Spring Vegetable, Mint, Feta and Ricotta Tart
This recipe celebrates all the good things about the spring/summer. It is also very, very quick to make, uses just a handful of ingredients and would make a lovely starter or light lunch. Crispy puff pastry with a creamy, salty and citrusy feta and ricotta mixture, crunchy asparagus and a drizzle of pesto completes the tart for a lovely veggie meal ready in no time.
Apple & Blackberry Spelt Galette with Amaretti Crumb and Cardamom Stem Ginger Custard
This galette is made with spelt flour which gives it a lovely nutty flavour. A ginger and amaretti crumb adds more texture and flavour, while ensuring the pastry stays nice and crisp and doesn’t go soggy from the fruit. We used blackberries and apples as they were in season but you really could use any fruit (rhubarb, plums, and pears would all be delicious) - orange zest, vanilla, thyme and amaretto all complement each other beautifully and with a warming cardamom and stem ginger custard on the side, this is a winner of a pudding and a great one for Easter Sunday lunch. Plus, the beauty of a galette is it’s meant to be rustic, so you don’t have to be too precise about it all.
Fig, Orange & Cointreau Frangipane Tart
I haven’t posted a dessert recipe in a while so thought I’d share this recipe which is one of my all time favourites. We had it at New Year and I’ve also made it for several private dinner parties. It’s a great one to make ahead and can just be reheated to service. The pastry is made in a food processor which makes it much easier, quicker and it happens to be delicious. I served it with stem ginger custard but creme fraiche would work just as well. The sweet jamminess of the figs, the citrus hit of the orange, the nuttiness of the almond frangipane, the buttery pastry, and slight boozy hit of the cointreau are all a match made in heaven.
Boozy Orange Liqueur Profiteroles with Vanilla and Candied Orange Peel
Everyone likes a profiterole. And that is because there is nothing not to like about them. Served in bowls with more cream or ice cream, they make a great dinner party dessert or piled high in towers for bigger occasions - they are the ultimate crowd pleaser. I made some at my mum’s request this Christmas but filled them with a delicious boozy orange vanilla cream and topped with candied orange peel for some texture. With a few tricks you will nail the perfect choux pastry every time.
Cherry Amaretto Frangipane Galette
For me, cherry and almond is the perfect combination and my frangipane galette has everything I want in a pudding - crisp pastry, gooey almond frangipane, sweet fruit, the crunch of nuts and a hint of booze. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect dinner party pudding.