#Ad | Strawberry season is in full swing and this Irish Strawberry Baked Cheesecake from our @simplybetterds brand ambassador @Neven Maguire is the perfect way to use our delicious Simply Better Irish strawberries from @clarkesfreshfruit. Find the recipe below and shop the ingredients online or in your local @dunnesstores
Ingredients | Serves 6-8
FOR THE BASE 1 Pack Simply Better Normandy Butter Vanilla Sablé Biscuits 60g Simply Better Abernethy Sea Salted Butter, melted FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING 3 Tubs Simply Better Irish Original Cream Cheese 180g Simply Better Greek Yogurt (10% Fat) 200g Caster Sugar 3 Simply Better Irish Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
FOR THE TOPPING 1 Bag of Simply Better Frozen Irish Strawberries 1 Pack Simply Better Irish King Strawberries, sliced 3 Tbsp. Water 3 Tbsp. Sugar 1 Tbsp. Cornflour
Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C Fan. 2. Combine the frozen strawberries, water, sugar and cornflour in a saucepan and bring to the boil, reduce the heat then simmer for 5-10 minutes until the strawberries are soft, then hand blend and simmer again for a further 10 minutes until reduced and thickened. Allow to cool before you stir in the fresh strawberries. 3. Blitz the biscuits until you achieve fine breadcrumbs and mix through the melted butter. 4. Line a spring form tin with baking parchment so that it is coming up the sides. Tip the biscuit into the base and spread out with the back of a spoon. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. 5. Reduce the temperature of the oven to 160°C Fan. 6. Mix all of the cheesecake filling ingredients until well combined. Pour over the cooled base and bake for 45-50 minutes, it should have a slight wobble in the centre. Turn off the oven and allow it to sit for another 10-15 minutes before removing. Allow to cool then leave to chill in the fridge overnight. 7. Top with the strawberries before serving.1w
Happy Late Late Toy Show Day ! 🎉 Why not whip up these Dark Chocolate, Ginger & Hazelnut Oaty Biscuits as a treat for you and the little ones tonight🍫 Crunchy, sweet, and packed with that zingy ginger kick—Enjoy this cookie while you enjoy the show! 😍🍪 #Flahavansirishoats
METHOD: 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 4 and line a large baking tray with baking parchment 2. Combine the Flahavan’s Jumbo Oats, buckwheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon and chopped hazelnuts together in a large mixing bowl 3. In a saucepan, mix together the hazelnut butter, tahini, coconut oil, ginger syrup and maple syrup and gently melt over a low heat until combined 4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir, slowly folding in the stem ginger 5. Roll the mixture into 18 small balls and place on the baking tray. Gently flatten each ball with a fork and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes (or until brown on the edges) 6. Once cooked, allow to cool for 15 minutes on the baking tray before transferring to a cooling rack. Whilst the cookies are cooling, melt the Butlers 70% Dark Chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water 7. Drizzle the chocolate over them using a teaspoon. Allow the chocolate to cool and set completely, then enjoy or wrap up with some ribbon and treat your friends and family
This scone recipe can also be made into one large loaf cooked on a baking sheet. Cut a deep cross in the center and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400ºF (200ºC), Gas mark 6 and continue to cook for another 20 minutes until the base sounds hollow when tapped.
Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups (1lb) plain flour, extra for dusting
1 tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp caster sugar
2 tbsp (1oz) Kerrygold Salted Butter, chilled and diced
1 cup (8fl oz) buttermilk
1 large egg, beaten
Kerrygold butter curls and strawberry jam, to serve
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), Gas mark 7. Sift the flour into a bowl with the salt and bicarbonate of soda. Stir in the sugar and then, using your fingertips, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and beaten egg. Using a tablespoon, gently and quickly stir the liquid into the flour. It should be soft but not sticky. Lightly flour the work surface. Turn the dough out onto it and pat into a circle about 1in (2.5cm) thick. Cut into triangles with a sharp knife or stamp out 2in (5cm) rounds with a cutter.
Arrange the scones on a non-stick baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until well risen and golden brown. Leave to cool for at least 10 minutes on a wire rack, then serve with the butter curls and jam.
Cheddar variety
Mix ¼ cup (1oz) (25g) of Kerrygold grated Aged Cheddar in with the buttermilk. Brush the finished scones with melted Kerrygold butter and sprinkle with another ¾ cup (3oz) (75g) grated Kerrygold Aged Cheddar before baking. Mix 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard into 2 tbsp (1oz) (25g) of butter and use to spread on the split baked scones before topping with sliced cooked ham or tomatoes to serve.
