Recipezaar: Welsh,Vegetarian recipes

Selsig Morgannwg (Glamorgan Sausages - Welsh)

Sat, 19 Jan 2002 14:35:54 -0500

30 years ago or so, I had these in a pub in Wales and they were outstanding. Glad I finally found a recipe for them. -- posted by Mille®

Rumbledthumps

Sat, 19 Jan 2002 16:35:50 -0500

The name for this British dish means "mixed together" - rumbled, and "bashed together" - thumped. This is a meatless main course but can also be served as a vegetable dish along with meat. -- posted by Mille®

Poor Knights

Sun, 03 Feb 2002 08:48:44 -0500

This is what the Lady of The Lake served to King Arthur for breakfast at Camelot. -- posted by Mille®

Welsh Rarebit

Tue, 05 Feb 2002 08:56:30 -0500

An inexpensive but savoury dish. It may have originally been a French dish, as there are old French culinary references to "lapin gallois". When I was a child, our family had this as a bedtime snack a couple of times a week. Never tired of it. -- posted by Mille®

Pub Mustard

Thu, 07 Feb 2002 08:47:33 -0500

This is an easy-to-prepare British condiment that is good with hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, cold cuts, or as an accompaniment to cheese. Use it in any recipe that calls for prepared mustard. -- posted by Mille®

Caramel Squares

Sat, 09 Feb 2002 09:20:38 -0500

These are very popular all over Britain and can often be found in cafes, served with morning coffee or afternoon tea. -- posted by Mille®

Bread Sauce

Mon, 18 Feb 2002 09:24:31 -0500

A British sauce that is traditionally served with roast poultry or wild game. -- posted by Mille®

Fire Baked Potatoes

Mon, 18 Feb 2002 09:25:36 -0500

Definitely NOT your ordinary baked spuds! This is an English recipe and, in England, the end of the baking process would take place in the hot coals of an outdoor bonfire on Guy Fawkes' night (November 5th). -- posted by Mille®

Garlic Dip (British)

Wed, 20 Feb 2002 08:12:53 -0500

Garlic dip of a different kind! -- posted by Mille®

Summer Fruit, Honey, and Hazelnut Crumble

Thu, 21 Feb 2002 16:34:35 -0500

In medieval times, a baked dessert like this would have been sunk in the embers of a log fire with a cauldron or pot upturned over it to form a lid. -- posted by Mille®

Wastels Yfarced (Toasted Stuffed Brown Rolls)

Thu, 21 Feb 2002 17:24:09 -0500

In medieval times, wastels were good quality loaves served to the gentry at a late feast. -- posted by Mille®

Drawn Butter Sauce

Tue, 02 Apr 2002 16:27:39 -0500

This rich light sauce was used very extensively in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries and is as delicate a sauce as you can find. If you want to give it a little more substance and to use it where a French cook would use a Hollandaise sauce, simply stir in an egg yolk at the end of the cooking. With or without the egg yolk it makes a perfect accompaniment to asparagus, leeks, sea kale or any other fresh vegetables. It can also be used, like white sauce but with a lighter result, as a base for many different sauces. -- posted by Mille®

Anglesey Eggs

Thu, 04 Apr 2002 17:05:24 -0500

Anglesey, separated from North Wales by the Menai Strait, is a large island extending into the Irish Sea. Anglesey eggs, a simple and tasty way of using up left over potatoes and heels of cheese, have been enjoyed for tea or supper by many Welsh and English vacationers here. -- posted by Mille®

Digestive Biscuits

Mon, 08 Apr 2002 21:23:37 -0400

These are one of the most popular biscuits sold commercially in Britain. They are very delicate and, therefore, extremely difficult to reproduce exactly but this recipe is fairly close. The ORIGINAL recipe is posted, verbatim, below. However, please note that I used Pillsbury plain whole wheat flour (which I sifted) and I used 4 ROUNDED, not level, tablespoons of wheat germ. These minor modifications were made as a result of the (always) invaluable advice and information I received from fellow chefs in a Recipezaar discussion forum. Biscuits will be 2 1/2 inch diameter x 1/8 inch thick. -- posted by Mille®

Courting Cake

Mon, 29 Apr 2002 20:59:33 -0400

This is a real summer treat and a good way of using up slightly bruised or over-ripe strawberries or making just a few go further. It was originally made in the north of England by young girls for their betrotheds, hence the name. -- posted by Mille®

Parsley Sauce

Mon, 24 Jun 2002 20:51:42 -0400

Versatile sauce that I have very slightly modified from a traditional Welsh recipe. I love this stuff on hot Canadian bacon for brunch. -- posted by Mille®

Welsh Onion Cake with Thyme

Mon, 29 Jul 2002 19:37:12 -0400

This is great with any kind of grilled meat. If you're lucky enough to have leftovers they reheat easily in the oven. -- posted by Sackville

Mrs Falafel's Satay Pate

Fri, 10 Jan 2003 20:06:08 -0500

This comes from the newsgroup alt.food.vegan. Mr Falafel posts the most amazing recipes and the best of all originate with his wife. I'm posting this one on Zaar because I want to try it for myself and I don't want to lose the recipe. This WILL be made in the future. Use it as pate, or as part of a filling in a tortilla...It is one of those very adaptable recipes. -- posted by Missy Wombat

Leek and Potato Pie

Tue, 21 Jan 2003 20:06:27 -0500

Mmmmmm...the smells of this baking will bring them running home!! Great with grilled meats and sausages. -- posted by Angela Sara

Juicy Spaghetti Crunch

Wed, 25 Aug 2004 20:00:43 -0400

I thought up and made this for my mum one night as she is on a slimmming world diet plan and wanted something tasty and original for dinner. -- posted by MC_FYRA grinter

Welsh Glamorgan Vegetarian Sausages

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 20:00:12 -0500

This is a classic Welsh recipe, often affectionately called a "Poor Man's Sausage" because of the lack of meat. If you cannot buy Caerphilly or Lancashire cheese you could substitute a strong Cheddar cheese. This would make a good meal for vegetarians. The recipe is slightly adapted from Jane Grigson's book English Food. -- posted by Sackville

Old English Apple Pie

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:58:08 -0400

I found this recipe in Ohio magazine this month (October 2005). Bramley's Seedling apples are good for cooking. They have a greenish-yellow skin with red and brown stripes and are commonly used for baking in the British Isles. This recipe is said to have come from Thomas Dawson of London in 1587. -- posted by Valeria

Tomato Rarebit

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:28:04 -0500

We found this recipe in a cookbook from the library, but I'm not sure which one. It is perfect comfort food, and easy since I usually have all the ingredients. Canned tomatoes work fine in this as a substitute for fresh. ZWT 3: Great Britain/Ireland (Welsh--rarebit) -- posted by lucid501

Not-So-Welsh Rarebit / Rabbit

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:47:49 -0500

My mother used to make this all the time for my sister and I when we were kids. As it turns out, it's not all that accurate (I know this because I grew up to marry a Welshman), but I still make it this way. It may still be high in fat, but it's also high in flavour, and at least this way it's not completely devoid of any nutritional value. Hourray for veggies! -- posted by cooledskin

Buck Rarebit

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:51:52 -0500

This rabbit has some kick to it! You can tart this up as much as you like try using chutney on the bread before the cheese or sub the cheddar for stilton or even toss in some olives or walnuts -- posted by PinkCherryBlossom

Traditional British Mothering Sunday Simnel Cake

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:40:46 -0500

A wonderul spiced & fruited cake which heralds the advent of Spring. I used to make one for my Mum every year, when I lived in England! Traditionally made to mark Mothering Sunday, this cake is also known as an Easter Cake; Simnel cake has a fascinating cultural heritage with roots that stretch back to the Romans and Athenians. In Britain, known as the Shrewsbury Simnel, it is simply made using white flour, fragrant spices and is generously studded with dried fruits and pungent peel. Like a Christmas cake, it is covered with pale sweet almond paste. The decoration is plain - eleven little balls of smooth paste which represent the apostles (omitting Judas). A specially baked simnel cake is a wonderful gift to take to your mother, for Mothering Sunday Tea Time. Decorate it with crystalised flowers and tie some yellow ribbon around the side. -- posted by French Tart

