Rhubarb & Custard Swiss Roll by Rachel Allen @Ballymaloe

rachel rhubarb and custard

A delicious classic recipe for a very classy cake.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Take a piece of baking parchment slightly larger in size than the tin and spread out on a work surface.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Tip out onto a plate and allow to cool.
  9. Next make the custard. Place the milk and the split vanilla pod (if using) in another pan and bring to the boil.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Sprinkle with a little extra caster sugar to finish, then cut into slices about 2cm (3/4in) thick to serve.

Catherine Fulvio’s Easy Tomato Sauce

 
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    1h1 hour ago

    This simple kitchen essential recipe makes about 350ml.

     

    Ingredients

    This simple kitchen essential recipe makes about 350ml.

    • 2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 tsp tomato puree
    • 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 4 basil leaves

    Method

    1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
    2. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes on a low heat until soft.
    3. Add the tomato puree and cook for a further 1 minute.
    4. Add the tomatoes along with their juice and salt and pepper.
    5. Bring to the boil and reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
    6. Adjust the salt, pepper and sugar as necessary.
    7. At the last minutes, shred the basil leaves and add to the sauce.
     

 

 

Catherine Fulvio’s Easy Tomato Sauce –

Neven Maguire’s Baked Eggs make for a very tasty breakfast!

neven baked eggs

44m44 minutes ago

Neven Maguire’s Baked Eggs
Experiment with other flavour additions – a little chopped cooked ham or Parma ham, diced cooked mushrooms, a few herbs or some sliced artichoke heart can all go into the base before you crack in the egg. For a really extravagant addition, add a drop or two of white truffle oil over the cream.

Ingredients

  • Butter, for greasing
  • 2 ripe vine tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 tblsp cream
  • 25g (1oz) mature cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • 1 tsp snipped fresh chives
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Griddled sourdough bread sliced into chunky fingers, to serve

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/gas mark 5).
  2. Butter 4 blini pans or ramekins and scatter the tomatoes in the bottom.
  3. Crack an egg into each blini pan and season with salt, then add 1 tablespoon of cream to each one and scatter the cheddar on top.
  4. Arrange the blini pans in a shallow roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come about halfway up the side of each pan.
  5. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the eggs are set and the cheese is bubbling.
  6. Set each blini pan on a plate and scatter over the chives, then add the chunky bread fingers to serve.

Rachel Allen’s pan-fried fish with herb butter, asparagus, new potatoes: @RTEToday


By Rachel Allen

Celebrity Chef

More from
Today

Rachel Allen’s pan-fried fish with herb butter, asparagus, new potatoes.

Ingredients

Serves: 4-6

For the herb butter:

  • 50g soft butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped herbs such as dill, fennel, chives, parsley
  • A squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper

For the pan-fried fish:

  • 4 fillets of flat fish, such as John Dory, plaice, sole, brill or turbot, or part of a round fish fillet, like salmon, cod, grey mullet, etc. (allow 175g for a main course and 75g for a starter)
  • Approximately 4 tablespoons flour
  • Extra virgin olive oil or soft butter
  • A pinch of sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Dry the fish fillets on kitchen paper.
  2. Season on both sides with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Heat a cast iron or non-stick frying pan on a high heat until smoking. Add a dash of olive oil and put in the fish fillets.
  4. OR you can dust the fillets with seasoned flour then spread some soft butter over one side.
  5. Place buttered side in the pan first. Turn when golden on one side, then cook again until golden on the other side.
  6. Place a couple of slices of herb butter over each fillet and serve immediately with asparagus and boiled new potatoes.

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.