Christmas Cake - Part 1 - Fruit Preparation

Its been so long since I've had a Sunday free to do some baking, so I thought I'd make the most of it! An attempt at a new Apple cake recipe (results and recipe to come soon), and I have decided that this is the year I will make my first Christmas Cake! I've always wanted to make one, but have never had the time (a poor excuse really), so, after reviewing many recipes (and trying to decipher different versions in my gran's hand written book), I have chosen combine a few recipes into one, taking the parts I like best of each - could make for an interesting Christmas Cake, that's for sure!!

Getting organised for the cake, I have started with pre-soaking my fruit to get the best flavour in the cake and to make sure the fruit is nice and juicy. I have chosen the fruit that myself and my partner like best, but you can use your own combinations depending on preference.

Ingredients:

• 7 oz Raisins
• 7 oz Glace Cherries, sliced in half
• 7 oz Sultanas
• 3 1/2 oz Dates, chopped
• 2 oz Currants
• 2 oz Caster Sugar
• 60ml Water
• 175ml Brandy
• 1 Cinnamon Stick

Method: 

1. Weigh out the dried fruit, and transfer to a large bowl, along with the cinnamon stick, and mix with a spoon until evenly mixed.
2. Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan (if you have a stainless steel saucepan (or I use the base of my steamer), use this, as I find that dissolving sugar in a non-stick pan tends to scratch the surface when stirring) over a low heat, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is still clear, making sure not to over-heat the mixture or caramelise.
3. Let the sugar mixture cool slightly, then transfer this to the brandy and stir to combine.
4. Pour the liquid over the fruit and stir well, ensuring the liquid has coated all of the fruit. (If you are pushed for time and have not got time to soak the fruit for 6 weeks, the same effect can be achieved by heating the fruit with the brandy syrup mix - so once you get to step 4, transfer the fruit mixture back into the pan and heat gently on a very low heat for approx 10-20 minutes - you don't want to stew the fruit, but the heat and liquid will help the fruit to plump up and absorb the alcohol mixture enough to give the effect that it has been soaking for 6 weeks! If you are choosing this method, once heated, transfer the fruit mixture with juices to a bowl to cool before adding to your cake mixture.)
5. Transfer the fruit mix into a large air-tight storage container, and store in the cupboard until you are ready to make your cake.
6. Over the next week, stir the mixture every day (or every other day if you don't have time to do it every day), to make sure the fruits are soaking up the brandy and remain nice and moist. After the first week, stir the mixture once a week until you are ready to make your cake.

The longer in advance you can prepare your fruit and allow the flavours to develop, the more intense flavour your Christmas Cake will have. I would suggest soaking the fruit for a minimum of one week, anywhere up to 6 weeks in advance.

As this is my first attempt, I am going to try soaking my fruit for 3 weeks before making my cake.......we will see how I get on!

 

Ginger & Pineapple Chicken

This is a recipe that my other half came up with one evening when we couldn't think of what to have for dinner, so it was a case of 'what do we have left in the cupboard'?! As is typical, these meals are usually the best and generally the most difficult to re-create, so I hope I have remembered everything!

Ingredients

1 Onion, Diced
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 Clove Garlic, crushed
1 Large Chicken Breast (or 2 small ones), chopped into small chunks
1 Tin Chopped Tomatoes
1 Small Tin of Pineapple Rings, chopped into chunks
1 Red Pepper, de-seeded and chopped into chunks
6-8 Closed Cup Mushrooms, chopped into chunks
1 tbsp Tomato Puree (if required, for thickening)

Method
   
1. Heat a small amount of oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium heat and gently fry the onion until soft. While the onion is cooking, add the garlic, cayenne pepper and ginger to the pan and stir to combine.

2. When the onion is soft, add the chopped chicken breast to the pan and stir well to coat with the onion mixture. (Leftover chicken works just as well, if you have any to use up, but you don't need to add this until the end, as it will only need to heat through). Cook for approx 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken has cooked through.

3. Add the pepper and mushrooms, and stir to combine. Cook for approximately 5-10 minutes, until the peppers and mushrooms have softened slightly.

4. Transfer the chicken mixture to a saucepan, then add the pineapple chunks and tin of tomatoes, and mix well. Allow to simmer with the lid on for 15-20 minutes on a low heat. Remove the lid, and give the mixture a good stir - if the mixture looks too watery, add 1tbsp tomato puree to thicken slightly, then allow to simmer for another 10 minutes with the lid off.