Easy Old Fashioned English Sticky Gingerbread Loaf

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 14:03:45 -0500

Just the smell of this gingerbread loaf whilst it's baking is redolent of when I was a little girl and staying at my grandparent's old cottage..........and, it is so easy to make. Plus, there are not many ingredients to it and yet, it is the recipe I always turn to when I feel like real old-fashioned sticky gingerbread! My grandmother used to serve it in thick slices with butter; it nearly always appeared on the tea table at least once a week! This is also wonderful served up as a Pudding type cake, warm with custard or cream, delicious! Oh yes, this gingerbread only contains 2 ounces of fat in it, making it low fat as well as very tasty! -- posted by French Tart

Celtic Druid's Honey Mead - Meade - Metheglin

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:08:01 -0400

Mead, made from fermented honey, was the earliest of all alcoholic beverages; the BEAKER people who inhabited England from 2000BC were known to have drunk it or something like it. Long before the Romans arrived in Britain, Celtic Druid Bards described the island, as dicovered in ancient Roman texts, as "The Isle of Honey". It was orginally a drink for warriors and Druidic princes & priests, as well as noblemen. A chieftains bodyguard would fight his battles in return for drinking his mead. There are many types of mead; this method is for "Metheglin", which means it is a "Spiced Mead". The ancient Druids would not have had spices or lemons available, but nevertheless, this is based on a very ancient Celtic recipe. This is an easy and delicious form of mead, but although it is ready to drink after 4-6 months, it is far superior if left for many years. The mead in my photographs was made in 2002 and bottled in 2003! Please ensure if you do not make wines or liqueurs regularly, that you thoroughly sterilise EVERYTHING that you use; I use "Campden Tablets". -- posted by French Tart

Goat's Cheese, Shallot and Leek Tart - a Bit of a French Tart!

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:10:19 -0400

A very simple and extremely tasty tart that I often make when leeks are in season. You can make your own pastry if you wish - I do when I have lots of time, but this works equally well with good quality ready-made flaky pastry, thus cutting down on time. Try to use small, thin leeks and try to get hold of little pink shallots - it just makes it so colourful when cut and served. This tart freezes beautifully; you just need about 3-4 hours to defrost it and then to reheat it, just pop it into the oven on a low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. However, it is delicious served and eaten cold as well. Great picnic food or wonderful for a light & elegant luncheon dish. I also serve this at celebrations as part of a finger buffet - it can be baked in a square tin for events like that - making it easier to cut and portion. One point, this is what I would call a soft set tart - so when you take it out of the oven, do not be alarmed if it appears to be too soft; it will set as it cools, making it deliciously creamy and not at all rubbery! N.B. I have called this a bit of a French Tart, just a play on my Zaar name! But, it could be Welsh, using Welsh goat's cheese & Welsh leeks, or even English, you can obtain a wonderful array of English goat's cheeses now. -- posted by French Tart

Traditional English Cheddar Cauliflower Cheese - Gratin

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:26:26 -0400

When I was growing up, we NEVER called this dish a "Gratin" - it was always Cauliflower cheese and was invariably our main meal and NOT an accompaniment! My mother had to be very clever and thrifty in what she bought & cooked, and in the absence of meat on the table, she used cheese as the protein! This dish has become very "fashionable" again is served in many guises, Cauliflower Noisette, Cauliflower Gratin, Cheese and Cauliflower Bake...but to me, it will always be just Cauliflower Cheese, and it remains one of my favourite meals! I do serve it as an accompaniment now, but you have to be very careful what you serve it with, as it is very cheesy and rich. Alternatively, just have it as a main meal and serve some homemade bread and butter with it and maybe some salad or steamed spring greens! By the way, if you make a large batch, it freezes very well - either in small plastic containers or in zip lock bags; defrost and microwave to re-heat OR reheat over a Bain Marie. Try wherever possible to use English Mustard AND a good mature Cheddar cheese in the sauce, it DOES make a huge difference to the taste, and other types of mustards & cheeses do not work as well. -- posted by French Tart

Old English Spiced and Fruited Sugar for Apple Pies Etc!

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:54:36 -0400

An easy spiced and fruited sugar, which really adds a "zing" to your apple pies, apple crumbles, cake toppings, baked desserts etc. This spiced sugar mix is based on a 400-year-old English recipe. Spiced sugars were extremely popular in England many centuries ago, they disguised a multitude of sins; and, as spices & citrus fruits were still new & seen as extremely exotic, they were held in high regard and enjoyed especially by Royalty and the Gentry! -- posted by French Tart

Traditional Easter Marbled Pace Eggs

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:02:13 -0400

This is a very old British tradition & method of colouring and dying eggs to be boiled and eaten on Good Friday & throughout the Easter weekend. There are commercial dyes available nowadays, but I still prefer the traditional natural methods of colouring my Easter Pace Eggs onions skins (and also spinach & beetroot water). The name Pace is thought to derive from the French word for Easter, Pâquesand in some parts of Britain mainly Lancashire in the North West, these eggs are rolled down a hill, the winner being the owner of the egg which goes the furthest and has the least cracks or breaks in it! It is also traditional to give one of these eggs to each person who visits your home throughout the Easter period - what a wonderful alternative to the commercially over packaged chocolate eggs! -- posted by French Tart

Traditional Fruity and Spiced Hot Cross Buns: Bread-Maker

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:03:05 -0400

A wonderful old family recipe for HUGE and very light spiced Hot Cross Buns! I discovered that most of the hard work is taken out of making these, by proving & kneading them in the Bread Maker/Machine......unless you NEED to expel any frustrations, and then you MUST knead these yourself! You can make the crosses by either marking them before baking or, as I have done, by putting thinly rolled pastry crosses on top. An absolute "must" for the Spring and Easter Tea table! I also make these throughout the rest of the year - minus the crosses - for fruity, spiced English style teacakes! -- posted by French Tart

English Stilton and Twice Baked Potato Picnic Pies - Pasties

Fri, 18 May 2007 23:20:06 -0400

This is such a wonderful and easy recipe, especially if you are Stilton cheese and potato fans, as we are! Just slice up pre-cooked potatoes, add a slice of Stilton, season and bake in a pastry case, and there you have it......a great snack, lunch or picnic food extraordinaire! Serve them with assorted chutneys, pickles, salads or even MORE potatoes for a very tasty meal. I have stipulated ready-made shortcrust pastry, but puff pastry would also work well. Ingredients are listed for 4 people - however, this recipe is easy to multiply or reduce, according to your potato and Stilton supplies!! -- posted by French Tart

Glamorgan Sausages - Wales

Fri, 25 May 2007 12:13:05 -0400

From The Dairy Book of British Food. "These were the poor man's meatless substitute for the real thing, and are today an interesting dish for vegetarians". Caerphilly cheese is a white, crumbly/flaky cheese that is a bit tart. Use a medium to tart cheddar if you can't get Caerphilly cheese. You could substitute a non-British cheese that is a bit tart or salty, from cows! Caerphilly is an old, old castle town in the county of Glamorgan. -- posted by Mme Melissa

Traditional English Tea Time Scones With Jam and Cream

Mon, 28 May 2007 20:40:36 -0400

Eat these hot, split & spread with fresh churned butter, fresh cream and homemade jam, preferably strawberry........not forgetting to lick your fingers afterwards - discreetly! These always made an appearance on my Mum and Grandmother's Afternoon Tea Table....it's simply expected my dear! You can also add dried fruit to these to make traditional fruit scones, such as sultanas, currants and raisins; I have added that option in the recipe. The traditional English Cream Tea is very popular in the South West of England, especially in Devon and Cornwall - there you will be offered a pot of tea with fluffy warm scones, butter, cream and strawberry jam. In Devon, you will be served double Devon cream and in Cornwall, you will be offered clotted cream thats the main difference. -- posted by French Tart

Good Old Fashioned English Chip-Shop Style Chips!

