Italian apple torte - A moist apple cake for a special tea or as a dessert - Gala apples, eggs, butter, lemon, demerara sugar, plain flour, baking powder, Greek-style yogurt, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C FAN/GAS 4; Leave the butter to soften at room temperature.; Lightly grease a 20cm round, loose bottomed cake tin. Line the [...]
Mince pies - Heavenly morsels of light pastry and aromatic mincemeat - orange, unsalted butter, A little milk for glazing, highest quality mincemeat, plain flour, Sea salt, Icing sugar, Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl. Dice the butter and, using your fingertips, rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs . Chill [...]
Carpaccio of oranges with orange brandy - A lighter pudding option after a rich meal - 6 oranges, preferably unwaxed, A handful of pistachios, 6 tablespoons orange brandy, Rinse the oranges and peel them, making sure you remove every trace of pith.; Cut some of the peel into very thin shreds.; Slice the oranges very [...]
Coconut macaroons - Stunningly easy to make, packed with flavour and gluten free - large eggs, desiccated coconut, caster sugar, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 170˚C/150˚C FAN/GAS 3; Lightly grease a baking sheet.; Beat the eggs into a mixing bowl. Add the coconut and sugar and mix thoroughly. Your hands are probably best for this job.; Divide [...]
The best hot chocolate - A real treat for chocolate lovers. Pure indulgence! - Milk, double cream, Vanilla pod, best quality dark chocolate, minimum 70% cocoa, Pour the milk and cream into a small pan. Split the vanilla pod lengthways, scrape out the tiny seeds and add both to the milk and cream.; Bring the [...]
Rhubarb fool - A super-simple, scrumptious dessert - rhubarb, double cream, Greek yogurt, fresh ginger, golden caster sugar, PRE-HEAT THE OVEN TO 190˚C/170˚C FAN/GAS 5; Wash the rhubarb, top and tail and cut into 3cm long pieces. Peel the ginger and cut into thin slices.; Put the rhubarb into a shallow oven dish, sprinkle with [...]
Strawberry and mascarpone Italian sponge - Three light layers sandwiched with fruit and creamy mascarpone - fresh strawberries, mascarpone, plain yogurt, large eggs, lemon, plain flour, corn flour, xylitol or caster sugar, vanilla extract, salt, icing sugar for dusting, Toasted almonds (optional), PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C FAN/GAS 4; Grease a round 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin [...]
Italian chocolate sponge with berries - A simple, easy and utterly moreish dessert - fresh raspberries, fresh blueberries, large eggs, chocolate custard, Sprig of fresh mint (optional), plain flour, cornflour, raw cacao powder, xylitol or caster sugar, salt, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C FAN/GAS 4; Grease a round 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin and set aside. Sieve [...]
Mascarpone and peach pavlova - A mouth-watering dessert topped with peaches and raspberries - raspberries, peaches, Sprig mint, mascarpone, double cream, eggs, unwaxed lemon, vinegar, teaspoon cornflour, caster sugar, Icing sugar, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C FAN/GAS 4; Grease a baking sheet and cover with baking parchment.; Separate the eggs. Whisk the whites with an electric [...]
Chocolate & chestnut meringue roulade recipe - Rich, creamy & impressive but much easier to make than it looks. 35 minutes prep and it freezes for up to 2 months. Great food made easy. - large eggs, preferably organic, double cream, Butter for greasing, chestnut puree, dark chocolate, minimum 70% cocoa solids, caster sugar, cornflour, [...]