2 fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut lengthways into 3-4mm (¼in) slices
2 apples (unpeeled), quartered, cored and cut into wedges 5mm (¼in-½in) thick
4 smoked mackerel fillets, skin removed and flesh torn into bite-sized chunks
4 handfuls of rocket leaves
First, add the extra-virgin olive oil and the lemon juice to a large bowl. Season with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then whisk everything together. Next, add in the sliced fennel, the wedges of apple and the chunks of mackerel. Mix together well, then add the rocket leaves and gently toss everything together to dress the leaves. Divide between plates and serve immediately.
Place the flour, powdered sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 8-10 times.
Add the egg and the almond extract and pulse until dough ball just starts to form.
Remove from the bowl and form into a disc. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10-inch circle and place in a 9-inch tart pan. Flatten crust on the bottom and mold excess crust along the sides of the pan. Poke holes all over with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool crust completely.
Filling Instructions:
Place the mascarpone cheese, whipping cream and powdered sugar in a bowl. Whip until stiff peaks form. Stir in almond extract.
Spoon mixture over cooled crust and smooth the top.
Arrange the fruit on top of the filling as desired and refrigerate for 2 hours.
When ready to serve, slice into wedges and garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.
1 packet of shortcrust pastrythawed if bought frozen
1 tbsp flour
1 eggbeaten
Handful flaked almonds
Directions
1
Place raspberries in a medium sized bowl then sprinkled over caster sugar and squeeze over some lemon juice. Stir with a fork so that some of the raspberries are broken up, but still maintaining plenty of whole ones. Set aside.
2
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan assisted and place a flat baking sheet or overturned tray in the oven to pre-heat.
3
Roll out chilled shortcrust pastry on a floured surface to about 5mm thick then transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into a large heart, discarding the trimmed pieces of pastry.
4
Sprinkle the flour over the middle of the pastry, this will help thicken the juices while baking, then tip out the raspberries on top and spread out over the pastry in an even layer, but keep a 4-5cm border around the edges.
5
Fold the pastry border up and over the filling, shaping the galette into a heart as you fold the edges over, until you’re back where you started, crimping the pastry together where the folds meet to help them stick.
6
Brush the pastry border with beaten egg and sprinkle with flaked almonds.
7
Place the tray directly on top of the hot tray already in the oven and bake until pastry is golden, 30-35 minutes.
8
Remove from the oven and leave to stand for about 5-10 minutes before serving with scoops of ice-cream or dollops of whipped cream while still warm.
As spring fast approaches, you’ll start to notice beautiful Dog’s-tooth Violets blooming in lightly shaded areas like woodlands. But despite being called violets, these wildflowers actually belong to the Lily family. 🌷
Heat a little of the olive oil and sauté the mushrooms for a minute or two and season.
Set aside. Bring a shallow pan of water to simmer, add the vinegar and salt. Break one egg onto a saucer, stir the water to create a whirlpool, tip in the egg and leave to cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift on to a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Keep the water hot.
Heat the grill to high, arrange the mushrooms on the untoasted side of the bread, cover with the tomatoes and then the cheese, grill for 5-6 mins until the cheese has just melted. Place the toast on warmed plates. Slide all the eggs back into the hot water and leave for 30 seconds, lift out and drain on kitchen paper, then put one on top of toast. Season and serve.
Foodaware 