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:07:35 -0400

The first "chips" were pieces of bread, which were replaced with potatoes during wheat shortages. The first "chippies", a colloquial slang term for a Fish and Chip shop, were Lees's in Mosley, Lancashire, and Malin's in London's East End - opened for trade in the 1860s. During the Second World War, the minister of food wouldn't ration fish and chips because they provided good, cheap nourishment! It is traditional to serve chips piping hot with salt and malt vinegar! -- posted by French Tart

English Cottage Garden Gooseberry and Lavender Crumble

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:52:51 -0400

A traditional English cottage garden gooseberry crumble, but with lavender added; lavender goes so well with gooseberries, which are one of my favourite fruits. My grandparents used to specialise in numerous varieties of goosberries - and, I remember playing amongst the bushes when I used to go and stay with them, in their very old cottage in Northumberland, England! Happy memories - especially my grandmother's gooseberry crumble! This is based on my grandmother's crumble recipe - but, with my addition of the lavender. -- posted by French Tart

Pretty Little Lavender Fairy Cakes - Cupcakes

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 20:44:55 -0400

This is a recipe that I have adapted to my own tastes, based on Nigella Lawson's recipe in her Forever Summer cookbook; she developed this for the Lavender Trust, a British charity for young women with breast cancer. These delightful little cakes are easy to make and are ideal for gifts, high tea, picnics and parties. I used my own Lavender and Vanilla sugar recipe: Recipe #219416 -- posted by French Tart

Sunday Afternoon Tea Quick Pickled Cucumber and Onion

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:31:08 -0400

This should be called Mum's quick pickled cucumber and onion, as this is what she made EVERY Sunday afternoon for tea-time! We always had this alongside fresh bread and butter, boiled eggs, cold cuts of meat, fruit cake, scones, sometimes a tin of red salmon and always a pot of tea! Wonderful memories, and an easy and tasty pickle for tea-time food. This is also wonderful with picnic food, smoked salmon or an assorted cheese board. -- posted by French Tart

Old Fashioned Tea-Time Milk Chocolate Cake

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:05:50 -0400

Another one of my Mum's failsafe recipes......originally taken from the Be-Ro Home Recipes Cookbook. This cake is always a winner for afternoon teas and is delicious if eaten with a glass of cold milk! A well-behaved cake when packed for a picnic too. If you don't have evaporated milk, use full fat fresh milk instead. You can decorate this cake with walnut or pecan halves - little Cadbury's "Chocolate Buttons" are also a good finishing touch! When raspberries are in season, I often add them to the sandwich filling and to the top for decoration. -- posted by French Tart

The Nation's Favourite - Podgy Porridge!

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:32:50 -0400

This recipe is one that I have been making for ages at home, however, this particular recipe, is the one that was published in The Nation's Favourite Food cookbook, a poll run by the BBC to "capture" the Nation's best loved and top 100 recipes - the Nation being the Great Britain. Jo Pratt is the author of this recipe, but, I have tweaked a bit here and there, to my own personal tastes! Enjoy a bowl of Podgy Porridge on a cold and wet winter's morning! I have added a Non-Podgy version at the end of the recipe as well! -- posted by French Tart

Traditional English Pub Style Ploughman's Lunch

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:52:23 -0400

Just the words Ploughman's Lunch, conjures up images of lazy lunches sat outside with friends, in the Beer Garden of an old Country Pub! This is one of the most famous of pub lunches - so simple and yet so satisfying, especially if taken with a pint of real ale or cider! Although the term "Ploughmans Lunch" was first coined in the 1930s, as part of a very successful marketing campaign, the concept behind it goes back much further. Throughout the centuries, agricultural workers would take their lunch out to the fields with them; this usually consisted of bread and cheese with ale or cider - a perfect combination! It's easy to prepare and should consist of at least the following: crusty bread and butter; a selection of English cheeses; pickled onions; chutney and pickles. This also makes excellent picnic food, and is easy to pack and transport. I have two pickle recipes on Recipezaar that would be wonderful with this lunch: Recipe #246663 and Recipe #246675. -- posted by French Tart

Old Fashioned Lovage and Potato Soup

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:21:08 -0400

A family favourite in our household.....a creamy and easy soup which needs nothing more than good crusty rolls or home-baked bread to serve with it. This travels well in a Thermos flask making it an ideal and comforting soup to take on a picnic. This recipe is based on a Historical 16th/17th Century recipe, no milk was added then - it was made with stock only. -- posted by French Tart

English Toffee Apple Bread and Butter Pudding

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:03:09 -0400

Just in time for autumn and Halloween - this delicious pudding is a real winner, with the subtle taste of toffee and apples all cooked together in a bread and butter pudding! I found this recipe in a cookery leaflet promoting English apples, and it is now one of our favourite puddings for the cooler months. I have given a variety of breads/yeast cakes to use; although I have made this with all of the choices on offer, my favourite still remains the brioche - I am sure croissants would work very well too. -- posted by French Tart

Bubble and Squeak - Traditional British Fried Leftovers!

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:43:07 -0400

I make this so often, that I thought it was about time I posted the recipe! This amusingly named dish is basically traditional British fried leftovers, and probably enjoyed more than the original vegetables were I think! In fact, I have been known to cook the vegetables in order to make the Bubble and Squeak! The name is thought to originate from the noise it makes whilst cooking in the frying pan - bubbling and squeaking, whatver the reason, this simple dish is delicious and a wonderful way to "fry up" your leftover spuds and greens! I like to season mine with lots of freshly ground black pepper. This is a traditional post-Christmas breakfast dish - but don't wait until then to make this. Excellent if served as part of an English breakfast with bacon and eggs, or as a light supper dish. -- posted by French Tart

Rustic Flower Pot Bread Loaves or Bread Rolls

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:17:31 -0400

These Flower Pot bread loaves or bread rolls will certainly be a point of conversation and no doubt bring gasps of pleasure and admiration when you serve them! Moreover, they are so easy to make especially if you start your dough off in a bread machine. Bread was originally baked in terracotta or clay pots, so these are not so different from old fashioned bread made many years ago. You must make sure your flower pots are seasoned before you bake in them, but once they are seasoned they are ready to be used over and over again. I have added a list of suggested extras, and I always like to sprinkle mixed seeds on top of these - they almost look like seeds that have been sown in the flower pots! I have listed ingredients for basic white bread here, but you can add wholewheat, granary or rye flour if you would like a variation. I am sorry, but I have to say it, these flower pot loaves or rolls should turn out "Blooming Marvellous"! Had to be said! Have fun. NB: Strong white flour is the British culinary term for bread flour, flour that is used in breadmaking with a high gluten content. All purpose flour is NOT strong bread flour and will NOT give the desired results in this bread recipe. It NEVER crossed my mind that anyone would think that old flower pots are used in this recipe!! LOL! PLEASE use new plant pots and season them before baking the bread in them, as stated in the recipe..........I hope that helps those of you who may have been "lost in translation"!) -- posted by French Tart

Traditional British Mincemeat for Christmas Mince Pies!

