Sammie – Page 19 – Feasting Is Fun

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Finally, Summer is finally here. And I hope the sun shines throughout the day and any necessary rain falls at night! I’m loving using my new Which Best Buy Andrew James Ice Cream Maker to create as many different flavoured ice creams as I can think of. Because there are lots and lots of them. This Chocolate Orange Ice Cream is my son’s idea of food heaven.

Our not so little man, more teenage strapping lad, adores Jaffa Cakes, so when Sugar and Crumbs sent me some of their Jaffa Twist Icing Powder as a gift, with an order I’d placed, I knew exactly what I was going to make with it. Can you imagine how great it felt to have my son hug me and say “Mum this ice cream tastes just like Jaffa Cakes”?

He had absolutely no idea what ingredients I’d used, which is rare as he loves being in the kitchen cooking alongside me. So 10 out of 10 for Sugar and Crumbs in the flavour department. Also, I used a Lindt Intense Orange Chocolate Bar to create a chocolate ganache ripple that runs through the Chocolate Orange Ice Cream.

Pinterest sized image. — Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Why An Ice Cream Maker Is Worth The Space In Our Kitchens

Making the chocolate orange custard was simple, I simply switched the caster sugar for Jaffa Twist Icing Sugar. Churning the Chocolate Orange Ice Cream in an ice cream maker ensures that the finished product is silky smooth, the result of smaller ice crystals forming during the churning process. For around £25 it really is a worthwhile investment.

I am thrilled with the Which Best Buy Ice Cream Maker from Andrew James. It’s really straightforward to use & more importantly, from past experience, clean! It’s actually faster at freezing the ice cream than my old model & the freezing bowl takes up very little space in our freezer. If you are looking to purchase an ice cream machine, I thoroughly recommend this one.

FF Chocolate Orange Ice Cream — **Chocolate Orange Ice Cream** elegant enough for entertaining.

If you wanted to add a splash – tablespoon or two of your favourite orange liquer, the result would be a slightly softer set ice cream that is perfect served in pretty bowls, for dessert, when entertaining. Or alternatively you could reserve the chocolate ganache and pour whilst still warm over the cold Chocolate Orange Ice Cream. See with homemade ice cream the possibilities really are limitless!

Scoops of ice cream in a decorative glass bowl. — Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Served in bowls or scooped into cones this Chocolate Orange Ice Cream is sure to be a huge hit with all Chocolate Orange lovers.

Recipe: Makes 750ml Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

400ml Double Cream

300ml Milk – whole or semi-skimmed

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – the whites can be frozen for 1 month – ideal to make my Lemony Strawberry Pavlova

6tbsp Jaffa Twist Icing Sugar by Sugar and Crumbs alternatively use 6tbsp of caster sugar (super fine sugar) and add 3tbsp Cocoa Powder 1/2tsp orange extract

1tsp Corn Flour – I use Doves Farm as it is certified gluten free

1/2tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

100g Bar Lindt Intense Orange Chocolate Bar

Method: Place the freezing compartment of your ice cream maker into the freezer 24 hours prior to making this recipe.

Note: For photographic step by step instructions please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Making The Chocolate Orange Ice Cream Base

In a large heavy bottomed saucepan add the milk, 300mls of the double cream and the vanilla extract. Heat on medium until the milk is scalded – it has not yet boiled and little bubbles appear around the rim – remove from the heat at this stage.
In a large bowl whisk together the egg yolks, flavoured icing sugar (or cocoa powder and orange extract) and corn flour, until pale and thickened.
As soon as the cream mixture has reached scalding point, pour the hot cream slowly down the side of the bowl, with the whisk on, into the egg mixture. Continue whisking until everything is combined. This is now a custard base for the ice cream.
Pour the custard base back into the saucepan and heat on low, stirring continuously until the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the custard, through a sieve into a large bowl.
Cover the custard with with cling film to stop the surface forming a skin.

Set the custard to one side to cool and then place in the fridge to chill completely.

Making The Chocolate Orange Ganache

Set a small saucepan with 5cm/1″ of water on to a medium heat.
In a heatproof bowl add 100mls of double cream and the chocolate orange bar, broken into pieces.
Place the bowl on top of the saucepan ensuring that the base of the bowl does not come into direct contact with the water – this is called a double boiler.
Stir the chocolate and cream continuously until the chocolate has completely melted and mixed in with the cream.
Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set to one side to cool.

Churning The Ice Cream Using Andrew James Ice Cream Maker

Set your ice cream maker up according to it’s instruction booklet.
With the Andrew James Ice Cream Maker, as with my previous model, the machine must be started prior to pouring the custard in – this prevents a thick layer of un-churned ice cream immediately freezing on contact with the freezer container.
Transfer the custard to a jug and then, with the mixer stirring pour through the open spout.

Churn the ice cream until it is a thick, but still slightly soft ice cream.

Turn the power off on the machine and at the plug. Remove the cover and then the paddle, scape as much ice cream off of the churning paddle as you can and then lick the rest off 😉.
Using a soft silicone spatula transfer the ice cream to a suitable, freezer proof tub.

Adding The Chocolate Orange Ganache

Pour over the cooled chocolate ganache.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, or indeed the other end of the silicone spatula ripple the ganache through the Chocolate Orange Ice Cream.
Pop the lid on, label and place in the freezer to finish freezing.

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream a delicious dessert.

Remove the ice cream from the freezer 20 minutes prior to serving. Because there aren’t any artificial additives, homemade ice cream takes a little while to soften, ready to be scooped.

Serve scooped into bowls or cones. This is one very delicious and creamy ice cream, that should be savoured.

If the children are noisy during the summer holidays, give them a scoop full of this Chocolate Orange Ice Cream, not forgetting 2 scoops for yourself and buy yourself 10 minutes peace and quiet. Honestly nobody makes a sound when savouring this delicious treat.

Also, being homemade, you know exactly what ingredients have gone into your ice cream. In a consumer society that is increasingly interested in what goes into our food, making ice cream yourself removes any worries.

If you have enjoyed this Chocolate Orange Ice Cream Recipe, here are some others you may like too:

Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream

Blackberry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Ice Cream is such a wonderful year round treat, yet during the Summer heat it is also very cooling. When it is very hot I quite often have just a cone with a couple of scoops of homemade ice cream. Knowing I have used fresh produce, including fruit, I am happy with my choice.

I have never believed in ‘good’ and ‘bad’ food. Preferring a balanced diet, with a heavy emphasis on homemade food, has ensured that over the years, not withstanding medication, my weight has always been fairly stable.

Do you struggle with guilt about food? I know a lot of people do and I am absolutely not here to judge you.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

Andrew James provided me with this ice cream maker for the purposes of a review. All opinions, views, content and photography is my own. Sugar and Crumbs sent me a free sample of their Jaffa Twist Icing Sugar with an order that I paid for. I have not been paid or reimbursed for writing this post, please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs

During warm Summer evenings, sitting in our garden, listening to the birds chatter and chirp, the delicious smell of barbecue often fills the air. Yet I’m never going to be a cheap sausages and cheap burgers girl. Good sausages yes. Burgers that are traceable back to their origin, definitely. For me though, kebabs are the way to go. I made these Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs last year for our daughters birthday. With a slight change to the recipe, all for the better, I now can show them to you.