5. Serve with rice or pasta, depending on preference.

 

Blackberry & Apple Crumble

There is nothing I like more than a good fruit crumble with lashings of custard, especially when the apples come from your own garden, and you have picked the blackberry's from walking along the roadside at home - makes for a very cheap, but truly tasty pudding. I also like experimenting with different types of crumble topping - I think that the more crunchy texture, the better, and if it all sticks to the roof of your mouth, then you know it really is good!

Ingredients

3-4 Large Cooking Apples (Skinned, cored and cut into large chunks)

1 Punnet of Blackberries (or if you are picking them - a good bowl full)

Cinnamon

Demerara or Soft Brown Sugar - approx 2 heaped tbsp to add to the apples when cooking

For the Crumle Topping:

4 oz Plain Flour

4 oz Demerara or Soft Brown Sugar

4 oz Unsalted Butter, diced into small pieces

4 oz Ground or Finely Chopped Almonds or Porridge Oats

Method

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens, or gas mark 4). Place the apple chunks into a saucepan with approx 2 tbsp water, and set over a low heat to soften. (You want the chunks to break down slightly, but not disintegrate into a puree) While the apples are stewing slowly, add 2 heaped tbsp of the demerara or soft brown sugar to them and stir to combine. Add 1-2 tsp (depending on taste) of cinnamon to the apples (or if you're like me - half a jar!!!). Once the apples have softened (you should have a mixture that looks like half puree, half chunks), transfer them to an oven proof dish, to line the base of your crumble.

2. Scatter the blackberries over the cooked apples, and mix in if you like (or you can leave them on top of the apples, and let them cook in together naturally).

3. To make the crumble topping, mix the flour with the sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and using your fingertips, rub into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs (do not rub into as finely as if you were making pastry, as you want to have lots of texture for your crumble).

4. Stir in the ground or finely chopped almonds or porridge oats, and then spoon over the top of your fruit, being careful not to press down on the mixture, as you want it to remain fairly loose and not too compact.

5. Smooth over the surface of the crumble, and I always like to sprinkle another spoonful of sugar over the top, along with a few more oats, and a good helping of cinnamon to make it really crispy and crunchy!

6. Place the crumble into the oven and cook for approximately 30-35 minutes, until the top turns a lovely golden brown colour, and the juices from the fruit start to ooze over the sides.

7. Serve with a big helping of custard or double cream, Mmm Mmm!

 

Joy and Sam's Fruity Meringue Roulade

I absolutely love this dessert as its so light and delicious, and perfect for eating after a big meal as its not too filling - only problem is, you could probably eat it all in one sitting!! (Good job this mixture makes 2!) A big thank-you Joy and Sam for sharing the recipe with me.

Ingredients:

• 4 Egg Whites
• 6oz Icing Sugar (plus extra for dusting)
• 1tsp Cornflour
• 1tsp Lemon Juice 
• 1tsp Vanilla
• Double or Whipping Cream
• Assortment of fresh or frozen fruit

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens). Grease 2 x Swiss roll tins (or 1 large one), and line with greaseproof paper, then lightly oil the paper as well.
2. Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form, then add half the icing sugar.
3. Add the Cornflour to the remaining icing sugar, then add the mixture to the whipped egg, whilst keeping whipping, then add the lemon and vanilla.
4. Smooth the mix over the 2 tins and bake for approx 25 minutes in the oven.
5. Whilst the egg whites are cooking, put some greaseproof paper on the work surface and dust generously with icing sugar (one sheet for each tin).
6. Once the egg whites are cooked, turn out onto the prepared greaseproof paper on the work surface and peel off the greaseproof paper on the base. 
7. Once cool, spread over your choice of filling (whipped cream and fresh fruit works really well), then gradually roll the roulade, using the greaseproof paper as an aid to stop from breaking. (Don’t worry if it cracks a bit – it all adds to the rustic effect and will still taste delicious!)

Jarlsberg with Caramelised Onion, Ham & Mushroom Quiche

This quiche is a firm favourite amoung many of my work colleagues and has gone down a storm at many lunches and is always in demand, so I usually have to make quite a big one (or two!) I think its the combination of the sweet and sticky caramelised onions, with the meaty ham and strong, savoury Jarlsberg cheese that makes it so tasty! Give it a try for yourself - its so easy, and depending on how much time you have to spare, there is a cheat's version which will work just as well!

