Chocolate Iced Mille-Feuilles from Neven Maguires Irish Food Trails

 This dessert looks so impressive that it’s hard to believe that you’ve actually made it yourself with such little effort. It can be made up to 1 month in advance, leaving nothing for you to do on the day.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 x 100g (4oz) bar of plain chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces
  • 150g (5oz) white chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 225ml (8fl oz) cream
  • 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 tsp icing sugar
  • good-quality cocoa powder, to dust
  • fresh raspberries, to serve

To Cook

Use a little water to dampen a 450g (1lb) loaf tin (the more square shaped, the better), then line with a double layer of cling film. Line 2 large baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

Melt the plain chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Spoon half the melted chocolate onto each sheet of baking paper and spread it out to the edges in a thin layer. Put in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set.

Melt the white chocolate and 5 tablespoons of the cream in a separate heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, give it a good stir and set aside to cool.

Whip the rest of the cream in a large bowl with the vanilla seeds until the cream is just holding its shape, then fold in the cooled melted white chocolate.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white and icing sugar until stiff peaks have formed, then fold into the white chocolate mixture.

Carefully peel the plain chocolate from the baking paper and break it up into pieces.

Place a couple spoonfuls of the whipped cream mixture into the prepared loaf tin and cover with a layer of the plain chocolate pieces. Repeat the layers until the loaf tin is filled up, finishing with a layer of whipped cream. Cover the top with cling film and freeze overnight (or up to 1 month). Any remaining pieces of plain chocolate can be put into a freezer-proof container and frozen separately to use for decoration.

About 1 hour before serving, transfer the loaf tin and reserved chocolate decoration to the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

To serve, carefully turn out onto a serving plate and peel away the cling film. Break up the reserved plain chocolate into small jagged pieces and use to decorate the top. Add a light dusting of cocoa powder and put straight on the table. Cut into slices and arrange on plates with some raspberries

 

Neven Maguire’s Salmon Burger with Roasted Red Pepper Salsa @RTEfood

 
 
 
 

 

Great when you’re entertaining.

 

Ingredients

  • 550g (1¼lb) salmon fillet, skinned and boned (well chilled)
  • 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
  • Wasabi paste
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tblsp seasoned flour
  • 4 slices sourdough bread
  • 4 Little Gem lettuce leaves
  • Handful of fresh coriander sprigs
  • Lime wedges, to serve

For the Roasted Red Pepper Salsa:

  • 2 roasted red peppers, finely diced (from a jar is fine)
  • 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
  • Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
  • 2 tblsp sweet chilli sauce
  • 1 tblsp rapeseed oil
  • 1 tblsp chopped fresh coriander
  • 1 tblsp shredded fresh basil sea salt and freshly ground
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Using a sharp knife cut away any brown bits from the salmon fillet, then finely chop.
  2. Place in a bowl, then stir in the spring onions, mustard and sesame seeds. Season to taste.
  3. Divide into 4 portions, then using slightly wetted hands, shape into patties. Dust the patties in the flour, shaking off any excess. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.
  4. Meanwhile, make the roasted red pepper salsa. Place the red peppers in a bowl and stir in the tomatoes, lemon rind, sweet chilli sauce, oil and herbs. Season to taste and set aside at room temperature to allow the flavours to develop.
  5. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil to the frying pan and then add the salmon burgers. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until lightly golden but still slightly pink in the centre. Be careful not to overcook them or they will quickly become dry. Set aside.
  6. Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until smoking hot. Add the slices of sourdough bread and chargrill for 1-2 minutes on each side, until nicely marked.
  7. Arrange on warmed plates and top with Little Gem lettuce leaves and the burgers. Spoon over the roasted red pepper salsa, then scatter over the coriander sprigs and serve with lime wedges.
  8. Great when you’re entertaining.