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:45:48 -0400

A subtle blend of sweet and savoury with just a hint of alcohol which echoes the ancient practice of adding spice and fruit to meat dishes. I also have a "Boozy Fat Free" mincemeat recipe posted,Recipe #184762, but if you wish to make a mincemeat recipe with little or no alcohol, this is a wonderful traditional recipe for long lasting mincemeat. Mincemeat was always made at home before the advent of commercial brands, and although this is based on an old recipe, this was obviously made after the introduction of sugar into England. In earlier times mincemeat was a mixture of real meat, spices and fruit. The only remaining and symbolic ingredient of this ancient culinary practice is the inclusion of the suet - which can be beef or vegetable suet for vegetarians. Excellent in mince pies and all manner of steamed and sticky puddings! PS. If you cannot obtain suet locally, you can use grated butter instead; place the butter in the freezer until nearly frozen and very firm and then grate into the bowl straight away. -- posted by French Tart

7-Cup Steamed Christmas Pudding With Butterscotch Sauce

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:11:48 -0400

An easy and VERY light Christmas pudding - for those that dislike the heavy dark puddings. However, this still has all the traditional Christmas pudding ingredients, but it is served with a delicious butterscotch sauce for a decadent twist! Moreover, all the family can now have their pudding and eat it, as this appeals to all ages! Steaming a pudding is SO easy - you just pop it on to gently steam, whilst you prepare the rest of the festive meal. You only have to remember to keep topping up the water from time to time. Serve warm with the hot butterscotch sauce and maybe a jug of single cream or brandy custard to help it along! Merry Christmas! N.B. This recipe was taken from the Christmas 2003 edition of BBC Good Food magazine, I have amended it slightly to personal taste. I have made this pudding every year since I first saw the recipe, and I have given this recipe out countless times! -- posted by French Tart

Orange and Almond Crumble Christmas Mince Pies

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:52:28 -0400

Delicious little pies that combine an orange short crust pastry base with mincemeat filling and an almond crumble topping. Serve these warm with whipped cream or brandy butter. This recipe can be made in to one large pie - but I still prefer the dainty individual mini pies! I have two mincemeat recipes posted that can be used in these pies, if you are unable to source good quality commercial mincemeat locally. Recipe #257241 or Recipe #184762. Don't forget to leave a couple out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve! -- posted by French Tart

Perfect Roasties - Roast Potatoes for English Sunday Lunch

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:54:50 -0500

There can be nothing more comforting then a pile of golden, crispy, crunchy roast potatoes! Roasties, as we call them in Great Britain, are traditionally served with Sunday Lunch - but, DON'T wait until Sunday to serve them, they are great with just about everything! I remember going to our local pub in North Yorkshire, and if the visiting darts team was playing, half way through the evening the landlady would come around with trays upon trays of crunchy, piping hot roasties - sprinkled with salt--unbelievably sublime! The secret to making perfect roast potatoes is simple; par-boil them first and give them a really good shake in the pan before placing them into SIZZLING HOT fat and turning them over. Serve them piping hot and crisp from the oven with lashings of gravy and sea salt, and they are a meal in themselves. Ingredient quantities are not by weight, but by potatoes per head - and a VERY generous amount as well! Please adjust the quantities to your suit own requirements. -- posted by French Tart

Traditional English Sherry Trifle - Strictly for the Grown Ups!

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 01:17:15 -0500

Treat your family and friends to this superb traditional boozy trifle full of sherry, raspberries and cream, especially popular at Christmas time. (Forget about counting calories until the New Year!) A trifle is a typically British dessert made with thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice or alcohol, and whipped cream. Interestingly it was always made so as to use up, stale, left over sponge cake, which is then softened with either fruit juices or a sweet alcohol like sherry. It really is best not to use fresh sponge as it just goes very soggy and mushy. In the UK you can buy "sponge fingers" or "sponge trifle cakes" which are perfect, or if you have an Italian shop nearby, try ready made tiramisu sponge. It's really easy to make and the ingredients are usually arranged in layers with the fruit and sponge on the bottom, and the custard and cream on top. The best trifles contain a small amount of alcohol such as port, or, most commonly, sweet sherry or madeira wine. If you can't drink alcohol, you can use fruit juice instead, the liquid is necessary to moisten the cake. Trifle containing sherry is sometimes called 'sherry trifle' or referred to as being 'High Church'!! We often had a sherry trifle for dessert or tea on a Sunday afternoon, it was a delicious end to a lazy and relaxing day! -- posted by French Tart

Millionaires Shortbread - Chocolate, Ginger and Caramel Slices

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:48:49 -0500

My Mum used to make these for School fetes and Church bazaars - they are absolutely sinful and totally divine! They were everyone's favourite, so I used to zoom around beforehand, with my pocket money burning a hole in my pocket, to make sure I bought some before they all went!! A fun name with delicious layers of shortbread, caramel and a chocolate topping. This recipe has the added surprise of adding stem ginger pieces, which was not usual in my Mum's orginal recipe. These do keep for up to a week in an airtight tin or container.....I have never known them last more then 24 hours however - you WILL have to HIDE them!!! They a great for packed lunches and picnics, as well as with afternoon coffee. -- posted by French Tart

The Old Manor House Traditional Victorian Christmas Pudding

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:25:02 -0500

I discovered this recipe in an old Victorian scrapbook that I bought in a second hand book shop; the original recipe dates back to 1880, and was the prized Christmas Pudding recipe of the Cook at a Manor House in the North of England. I have made it many times and given smaller versions away as gifts to friends - the lovely thing about this pudding is that it IS fruity and boozy, but it is NOT heavy and stodgy, it is very light for a steamed pudding; this is due to the fact that the recipe does not use flour, but uses bread or cake crumbs instead. The traditional day to make your puddings for Christmas is "Stir-Up Sunday" which is the 5th Sunday before Christmas Day and the Sunday before Advent. You would even be reminded of the fact at the Sunday morning church service, as it was believed that puddings made on this day carried God's blessings to all who partook of it! I always put a lucky silver "sixpence - sixpenny piece" in my pudding - lucky silver charms are also used, and these can still be bought in the UK. Halve the quantities for one large pudding. Merry Christmas! -- posted by French Tart

Christmas Morning Jewelled Muffin Mix in a Jar

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:14:31 -0500

Delightful festive spiced muffins, studded with jewel coloured fruit and nuts - just the thing for Christmas morning! I love all types of "mixes" in a jar! Soups, biscuits, spices, cookies and cake mixes etc! However, this muffin mix is my favourite - it makes a wonderful gift, or I make it for us, as it looks so pretty & festive sitting in the kitchen waiting to be baked! Try to use really colourful dried fruits with a good mix of tastes and textures. For those of you who cannot source Mixed Spice, an essential ingredient, I have a recipe posted on Zaar: Recipe #266688. This muffin mix is always popular as a gift, and I do try to find unusual shaped jars and hand-made paper or card for the baking instructions. A wooden spoon tied around the neck of the jar is another winning idea - and don't forget the Holly sprig! -- posted by French Tart

Mini Cheese and Olive Welsh Rarebit Bites for Festive Frolics!

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:51:00 -0500

A delectable tangy topping of Cheddar cheese, chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes - melted on little toasted bread rounds! Perfect for all types of parties, buffets, nibbles, Hors D'oeuvres, starters and aperitif snacks! I make up my toasted bread rounds ahead of time and store them in an airtight tin; the cheese rarebit mixture can also be made ahead, you just need to spread it on top of the toasted bread rounds and then pop them in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Perfect, tasty and very elegant! I usually use green olives, as I prefer the flavour when mixed with the cheese and tomatoes - but you could use black olives if you wish. I also use pimento stuffed olives to great effect, I am sure that almond stuffed olives would also be wonderful. Try to use a good quality thick sliced loaf of bread for the toasted bread rounds - it makes such a difference to the finished taste. This recipe is easily doubled or trebled for larger gatherings! -- posted by French Tart

Dazzling Winter Slaw - Red Cabbage, Apple and Pecan Salad

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:48:41 -0500

A dazzling coleslaw salad for your winter festive table. Red cabbage is mixed with apples, carrots, pecans and onions which is then dressed with a tangy mustard and nut vinaigrette - fabulous! Plus, the colours as well as the taste, is amazing! This goes so well with cold cuts, pies, tarts, quiches, buffets as well as being a wonderful supper or light lunch accompaniment. I do all the shredding and grating in my food processor, it is so easy and cuts down on time. You can of course grate and shred by hand - it will just take a little longer! I sometimes add semi-dried cranberries and grated beetroot - these are listed as optional exras. The pie shown in the photograph, is my Recipe #268117, which I often serve with this winter slaw salad - they make a wonderful combination. (This recipe was posted to our personal preferences - with a light dressing and not a creamy or heavy dressing; if you like your salads with more dressing - please adjust the dressing quantities up!) -- posted by French Tart

