Wednesday 15 October 2014

Apple Tart


Hello all my lovely bakers out there, today I made this amazing and tasty but really easy and simple recipe. I saw this on YouTube and thought I'd have a go baking it myself but with some of my own add on's. This apple tart will be perfect served at a dinner party or if you prefer a solo dessert for one. I'm using pre-packed puff pastry, however if you'd prefer to make your own pastry, just incorporate into this recipe. To make this apple tart follow the simple steps below and enjoy.

Ingredients
 
- Puff pastry
- 2 - 3 Golden Apples (or apples of your choice)
- 50g Caster sugar
- 1 Egg
-  10g Butter
- Honey & hot water for glaze
 
 
Method
 
1. Depending on whether you want to make 1 big tart or individual, cut down pastry to preferred size, and then pop onto a baking tray with non stick parchment.
2. Score half an inch away from the sides, so this can puff up around the apple. Place into fringe until needed
3. Pre heat oven to gas mark 7
4. Take out the core of the apples and then peel and chop into quarters, then slice your apples a quarter of an inch thick
5. Take your pastry and arrange your apples in any pattern you may like inside the scored edges.
6. Then sprinkle your caster sugar over the apples, and dollop your butter in small chucks over the apple evenly
7. Whisk your egg and brush over the edges of the pastry.
8. Then simply pop in the oven for 30-35 minutes
9. Once cooked place on a cooling rack
10. While the tart is still warm mix together your honey and hot water, or if you'd prefer your favourite jam, then brush over the apples to create a glaze
11. Served with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey
12. EAT!


Tuesday 14 October 2014

Cheese & Bacon Quiche



Today for you I have a cheese and bacon quiche, which in fact is the first meal I've actually ever made and it was for the family, which everyone loved, so it was a success. To make this cheesy, bacon goodness just follow the simple steps below and enjoy. By the way I am using pre-packed short crust pastry if you want to make the pastry yourself feel free.

Ingredients
 
Short Crust Pastry
5 Eggs
100ml Milk
100ml Double cream
Smoked bacon lardons
Thyme
Cheese (grated)
 
Method
 
1. Grease your fluted side tin and pre-heat your oven to gas 5
2. Place your pastry over the tin pressing it down into the sides making sure to make no holes
3. Place some foil or parchment over your pastry, placing baking beans onto the foil, place in the oven for 20 minutes
4. Then remove the foil and baking beans and place back in oven for further 5 minutes until just golden brown, do not over cook
5. In a bowl whisk your eggs and then add in your milk, cream and thyme, until thoroughly mixed and put into the fridge until needed
6. In a pan on high heat, fry your bacon lardons with a small drop of olive oil and cook until fat has turnt brown, do not overcook, then place onto some tissue to therefore soak up the oil/fat
7. Take your pastry and sprinkle with half your cheese and bacon, the pour over all your mixture, topping off with your left over cheese and bacon.
8. Reduce cooker temperature to gas 3 and cook until mixture is just firm and then cool
9. EAT!

Marble Cake




Today I am going to be making a Marble Cake, which may sound very technical but it's super simple and easy to make. Just follow the steps below and you will have this amazingly tasty chocolate and vanilla swirled marble cake. I am making a basic marble, however you can add extra garnish such as orange zest to the mixture for a citrus taste or you may want some bright colour therefore add food colouring of your choice at the end. Have Fun!

Ingredients
 
225g Butter, softened
225g Caster sugar
225g Self raising flour
4 Eggs
2 tbsp. Cocoa powder
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. Baking powder
3 tbsp. Milk
 
Method
 
1. Pre-heat oven to gas mark 4
2. Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper
2. Beat the butter and sugar together, whether your using an electric whisk or by hand, until you have a light fluffy mixture
3. Whisk your eggs in a separate bowl and add alternately with the flour, until mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Fold in the milk, vanilla extract and baking powder
5. Grab another bowl and pour half the mixture into it, leaving you with two separate mixtures, in one sieve the cocoa powder and stir until mixed evenly and mixture is completely chocolate
6. Take 2 spoons and use them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes into the tin alternately
7. Tap the bottom on your work surface to ensure that there aren’t any air bubbles.
8. Take a skewer and swirl it around the mixture in the tin a few times to create a marbled effect.
9. Lastly, pop it in the oven for 45 - 55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
10. When cooked, place on a cooling rack and leave to cool
11. EAT!