Since I’d been sent some KanKun Mexican Chilli Sauce to try, I was eager to see how the jalapeño chilli sauce would work with the kebabs I had made for last year’s birthday barbecue.

Oh wow. They are so good!

The jalapeño chilli sauce infuses a warmth into the chicken pieces without over powering them with heat. Also the lime and garlic in the marinade infuses the chicken pieces with incredible flavour as well as tenderising them with the lime juice. I love that these Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs can be both cooked in the oven or on the barbecue. S

I wasn’t able to grill the on the barbecue, but the smokey, charred, flavour added by grilling them means that I will as soon as possible. Another alternative, maybe when the weather isn’t up to grilling would be to stir fry the chicken. Add in the ingredients from the vegetable kebabs and you have a quick, easy meal.

As our children ate these Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs with us I didn’t add too much sauce. While you can certainly use it as a condiment if you want to kick the heat up a notch!

I love chilli’s and am, at present growing some from seed. As soon as they are big enough I will then be transfer them to the front garden. Since that is the driest bed and gets the most sun. Chilli’s like to be treated a bit mean whilst they are growing, although I add the odd splash of tomato food, once the chilli’s are forming does them the world of good.

For those of you who cannot or do not want to grow your own chilli’s, KanKun have a range of 3 bottles of chilli sauce – Chipotle, Habanero and Jalapeño. Each can be used in cooking (keep an eye out for my upcoming Chipotle Pulled Pork Fajita’s), or as a condiment. Just make sure that any sauce that has been in contact with raw meat is disposed of and not reused.

Recipe: Makes 5 Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs

650g/1.5lb Skinned Boneless Chicken Breast – preferably Free Range or Organic – I buy ours from Graig Farm

2tbsp Olive Oil

Juice of 1 Lime

1tbsp Mexican Jalapeño Sauce from KanKun Sauce

2 Cloves of Garlic – crushed or minced

1 Small Chilli or 1/2 Jalapeño Chilli – sliced (seeds removed if preferred)

1/4tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

1/4tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1 large resealable plastic food bag.

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6 or cook over a medium hot barbecue grill.

Note – Especially when handling raw meat, including chicken, ensure all utensils, work tops and hands are thoroughly washed before and after use.

First of all open the resealable bag and turn down the sides. This makes it easier to add things to the bag.
Pour in the olive oil, jalapeño sauce, juice of 1 lime and then add the crushed garlic, sliced chilli, salt and pepper.
Cut the chicken breast into 3cm chunks and add to the bag. I actually use sharp kitchen scissors to snip the chicken straight into the bag.
Seal the bag and with clean hands smoosh the chicken about in the bag, ensuring every piece is covered in the marinade. I have to admit to this being something I always enjoy, a bit of smooshing!
Label the bag and place in the bottom of the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Alternatively, prepare at the start of the day, before work and have a smile on your face knowing dinner is sorted when you finally return home!

While the chicken is marinating, soak the wooden skewers in cold water – so they don’t catch fire on the barbecue!
Cover a large baking tray with aluminium foil – this really helps with the clean up process.
Carefully thread 5-7 pieces of chicken on each skewer. Since the chicken takes the same amount of time to cook as the vegetable kebabs, I also add sliced courgette, cherry tomatoes and red/yellow peppers to separate skewers. Alternatively I would place whole jalapeños, chunks of red onion or shallots on to skewers as well.
Place the Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs on to the foil covered tray and pour over any excess marinade.
Cook in the top of the oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time.
If grilling on the barbecue these Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs should take no longer than 20 minutes on a medium/hot barbeque grill, turing halfway through cooking.
To check if the chicken is cooked all the way through, slide off a thicker chunk and cut in half – there should not be any pink colour, the chicken should be opaque all the way through.
As soon as the kebabs are cooked remove them from the oven/barbecue.

FF FF Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs — **Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs** beautifully cooked in the oven.

Serve the Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs in warmed pitta bread with fresh salad and extra Jalapeño Sauce, or as I have done, with herb basmati rice and vegetable kebabs.

However you serve these delicious kebabs they are sure to be thoroughly enjoyed. The lime, garlic and jalapeño chilli give them a warming, fresh, vibrant flavour. For real chilli fans, serve with extra slices of jalapeño chilli’s to up the heat factor.

While I love the heat that chilli imparts to a dish, I never want to compromise on flavour. This Mexican Jalapeño Chilli Sauce is so delicious and perfectly blends with the other flavours in these Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs.

If you like to add a little heat to your meals like me, try adding a dash or two of KanKun Mexican Jalapeño Sauce!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Chilli Lime Chicken Kebabs here are some others you may like:

Easy Tex Mex Chicken

Chunky Chilli

Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken

I love the Summer months. Having the back door open, sunlight streaming in through open windows, longer daylight hours. Let’s all make the most of this Summer. Eat outdoors, dust off the BBQ, invite friends and family round, for feasting, fun and the obligatory (in our house) water fight in the garden.

Let us all enjoy the warmth of the sun, good company, great food and having fun.

Sammie xx

KanKun Sauce sent me a pack of three of their sauces to try. All content, recipes, photographs, views and opinions are my own. I was not paid for this post. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

It is no secret that I love lemon. Whether it be in a glass of Franklin’s tonic water with clinking ice and a slice of lemon, cut into quarters as part of savoury Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken recipe, or even in a sweet bake such as my Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake. Lemons are very versatile. And they bring sunshine into the kitchen on the dullest day’s. So let me introduce my Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars.

While a sturdy, yet delicious oat biscuit base covered in lemon curd and then topped with the lightest lemon sponge ensures these bars are easy to handle. And a drizzle of fresh lemon juice icing ensures your tastebuds wake up with a zing. Resulting in a tasty bar that keeps you feeling full for longer because of the oats.

FF Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars — Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

Especially ideal for picnics, packed lunches, or just as a mid morning or afternoon snack to keep you going until meal time.

Although I really do need to get around to making my own lemon curd, for this recipe I used Waitrose own luxury lemon curd. Because using a good quality lemon curd makes all the difference to the overall flavour.

Recipe: Makes 16 Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

For the Oat Biscuit Base:

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter

125g/4.5oz Caster Sugar

1/8tsp Salt – I use Maldon

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

1 Large Free Range Egg Yolk

100g/4oz Rolled Oats – not quick cook

125g/4.5oz Plain White Flour

3tbs Lemon Curd – use the best quality one that you can afford

For the Lemon Sponge Layer:

125g/4.5oz Unsalted Butter

100g/4oz Caster Sugar

1/8tsp Salt

1/2tsp Vanilla Extract

2 Large Free Range Eggs

125g/4.5oz Plain White Flour

1tsp Baking Powder

Finely grated zest of 1 Lemon – reserve the juice for the icing

For the Lemon Drizzle Icing:

100g/4oz Icing Sugar

Juice of 1 Lemon

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6, 400F.

