INGREDIENTS
225g self-raising flour, preferably organic
¼ tsp salt
50g slightly salted butter, chilled, cut in small pieces
25g golden caster sugar
125ml buttermilk
4 tbsp full-fat milk
a little extra flour for dusting
strawberry jam and clotted cream, to serve
PROCEDURE
- Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7/fan 200C and lightly butter a baking sheet (unless you’re using a non-stick sheet). Tip the flour into a mixing bowl with the salt. Shoot in the butter, then rub together with your fingers to make a reasonably fine crumbed mixture, lifting to aerate the mixture as you go. Try not to overrub, as the mixture will be lighter if it’s a little bit flaky. Now stir in the sugar.
- Measure the buttermilk, then mix in the milk to slacken it. Make a bit of a well in the middle of the flour mixture with a round-bladed knife, then pour in most of this buttermilk mixture, holding a little bit back in case it’s not needed. Using the knife, gently work the mixture together until it forms a soft, almost sticky, dough. Work in any loose dry bits of mixture with the rest of the buttermilk. Don’t overwork at this point or you will toughen the dough.
- Lift the ball of soft dough out of the bowl and put it on to a very lightly floured surface. Knead the mixture just 3-4 times to get rid of the cracks.
- Pat the dough gently with your hands to a thickness of no less than 2cm and no more than 2.5cm. Dip a 5.5cm round fluted cutter into a bowl of flour – this helps to stop the dough sticking to it, then cut out the scones by pushing down quickly and firmly on the cutter with the palm of your hand – don’t twist it.You will hear the dough give a big sigh as the cutter goes in. Gather the trimmings lightly then pat and cut out a couple more scones.
- Place on the baking sheet and sift over a light dusting of flour or glaze if you wish. Bake for 10-12 minutes until risen and golden. Cool on a wire rack, uncovered if you prefer crisp tops, or covered loosely with a cloth for soft ones.
- Serve with strawberry jam and a generous mound of clotted cream (Cornish people put cream first, then jam, Devonians the other way round). Eat them as fresh as you can.
SOURCE: .bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
500g pack shortcrust pastry
10cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
20g pack fresh parsley, preferably flat leaf
2 tbsp sunflower oil
250g fresh white crabmeat
2 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
300ml crème fraîche
For the chilli dressing
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1 lime, juice only
1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
3 tbsp light soy sauce
6 tbsp sunflower oil
1 tsp golden caster sugar
PROCEDURE
- Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to 5mm thickness and use to line a 25cm loose-bottom shallow tart tin. Cover and chill for 15 mins.
- Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake for 10-15 mins until dry to touch, but not coloured. Remove the paper and beans and return the pastry case to the oven for a further 3-5 mins until it is just cooked. Reduce the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
- In a small food processor, blend the ginger with the parsley and 2 tbsp of sunflower oil to a coarse paste. Spread over the base of the tart case. Scatter the crab meat over the ginger paste. Whisk together the eggs and egg yolks with the crème fraîche, then season. Put the tart tin on a baking sheet and pour in the egg mixture. Return the tart to the oven for 30-35 mins or until just set.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the onions, lime juice, chilli, soy sauce, sunflower oil and sugar with 1 tbsp water. Serve the tart warm with a drizzling of dressing.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
500g block rich shortcrust pastry
flour, to dust
200ml full-fat milk
200g double cream
3 eggs, plus 1 yolk
2 tbsp golden caster sugar
pinch freshly grated nutmeg, plus extra to serve
2 bananas, cut into chunks
juice of 1 lemon
PROCEDURE
- Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a 20p coin. With a 14cm wide saucer, cut out 6 circles of pastry, then use to line six tartlet tins, 9cm in diameter. Chill for 30 mins.
- Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line each pastry case with crumpled baking parchment, then fill with baking beans. Bake the pastry for 15 mins, then remove the paper and beans. Bake for another 5 mins until the pastry is cooked and lightly golden. Remove from the oven, then leave to cool. Reduce oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2.
- In a pan, heat the milk and cream together to scalding point. Beat the eggs, egg yolk, sugar and nutmeg together, then pour in the hot milk and cream and gently beat, incorporating as little air as possible. Toss the bananas in lemon juice, divide them between the pastry cases, cut-side up, then fill with custard. Bake for 30 mins until just set. Remove from the oven and leave in the tins for 5 mins, before turning them out to cool on a wire rack. Finish with an extra grating of nutmeg.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
175g plain flour
85g butter
85g strong cheddar, grated
3 eggs
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 tbsp crème fraîche
250g cherry tomatoes
sprig thyme
PROCEDURE
- Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 3. Blitz the flour, butter and cheddar in a food processor until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then add one lightly beaten egg and whizz again until it forms a ball. Use the pastry to line 4 individual tart cases, then chill for 10 mins. Line the pastry cases with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans and bake for 7 -10 mins until the pastry feels dry. Remove the paper and baking beans and continue to cook for a further 2 - 3 mins until lightly golden, then remove from the oven.