Fruit variety
Add ½ cup (2oz) (50g) of sultanas or raisins or dried pitted cherries when stirring the sugar into the dry ingredients, then finish as described above.
450g (1lb, 31/2 cups) plain flour 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 300-600ml (1/2 – 1 pint, 1 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups) sour milk or buttermilk
METHOD
Sieve the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre.
Pour in all the milk at once. Using 1 hand, with your fingers stiff and outstretched like a claw, stir in a full circular movement from the centre to the outside of the bowl in ever increasing circles. The dough should be softish, not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out onto a well-floured work surface. Wash and dry your hands. Tidy it up and flip over gently. Pat the dough into a round, about 4cm deep.
Cut a deep cross on the loaf and prick in the four corners.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes then turn down to 200deg C for 30 minutes until cooked. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom of the bread, when it is cooked it will sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack.
Tip! Soda breads are best eaten on the day they are made, but are still good the next day.
Spotted Dog
Follow the recipe above adding: 1 dessert spoon of sugar, 100g sultanas, 1 egg.
Add the sugar and the sultanas with the flour and drop the egg in with the milk before missing. Spotted dog is also called railway cake in some parts of Ireland.
Stripy Cat
Follow the spotted dog recipe replacing the sultanas with 75g of roughly chopped best quality chocolate.
Come to savour culinary delights at Ballymaloe House Hotel.BOOK YOUR STAY
The name of this simple dessert comes from the Italian tirami su, meaning ‘pick me up’ (or ‘cheer me up’). Tiramisu has been subjected to many variations over the years, but this is the original recipe and – in my opinion – the best! This is a dessert that actually benefits from being made ahead, allowing the lovely flavours to mingle. As a result, it is perfect for a large gathering.
Serves 8–10
4 large eggs
100g caster sugar
250g mascarpone cheese 2
50ml cream
250ml freshly brewed strong espresso coffee (left to cool completely)
150ml Tia Maria or Kahlúa liqueur
40 sponge fingers
50g bar plain chocolate
2 tsp cocoa powder
Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in one bowl with 80g of the sugar, and the egg whites in another. Using an electric beater, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy, then mix in the mascarpone cheese until well combined. Whip the cream in a separate bowl until soft peaks form, then fold into the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture.
Using spotlessly clean beaters, whisk the egg whites with 20g of sugar until soft peaks form, then fold this into the mascarpone cream. Spoon a third of this mixture into a suitable dish that is at least 2cm deep. Pour the coffee into a shallow dish and stir in the Tia Maria or Kahlúa. Dip in enough of the sponge fingers to make an even layer on top of the mascarpone mixture. Only dip the sponge fingers in as you go along, so they don’t soak for too long and become difficult to handle.
Cover the layer of soaked sponge fingers with another third of the mascarpone mixture, then grate most of the chocolate bar on top using the coarse side of a grater. Add another layer with the rest of the soaked sponge fingers, then spoon over the remaining mascarpone mixture and spread evenly with a back of a spoon. Cover with cling film and chill overnight to allow the flavours to develop and the dessert to settle. To serve, give the tiramisu a good dusting of cocoa powder, then grate over the rest of the chocolate. Place in the middle of the table so that everyone can help themselves.
SERVE AFTER … A go-to dessert if you like spoiling your guests after a long Italian-inspired meal. Tiramisu is ideal for the warmer months since it can be made well in advance and kept in the fridge until needed.
Pavlova Wreath with Exotic Fruit
Cakes are always the sweet option of choice for birthdays and anniversaries. However, I would like to introduce to you the Pavlova Wreath – it is very pretty and easy to make, and it delivers an incredible flavour. As always, feel free to use your own favourite combination of flavours to personalise it. Be sure to produce it with a flourish for that ‘ta-da’ moment!
Serves 10–12
For the meringue
5 egg whites
250g caster sugar
50g icing sugar
2 tsp cornflour
For the raspberry sauce
200g raspberries
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp cornflour or arrowroot
For the crème Chantilly
200ml cream (well chilled)
1 tsp vanilla extract
40g icing sugar
To decorate
200g raspberries
400g tin lychees, well drained and cut in half
2 passion fruit, halved and seeds scooped out
Preheat the oven to 140°C (275°F/Gas Mark 1). Put the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer. Turn on to a medium speed and whisk until they begin to go frothy and hold their shape a little. Mix the caster and icing sugar together, then add about one third to the eggs in a steady stream, whisking all the time on medium to high. The mixture will now begin to thicken a little.