Making the Oat Biscuit Base:

First of all, line a 28cm x 20cm x 5cm (12″x 8″x 2″) Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. I have found that I am able to line mine without greasing, however, lightly grease the tin if it is easier to keep the parchment in place.
In a large bowl beat/whisk together the butter, cream and salt until pale and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and egg yolk and continue to beat/whisk until combined.
Add the oats and flour and stir together until combined.
Place the biscuit mixture into the lined tin and press into place using clean fingers.
Place the tin in the fridge and chill the biscuit mixture for 30 minutes.
As soon as it is chilled place the Swiss roll tin in the centre of the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove after the 20 minutes has elapsed and turn down the oven temperature to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3.
Spoon the lemon curd on to the hot biscuit base and spread so that it covers and almost reaches the edges.

Making the Sponge Layer:

Note: This can easily be made whilst the oat biscuit base is baking.

In a large bowl whisk/beat the butter, sugar and salt together until they are pale and creamy.
Add the 2 whole eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk/beat until light and foamy.
Sift in the flour and baking powder. Add the finely grated zest of 1 lemon.
Fold all the ingredients together, using a spoon, until they are just combined.
Spoon the mixture over the lemon curd coated biscuit base.

Spread the cake batter using the back of a spoon, or an offset spatula, until it covers almost all of the biscuit base.

Place the Swiss roll tin in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
The sponge is baked when it springs back from a light touch and is a light golden colour. Don’t worry if it is paler than you expect, the lower baking temperature stops it browning as much as you may be used to.
As soon as the sponge is baked remove the tin from the oven, place on a cooling rack and allow the entire bake to cool in the tin.

When the bake is completely cooled, lift out of the tin, using the baking parchment and a palette knife and place on to a board.
Peel back the sides of the baking parchment and tuck them underneath.

Making the Lemon a Drizzle Icing:

Sift the icing sugar into a small bowl.
Add the juice of one lemon.
Mix until you have a smooth, slightly runny paste.
Using a spoon, drizzle the lemon icing over the top of the cake/biscuit slab. I prefer a line style drizzle, but you can drizzle your icing however you wish. Let your creative juices flow! Although I do advise against pools of icing gathering on top of the bake.
Set your Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars bake to one side to allow the icing to set.

Once set you may cut your slab into individual bars.
Cut down the length of the bake in the middle.
Next cut across the width of the bake, creating four quarters.
Cut each quarter into four individual bars.

Because of the sturdy and delicious oat biscuit base, these Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars are the perfect, portable food.

Store in an airtight tin (I use old biscuit tins, usually from Christmas), separating layers with pieces of baking parchment and eat with 5 days.

I had one of the Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars with a cup of tea for a rather late lunch and it was incredibly tasty and refreshing. While using good quality Lemon Curd ensures the right balance of tartness within the bar, as does using fresh lemon juice in the drizzle icing. So I highly recommend these delightfully tangy Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars, here are a few more you may like too:

Bakewell Shortbread Bars

Macadamia Apricot Flapjacks

Double Cherry Drizzle Oat Bars

Since my family love having something homemade to take to school or work in their packed lunches these bars are ideal. Also I hope I have inspired you to try these delicious Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars. Alternatively, why not bake a batch and take them into the office as a Friday, or mid-week treat for everyone?

Finally, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchen, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche

I love chutneys, relish, chilli jam, savoury marmalade. So when I saw the varieties that Hawkshead Relish make and sell I was in my element. And challenged to use the jellies and marmalade as an ingredient, I immediately thought of quiche. So I set about making this delicious Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche.

Perfect Shortcrust Pastry

First of all, however, I set about creating a foolproof all butter shortcrust pastry recipe, for both sweet and savoury bakes. You can find it here – Perfect All Butter Shortcrust Pastry.Also, you will find another quiche recipe using Hawkshead Relish Ale Jelly as an ingredient!

So, with a reliable, consistent pastry recipe, that has been tested and retested, I was then able to let my creative imagination run wild.

Flavour Inspiration

We have some tea rooms near us that are joined to a local artists gallery and a wonderful shop that stocks local pottery, glass and a million other things. Going to the tea rooms is truly a treat day out. In the tea rooms they serve a range of dishes, from light lunches to hearty meals. One of my favourites is their Quiche Lorraine, particularly as it is always served with chutney and onion marmalade in separate little pots.

And this memory sparked my idea was to have the red onion marmalade inside the quiche. Then I needed to decide what to pair it with. A recent love affair with crumbly, salty, Greek Feta Cheese provided the answer. Finally, topped with freshly sniped chives from the garden this Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche is so much more than the sum of it’s separate parts.

Quiche Indulgence

The chives provide a beautiful top to the quiche and indeed echo the onion flavour from the marmalade. While the feta cheese mellows in the eggy custard providing the perfect balance to the warm red onion marmalade. The difference that a small amount of heat adds to the base layer of this quiche is quite dramatic.

If you enjoy Red Onion Marmalade with your cheese and crackers, using it as an ingredient in a dish lifts it to a whole different level. Since the sweet/sour caramelised onion flavours come alive on your tongue. It is pure heaven!

Recipe: This makes one deep Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche serves 2-3, baked in a loose bottom tart tin.

For a larger quiche, double the recipe.

1/3 Quantity All Butter Shortcrust Pastry

50g/2oz Feta Cheese

2-3tbsp Red Onion Marmalade from Hawkshead Relish

4 Large Free Range Eggs

2tbsp/30ml Whole Milk

1/4tsp Sea Salt I use – Maldon

1/4tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1tsp Chopped Fresh Chives

Making And Baking The Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6, 400F

Prepare the pastry and blind bake according to the instructions given for Perfect All Butter Shortcrust Pastry.
Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 375F.
Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of Red Onion Marmalade into the bottom of the pastry tart shell.

Crumble the feta cheese on top.

Crack the eggs into a jug. Add the milk and seasoning. Whisk to combine.
Carefully pour the egg mixture into the tart shell, taking care not to overfill it. Better to have some egg mixture left over, than over fill the tart case.

Place the quiche carefully into the centre of the preheated oven.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the egg is set in the middle. It should be firm and not wobble.

Leave to cool slightly before serving.

I personally like this Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche best when it is warm. Served with a crisp, green salad, my Tangy Lemon Potato Salad and an extra spoonful of the delicious Red Onion Marmalade.

Perfect to take in your packed lunch as a change from sandwiches. Once cooled, wrap in cling film and store in the fridge. Also, this quiche freezes successfully for up to one month. Remove from the metal tart tin and wrap in cling film and then foil.

I found this really handy when I was recipe testing and made 6 quiches over one weekend!

If you have enjoyed this Feta Red Onion Marmalade Quiche recipe, here are a few others you may also like:

Spicy Sausage Rolls

Quiche Lorraine

Sausage Plait With A Twist

I was so thrilled with the outcome of this particular recipe. Because it had honestly never occurred to me before to use savoury chutneys and marmalades as ingredients. And look out for the upcoming Hawkshead Relish Review where there will be other tasty recipes using their products as ingredients.