- Make the custard by mixing the remaining eggs into the Dijon mustard and crème fraiche. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes on the base of the tarts, sprinkle over the thyme leaves and pour over the custard. Bake for 10 mins, turn the oven down to 150C/fan 130C/gas 3, then bake for a further 15 mins until the custard is just set. Cool slightly before serving.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
For the pastry base
100g plain flour
50g ground almonds
85g butter
50g caster sugar
1 egg, separated
For the choux pastry
50g butter
70g plain flour, sifted into a bowl
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tbsp flaked almonds
For the filling
2 tbsp custard powder
2-3 tbsp caster sugar
300ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
284ml pot double cream
To finish
750g strawberries, hulled and halved if large
100g caster sugar
icing sugar, for dusting
PROCEDURE
- Make the pastry for the base: whizz the flour, almonds, butter and sugar in a food processor to fine crumbs. Add the egg yolk (reserve the white for later) and a few drops of water if necessary, then pulse until the dough comes together. Wrap in cling film, then chill for 1 hr.
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out pastry on a large square of baking parchment, then trim to a 26cm round using a cake tin or plate as a guide. Carefully transfer the pastry still on the paper to a large baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 mins until golden. Cool on the paper, then transfer to a large, flat serving plate. Can be made 2 days ahead.
- To make the choux pastry, line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Heat the butter in a pan with 125ml water until melted, then increase heat until boiling. Remove from the heat, then add the flour in one go, quickly stirring until everything comes together as a thick paste. Leave to cool for 10 mins. Beat the eggs in to the paste, using a wooden spoon, a little at a time, until you have a thick, glossy mixture. Spoon 12 equal-size blobs of choux, a little apart, over the baking sheet. Lightly whisk the reserved egg white, then brush over each blob of pastry. Sprinkle with flaked almonds.
- Bake the buns for 25-30 mins until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven, carefully split each bun, then return to the oven for 5 mins more to dry out the insides. Cool on a rack, then scoop out any soft insides. Can be made 2 days ahead – if they go soft, briefly crisp them up in the oven.
- To make the filling, mix the custard powder and sugar in a pan, then blend in a little milk to a smooth paste. Add the rest of the milk, then gently bring to the boil, stirring, until you have a thick custard. Remove from the heat, then stir in the vanilla. Transfer to a bowl, then cover the surface with cling film. Cool. Can be made 2 days ahead.
- Now assemble the gâteau: stir the custard to loosen a little. Whip the cream to soft peaks, then fold into the custard. Slice a third of the strawberries. Spread a thin layer of custard over the pastry base. Add the sliced strawberries to the remaining custard, then use to fill the choux buns. Arrange buns around edge of the pastry base. Spoon any remaining custard into the centre, then top with the remaining strawberries.
- To make the caramel, tip the caster sugar into a heavy based pan with 2 tbsp cold water. Heat, without stirring, to dissolve the sugar, tipping the pan if necessary, then boil hard until it becomes a light caramel. Remove from the heat and, when the bubbles subside, drizzle carefully over the choux buns. Dust with icing sugar and serve. The gâteau can be chilled for up to 2 hrs before serving.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
For the pastry
300g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
140g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus extra for greasing
1 medium egg
4 tbsp iced water
For the filling
85g unsalted butter
800g leeks, sliced lengthways then into 2½ cm/1in pieces
½ tbsp plain flour
300ml milk
200ml double cream
2 medium eggs
4 medium egg yolks, beaten together with the other eggs
100g Gruyère, grated
1 tsp English mustard
PROCEDURE
- Pulse the flour and butter in a food processor until you have fine crumbs. Add the egg yolk and water, and bring together into a ball. Do not knead. Roll the pastry in cling film and chill for at least 1 hr.
- Meanwhile, heat the butter in a pan, then add the leeks. Cook over a low heat for 20-25 mins until soft, stirring often. Season to taste. Stir in the flour, cook for 3-4 mins, stirring, then stir in the milk and cream. Once smooth, simmer for 15 mins to cook out the flour. Season well, then cool. If making ahead, cover the surface with cling film and chill for up to 2 days. Stir the eggs and egg yolks into the mix, along with the grated cheese and the mustard.
- Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to about 5mm/¼in thick, and gently lay it over a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Using a small ball of pastry to help, gently press the pastry into the sides of the tin. Trim, leaving a slight overhang. Line the pastry with baking paper, fill with baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, and bake for 10 mins more or until golden and biscuity. Cool on a wire rack. Turn oven down to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
- Spoon the leek mix into the case and smooth the top. Bake for 30 mins until set and golden. Rest the tart for 15-20 mins before you slice it, and serve warm. If making ahead, chill the tart. Once cooled, for up to 2 days, or freeze for a week. Defrost in fridge, then warm in the oven for 20 mins before serving.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
INGREDIENTS
2kg mixed summer berries (we used 1kg halved strawberries, 500g blackberries and 500g mixed currants)
juice 2 lemons
2 x 1kg packs jam sugar with pectin
PROCEDURE
- Before you start, sterilise your jars and put a plate in the freezer to chill.
- Tip the berries, lemon juice and sugar into a preserving pan. Gently heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has melted and fruits are juicy.
- Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and drop a little of the mixture onto the chilled plate. Push your finger through it; it should wrinkle and have set like jam. If it doesn’t, boil for 2 mins more, then test again and, if necessary, keep repeating until it’s ready.
- The top of the jam may look like it has sediment on it, but if you stir it well as it cools, it should disappear. Allow to cool and settle for 10-15 mins before ladling into sterilised jars and sealing. The jam will keep unopened for 1 year but, once opened, store in the fridge.
SOURCE: bbcgoodfood.com