Make sure that all the sugar has dissolved before you add any more. Add the next third and repeat the process, whisking it all up well. Then add the final third of the sugar. Whisk on high now, since the egg mixture will be much more stable. Keep whisking until you reach the stiff-peak stage. Add the cornflour and fold in with a spoon. Draw a 25cm circle on a piece of parchment paper and use it to line a large baking sheet, then draw a 10cm circle in the middle. This is your stencil. Put dollops of the meringue mixture on to the wreath stencil, keeping it within the edges.
Bake for 55–60 minutes until the meringue has just a little colour. Remove it from the oven and leave to cool. Meanwhile, make the raspberry sauce. Blitz the raspberries in a food processor with the icing sugar and lime juice, then pass through a sieve into a small pan using a plastic spatula. Mix the cornflour or arrowroot with one tablespoon of water until smooth, then add this to the raspberries. Bring to the boil over medium to high heat, then simmer gently for a few minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Set aside to cool. For the crème Chantilly, whisk up the cream, vanilla and sugar in a bowl until it is just beginning to hold soft peaks. Cover with cling film and chill until needed. Carefully slide your Pavlova wreath on to a large, flat serving plate. Place dollops of the crème Chantilly around the top of the wreath, then drizzle over some of the raspberry sauce; the rest can be served in a jug at the table. Decorate the wreath with the raspberries, lychees and passion fruit pulp. Serve straight away.
Watch Neven’s Christmas in Limerick on Thursday, 4 December on RTÉ One at 8pm.
Ingredients
In the first of this two-part special, Neven’s Christmas in Limerick, Neven Maguire prepares Smoked Salmon Galettes, Glazed Rack of Pork with Creamy Roast Potatoes, and No-Bake Chocolate Tart.
Serves 8-10
For The Tart
300g Shortbread biscuits
150g Butter
1 Jar White Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
200g Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
100g Milk Chocolate (38% cocoa solids)
250ml Irish Jersey Cream
For The Citrus Caramel
225g caster sugar
1 tbsp glucose (liquid or powdered)
300ml orange juice
1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1 clementine
For Decorating
Amaretti Biscuits, to serve
Crème Fraiche, to serve
Sea Salt, to serve
Citrus Caramel, to serve
Method
For The Citrus Caramel
Place the sugar, glucose and 250ml of water into a heavy-based, high-sided pot.
Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until you have achieved a golden caramel colour. The sugar syrup should be a thick honey consistency, but not too runny.
Add the orange juice slowly, it will boil up vigorously, so take care at this point, whisk until the sugar has dissolved and you are left with a smooth syrup. Whisk in the vanilla seeds, lime juice and clementine juice.
Set aside and allow to cool and use as required.
For The Tart
Blitz the shortbread to a fine crumb (in a food processor or with a rolling pin and zip lock bag) and tip into a large bowl. Melt 100g of the butter in a small pan or in the microwave, then stir into the shortbread crumbs and mix until evenly combined. Press into the base and sides of a 10″ loose base tart tin.
Open the jar of white chocolate hazelnut spread into the microwave for 10-20 seconds (or you can use a pan) to loosen it up, then give it a good stir until smooth. Pour about half of the jar on to the shortbread base and use the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly. Place in the fridge to chill down.
To make the chocolate ganache, put the rest of the white chocolate hazelnut spread into a heatproof bowl along with the dark chocolate, milk chocolate and the remaining 50g of butter. Set over a pan of simmering water and allow the chocolate to melt.
In a small saucepan, gently heat the cream. Once the chocolate has melted completely add the warmed cream. Using a stick hand blender gently blend until combined and silky smooth. Pour into the prepared tart tin, place in the fridge for 2 hours until the ganache is set firm or overnight.
Remove the tart from the fridge 30 minutes before serving. To serve, carefully unmould the tart and put on a plate or cake stand, decorate with the Amaretti biscuits (if desired) cut into slices and serve with a quenelle of crème fraiche and sprinkle of sea salt.
140ml/5floz vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing
220/7oz light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
350g/12oz grated carrots, (grated weight)
100g/3½ oz golden raisins
100g/3½ oz walnuts, chopped
200g/7oz self-raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
For the orange blossom frosting
300g/10½ oz cream cheese, chilled
70g/2½ oz butter, at room temperature
300g/10½ oz icing sugar, sifted
1 orange, zest only
2 teaspoons of orange blossom water
METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and oil and line a 13 x 23cm loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
2. For the carrot cake: beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, grated carrot, raisins and chopped walnuts.