The flavour and texture of the Red Onion Marmalade is very different from traditional, sticky onion marmalade. Since this marmalade has a chunky, more chutney texture and the flavour is delicious. Sweet, caramelised onions, with a very slight sour vinegar flavour that works to balance the whole taste experience.

Has this encouraged you to try using condiments as ingredients?

Thank you for sharing all of your makes and bakes with me on Twitter and Instagram. I not only enjoy seeing you bake my recipes, but whatever you make inspires me. Please keep the comments coming. Not only do I really enjoy reading them, but I’ve been told other readers also enjoy reading them too.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

Hawkshead Relish provided me with a sample of their Red Onion Chutney. All recipes, content, photography, views and opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Black Forest Giant Doughnut

Today is #NationalDonutDay. While I can only assume from the spelling that it applies to those in the United States and yet here I am baking a Black Forest Giant Doughnut. Because any reason to eat doughnuts is good enough for me!

Making a Black Forest Gateaux has been on my list of bakes for a while. Finally I took the opportunity of making a Black Forest Giant Doughnut. Alternatively, if you do not have doughnut moulds – mine were from Lakeland are were very reasonably priced – I see no reason why this recipe shouldn’t work using 7-8″ sandwich tins.

Since this has the lightest of chocolate sponges I opted to add a little Kirsch (cherry liquer).

Cherries And Chocolate Sponge

When in season fresh cherries, that have been macerated in a little liquer and sugar will be used. Because they aren’t quite in season yet, I opted for tinned cherry pie filling. Alternatively, morello cherry jam would work well here. Since this is a very adaptable recipe, use whatever you have to hand, or can easily get hold of.

FF Black Forest Giant Doughnut. — **Black Forest Giant Doughnut** deliciously easy to make and assemble.

Although this is a giant doughnut I would happily bring it out for dessert after dinner, or serve with afternoon tea on a sunny day in the garden. Most importantly I encourage you to share this delicious bake. Because it is simply too good to be kept hidden away.

Recipe: Makes one Black Forest Giant Doughnut serves 8

200g/7oz Unsalted Butter – plus a little extra for greasing the moulds

200g/7oz Caster Sugar

Scant pinch of salt – no more than 1/4 tsp

1 tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

6 Large Free Range Eggs

75g/3oz Cocoa Powder

125g/4oz Plain White Flour

1.5 tsp Baking Powder

For the filling/topping:

200ml/8fl oz Double Cream

1 x 410g Tin Cherry Pie Filling – note morello cherry jam and fresh cherries can be used instead.

Optional – 1tbs Kirsch

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F

Making And Baking The Chocolate Doughnut Halves

First of all, grease the inside of both doughnut moulds well with soft butter.
In a large bowl add the butter and sugar.
Whisk/beat until pale and creamy. Approx 5 minutes, this helps create a very light sponge.
Add all 6 eggs and the vanilla extract to the bowl – I always crack my eggs into a separate bowl first.
Sift the flour, salt, cocoa powder and baking powder into the bowl.
Whisk/beat on a slow speed until all the ingredients have come together.
Using a large spoon give the chocolate sponge mix a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
Divide the cake batter in half and spoon into each of the 2 doughnut moulds.

Place the doughnut moulds on to a baking tray, ensuring they don’t squash each other (I actually switched trays after this photo was taken).
Put the tray into the centre of the oven and bake the doughnut halves for 30-40 minutes.
The doughnut halves are baked when they spring back from a light touch.
As soon as the doughnut halves are baked remove from the oven.

Carefully place each silicone mould on to a cooling rack.

Adding A Kick Of Kirsch

If adding Kirsch carefully prick each mould lightly with a cocktail stick, being careful not to puncture the silicone mould.

Spoon half a tablespoon of Kirsch over each half of the doughnut sponge whilst it is still hot.
Leave to cool for 5 minutes and then turn each of the sponges out onto the cooling rack. Cool fully before decorating.

Decorating The Black Forest Giant Doughnut:

In a medium bowl add the double cream and whip until it holds a firm peak.
Fill a piping bag with a large star tip (I use Wilton #1M) with the whipped cream).
Place one half of your doughnut, flat side up on a cake stand or plate.
Reserve 8 whole cherries to decorate the top, spoon the remaining cherry pie filling on to the bottom half of the doughnut – DO NOT over fill.

Pipe the cream in a swirl pattern on top of the cherries.

Place the top of the doughnut on to the base. Wipe away any excess cherry syrup – notice that in my finished photos there isn’t a doilie.
Pipe 8 swirls evenly around the top of the doughnut and top each with a reserved cherry.
Pipe stars around the outside of the middle of the doughnut, this creates a tidy, professional finish.

Serve the Black Forest Giant Doughnut cut into generous slices, with a smile and a lovely hot drink!

While growing up I had Black Forest Gateaux every year, for my birthday. So taking a classic recipe and turning it into an amazing giant doughnut was fun.

Finally this is a stunning, yet easy to accomplish bake. Since a slice of Black Forest Giant Doughnut is bound to evoke memories of the retro gateaux and break out smiles once tasted and devoured!

If you have enjoyed this Black Forest Giant Doughnut Recipe here are some others you may like to try:

Raspberry and Cream Giant Doughnut

Black Forest Cupcakes

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

While this recipe can be made using sandwich tins I recommend buying the silicone doughnut moulds. Because they create a beautiful rounded doughnut shape, are incredibly easy to use and inepensive to buy. Alternatively add them to your birthday or Christmas list!

Sammie xx

Toffee Apple Crumble

So it is June 1st 2016 today. If you were expecting an ice cream recipe, or a light, summery pavlova, sorry folks. It’s been pouring with rain since yesterday, with very little let up and it’s cold. Instead I have a wonderfully comforting pudding for you, Toffee Apple Crumble.

The perfect combination of flavours. Tart, just cooked slices of Bramley apple, covered in a light crumble with more than a hint of toffee flavour.

Toffee Apple Crumble came about as the result of a need for something warm and comforting, that was also not too labour intensive to make. Whatever the reason; tiredness, pain, just-can’t-be-bothered, it’s been a long day, this recipe is quick and easy to make. Bake in the oven, whist you relax and you have yourself a top notch pudding that feels like a warm blanket is being wrapped around you as you eat.

I will also confess an extra cheat. I had 2 x 300g packets of ready prepared, frozen Bramley apple slices, from Waitrose in the freezer. Some days I just have to use ready prepared and I’m good with that.

Now, in all honesty, I wouldn’t describe myself as a ‘pudding’ person. In most instances I’d rather have cheese and biscuits…….. Thought I’d give you all a moment there to digest that fact (my puns are getting worse!!!).

However strange it may seem, I do actually like a proper pudding instead of a meal. Yesterday, when I made this Toffee Apple Crumble, I actually ate it for lunch. Quite often, for example over Christmas, I’ll have Christmas pudding and cream for lunch or supper. So I do enjoy puddings, just on their own, as a meal in itself!

I know I am in the minority and that there is such a thing as a ‘pudding tummy’ where, once you have finished your main meal there is ALWAYS room for something a little sweet to round off the meal. I applaud you, I really do. When I’m full, well, that’s me finished. No pudding or cheese and biscuits.

