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Rachel Allen’s Cake Diaries
Rachel Allen’s Cake Diaries
Ingredients
- butter (melted, for greasing)
- 4 eggs
- 125 g (41/2 oz) caster sugar (plus 3 tbsp for sprinkling)
- 2 tblsp warm water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 125 g (41/2 oz) plain flour (plus extra for dusting)
- for the filling
- 200 g (7oz) rhubarb (about 2 stalks, trimmed), cut into 5mm (1/4 in) slices
- 125 g (41/2 oz) caster sugar
- 200 ml (7fl oz) milk
- 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways, or 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 egg yolks
- 15 g (1/2 oz) cornflour
- 100 ml (31/2 fl oz) whipped double or regular cream (measured when whipped)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/Gas 5). Line the base of the Swiss roll tin (25 x 38cm/ 10 x 15′) with baking parchment, brush the base and sides of the tin with melted butter and dust with flour.
- Using a hand-held electric beater or an electric food mixer, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, water and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Sift in the flour, about one-third at a time, and fold it into the mixture. Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared Swiss roll tin and bake in the oven for 12–15 minutes or until the centre of the sponge is slightly springy to the touch and the edges have shrunk a little from the sides of the tin.
- Take a piece of baking parchment slightly larger in size than the tin and spread out on a work surface.
- Sprinkle the paper evenly with caster sugar (this is to stop the cake sticking to the paper). Quickly flip the Swiss roll tin over onto the sugared paper, then carefully remove the tin and baking parchment from the bottom of the cake.
- Place a clean, slightly damp tea towel over the cake while it cools – this will prevent it drying out and cracking when you roll it.
- Meanwhile, make the filling. Place the rhubarb in a saucepan with 75g (3oz) of the caster sugar and 25ml (1fl oz) of water and place on a medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil and allow to boil, uncovered and stirring regularly, for 10–15 minutes or until the rhubarb is completely soft and the mixture is quite thick.
- Tip out onto a plate and allow to cool.
- Next make the custard. Place the milk and the split vanilla pod (if using) in another pan and bring to the boil.
- Whisk the egg yolks (and vanilla extract, if using) with the remaining sugar (I like to use a hand-held electric beater for this) for a few minutes or until pale and light. Then briefly whisk in the cornflour.
- Pour the hot milk and vanilla pod (if using) onto the egg mixture, whisking as you pour, then tip it all back into the saucepan and cook, stirring all the time, over a low heat for a few minutes or until it forms a thick custard.
- Pour it into a bowl and allow to cool, then fold in the cooled rhubarb and the whipped cream – you can leave it slightly marbled (not fully mixed) if you prefer.
- When the sponge is completely cold, spread over the rhubarb and custard mixture, then, with one of the short sides facing you, roll up the Swiss roll away from you and carefully transfer to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle with a little extra caster sugar to finish, then cut into slices about 2cm (3/4in) thick to serve.
Makes approx. ¾lb (350g) fresh pasta, feeds approximately 3-4.
You will need:
300g (10oz) ’00’ flour
25g (1oz) semolina flour and extra for dusting
A good pinch of salt
1 whole egg and 3 large egg yolks
1 dessertspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cold water
Sift the ’00’ flour, 25g (1oz) of the semolina flour and the pinch of salt into a bowl. Make a well in the centre of the flour, break in one whole egg and two egg yolks into the centre, together with the extra-virgin olive oil and the cold water and mix everything together.
When the dough is at a crumbly stage (before you form it into a ball) check to see if there is enough moisture in it. If there is not, add the remaining egg yolk and maybe even an extra egg white. It is difficult to be exact with the quantity of liquid, as it depends on the size of the eggs and the brand of flour.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes or until it is really smooth and silky, see my Tip, above left. Wrap it well in cling film and let it rest for 30 minutes before rolling. Divide the dough into three pieces – keep two covered in cling film while you roll the other piece into a length that is 1-2mm (about 1/8in) thick. As a guide, you shouldn’t be able to read the lettering on a matchbox through the pasta. If the pasta is rolled too thinly it will be too sloppy and won’t be strong enough to hold the sauce.
Using a knife or pizza wheel, cut into ¼in (5mm) strips for noodles or tagliatelle. Pappardelle are the widest of the noodles, they should be cut to a width of 15mm (about »in) with a crimped-edge cutter. Toss the cut pasta in the extra semolina flour and then place them on a tray that is also sprinkled generously with semolina flour. Repeat with the remaining pasta dough.
The pasta is best if the strips are allowed to dry out for at least an hour in the fridge or cool place.
It can be kept for up to three days in the fridge.
http://www.rachelallen.com/post/gillian-hegartys-home-made-pasta