the top.
Core the pears, then peel as neatly as possible and halve. If you like, they can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept in the fridge, uncovered, so that they dry out. Tip the sugar, butter, star anise, cardamom and cinnamon into an ovenproof frying pan, about 20cm wide, and place over a high heat until bubbling. Shake the pan and stir the buttery sauce until it separates and the sugar caramelises to a toffee colour. Lay the pears in the pan, then cook in the sauce for 10-12 mins, tossing occasionally, until completely caramelised. Don’t worry about them burning – they won’t – but you want to caramelise them as much as possible. Splash in the brandy and let it flambé, then set the pears aside. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll the pastry out to the thickness of a £1 coin. Using a plate slightly larger than the top of the pan, cut out a circle, then press the edges of the circle of pastry to thin them out. When the pears have cooled slightly, arrange them in the pan, cut side up, in a floral shape, with the pears around the edge pointing inwards. Rest the cinnamon stick on the top in the centre, with the cardamom pods scattered around. Drape the pastry over the pears, then tuck the edges down the pan sides and under the fruit (see Gordon’s guide). Pierce the pastry a few times, then bake for 15 mins. If a lot of juice bubbles up the side of the pan, pour it off at this stage (see guide). Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and bake for 15 mins more until the pastry is golden. Leave the tart to stand for 10 mins, then invert it carefully onto a serving dish.
Heat the cream, chocolate and vanilla pod in a pan until the chocolate has melted. Take off the heat and allow to infuse for 10 mins, scraping the pod seeds into the cream. If using the vanilla extract, add straight away. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Beat yolks and sugar until pale. stir in the chocolate cream. Strain into a jug and pour into ramekins. Place in a deep roasting tray and pour boiling water halfway up the sides. Bake for 15-20 mins until just set with a wobbly centre. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs. To serve, sprinkle some sugar on top of the brûlées and caramelise with a blowtorch or briefly under a hot grill. Leave caramel to harden, then serve.
Add tamarind pulp and 1 cup granulated sugar to a bowl and mash together with a spoon or fork. Take small amounts of the tamarind and sugar mix and shape them into small balls by rolling them in your hands. Make them the size of a marble or slightly bigger, as you like. Add the remaining sugar to a flat surface, like a plate or a sheet pan. Roll the tamarind balls in granulated sugar until they're well-coated. You can eat the tamarind balls immediately, or you can let them set for a few hours or overnight. Allowing them to set will give them a firmer texture and more crystallized sugar coating. Enjoy.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round pan or loaf pan with parchment paper. Place your cut sweet potatoes in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely grated. In a small bowl, toss raisins in 2 teaspoons flour from the ½ cup. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine grated sweet potatoes, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir in 1½ cups of coconut milk until a batter forms. Fold in the raisins that were tossed in the flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake uncovered for 1 hour 30 minutes, until mostly set but still slightly soft in the center
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan. To make the date filing: Combine the dates and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens, around 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and let cool. Set aside. Combine rolled oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a food processor. Pulse 3 times (careful not to overmix, you don’t want the mixture to be powdery, just combined). Add butter and pulse again until the mixture is crumbly in pea-sized clumps. Transfer to a mixing bowl to thoroughly mix in the butter. Spread half of the oat mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking pan, pressing down to make a flat, equal bottom later. Add the date mixture over the crust and then spread evenly. Layer with the remaining oat mixture and press down to flatten the top layer. Bake in the centre of the oven until the top is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. Date Squares keep well, covered in the refrigerator for up to a week, and frozen for 2 to 3 months.
Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease an 18cm/7in round cake tin, line the base with greaseproof paper and grease the paper. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well between each one and adding a tablespoon of the flour with the last egg to prevent the mixture curdling. Sift the flour and gently fold in, with enough milk to give a mixture that falls slowly from the spoon. Fold in the lemon zest. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and lightly level the top. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden-brown on top and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn it out on to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. To serve, decorate the cake with the candied peel.