Oh how I wish I could eat as much as I did when I was younger and competing in every sport I could!!!

Oddly, I really enjoy making puddings. My hubby is definitely a pudding man. Upon receiving a microwave as a wedding present, it took him under 30 seconds to find the recipe for lemon sponge! Something I still have yet to make for him. Oops!

I think it is the joy of seeing someone’s face, full of pleasure, as they tuck in and devour a well made, tasty pudding, that gives me so much pleasure. My wonderful hubby’s face when he saw the Toffee Apple Crumble, was absolute pleasure. Married twenty years this year and I still enjoy cooking for him as much as I always have.

Recipe: Toffee Apple Crumble serves 6 real pudding lovers!

250g/9oz Plain White Flour

1/2tsp Baking Powder

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter – cold and cut into cubes

1/2 packet Wright’s Baking Toffee Cake Mix – TIP make double the amount of crumble topping add a whole bag of Toffee Cake Mix and freeze half in a freezer bag for up to 3 months!

2 tablespoons Demerara Sugar

600g Peeled Sliced Bramley Apples – peeled weight – start with approx 1kg of apples

1 teaspoon Corn Flour

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4

Place the flour and baking powder in a large bowl, add the cold, cubed butter.
Use either a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour see Perfect All Butter Shortcrust Pastry, or rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the toffee cake mix into the bowl and thoroughly mix.
Place the Bramley apple slices in a deep pie dish.
Add the corn flour, sugar and cinnamon and toss the apple slices, to coat them with clean hands.
Cover the apple slices with the toffee crumble mix and then sprinkle over the demerara sugar for extra crunch and an added toffee flavour.

Place the Toffee Apple Crumble dish onto a baking tray and place in the centre of a preheated oven.
Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden and the apples underneath are softened.
Once baked remove from the oven and allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving. I’ve found that letting a crumble sit for a while stops the topping from falling apart as I dish it up.
Serve with homemade custard (recipe coming soon), cream, vanilla ice cream, or on it’s own. If it hadn’t been so cold and wasn’t raining, I would absolutely have gone out to the garage and had Very Vanilla Ice Cream with my custard!

Toffee Apples are traditionally associated with Autumn, when apples are in abundance. My Toffee Apple Crumble brings those flavours together in a dessert that is perfect, whenever a warm, comforting pudding is needed.

If you have enjoyed this Toffee Apple Crumble recipe here are a few others you may also like:

Amazing Apple Pie

Blackberry Nectarine Tart

Almond Blackberry Pear Crumble

Do you have a ‘pudding tummy’?

Do you choose your dessert first, when out for a meal?

I love hearing what your eating habits are, as weird as that sounds. I’m not talking peculiar flavour combinations, simply which foods you prefer and those you try to avoid.

Thank you again for all the kind comments that you leave here on the blog and on Instagram and Twitter. Please keep them coming along with the gorgeous photos of your makes and bakes.

I hope the weather is beautiful wherever you are and you can enjoy feasting and haing fun in the sun!

Sammie xx

Wright’s Baking sent me some cake mixes to try. I was not paid for writing this post and as always, all pictures, content, opinions and views are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chocolate Sunflower Cake

Last week the Chelsea Flower Show was held by the Royal Horticultural Society. Hard working gardeners, growers and designers showcased their talents, for a few days, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. So inspired by this theme, I decided to try and bake a flower cake. I hope you enjoy looking at and eating my Chocolate Sunflower Cake.

Baked in the Blossom Bundt Tin made by Nordicware this rich, moist chocolate cake is coated in the centre with milk chocolate, yellow coloured white chocolate was used to define the petals. A dusting of gold glitter highlighted the petals and dark chocolate granite by Callebaut was used for the centre of the bloom.

Whilse Sunflower’s are a little early to be shown at Chelsea, this Chocolate Sunflower Cake is perfect to eat anytime of the year. Today it is really brightening my day, it is very wet and windy outside. Not how I hoped the weather would be at the end of May!

I knew I wanted to bake this cake in my Blossom Bundt tin, but I was honestly stumped for ideas on how to decorate it. Making a chocolate cake would, hopefully ensure everyone enjoyed the flavour, I just needed to come up with a design!

My very good friend Vicky, suggested, after seeing a photo of the cooked cake, that it looked like a sunflower. That was all the inspiration I needed. I formulated a rough plan in my head and went with it. Also, I think the finished cake is more a Van Gogh sunflower, than an absolute replica. Finally, I’m so pleased that it turned out so well, especially as cake decorating is not one of my strongest gifts!

Recipe: Chocolate Sunflower Cake serves 10

You will need the Blossom, or similar type Bundt tin to make this cake as I have.

Cake Release Spray – I use Wilton

275g/10oz Unsalted Butter

275g/10oz Caster Sugar

1/4tsp Sea Salt Flakes- I use Maldon

5 Large Free Range Eggs

2tsp Vanilla Extract I use Nielsen-Massey

75g/3oz Cocoa powder

200g/7oz Plain White Flour

2.5tsp Baking Powder

100ml/4fl oz Double Cream

To Decorate:

100g/4oz Good Quality Milk Chocolate

200g/7oz Good Quality White Chocolate

100g/4oz Dark Chocolate Curls or mini dark chocolate chips

Optional – Yellow Gel Food Colouring and Gold Edible Glitter

Making The Cake Batter

Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F.

First of all, in a large bowl add the butter, sugar and salt.
Whisk/beat until pale and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and beat in until combined.
Sift the cocoa, flour and baking powder into a separate bowl – dry mixture.
Measure the cream into a jug and then add the 5 whole eggs ( I crack them into a small bowl first) – wet mixture.
Add 1/3 of the dry mixture and 1/3 of the wet mixture whilst beating/mixing slowly.
Repeat the last step.
Add the last of the wet mix and then the last of the dry mix. Fold all the ingredients together until just combined.
Spray the Bundt tin with cake release spray (if using the liquid use a pastry brush to ensure every part of the inside of the tin is completely covered).
Spoon the chocolate cake mixture into the Bundt tin, pushing the mixture into every part of the tin. The Bundt tin should be 2/3 full. If using a different Bundt tin ensure it is filled no more than 3/4 full.

Baking The Chocolate Bundt Cake

Place the cake in the middle of the oven and bake for 1 hour.
The cake is baked when an inserted skewer comes out clean.
As soon as the cake is baked remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin.

After 10 minutes cooling in the tin turn the Chocolate Sunflower Cake out onto a cooling rack.

Allow to fully cool before decorating the cake.

Decorating the Chocolate Sunflower Cake:

Preparing the chocolate

Separately chop/break up the white and milk chocolate and place in separate heatproof, microwaveable bowls.
Zap the milk chocolate first for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between heating sessions. When the chocolate is nearly melted remove from the microwave and stir until completely melted.
Repeat the last step for the white chocolate.
Place the cooling rack across a clean baking tray.
Have 2 clean teaspoons to hand for each of the melted chocolates, the dark chocolate curls and glitter. It’s also handy to have some kitchen towel to hand as working with chocolate can get very messy!!
Dip a cocktail stick into the yellow food colouring gel and add to the white chocolate, mix thoroughly until the desired colour has been reached.