3. Sift in the rest of the dry ingredients and bring the mixture together using a wooden or large metal spoon until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin, smooth the surface and bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. If you’re using a ceramic baking dish then you’ll need to add 15 minutes to the cooking time.
4. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the tin for about five minutes before removing. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
5. For the orange blossom frosting: beat the cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until well combined. Add the icing sugar, orange blossom water and finely grated orange zest and mix until the frosting is smooth and thick. Using a palette knife, spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake, dipping the knife into a bowl of hot water if the icing is hard to spread out.
6. Decorate with orange zest on top of the frosting.
Sharon Hearne Smith’s Sesame Seed Porridge Bread from Today with Maura and Dáithí.
Ingredients
This is an unusual bread recipe, based on porridge oats and yoghurt instead of flour and water. It is quick, easy and virtually foolproof to make.
Use any selection of seeds you prefer instead of sesame seeds, or omit them altogether for a plain bread. Alternatively, add other flavours like nuts and dried fruits or sundried tomatoes and basil or a swirl of pesto would be delicious too. This bread stays quite moist and fresh for a few days stored in an airtight container.
Makes: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
Sunflower oil for greasing
500g tub natural yoghurt
100ml milk
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds + extra for sprinkling
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 x 500ml yoghurt tubs of porridge oats (or 400g)
butter for serving, optional
Method
Preheat the oven to 200C (fan 180C), 400F, Gas Mark 6. Grease a 1Lb loaf tin (approximately 3 x 5 x 7 inch) with parchment paper and grease again.
Scoop the yoghurt into a large bowl. Add the milk, oil, sesame seeds and bicarbonate of soda and mix until well blended.
Fill a clean and dry yoghurt tub with oats and tip them in. Repeat with a second tub of oats. Alternatively, weigh out 400g of oats on a scales.
Mix everything together until well blended.
Spoon into the prepared tin, spreading the top level. Scatter a small handful of sesame seeds on top.
Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean when pierced in the middle.
Remove from the tin and return the loaf to oven, directly on the shelf, for another 5 minutes to dry out the crust.
Remove and leave to cool on a wire rack. Cut into slices and serve spread with a little butter if liked.
Served warm with softly whipped cream, this chocolate pudding is heaven. Though it is rich, it is not too heavy. Real chocolate lovers may like to serve the pudding with warm Chocolate Sauce alongside. I usually bake this pudding in one dish to serve family style, but the mixture can also be divided between eight 200 ml/7 fl oz (¾ cup) ramekins if you would like each person to have their own individual pudding.
Note: In this recipe, you can swap the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend to yield a nice gluten-free dessert; the texture will be slightly different but the pudding will still be rich and delicious.
Serves 6–8
For The Pudding
150 g/5 oz dark chocolate, 62% cocoa solids, cut into small pieces
150 g/5 oz (⅔ cup) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
150 ml/5 fl oz (⅔ cup) warm water
110 g/4 oz (½ cup plus 1 tablespoon) caster (superfine) sugar
4 large eggs, separated
25 g/1 oz (¼ cup) plain flour, sifted pinch of cream of tartar (tartaric acid)
To serve
icing (confectioners) sugar, for sprinkling softly whipped cream or crème fraîche.
To make the pudding: Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Place a 1.5 litre/2½ pint (6¼ cup) ovenproof pie dish in a roasting tin that neatly fits it. The roasting tin should be at least 5 cm/2½ inches deep.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water. Stir from time to time to blend the melting chocolate and butter until smooth. Remove from the heat. Add the vanilla extract, then stir in the warm water and the caster sugar. Continue to mix until the mixture is smooth. Whisk the egg yolks into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the flour making sure there are no lumps.
Whisk the egg whites in a spotlessly clean bowl with a pinch of cream of tartar until it reaches soft peaks. Keep an eye on the whites as they whip to ensure they do not become too stiff and grainy. Fold one quarter of the whisked egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Gently fold the remaining egg white into the mixture until completely blended, being careful not to knock all the air out. Pour the mixture into the pie dish. Pour boiling water into the roasting tin to come halfway up the side of the dish.
Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Bake for a further 20 minutes. The pudding will be set on top but still soft and somewhat molten underneath. Remove the roasting tray and pudding from the oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
To serve: Lightly dust the pudding with icing sugar. The pudding can be held in a warm place for up to 1 hour. Serve warm with softly whipped cream or crème fraîche.
This recipe is from ‘Ballymaloe Desserts’ a cookbook by JR Ryall, Head Pastry Chef at Ballymaloe House HotelSearch for:
