Crumble is one of my favourite desserts, so simple, so warm, so homely and so yummy. Here I’ve coupled seasonal pear and floral lavender for a dessert with undeniable winter cosiness balanced with a beautifully delicate perfume. Because the pears are cooked and sweetened they don’t have to be perfectly ripe, in fact a little firmness will ensure they keep their shape. Click here for the recipe
So this is a recipe I came up with a while ago, that I’m proud to finally publish on my blog (sorry for the absence). It marries the beautiful flavours of figs, mascarpone and honey into one of my favourite desserts – cheesecake! The mascarpone adds a really rich creaminess to the filling, while the sweetness of the figs is with the reinforced with the honey and spiced with a bit of cinnamon. Dried figs work well here if you are unable to get hold of fresh figs. Click here for the recipe
Anybody like figs? Well if you like figs and you like fig rolls then you’ll like these! The same components are there – biscuit and a figgy filling – just in a different way. What I love about this recipe is that all the ingredients could already be sitting in your cupboard and it doesn’t take very long to whip up a batch! I’ve spiced up the filling with some ground cinnamon and stem ginger, and I don’t see why you couldn’t substitute the dried figs for dried apricots or any other favourites! Click here for the recipe
Following on from my first demo at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College I was invited back for another. This time demonstrating a seasonal recipe using the quintessential winter combination: apples and blackberries. I love the structure of this tart; crisp pastry base, spread with sweet fruit jam, topped with moist frangipane and decorated with caramelised apple slices. You don’t have to make the jam, especially if you’re strapped for time, but it does add a really nice touch! The students and teachers enjoyed it alike, now what to make for next time? Click here for the recipe
I was recently challenged to use beetroot in a sweet dish. I wasn’t entirely freaked out but did think it would make for an interesting flavour. Vegetables such as carrot and beetroot can work well in cakes as they have a natural sweetness to them and add tonnes of moisture. This recipe is based on one for carrot cake, with the addition of chocolate to enhance the flavour and let’s not forget the gems on top - chocolate candied beetroot! Not strictly candied (like lemon or orange peel) but the cooked in a sugar syrup and tossed in cocoa powder to take this cake to another level. =] Click here for the recipe
