Yogurt cake - Light, delicious sponge - coconut or plain full fat yogurt, large eggs, unwaxed lemon, A little butter for greasing, plain flour, desiccated coconut, baking powder, sugar, groundnut oil, cocoa powder for dusting, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C fan/gas 4; Wash the lemon and finely grate the rind. Grease a loose-bottomed 22cm cake tin [...]
Zingy fruit salad of melon and berries - The perfect way to round off a lazy summer meal - galia melon, cantaloupe melon, fresh raspberries, fresh blackberries, redcurrants, limes, rum (optional), Halve the melons and remove the seeds. Cut into thick slices and cube. Put the chunks of melon into a serving bowl.; Put the [...]
Strawberry granita - Cool, refreshing, low-calorie flavour explosion! - fresh strawberries, unwaxed lemon, Vanilla pod, xylitol, Slice the vanilla pod lengthways with a sharp knife. Rinse the lemon and remove the peel in strips. Squeeze the juice into a small saucepan.; Add 200ml of water to the pan, along with the xylitol, vanilla pod and [...]
Pear and blackberry crumble - A lighter version of a classic pud with a lovely crumbly topping - 1kg ripe but firm green William pears, 300g blackberries, 1 lemon, 75g butter, 75g wholemeal flour, 75g rolled oats, 2 tablespoons agave nectar, 1 tablespoon demerara sugar, 50g shelled pistachios, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 200˚C/180˚C FAN/GAS 6; Peel [...]
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 [...]
Almonds in dark chocolate - Quick and easy after-dinner treats - blanched almonds, best quality dark chocolate, minimum 70% cocoa, PRE-HEAT THE OVEN TO 150˚C/130˚C FAN/GAS 2.; Place the almonds on a baking tray and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes. Check regularly to prevent the almonds burning and becoming bitter.; COVER Cover [...]
Croccante - Moreish, crunchy bites of chopped hazelnut - toasted hazelnuts, shelled weight, caster sugar, Roughly chop the hazelnuts and set aside. A mixer or a mezzaluna are best for the job.; Put 3 tablespoons of water into a large shallow saucepan, add the sugar and place over a very low heat. Stir continuously until [...]
Rich fruit loaf - Wonderfully rich but light in texture. Perfect for Christmas - unsalted butter, large eggs, orange, preferably organic, plain flour, sugar, candied orange peel, sultanas, baking powder, ground cinnamon, rum, salt, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C FAN/GAS 4; Leave the butter to soften at room temperature.; Put the sultanas into a small bowl, [...]
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 [...]