Heat the oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3½. Line a 30 x 22cm shallow baking tin with baking parchment. Sift the flour and mix it with cocoa, then set aside. Beat the egg whites until stiff, then add the sugar to them in small batches. Add the egg yolks, one by one, whisking constantly. Tip in the flour mixture and gently fold everything together with a spatula. Pour the prepared batter into the lined tin and bake for 35 mins. Cool for 5 mins, remove from the tin and re-line the tin with baking parchment. step 2 To make the meringue, whisk the whites until stiff, then gradually whisk in the sugar, one tablespoon at a time. When you have a stiff and shiny meringue, fold in the finely chopped walnuts, flour and startch. Spread the mixture into the re-lined tin and cook for 40 mins on the same heat. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. step 3 For the chocolate glaze, heat the cream over low heat, then remove from the heat, pour the chopped chocolate into it and mix it until it melts and becomes shiny. step 4 Cut the cooled chocolate sponge cake and meringue into two layers. Put the nut meringue on top of the bottom layer of sponge and sprinkle on some of the reserved walnuts. Add another layer of meringue and then the upper layer of chocolate sponge cake and cover the top with chocolate glaze. Decorate with walnuts. Put the finished cake in the fridge for 1-2 hrs before serving.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish. Place the brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl, and beat them together with an electric mixer until creamy and very well combined, without lumps. Beat in eggs, one at a time, incorporating the first egg before adding the next one. Add the vanilla extract and salt; beat the flour in, a little at a time, and then the milk, making a creamy batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pie dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes; remove pie, and cover the rim with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Return to oven, and bake until the middle sets and the top forms a crusty layer, about 15 more minutes. Let the pie cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
For the sponge cake preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and prepare either one or two 20cm/8 inch cake pan(s). Line bottom with parchment paper. Then divide the eggs into egg white and egg yolks. Use a bigger bowl for the egg yolks. If you have a glass or metal bowl, use that one for the egg whites. Be sure that bowl is free of fat/grease and that your mixer was properly cleaned. First beat the egg whites on medium speed with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Set aside. Without cleaning our mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar. Beat until the color becomes much paler and you have a creamy consistency. This usually takes several minutes. 2 Gently pour one third of the egg whites on top of the mixed egg yolks and sift the flour and cornstarch on top. Don't skip this step. It is important that the flour mix was sifted. Gently mix all ingredients with a spatula. Try to incorperate the flour mix and egg whites without losing volume. Add the last two thirds of beaten egg whites and gently fold the mixture. Don't overmix. Put batter into the prepared cake pans and immediately bake. Don't let the batter sit for too long as it will quickly lose volume. Bake for 35 minutes if using one springform or 25 minutes if using two. Let cool a little before gently getting them out of the form. Tip: if making the day before, wrap in cling wrap, it is much easier to cut in half once cold. 3 For the meringue beat egg white until soft peaks form, add pinch of salt and continue beating on high while adding the sugar. Beat for at least three more minutes until glossy and shiny. Pipe small stars or other shapes with the meringue on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dry for about 45min at 100 degrees Celsius in the oven. Keep in airtight container until further use. 4 For the filling beat heavy cream, vanilla extract and sugar until stiff peaks form, slice peaches in thin slices. Cut cake in four layers, this is much easier done once the cake layers are cold. Bru
Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with wax paper or foil, and coat with non-stick spray. Pour ½ cup of the miniature marshmallows into the bottom of the lined baking dish. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave the chocolate mixture in 20-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is melted. Add the vanilla extract and stir well, until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the chopped almonds or peanuts, and set aside. Fold 1 ½ cups of the miniature marshmallows and the remaining chopped nuts into the chocolate mixture. Transfer the chocolate mixture into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Immediately top with the reserved chopped nuts and the mallow bits or additional miniature marshmallows, if using. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until set. Remove the fudge and wax paper from the pan. Carefully peel all of wax paper from the fudge. Cut the fudge into bite-sized pieces and serve.