Creating The Chocolate Centre Of The Sunflower

Start by spooning the milk chocolate all around the centre of the cake, so that it completely covers the inside of the Bundt hole.

Cover the milk chocolate as fully as possible with dark chocolate curls or chips. The centre of a sunflower is the darkest part.
Tap the cooling rack to remove any stray dark chocolate pieces.

Adding The Yellow Chocolate Petals

Next come the petals! The blossom Bundt is not symmetrical, so pick the first petal, next to the milk chocolate to start.
Using a small teaspoon, spoon melted white chocolate on to the petal. Filling out the shape of the petal and encouraging the chocolate to drip, just at the tip of the petal. This detail may get lost as you work your way around the cake, however, I found the top petals the easiest to fill, so it’s great practise for creating the eventual outline of the flower petals.
Once you have completed the top petals, start filling in the next level down. Most importantly, keep standing back and looking over the cake to ensure an even look.
Continue adding length to the petals, evenly around the cake, until all the chocolate is used. The whole cake will not be covered in chocolate and that is how it should be. It makes the petals and the centre really stand out.

Adding The Finishing Touches

If using the glitter, start by adding it just to the tips of each defined petal. Then you can follow the central line on the petal with a light dusting of glitter.
Finally give the centre of the cake a really good dust of glitter. The glitter also represents pollen, in fact I wish I had a fondant bee to add to this cake, I think it would look amazing. If you are good with fondant, perhaps try making one to add to your Chocolate Sunfower Cake?
Once decorated move the cake to a cake stand or board so that it doesn’t stick to the cooling rack.

My Cake Decorating Journey

For me, the beauty of this cake is in it’s organic, natural design.

When first completed I wasn’t very happy with the finished outcome. Since looked too messy in my eyes. Rather like a great piece of music that grows on you the more you listen to it, this Chocolate Sunflower Cake has really grown on me. Technically it is the most difficult cake I have ever decorated and two days on, whilst looking at these photographs, I cannot believe that I created this cake.

I am not looking for praise. No one is a harsher critic of my work than me. Honestly I’m not sure I could say I had fun decorating this cake. Also, I was too deep in concentration (not easy when you are in a lot of pain) and determined to create a cake that vaguely resembled a flower. Finally, I see now that I accomplished what I set out to achieve and that gives me a great sense of joy. Also if I can do it, so can you!

Taste wise this cake is utterly delicious. The cream lends a moistness to the rich dark chocolate flavour and the chocolate decoration adds just a hint of sweetness.

If you have enjoyed this Chocolate Sunflower Cake here are some others you may like too:

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

Swirl Lime Drizzle Cake

Strawberry Sweetheart Cake

The Chocolate Sunflower Cake was truly a challenge to decorate. In challenging ourselves, we will make mistakes. The way to improve is to not let those mistakes stop us from trying again and again until we have achieved our goal.

Do you like to be challenged, or do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone?

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Slow Roasted Cider Pork

I really enjoy roasting a large joint of meat. Especially as it really feels as though I am preparing a feast, it also is difficult to over cook the meat. And this Slow Roasted Cider Pork is so easy to cook, with incredible flavour!

This beautiful, bone in, tied shoulder of Pork came from Graig Farm . While it weighed 4kg and was a whopper of a joint, it can be used in so many ways.

Cooked on a bed of fresh herbs and onions, with a bottle of Thatcher’s Gold Cider poured under it, the Pork, tightly wrapped in aluminium foil, cooks slowly and steams in the herby, apple cider.

FF Slow Roasted Cider Pork — **Slow Roasted Cider Pork** such a delicious way to roast pork shoulder.

Pork shoulder is used here in this recipe. As the joint comes from the front shoulder of the pig, it needs long, slow cooking, to break down the the muscle. The result is effectively pulled Pork. So please don’t expect to carve this joint, as it literally falls apart once cooked.

Oh and have I mentioned how easy it is to cook this Slow Roasted Cider Pork?

Slow Roasted Pork For Sunday Dinner

Also once prepped you pop it in the oven and just let it do it’s gloriously tasty, deliciously melting, cooking. An especially easy recipe if you’ve got a busy day ahead.

The bones literally pulled clean out from the pork.

From this one joint you can go on to make other dishes in the week. So watch out for my Chipotle Pulled Pork Fajita’s coming soon .

Some people can’t be bothered with the hassle of cooking a Sunday Roast. For our family it is not only tradition, but also provides leftovers for meals during the week such as my Roast Chicken Noodle Soup.

Slow Roasted Cider Pork can be served with the traditional Sunday sides of roast potatoes and vegetables, or Mashed Potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal. Since there are dozens of ways to serve pulled pork, I intend to add plenty more recipes to this blog!

Feeding a crowd

This one joint would easily feed 15-20 people, depending on how you were serving it. Also the pork I used for this joint was organic. I can honestly say that the flavour is far superior to the pale, mass produced alternative. Economically, this meal made four dinners for a family of five. And so, with three growing teenagers in our home, that counts as five adults in my book.

Because this Slow Roasted Cider Pork goes such a long way, that certainly helps with the economics of buying such a large joint. As I’ve said before we are not a big meat eating family, so the meat we do eat goes further. Take a look at Graig Farm’s website, there is 10% off for new customers and they always have special offers on. They are a family run farm who genuinely care for the animals that they rear.

Since I have been buying meat from them for the last few years, I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad meal, cooking with their meat.

This is not a sponsored post. I paid fair and square for the Pork Shoulder, I honestly really like their farming ethos, they are very nice people and their meat is outstanding!

Recipe: Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

3-4Kg Bone in Pork Shoulder Joint – if cooking a smaller joint reduce the temperature to 120C

Fresh Herbs – I used Bay leaves, Sage, Thyme and Rosemary – woody herbs work best

1 Large Onion – peeled and cut into quarters (or 2 small onions halved)

1 Bottle Cider 500ml I used – Thatcher’s Gold

Sea Salt – I use Maldon

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6, 400F

Preparing the pork joint

First of all, remove the pork from the fridge 1 hour before cooking. Remove all packaging set on a large plate and pat dry with kitchen roll.
In the base of your roasting tin add the fresh herbs and onions quarters.
Pour in the bottle of cider.
Sit the pork joint on top of the onions and herbs.
Sprinkle over freshly ground pepper, rub sea salt and a little fresh thyme into the skin.

Slow Roasted Cider Pork

I know you can’t see the cider I poured it under the pork after it was placed in the tin!

Cover the pork with aluminium foil, making sure that it does not touch the actual joint. Crimp the foil tightly around the edge of the tin so that it seals in the pork and cider.

Slow roasting the pork joint

Place the roasting tin into the lower part of the oven and allow to cook at the preheated temperature for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes has passed reduce the oven temperature to 150C/130C fan, gas mark 2 and cook for a further 6 hours.
You can take the joint out after 3 hours and baste with the herby cider juices as I did. Remember to tightly cover with foil before putting back into the oven.