Christmas Clementine, Carrot and Coriander Soup W/ Citrus Twists

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:30:36 -0500

This is not just for Christmas, but I always associate clementines with Christmas, and the addition of spices also lends a festive feel to this delightful soup. It is so easy to make and makes an elegant and colourful soup starter for any formal or special dinner. The smell is redolent of Christmas pasts for me - plus, the vibrant colours just "leap" out of the bowls! Serve it with an assortment of interesting little dinner rolls and maybe some citrus flavoured butter. I have suggested 4 to 6 clementines - they vary so much in size - we like this with a real citrus tang to it, but please adjust the quantities of the clementines to suit your personal tastes. One final tip - do try to use the crushed coriander seeds rather then the ground coriander, they add a complex and interesting flavour to the soup, as well as a wonderful fragrance! -- posted by French Tart

The National Trust Heritage Lemon Curd: Crock Pot or Traditional

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:55:03 -0500

A wonderful classic British preserve. Spread it thickly on fresh baked bread, crumpets, muffins or hot buttered toast. It's also delicious on pancakes and if used as a filling for cakes or tarts - such as my Recipe #176514. This recipe has the benefit of being made in the Crock Pot/Slow Cooker, acting as a bain marie which allows you time to being doing other things in the kitchen! I have also given instructions for the more traditional method if you don't have a slow cooker. A jar or two makes a lovely gift - tie a pretty ribbon around the neck of the jar and provide a recipe tag as well. We like our lemon curd quite tangy - so if you are not keen on a very lemony taste - increase the sugar by about 2 to 3 ounces, or use 2 lemons only. This can also be made with oranges or limes, or a mixture of all three Citrus fruits; it will then be called St.Clement's Curd, from the Nursery Rhyme "Oranges and Lemons - The Bells of St.Clements". (This recipe was adpated from The National Trust Cookbook, hence the title of this lemon curd recipe!) -- posted by French Tart

Oat Cuisine! Savoury Cheese, Nut and Oat Flapjacks

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:07:40 -0500

Not really Oat Cuisine - Haute Cuisine - but I could not resist the title! These cheesy and nutty oat flapjacks are very tasty and easy to make; a savoury take on the usual sweet flapjack recipe which normally contains syrup, honey, sugar and fruit. Great for lunch box snacks as well as picnics or as an accompaniment to soups, stews and chili. Try to use a good quality mature Cheddar cheese for that essential "cheesy" zing! I have stated porridge oats, however these flapjacks are also wonderful when made with jumbo oats - which are a bit more expensive. To achieve a "full" flavour, it is essential to use both type of nuts; the peanuts give the flapjacks the savoury and almost salty flavour, whilst the pecans or walnuts give a subtle taste, texture and nutty "bite" to these little cheese, nut and oat bars! If you like your food with a bit of a kick, you can add some cayenne pepper, as I often do! -- posted by French Tart

Jane Austen's Regency Toasted Cheese - Welsh or Scotch Rarebit

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:55:17 -0500

Lots of you who know me very well on Recipezaar will know of my love and research into Historical recipes, traditions, culture and food; this Toasted Cheese recipe is the first in a series of Regency recipes that I will be posting! I always like to make any recipe that I post at least twice, and this one is a real cracker in my humble opinion! Jane Austen is known to have said.... "We were greatly surprised by Edward Bridge's company...It is impossible to do justice to the hospitatlity of his attentions towards me; he made a point of ordering toasted cheese for supper, entirely on my account." --Jane Austen-- 27 August, 1805. This is a classic regency dish - often served AFTER a heavy meal and before the dessert! It was more often than not called Toasted Cheese, but is also known as Scotch or Welsh Rarebit. The original recipe was written like this: "Toasted Cheese - Grate the cheese and add it to one egg, a teaspoonful of mustard, and a little butter. Send it up on toast, or in paper trays". I have amended the orginal recipe for today's quantities, ingredients and cooking methods!! NB: In 1747, a cookery book gave a recipe for "Scots Rabbit" or Rare Bit as bread toasted on both sides and a slice of cheese, the same size as the bread, also toasted on both sides and laid on the buttered bread. The same book had "Welsh Rabbit" made in the same way but with mustard rubbed on the cheese. "English Rabbit" on the other hand had a glass of red wine poured over the toast before the cheese was added. Take your pick! -- posted by French Tart

Old Fashioned English Apple Pie With a Kiss and a Squeeze!

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:39:09 -0500

In the UK, we have a famous old rhyme and ditty that goes like this...."Apple pie without cheese, is like a kiss without a squeeze"!! This is my traditional English double crust apple pie WITH a kiss that HAS a squeeze - the CHEESE! Don't worry if you are not a cheese lover, (is there anyone out there who is NOT a cheese lover???) as this pie has the cheese on the SIDE - so you can have your apple pie with cheese or without, it's up to you! This is a tried and tested old family recipe and is based on the pastry and pie recipes in the Be-Ro cookbook. It is wonderful eaten hot with cream, custard or ice cream, as well as with the cheese; and it is an absolute must for lunch boxes and picnics! An interesting historical note - English Apple Pie in one form or another, goes right back to the time of Chaucer in the 12th century. Apple pie should have meltingly crisp and VERY short pastry with layers of spiced apples, preferably Bramley apples, in the middle. If you have a pie funnel, such as a black bird pie funnel - use that for a really traditional touch, as well as directing the steam out of the pie! I have a mixed spice mixture posted on zaar, Recipe #266688. I also have a spiced apple pie sugar posted, Recipe #219453. Replace this for the cup of sugar and the mixed spice listed in this recipe, and omit the lemon rind. -- posted by French Tart

Regency Queen Cakes for Jane Austen's Afternoon Tea Party

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:18:43 -0500

A wonderful and very well known Regency recipe for individual cakes studded with fruit and flavoured with rosewater and almonds; I am sure Jane Austen would have served these for afternoon tea on dainty plates with her bone china cups and saucers! I remember making these with my Mum when I was little, and of course licking the wooden spoon and scraping out the mixing bowl! They are easy to make and are delicious with an afternoon cuppa or for a lunch box treat. I have not found out the true meaning behind their name yet - but maybe they were aptly named as they were "fit for a Queen" to eat! The use of rosewater and almonds is a lingering memory left over from our Medieval cooking days and was still very much in evidence throughout the Regency period. This recipe makes about 24 to 30 Queen cakes - depending on the size of your tins, but the quantities can be cut back with ease. However, they DO freeze very well, so maybe making a full batch is a good idea - as long as they make it to the freezer! -- posted by French Tart

Mrs Beeton's Victorian Seed Cake - a Very Good Seed Cake

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:34:27 -0500

Yes, this IS a very good seed cake, but that's not my title, but how this recipe is listed in Mrs Beeton's cookbook of Household Management! I love seed cake, the aniseed flavours of the caraway seeds marry so well with the light sponge and subtle spices. You can also add optional chopped candied peel as my grandmother used to - it makes the cake moister. For your interest, I have posted the recipe as it orginally appeared, at the end of the modern adaptation. Seed cake was very popular during the Victorian era, it was often taken as a "Digestive" after a heavy meal or before retiring to bed, as caraway seeds are known for their soothing and digestive qualities. You can omit the brandy if you wish, and add milk in its place. -- posted by French Tart

Baked Herb Yorkshire Pudding from English Fields and Hedgerows

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:26:06 -0500

This is a delightful pudding, normally eaten at supper time, and it is suitable for vegetarians. It has its origins in Northallerton (North of England) and would have been made from wild herbs, gathered from the hedgerows and fields, and eaten with 'mushy' peas. I found this recipe in a small English regional cookery book - Yorkshire Recipes, and have made it regularly as an alternative to Yorkshire Pudding. Preparation time includes the standing time for the batter. -- posted by French Tart