First make the short crust pastry: measure the flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs (alternatively, this can be done in a food processor). Add about three tablespoons of cold water and mix to a firm dough, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and put a heavy baking tray in the oven to heat up. Grease a deep 18cm/7in loose-bottomed fluted flan tin with butter. Remove about 150g/5½oz of pastry from the main ball and set aside for the lattice top. Roll the rest of the pastry out thinly on a lightly floured work surface and line the prepared flan tin with the pastry. Prick the base with a fork, to stop the base rising up during baking. Place the reserved pastry for the lattice top on cling film and roll out thinly. Egg wash the pastry and set aside to chill in the fridge (the cling film makes it easier to move about). Do not cut into strips at this stage. Do not egg wash the strips once they are on the tart as it will drip into the treacle mixture. To make the filling, heat the syrup gently in a large pan but do not boil. Once melted, add the breadcrumbs, lemon juice and zest to the syrup. (You can add less lemon if you would prefer less citrus taste.) If the mixture looks runny, add a few more breadcrumbs. Pour the syrup mixture into the lined tin and level the surface. Remove the reserved pastry from the fridge and cut into long strips, 1cm/½in wide. Make sure they are all longer than the edges of the tart tin. Egg wash the edge of the pastry in the tin, and start to make the woven laying lattice pattern over the mixture, leave the strips hanging over the edge of the tin. Once the lattice is in place, use the tin edge to cut off the strips by pressing down with your hands, creating a neat finish. Bake on the pre-heated baking tray in the hot oven for about 10 minutes until the pastry has started to colour, and then redu
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Mix all the crust ingredients (graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar and ground cinnamon) in a medium bowl. Set aside about 2 Tbsp (30 mL) for later and press the mixture into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate in the bottom and up the sides. Bake crust for 10 minutes, it will only brown slightly. Combine the vanilla custard filling ingredients (milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla extract and salt together) and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until it bubbles and thickens to the texture of pudding. Set aside to cool while you make the meringue topping. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment or in a large bowl using an electric mixer beat the meringue ingredients (egg whites, granulated sugar, cream of tartar) together until it holds stiff and glossy peaks. To assemble the pie, pour the filling into the crust and top with a thick layer of the meringue, making little spikes that will brown on top. Sprinkle the reserved crumb over the top and place it into the preheated oven. Bake until the meringue browns, around 10 minutes, making sure to watch it carefully. Chill in the fridge and eat within a few hours of baking. This pie is best eaten the same day as the meringue will soften and liquify.
step 1 Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3/fan oven 140C. Line the base and long sides of a 900g/2lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper, buttering the tin and paper. step 2 Tip the flour, cinnamon, butter, sugar, 2 tablespoons of the honey and the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Mash the bananas and chop the dates (kitchen scissors are easiest for this) and add to the bowl. Beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes, using a wooden spoon or hand-held mixer, until well blended. step 3 Spoon into the prepared tin and level the top. Scatter the walnut pieces over. Bake for 1 hour, then lightly press the top – it will feel firm if cooked. If not, bake for a further 10 minutes. step 4 Cool for 15 minutes, then lift out of the tin using the paper. When cold, drizzle the remaining honey over. Cut into thick slices.
Preheat the oven at 180 C / Gas 4. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. In a bowl, mix the cashews and icing sugar. Add the egg yolks and orange blossom water and mix to a smooth homogeneous paste. Take lumps of the cashew paste and shape into small balls. Roll the balls in icing sugar and transfer to the baking tray. Push an almond in the centre of each ghribia. Bake until the biscuits are lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, they burn quickly.
Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Scoop out a spoonful of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto a nonstick baking sheet. For extra decoration and to make them cook more evenly, flatten the cookie balls by pressing a fork down on top of them, then press it down again at a 90º angle to make a criss-cross pattern. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool. Enjoy!