So, if you want to go out for the day, please don’t worry about the basting. The steamy, herb infused, cider atmosphere in which the pork cooks will still be deliciously full of flavour.
After 6 hours has elapsed remove the joint from the oven and check how tender it is. I simply pull at the meat with a fork, if it comes away easily the park is cooked.
Increase the oven temperature up to it’s original preheated level and remove the foil. Place the pork back in the oven for 20-30 minutes to crisp up the crackling and create the crusty pork ‘bark’ at each end of the joint.
When the skin is crispy up and you have crunchy crackling remove the pork from the oven. See *note below
Remove the pork joint from the tin and place on a platter or carving board.

Resting and serving the pork

Being extra careful as it is very hot, snip and remove any string, before using scissors to cut away the crackling. For extra crunchy crackling I then pop it on a shallow tray and place back in the oven to continue to crisp, while the roast potatoes cook.
Cover the pork with foil and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes.
Using two forks pull the pork apart and pull out the bones, they will come out cleanly.
You can see how cleanly the bone came out on the left.

Serve the Slow Roasted Cider Pork with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables and enjoy the soft, tender meat and crunchy, tasty cracking.

Finally, this melt in the mouth pork is perfect to roast a crowd. So invite all your family round, get everyone to pitch in with a dish and enjoy fun, feasting, friendship and laughter together. Since there is nothing like a good meal and great company to help people relax and unwind.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Slow Roasted Cider Pork you may also like these:

Redcurrant Jelly Glazed Roast Lamb

FF Redburrant Jelly Glazed Roast Lamb — **Redcurrant Jelly Glazed Roast Lamb**

Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken

Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Do you enjoy cooking a roast for all the family, or is it too much hassle?

Thank you for all your photos and feedback via the comments section, Instagram and Twitter. I really do appreciate you making and baking my recipes and love to see how they turn out, so please keep the pictures and comments coming.

Whatever you are making and baking the Bank Holiday Monday, I hope you have fun creating your delicious feasts and sharing your wonderful bakes with lots of smiles.

Sammie xx

Strawberry Eton Mess

Oh how I love summer fruit. Ruby red strawberries, crimson through to black cherries, tart yet sweet raspberries and the array of different currents. I am definitely a soft fruit fan and love to eat them freshly picked, or use them in delightful, dessert recipes. This Strawberry Eton Mess is a classic English dessert, that is best made with fresh, local strawberries.

While homemade pavlova provides a crisp and marshmallow like texture that I’ve enveloped in lightly whipped cream, with sweet luscious strawberries.

Since this Strawberry Eton Mess is so easy to assemble, it is also brilliant as a make ahead dessert. The pavlova can be made the same day, or even the day before, strawberries can be hulled, quartered and left covered in a bowl and the cream takes only a couple of minutes to whisk by hand.

Finally, all of the ingredients can be assembled prior to serving, for a stress free delectable dessert!

Strawberry Eton Mess a classic English summer dessert.

True to my word, I am adding more desserts to Feasting is Fun. My family are loving the new-ish aspect to my blog!!

This Strawberry Eton Mess is probably one of my favourite desserts. The differing textures within the pavlova and the fresh local strawberries really make this a stunning dish. As with all recipes, especially those that have few ingredients, it really is worth buying the best that you can afford. Or in the case of this dessert, taking the time to make your own pavlova.

I know ready made meringues are easily available in supermarkets, they won’t give the marshmallow inner softness that a homemade pavlova yields. If you make your own ice cream like my Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream then you will be left with 4 eggs whites. The exact amount needed for this recipe.

I was fortunate to win some Hartleys strawberry jam on Twitter. Warmed slightly, so that it becomes a sauce, it adds the perfect finishing touch to this dessert. The bright red colour contrasts beautifully with the pale cream meringue and it lends an extra strawberry hit as you take your first mouthful.

Recipe: Strawberry Eton Mess serves 6

For the pavlova:

4 Large Egg Whites – preferably free range or organic

150g/5oz – 1 US Cup Icing Sugar

2tsp Corn Flour – also known as corn starch

1tsp White Wine or Cider Vinegar

1/2tsp Vanilla Extract – I use –Nielsen-Massey

For the Strawberry Eton Mess:

400g/ Fresh British Strawberries

300ml Double Cream

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – again I use Nielsen-Massey

1tbsp Caster Sugar

1tbsp Strawberry Jam – I used Hartley’s Best Strawberry Jam – warm slightly before drizzling onto the Strawberry Eton Mess

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6

First of all line a large baking tray with baking parchment that has a 20cm circle, drawn in pencil, on the underside.
Into a spotlessly clean, large bowl place the egg whites.
Whisk until the egg white hold a stiff peak.

While whisking on a medium speed gradually add the sugar. Continue whisking until the meringue is glossy and shiny.
Sift in the cornflour and add the vanilla and vinegar.

Using a large metal spoon gently fold in the added ingredients into the meringue, turning the bowl until they are fully incorporated.
Spoon the meringue on to the baking parchment, keeping within the circle marked on the reverse.
Spread the meringue out so that it forms a circle and slightly build up the sides so that they are a little higher than the centre.

Place the pavlova into the centre of the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 140C/120C fan, gas mark 1.
Bake for 1 and 1/4 hours. Then turn off the oven and leave the pavlova to cool inside the oven with the door very slightly ajar.
Once cooled removed the pavlova from the oven.

Cover the pavlova and baking tray in cling film until ready to use.

Assembling the Strawberry Eton Mess:

Hull and cut the strawberries into halves or quarters, depending on their size.
Into a large bowl add the cream, vanilla bean paste and caster sugar.
Whip the cream until it thickens, but is still floppy – not stiff.
Add the strawberries, break the pavlova up into bite size chunks and add those too.

Fold all the ingredients together with a large metal spoon.
Serve in pretty glass bowls with a drizzle of slightly warmed strawberry jam.

Because this is such an easy to assemble dessert, with a little preparation beforehand, you too can sit down and enjoy eating this with family, friends, or whoever you have invited round.

Also, if you wanted to up this Strawberry Eton Mess to the next level, a drizzle of my Boozy Berry Sauce, served cold, on top would be a fantastic idea! That’s one for the adults though.

Strawberries and cream are such a classic combination and here, in this dessert, they are lifted by the presence of amazing, homemade pavlova.

Tip: The pavlova itself can be covered in whipped cream and tart berries (passionfruit is also exceptionally good). One recipe two desserts!

If you have enjoyed the recipe for this Strawberry Eton Mess here are a few others you might like:

Lemony Strawberry Pavlova

FF Straw Eton Mess — Delicious Lemon Pavlova slathered in cream, decorated with strawberries and finished with a limoncello drizzle.

Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae

Chocolate Brownie Raspberry Cheesecake

Do you enjoy desserts?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and have been encouraged to make and bake a pavlova. It doesn’t matter if they sink, or crack as it can all be covered with cream and fruit, or crumbled into the best Strawberry Eton Mess you have ever eaten!

Have fun making and baking in your kitchens. Keep the photos and comments coming, I’d especially like to see ones of you sharing your delicious feasts?

Sammie xx

This is not a sponsored post, the jam was won in a competition on Twitter.

Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry

Is the prospect of making your own pastry daunting? Because, for many people it is. Therefore, today I am going to show you how to make foolproof, Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry, that works for both sweet such as this Lemon Lime Merigue Pie and savoury bakes like this Smoked Bacon Asparagus Quiche

Since being taught to make pastry from an early age, I wonder if the fear that surrounds making it is simply that the skill is not being passed down, through the generations like it used to be. Another reason could be that Home Economics and cooking are not taught as widely as they once were. Likewise, commercially made pastry is readily available in most grocery shops. Yet nothing compares to the crisp, buttery flavour of homemade pastry.

FF Lemon Lime Meringue Pie — Lemon Lime Meringue Pie

Watching cookery programmes, where they may portray the ‘art’ of pastry making as a complicated process can be off putting. So it is understandable that some people are terrified to make pastry and therefore never attempt it. Today, in this tutorial, you will learn how simple it is to make Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry, that turn’s out beautifully every single time.

FF Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry — **Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry** great for quiches.

Keeping Things Simple

First of all, to reassure you, no kitchen machinery is used. Not even a food processor. Because, if I’m being completely honest, setting the food processor up in my kitchen takes longer than actually making the pastry by hand. So I really can’t be bothered with the hassle. Rather, the only two pieces of equipment I use are a dinner knife and pastry cutter.

If you haven’t seen or heard of a pastry cutter, they look like this.

They can be purchased inexpensively from Amazon or kitchenware shops. And a quick glance on the internet has assured me that the cost is £5 or under.

Keeping It Chilled

Most importantly, the simple key to making good pastry, is to work quickly and yet not rush, while keeping everything as cold as possible. Please, please do not become neurotic about it, as I have seen with some people.

Since my personal experience is that whenever I am stressed, rushed or uptight about something, if I bake, it inevetiably goes wrong. Or at least isn’t my best baking. Therefore, making pastry while relaxed and using a reliable recipe should guarentee good results.

Choosing The Best Ingredients

So that’s mindset and equipment sorted, next are ingredients. I use unsalted butter in all of my baking as it tends to be better quality than salted and also allows me to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Organic, stoneground flour and organic or free range eggs will always produce the tastiest pastry. Finally, adding salt is more important than you may think as it enhances the pastry’s flavour. And in comparison, very little is added to commercially available, ready made pastry.

Also, the quantity of cold water added, is a guide, as different batches of flour, butter and the weather, can all affect how much water is needed to bring the dough together. Don’t panic I will walk you through every step.

Recipe: Make 900g/2lb Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry

Enough to make 2 x 25cm/10in tart cases.

400g/14oz Plain White Flour

200g/7oz Unsalted Butter – cold from the fridge and cut into cubes

1/4tsp Sea Salt Flakes – I use Maldon

2 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – I use Waitrose own brand

Approx 180-200ml Cold Tap Water

Making The Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry Dough

First of all, into a large bowl add the flour, salt and cold cubed butter.

Using the pastry cutter, push and twist it into the flour, rotating the bowl occasionally. Scrape any butter that has become stuck on the pastry cutter off using a regular dinner knife.
Keep cutting the butter into the flour until it is about the size of peas.

Note: the flour does not look like breadcrumbs. Traditionally this is how pastry making is taught, to rub, or cut into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. If you do this your pastry will be okat. Yet, if you leave pea sized pieces of butter in the flour you will end up with crisp, Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry.
Next add the 2 egg yolks into the centre of the mix.

Add 150ml of cold tap water and stir the mixture using a dinner knife.
Continue adding water, in small amounts, 10mls, at a time, stirring with the knife until the pastry starts to come together.
Now switch to using your hands. Create a claw-like figure with your fingers. Gently bring the dough together, adding a little more water as necessary, until it just holds together in a rough ball shape.

Wipe the worktop surface with a clean, damp cloth, then lay over a large piece of cling film – the wet surface helps the cling film to stick and not move about.
Tip out the ball of pastry onto the cling film.
Wrap and shape into a large disc.

Resting The Pastry

Place the wrapped pastry into the fridge and chill for at least one hour.
And now put the kettle on and congratulate yourself on making Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry.

This recipe makes enough pastry to bake a 2 x 25cm/10in quiches.

While the Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry is resting in the fridge, it is an ideal time to prepare the filling.

Rolling Out The Shortcrust Pastry

Remove the pastry from the fridge. Place on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly.
Weigh the pastry where a recipe calls for a specific amount. Alternatively cut in half when making a quiche.
Shape one piece of the pastry into a ball.
Roll out gently from the centre of the pastry to the edge. Ensure the pastry keeps moving by dusting underneath lightly with flower.
Ideally the pastry should be about the thickness of a £1 coin – approx 1/4 inch.

Lining A Tin With Pastry

Loop the pastry around the rolling pin, this makes moving it easier and stops it stretching.
Gently allow the pastry to loosely fill your tin and then remove the rolling pin.
Ease the pastry into the tin, if it is fluted be sure to press the pastry into each of the flutes. Most importantly avoid stretching the pastry, as this will result in the pastry shrinking during baking.

Roll your rolling pin over the top of the tin and it will cut the edge of the pastry perfectly.
Dock (press with a fork) the pastry base, as this helps steam escape and creates a flat base.

Docked un-cooked Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry tart.

Place the tart tin back in the fridge for 30 minutes, this really helps the pastry keep it’s shape when being baked.
Cut some baking parchment larger than the width of your tin.
Scrunch up and then lay on top of the pastry in the tin. Fill the baking parchment with ceramic baking balls.

Blind Baking The Pastry

Place the pastry lined tins onto a baking tray and put in a preheated oven at 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6. Bake for 15 minutes.
As soon as the baking time has finished remove the tin from the oven.
Using the baking parchment, lift the baking balls free from the pastry lined tin.
Place the baking balls in a heatproof bowl to cool.
Put the tart tins back in the oven and bake for another 5 minutes if using for a filled tart or quiche. If baking the tart shell until cooked, depending on size, bake for a further 15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.

Look at the gorgeous Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry crust. Deliciously light, crisp and buttery.

FF Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Basil Quiche — Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Basil Quiche

As you can see from the photos this recipe really does produce Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry. Also, the pastry has such a delicious flavour of it’s own, becoming part of the dish, not just a carrier of other flavours.

Unused Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry can be kept wrapped in cling film, in the fridge for up to 2 days, or it can be frozen, wrapped in cling film and popped into a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Top Tip: Freeze any leftover pastry and after a while you’ll have enough for a recipe!

If you have enjoyed this Perfect Butter Shortcrust Pastry here are some other recipes you may like to try:

Quiche Lorraine

Cheddar Tomato Basil Quiche

Iced Bakewell Tart

Lemon Curd Sponge Tart

As with anything new, practising will improve your technique and consequently the pastry that you make. Since homemade pastry requires only a few ingredients, it is handy to know how to make your own. Whether it is for sweet or savoury bakes, this pastry recipe works beautifully. Also, it is much cheaper to make your own from scratch compared to buying ready made. And you know exactly what has gone into making it.

So whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

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