Original Be-Ro Melting Moments-Afternoon Tea Biscuits or Cookies

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:42:55 -0500

These are great little "light as a feather" and meltingly crisp English style biscuits, or cookies. This recipe is the slightly adapted recipe from the Be-Ro Flour cookbook - they suggest lard, but I don't "do" lard! Melting Moments ALWAYS made an appearance on my grandmother and mum's afternoon tea table, and we also had them popped into our lunch boxes for school. The recipe is SO easy to rustle up and they stay crisp and fresh for up to 5 days in an airtight tin. You can roll them in coconut or oats, I prefer coconut - but I am sure they would be just as nice with oats, which is a suggested alternative. Children and "big children" love these, and they really are melting moments, great with a cuppa English tea! -- posted by French Tart

Enid Blyton and the Famous Five's Lashings of Ginger Beer!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:52:01 -0500

By far the most successful of all of Enid Blyton's books, were the twenty-one adventure stories of The Famous Five, who were Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy the dog. The Famous Five characters usually meet up when their respective schools break up for holidays, as the boys go to different boarding schools to the girls. Holidays for the Five consist of either going off on a cycling tour, maybe camping or even visiting strange houses ( castles lighthouses etc etc ). But one thing is for sure, when the Five are about, there is usually an adventure just around the corner! The children's favourite drink was Ginger Beer. It is often quoted that the children drank lashings and lashings of ginger beer. We all know this was never quoted in any of the books but it still seems fitting however, hence my recipe name! Alongside the lashings of ginger beer, The Famous Five consumed vast amounts of sandwiches whilst on their exciting travels! A wonderful old-fashioned ginger beer recipe, worthy of any exciting adventure, discovery or literary picnic! -- posted by French Tart

Homemade English Ale Mustard With Garlic

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:33:07 -0400

A delicious and traditional English style artisanal mustard made with good English ale and garlic; the type of mustard that is so expensive to buy in the supermarkets. Home-made mustard is easy to make and very satisfying, as you can add special ingredients to suit your taste. This mustard is wonderful served with all manner of pies, pasties and savoury pastries, as well as cold meats, steaks, roasts and sausages. It is a quick maturing mustard, and is ready to eat in two weeks. Makes an ideal gift, especially for men and BBQ fanatics! -- posted by French Tart

British Breakfast in Bed - Boiled Eggs and Marmite Soldiers

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:56:15 -0400

The quintessential British breakfast, and perfect for breakfast in bed - Boiled Eggs and Marmite Soldiers are a British culinary institution! The following instructions give you a perfect soft-boiled egg, suitable for "dipping" with your "soldiers"! You either love marmite or hate it, don't use it if you cannot find it locally or just don't like it!! You must still cut your toast into "soldiers" however!! -- posted by French Tart

Cheddar Cheese and Chutney Toasted Doorstep Sandwich!

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:42:10 -0400

A real old fashioned British style "Doorstep" sandwich, jazzed up a wee bit by adding chutney with mayonnaise and then toasting it........just delicious! The only criteria for these toasted "sarnies" is that you use THICK slices of good quality white Farmhouse style bread; such as home-made or Artisanal crusty bread! And, a good quality Cheddar cheese - preferably mature with good mayonnaise and tangy chutney! Although I have given the method for grilling (broiling) these sarnies, they'll be fine if they're made in an electric sandwich or grilling machine, such as a George Foreman. There is no need to add the chutney separately then, just add it to the cheese and mayonnaise mixture. This is a recipe for one greedy person - please increase the quantities for more greedy people if necessary!! -- posted by French Tart

Love It or Hate It - Marmite and Cheese Straws With a Twist!

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:35:17 -0400

Another one of my daughter's recipes - she always makes these for us when she is home. Cheesy, crispy and flaky pastry straws with a lick of marmite - great for pre-dinner drinks, picnics, lunch boxes or snacks. The Marmite company has a very clever advert that announces that you either LOVE Marmite or HATE it! I love it, that's why it has been added to these delicious Cheese Straws........however, if you HATE it - I have suggested alternatives. My daughter only ever uses Marmite in her cheese straws - but then she is also a Marmite lover! Serve these in a tall glass for tasty appetiser nibbles - if you are using the other flavours, you can lable the glasses so Marmite haters can be pre-warned! Have fun! (For all my Aussie friends - PLEASE use Vegemite if you REALLY have to!!!) -- posted by French Tart

Tomato Cheddar Rarebit

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:49:24 -0400

From "A Fireside Supper", Good Food Magazine, January 1988. Serve with Recipe #297806. -- posted by JackieOhNo!

Traditional Devon Cream Tea Strawberry Jam - Strawberry Conserve

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:25:31 -0400

A fabulous recipe for a soft set strawberry jam, or rather a strawberry conserve, where most of the fruit remains whole and is suspended in a delicious strawberry flavoured jammy syrup! This conserve reminds me of the traditional Cream Teas you get in the West country of England - especially Devon and Cornwall; a pot of tea served with fluffy fresh scones, butter, thick cream and this strawberry conserve. (Preparation time includes the 2 days allowed for the fruit to stand in the sugar.) This type of jam recipe is also very French, they tend to have a softer set jam here in France - it is lovely to see WHOLE pieces of fruit on your toast or scones! I also use this for steamed puddings - absolutely divine! -- posted by French Tart

Heritage Bread and Butter Pickle - Pickled Cucumber and Onions

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:17:39 -0400

An easy and old fashioned pickle that takes its name from the fact that this pickle goes so well with simple bread and butter, or sandwiches. This pickle must be stored in a DARK place, or the cucumbers will lose their colour, and it is best eaten after 2 months. I always try to have a jar or two of this colourful and tangy pickle tucked away in my pantry - as it makes fabulous sandwiches for teatime or picnics, as well as being an ideal accompaniment for simple suppers and light toasted snacks. This recipe is ideal when cucumbers are cheap or you have a glut in your garden. If you don't have time to wait before eating this, I also have a "quick" recipe for this type of pickle posted on Zaar: Recipe #245742 . -- posted by French Tart

Cool As a Cucumber! Cheese, Cucumber and Chive Sandwich Spread

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:33:39 -0400

A must for cool people - or those who like cucumbers! This is a very versatile sandwich spread or dip, which is so easy to whip up at the last minute; it makes VERY elegant sandwiches and is a wonderful accompaniment for smoked salmon, prawns (shrimp) or tuna. I have also used it to spread on savoury scones and crackers. If you plan to make this a day before you need to use it, you might like to salt the cucumbers first - as they do release water into the spread. -- posted by French Tart

Cheddar Gorgeous! Cheese and Onion Bread and Butter Pudding

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:35:41 -0400

I have always prefered savoury food to sweet food, and this is a recipe I made up for a savoury version of one of my favourite sweet puddings, Bread and Butter Pudding. This savoury dish is easy to rustle up and makes a tasty supper, breakfast, brunch or lunch dish. Do try to use mature farmhouse Cheddar cheese, a little goes a long way as the flavour is so pronounced. This can be made the night before you need it, for breakfast or brunch, and then baked next morning - a great make ahead meal! -- posted by French Tart

Traditional Cottage Loaf - Old Fashioned Rustic English Bread

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:07:43 -0400

Just the shape of this traditional loaf of bread is reminiscent of ploughman's lunches and warm cottage kitchens! A delightfully shaped loaf of bread, which represents all that is rustic and rural in Britain, but especially England. This bread keeps well and makes lovely, if odd shaped sandwiches! Cut the loaf into wedges and serve with freshly churned butter and a hunk of mature Cheddar cheese, maybe with a pickled onion or two. Quintessential British bread at its best. This reminds me of baking days in my grandmothers old cottage, sitting in her warm and cosy kitchen; she would have baked this in her wood burning Aga stove, as I sometimes do in the winter when my Godin wood burning stove is working. I often leave the first batch of dough to prove and rise overnight - leave it in a cool but NOT cold place, and then continue shaping and proving it next morning. We used to call this wooden spoon bread when we were little, as you push a wooden spoon down through the two loaves to stick them together before baking! Preparation time includes the proving of the dough - but NOT the overnight method! -- posted by French Tart