Ingredients:

For the Pastry:

(This should do most sizes of quiche tin - if you are using a small-ish one, then this should leave you with enough to do some mini quiches as well, so you can have a little taster before cutting into the big one! Alternatively, you can buy either ready to roll or ready rolled shortcrust pastry, if you are short of time!)

8oz Plain Flour
4oz Butter, diced
Pinch of salt
2-3 tbsp water

For the Filling:

2 Red Onions, thinly sliced
2-3 tbsp soft dark brown sugar
1 Pack of 3 Flat Mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 Pack of Smoked ham, chopped into approx 1 inch sized pieces (Or you could use bacon, and fry/grill)
250g-300g Jarlsberg Cheese, grated (preferably from the wheel, but you can also buy block - the wheel should be available on most deli counters or pre-pack aisles)
500ml Double Cream (If your quiche tin is quite shallow, then 250ml will be enough)
3 Large Eggs
Salt and Pepper

Method:

1. To make the pastry, put the flour, butter and salt into a bowl, and rub together using your fingertips until you are left with a mixture resembling fine breadcrumbs. (Alternatively, you can do this in the food processor until it reaches the same state)

2. Gradually add the water 1tbsp at a time, and combine with your hands after each addition, being careful not to add more water than is needed. The pastry should come together, but not be too sticky or dry. (This can be sorted by either adding a touch more flour if too sticky, or an extra tbsp water if too dry). If using a food processor, put it on the lowest speed, and add 1tbsp water at a time, making sure each tbsp is mixed in thoroughly. You will know when enough water has been added, as the pastry will come together in a ball, then you can just lift out.

3. Wrap the pastry in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for half an hour. (If you have bought your pastry pre-made, then you can sit back and have a nice cup of tea instead!)

4. While the pastry is chilling, heat 1tbsp oil in a frying pan and heat the sliced red onions on a low heat, until they have gone very soft, but not brown. (This will take a while, so not be tempted to turn up the heat too much!)

5. Once the onions are soft, add the soft dark brown sugar and stir to combine. Heat for a further 1-2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and you are left with a very sticky, thick mixture of caramelised onions - Mmmmmm! (Alternatively, if you are short of time, you can buy a jar of Red Caramelised Onions - English Provender are my favourite, as they taste delicious, plus you can buy them in most supermarkets). Remove the onions from the heat and transfer to a plate to allow them to cool. (If you add them to the pastry when warm, then eht pastry will go soggy).

6. Using the same frying pan, add another tbsp oil and fry the mushrooms until they are cooked and soft. Again, once cooked, transfer these to a plate in order to cool.

7. Hopefully by now, your pastry should be cool enough to handle, so remove from the fridge and roll out onto a floured surface, until it is 1-2mm thin (or can be thicker, depending on how thick you like your pastry case), and big enough for your quiche tin. Pre-heat the oven to 180oC (160oC for fan ovens).

8. Gradually lift the edge of the rolled pastry onto the rolling pin, and loosely roll it around the pin, as this will make it easier to get it into the tin. Starting from the edge of the tin, gradually un-roll the pin over the quiche tin and you should find the pastry has completely covered the surface. Using your fingers, ensure that the pastry is tucked into the edges of the tin, gently pressing it into the dimples. Finally, use your rolling pin to roll over the top of the tin - this will give you a clean cut edge, getting rid of the trimmings, and is much easier than using a knife!

9. Once your onions have cooled, add them to the pastry case and spread evenly over the bottom.

10. Next, scatter the mushrooms and ham over the onions (its up to you whether you use all of them - it will depend on the size and depth of your quiche tin).

11. Generously sprinkle the Jarlsberg cheese over the mixture, including the edges, so you get a nice even distribution of cheese.

12. Pour the double cream into a jug, and beat the eggs in until they are combined. Add salt and pepper to season and give the mixture a brief stir to combine.

13. Gradually pour the cream mixture over the cheese, until it just reaches the top (do not over-fill as you want to be able to lift it to put in the oven without spilling).

14. Transfer to the oven and cook for approx 25-30 mins (times may vary depending on oven), until golden brown on the top and cooked through. (for deeper quiches, you might need to cook for up to 50 minutes, to ensure the middle is thoroughly cooked).

15. Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack, before removing from the tin.