Raspeballer & (Optional) Salted Meat ▢ If you're making pork knuckle, cook it in simmering water for about 3 hours, until the meat falls from the bone. Remove the pork and save the broth to cook the raspeballer. ▢ Boil the boiled potatoes and peel once cooled. Also peel the raw potatoes, and then grate them or run them through a food processor. Use a paper towel to remove some of the moisture from the grated potatoes. ▢ Mash the boiled potatoes in a potato ricer or with a masher. Make sure there are no lumps. Add the grated raw potatoes to the mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl and stir together. Add the barley flour, all purpose flour, and salt and mix together with your hands until the mixture is fully blended. ▢ You can cook the raspeballer in either vegetable or beef broth, or if you're making pork knuckle, cook them in the broth from the pork knuckle. Bring the broth to a very light simmer – you don't want it to fully boil because then the raspeballer might break apart. ▢ Use a tablespoon dipped in cold water to shape each raspeball in your hand. Try to make them as smooth as possible and then gently drop them into the simmering broth. Dip the tablespoon in a bowl of cold water between each raspeball. ▢ Let the raspeballer simmer for about 30 minutes. If you're making smoked sausage, you can heat the sausage in the same pot with the raspeballer. Top with fresh chopped parsley. Mashed Rutabaga ▢ Peel the rutabaga and carrots and cut into small pieces. Boil in water for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Then drain the water, add the cream/milk, butter and nutmeg and mash until smooth. ▢ Serve alongside the raspeballer and meat.
step 1 Wash the wild garlic leaves well in a colander, then pour over boiling water from the kettle until just wilted. Immediately rinse under cold running water, then squeeze out the excess water and finely chop. step 2 Warm the milk in a pan over a low heat until just steaming. Heat the oil or butter in a second pan and, once warm or melted, stir in the flour for a couple of minutes until it starts to brown a little. Gradually add the warm milk, a little at a time, until you have a thick, silky sauce. Bubble for a minute or two, stirring to make sure all the flour has cooked out. Season. step 3 Add the manchego, jamón and wild garlic to the pan, and beat to combine. Tip out onto a lightly oiled baking tray or plate, spread out then cover and chill for at least 1 hr. Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs. step 4 Lightly oil your hands and shape the mixture into 18-20 even-sized balls. Arrange on a baking tray and freeze for 30 mins to firm up. step 5 Beat the egg in a shallow dish with a little seasoning. Tip the panko into a second dish. Dip each of the croquetas in the egg, then turn to coat in the breadcrumbs. At this point, the raw croquetas can be frozen for up to three months. Pour the oil into a large, deep pan ensuring it is no more than a third full and heat to 170C, or until a cube of bread browns lightly in 30 seconds. Fry the croquetas in batches for 2-3 mins until deeply golden. To cook from frozen, fry at 160C for a few minutes longer until they’re piping hot inside. Remove to a sheet of kitchen paper using a slotted spoon and leave to drain. Serve warm with a glass of sherry.
Grease a 1 litre/2 pint pie dish with butter. Cut the crusts off the bread. Spread each slice with on one side with butter, then cut into triangles. Arrange a layer of bread, buttered-side up, in the bottom of the dish, then add a layer of sultanas. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon, then repeat the layers of bread and sultanas, sprinkling with cinnamon, until you have used up all of the bread. Finish with a layer of bread, then set aside. Gently warm the milk and cream in a pan over a low heat to scalding point. Don't let it boil. Crack the eggs into a bowl, add three quarters of the sugar and lightly whisk until pale. Add the warm milk and cream mixture and stir well, then strain the custard into a bowl. Pour the custard over the prepared bread layers and sprinkle with nutmeg and the remaining sugar and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180C/355F/Gas 4. Place the dish into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the custard has set and the top is golden-brown.
step 1 To make the sauce, tip the sugar and butter into a saucepan and bring to a simmer until the sugar has melted, then stir in the cream and simmer until you have a smooth sauce, about 2-3 mins. Remove from the heat, stir through a pinch of sea salt and the chocolate, and continue to stir for 2-3 mins, or until it has completely melted. Keep warm or leave to cool for reheating later. For the coating, mix the sugar with the cinnamon and a small pinch of fine sea salt and set aside. step 2 For the churros, tip the flour, cocoa, baking powder and a large pinch of salt into a bowl. Add the vanilla extract and melted butter, then carefully pour in 250-300ml boiling water and whisk to make a smooth, very thick batter. Leave to cool for a few minutes, then scrape the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a medium star nozzle. step 3 Tip sunflower oil into a deep-fat fryer following the manufacturer’s instructions, or a heavy-based pan, ensuring it is no more than a third full. Heat to 170C, or until a cube of bread dropped in browns in 30 seconds. Pipe 12-15cm lengths of dough into the oil, snipping off the end of each one with a pair of scissors as you go. Pipe four or five at a time and cook for around 4 mins, or until golden and crisp, turning them with tongs or a slotted spoon as they cook. Remove from the oil and place on a wire rack. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Leave to cool if reheating later, otherwise roll the churros in the cinnamon sugar and serve immediately with the warm chocolate sauce and ice cream. To reheat the churros, put on a tray and bake for 5-8 mins, then roll in the sugar coating. Meanwhile, warm the sauce in a pan and serve alongside for dipping.