Absolutely Sinful! Sticky Toffee Pudding With Pecan Toffee Sauce

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:39:14 -0400

This is as wicked as it sounds. A truly delectable combination of flavours and textures that are light and melt in the mouth. I would choose this as a Christmas or New Year dinner party dessert, as the puddings freeze well and are no trouble to re-heat. A modern British classic - sticky toffee pudding was thought to have originated from the Sharrow Bay Hotel in Ullswater in the Lake District of Northern England There is also a school of thought that John Tovey at Miller Howe in Windermere was the first to make this. Either way, the pudding is as iconic today as it was when it was first baked and devoured by the lucky diners of either one of those hotels! My recipe is based on the recipe that Delia Smith published in her Christmas cookbook, but I have made several changes that I feel work better for me, the main change is to increase the pecan toffee sauce quantities, as I have had grown people - mainly males - fighting over who gets the last dribble of this delectable sauce!! I hope you find the step-by-step photos useful when you make this for the first time. (This was featured in the September 2008 Cooking School Topic of the Month on Zaar - a wonderful event where lots of talented chefs on Zaar showed off their culinary skills through photographic tutorials!) Prep time includes the time needed for soaking the dates. -- posted by French Tart

Twit Twooo, Hooting Halloween Owls - Halloween Cupcakes/Muffins

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:29:06 -0400

These are GREAT fun! Bake some chocolate fairy cakes, muffins or cupcakes, decorate them and then turn them into Hooting Halloween Owls! I made these last year for a children's Halloween party, and they all loved them. The recipe is based on our British fairy cake or angel cake recipe, where the top of the baked cake or muffin is cut off to create the "wings". I have stated some sweets (candy) that are British - please use your own local sweets to decorate the owls. This is a wonderful recipe idea that I have changed and adapted from Tana Ramsay, the wife of the famous Gordon Ramsay.....she has some great family recipes, of which this is one. (Preparation time includes the time to decorate and ice them after they have been baked.) My Recipe #328085 would also be great Halloween companions for these hooting owls! -- posted by French Tart

Yorkshire Parkin - Sticky Oatmeal Gingerbread for Bonfire Night

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:39:04 -0400

A wonderful tradition from Northern England, in particular from the county of Yorkshire; this wonderful gingerbread is traditionally eaten on the 5th November which is Bonfire Night, also called Guy Fawkes night or Fireworks Night. There are many ways to make ginger parkin; this is my recipe for this deliciously, sticky and dark gingerbread with oats. This recipe is an egg free parkin, and I was always told that Parkin should NEVER contain eggs in it, whether that is true or not, I'm not sure! Try to plan ahead when you make this recipe, it is MUCH better when kept for 2 to 3 days before eating, as it become stickier and more intense in flavour. This keeps for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container and freezes well, if there is any left! I use jumbo porridge oats in my parkin, for a nice chewy texture - but any porridge oats or oatmeal will be suitable. Please note, if you make this with the suggested alternatives of corn syrup and molasses, it will not be quite the same flavour, but it should still be sticky! -- posted by French Tart

Pear & Mustard Rarebit

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:36:54 -0500

This sounds like it could be interestingly yummy. I picked up a copy of the Christmas 2008 BBC Good Food Magazine to read on a flight back home to the USA to visit my family on Thanksgiving and I am leaving the issue with my mother so I am putting the recipes I would like to try on zaar for safe keeping and sharing. -- posted by Sarah_Jayne

Magical Christmas Fairy Cakes - Christmas Fairy Cupcakes

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:43:49 -0500

Some recipe classics never go out of fashion and fairy cakes top the list They are the stuff of childhood memories: just one nibble can transport you back in time and even today, no self-respecting children's birthday party would be without them. That said, why should the kids have all the fun? With just a little tweaking, fairy cakes can be turned into grown-up fare as well, perfect for a mid-morning coffee break, tea in the afternoon, packed lunch treats, OR for the Christmas tea table. The basic recipe is oh-so-simple so you can keep it plain or indulge yourself with extravagant toppings; for Christmas, I have used fondant icing snowflakes and edible sparkles/cake glitter. Some die-hard purists may omit the vanilla extract but I think fairy cakes are better with it added. Prep time includes the time it takes to decorate the fairy cakes. The edible cake sparkles and glitter is available from most good cake decorating or sugar craft shops. -- posted by French Tart

The Queen of Hearts - Valentine's Jam Tarts

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:41:53 -0500

Jam tarts are a quintessential British teatime treat - little crispy short crust pastry rounds filled with assorted fruit jams, such as strawberry, raspberry, apricot, blackcurrant and lemon curd. They were the first things my mum taught me to bake when I was little, and in turn, I taught my daughter how to make them when she was very small. Here I have suggested that as a Valentine's Day treat, you top the jam tarts with a little pastry heart........after all, the way to a loved one's heart is through their stomach! Jam Tarts normally do NOT have any pastry topping however, so for the rest of the year, just make them as posted with no pastry lid, or use other suitable shapes appropriate for a special event. I have posted homemade short crust pastry, it is so easy to make and is far superior to ready-made, although I DO use ready-made when I am short of time! Try to use good quality or homemade jams and jellies, the higher the fruit content, the less the jam or jelly will bubble out of the pastry case. These are essential for any English Tea Party, especially if Alice in Wonderland has been invited............along with the white rabbit! Have fun! -- posted by French Tart

Cheese on Toast - Cheap and Cheerful British Toasted Cheese

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:27:25 -0500

Call it what you will, traditional British cheese on toast is a national institution, an iconic snack enjoyed by all, regardless of class or background! What can be simpler and tastier, hunks of homemade or crusty farmhouse style bread topped with mature Cheddar cheese, a smidge of mustard and Worcestershire sauce for those who desire an extra kick! This is NOT really a recipe; it is a basic method for making a super tasty and nutritious fast food dish. There is even a Cheese on Toast Day celebrated in the UK - mark your calendars now, the last Thursday in April has been set aside for this comforting supper treat. I lived on cheese on toast whilst I was a student, as I am sure most students do nowadays! You can use other British cheeses, but I find the best cheese without a doubt, is a good mature farmhouse cheddar. Make sure your bread is thickly sliced and you have your plates ready and waiting to receive the molten cheesy snack - pull up a chair by the fireside in the winter and enjoy your 5-minute culinary efforts! (This is an all year around snack I hasten to add.) An interesting historical note; toasted cheese was served as the final course to male diners during Edwardian times, in Gentleman's Clubs........the cheese was melted and served in a pot with the toast set around the edges - a sort of Gentleman's Club fondue! -- posted by French Tart

Victoria Sandwich - Classic English Sponge Cake for Tea Time

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:02:38 -0500

The Victoria Sandwich is the quintessential English cake, conjuring up images of old England and afternoon tea. It's always been a favourite in cake baking competitions and is even used by manufacturers to test new cookers.This is one of the recipes that I use when I make my Victoria Sandwich sponge cake - the other method is posted at the end of the recipe; the ingredients are the same but the weight ratio is slightly different. This method is the original and more traditional way of weighing your ingredients, bearing in mind that the recipe is Victorian! A true Victoria Sandwich would only contain jam, usually raspberry, but as the cake became more popular and cooks became more affluent, cream was added as a delicious addition. I was always taught that caster sugar was sprinkled on top - again, icing sugar is often used nowadays. This recipe adaptation was taken from the WI website, a wonderful organisation in Great Britain for woman of all ages, backgrounds, race or creed - remember The Calendar Girls? They were all WI members! Historical note: Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the creator of tea time. She invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms. The menu centred around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea.The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses. Queen Victoria adopted the new craze for afternoon tea time. By 1855, the Queen and her ladies were in formal dress for the Victorian tea time parties. This simple cake was one of the queen's favourites and was named in honour of the Queen as a mark of the cake's most devoted followers! (I used home made lemon curd for the cake in my photos, a tangy change from raspberry jam!) -- posted by French Tart