Soak glutinous rice with water for at least 1 ½ hours prior to using. Drain. Prepare a 9-inch round or square cake pan and spray with cooking spray or line with plastic wrap. Mix coconut milk, water, salt and the rice. Pour it into cake pan, topped with the pandan knots. Steam for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, fluff up the rice and remove pandan knots. Then, using a greased spatula, flatten the steamed rice. Make sure there are no holes/air bubbles and gaps in the rice, especially the sides. Steam for another 10 minutes. Combine pandan juice, coconut milk, all purpose flour, cornflour, and sugar. Mix well. Add eggs and whisk well then strain into a medium sized metal bowl or pot. Place pandan mixture over simmering water (double boiler or bain-marie) Stir continuously and cook till custard starts to thicken. (15 minutes) Pour pandan custard into glutinous rice layer, give it a little tap (for air bubbles) and continue to steam for 30 minutes. Remove kuih seri muka from the steamer and allow to cool completely before cutting into rectangles or diamond shapes.
1. Blend all the mousse ingredients together in your food processor until smooth. Add the cacao powder first and, as you blend, have all the ingredients to hand in order to adjust the ratios slightly as the size of avocados and bananas varies so much. The perfect ratio in order to avoid the dish tasting too much of either is to use equal amounts of both. 2. Taste and add a few drops of stevia if you feel you need more sweetness. 3. Fill little cups or shot glasses with the mousse, sprinkle with the cacao powder or nibs and serve. Tip If you don’t have a frozen banana to hand you can just use a normal one and then chill the mousse before serving for a cooling dessert.
In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork until it resembles a thick purée. Stir in the eggs, baking powder and vanilla. Heat a large non-stick frying pan or pancake pan over a medium heat and brush with half the oil. Using half the batter, spoon two pancakes into the pan, cook for 1-2 mins each side, then tip onto a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining oil and batter. Top the pancakes with the pecans and raspberries.
Prepare the almonds the day before. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, and add the almonds. Let the almonds soak in water for about 5 minutes, then drain and peel. Spread the almonds on baking sheets, and bake at 200 degrees F(95 degrees C) until completely dry and toasted. This takes several hours, and needs to be prepared ahead. Be careful not to burn the nuts, as this will give a bitter taste to the filling. Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer until syrupy, about 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in orange blossom water, and remove from heat. Set sugar syrup aside. Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a hole in the center, and pour oil, egg, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon orange blossom water into the center. Mix with fingers until the dough resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually sprinkle with warm water while mixing until the dough becomes soft and pliable. Divide into 4 equal portions. Cover dough with a wet cloth, and set aside. In a food processor, finely grind the almonds. Measure 3 cups of the finely ground almonds into a mixing bowl, and stir together with 1 cup sugar, baking powder, vanilla powder, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons orange flower water. Mix in three eggs one at a time, stirring constantly; mix until you get a sticky, paste-like mixture. Sprinkle cornstarch on the rolling surface to prevent sticking. Roll each portion of dough very thinly, 1 to 2 millimeters (1/16 inch). Cut the rolled dough into circles of about 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter each. Lightly wipe the surface of each circle with cornstarch, and fit into a tart mold, cornstarch side down to prevent sticking. Gently press the dough onto the sides and bottom of the mold, and trim extra dough from around the rim. Fill three quarters of each mold with the almond filling. Bake on the top shelf at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to