Dainty Egg and Chive Tea Sandwiches for Tea-Time

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:51:01 -0500

I am compiling a sandwiches cookbook, or sarnies as we call them in the UK, and here is my first recipe! Sandwiches come in many guises, from simple and elegant to hearty and robust; in my cookbook I aim to have them ALL in there! Sandwiches tick all the boxes for so many meals and events: the obvious high teatime table, cricket teas, picnics, packed lunches and quick snacks. These sandwiches are dainty and elegant and would be ideal for the teatime table. The use of fresh chives gives them a bit of a lift and you must try to use the salad cream as well as the mayonnaise; salad cream has a pronounced vinegary flavour which cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and eggs. -- posted by French Tart

Classic English Salad Cream - Oil Free Salad Dressing

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:46:32 -0500

The salad cream that most of us in the UK know, love and use was invented by Heinz in 1914 and was very popular with working classes; a truly socialist salad dressing if you will. However, its popularity waned in the latter part of the century, with the arrival of the decadent mayonnaise, flaunting its Continental French and Spanish roots and pushing the humble salad cream to one side. However, like any good socialist, salad cream would not go away and still remains a firm favourite in the UK with people who have refused to climb that social ladder to mayonnaise!! My recipe for homemade salad cream comes from Mrs Beeton's cookbook originally, but I have made some modifications. Mrs Beeton uses quite a lot of vinegar in my humble opinion, but the recipe is flexible so add more if you wish. I prefer salad cream when I am trying to cut back on fat - plus I rather like it's tangy flavour, and it is truly wonderful when spooned over hard boiled eggs or fresh lettuce leaves. Or, try it in sandwiches and dips, for a lighter taste to mayonnaise. -- posted by French Tart

Scottish Cheddar Cheese and Spring Onion Tea-Time Scones

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:34:36 -0400

Another one of my Scottish grandmother's recipes! I have several cheese scone recipes posted on Zaar, but this one is one of my favourites. Spring onions are also called green onions or scallions. My mum still makes these regularly and serves them filled with cream cheese (Boursin is great!) and cooked ham, a tea-time scone sandwich! Try to use a mature Scottish cheddar - my favourite comes from the Isle of Mull, but any mature farmhouse cheddar cheese will work. Another idea is to make mini versions of these scones for delightful appetisers, spread them with a filling of your choice - very welcome with a chilled wine or sherry! -- posted by French Tart

Victorian Spring Posy Cake for Easter or Mother's Day

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:11:13 -0400

One of my recent cake inventions - a standard Victoria Sandwich Sponge with a few delicious additions! Fresh oranges and lemons, lemon curd, crystallised violets and mascarpone cheese make this basic sponge cake moist and special enough for the Easter Sunday tea-time table, or for Mum on Mother's Day! I used lemon curd for the icing, but orange curd would also work if you wanted a mellow flavour. I have a recipe for crystallised violets on Zaar, Recipe #216296, and if you don't have any fresh violets, use any sugar paste flowers or cake decorations that work for you - the object is to make a Posy of flowers! This makes a big cake with one layer, you can cut the cakes again and make a three layer gateau if you wish. This cake disappeared quite quickly, but if you have any left, it keeps EXTREMELY well in a tin for up to one week. The sponge cakes can be frozen before icing, cutting back on time if you are going to be busy for the special event. -- posted by French Tart

Rice Grain Cake (Wales)

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:35:32 -0400

This recipe comes from the 1983 cookbook, Traditional British Cooking. -- posted by Sydney Mike

British Fig Rolls - Almost Better Than Shop Bought!

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:47:22 -0400

This is a recipe I found many years ago for authentic Fig Rolls, and they are almost better than the shop bought variety, much though I love the commercial ones! Try to roll out the pastry as thinly as possible, other than that, this recipe is a breeze to make. Fig rolls are a much-loved "biscuit" from my childhood days and I make them whenever I can as I now live in France, as we cannot get them here. Fig rolls are great for a mid-morning snack with a cuppa as well as being ideal for school lunchboxes, picnics, gifts and afternoon tea. (I have posted this recipe on Zaar especially for Lalaloula, who asked about a fig roll recipe in the British forum.) -- posted by French Tart

Old-Fashioned Baked Egg Custard Tart With Nutmeg

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:12:41 -0400

A taste of my childhood, my grandmother made the most amazing Egg Custard, as we used to call it! In the absence of lard, or if you are vegetarian, use a white vegetable cooking fat, but NOT margarine, as the white fat gives the pastry its crispness. Serve this tart at room temperature with cream or just "naked"! You can buy these delectable little tarts in most British bakeries, but they always taste better when they have been made at home. This old-fashioned custard tart needs a thick, wobbly filling, so I've used a round tin with sloping sides and a rim, which gives a good depth. The nutmeg is very important to the flavour, so always use it freshly grated and grate it on to a piece of foil, which helps when you have to sprinkle it on quickly when it goes into the oven. -- posted by French Tart

Coconut Ice - Old-Fashioned Sweet Shop Coconut Candy

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:49:09 -0500

A trip down Memory Lane! This is my mum's recipe for Coconut Ice, little coconut squares which are coloured pink and white, and used to be popular in old-fashioned British sweet (candy) shops. My mum used to make trays and trays of these for our Church fêtes, as well as for Christmas and for gifts. These lovely little coconut morsels are very popular in Scotland where I think my mum's recipe originated either from my Scottish grandmother or an auntie. These are great fun to make with the children, as they are easy as well as being "no-cook". If you plan to make them for gifts or to sell, pack them into attractive cellophane bags, glass jars or boxes and add a pretty ribbon as well as a label of ingredients and storage details. This recipe is part of my Old Fashioned Sweet Shop collection of recipes, sweets, candies, fudges, sugar plums and chocolates! -- posted by French Tart

Jewel Studded Holiday Fudge With Ginger and Cranberries

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:42:20 -0500

A delectable holiday fudge, which is the ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. This buttery, crumbly fudge is enhanced and made more festive by studding it with rich, jewel-like fruit. If you do not have stem ginger handy, you can use crystallised ginger or glace ginger instead. Making fudge the proper way involves using a sugar, jam or candy thermometer - or you can use the "soft ball" method if you do not have a suitable thermometer. Drop a small spoonful of the fudge into cold water, if it forms a malleable soft ball, the setting temperature has been reached. If you plan to make this fudge for gifts or to sell, pack the squares into attractive cellophane bags, glass jars or boxes and add a pretty ribbon as well as a label of ingredients. This recipe is part of my Old Fashioned Sweet Shop collection of recipes, sweets, candies, fudges, sugar plums and chocolates! -- posted by French Tart

Truly British Brandy Butter: for Festive Figgy and Plum Pudding!

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:07:31 -0500

Make your own brandy butter to smother over delicious, homemade Christmas Figgy or Plum pudding, and in only 5 minutes with this easy recipe,..........no Christmas table would be without this "naughty but nice" accompaniment! This is also wonderful when served with hot mince pies......prise open the pastry lids and dollop some brandy butter inside, preferably when they are warm, so the brandy butter runs through the pies! This makes a great gift - pack the brand butter into an attractive pot and add serving instructions. . -- posted by French Tart

Victorian Watercress Tea Sandwiches for High Tea and Picnics

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:20:30 -0500

During Victorian times, children used to take watercress sandwiches to school in place of meat ones. I love them, especially when cut into small trianges and served with a cuppa (cup of tea!). Use the freshest bread - I like to use wholemeal, and a fresh salted farmhouse butter. I have inlcluded a soup idea at the end of the recipe, to be made with the excess stalks! So a soup and sandwich recipe then! -- posted by French Tart

A Mere Trifle! Strawberries and Clotted Cream Trifle

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:20:30 -0500

Luscious fresh strawberries nestle amongst light sponge cake sandwiched with strawberry jam, which are then covered with creamy custard and topped with clotted cream. Simple! This trifle may be simple but it is the star on any tea-time or dessert table and if you cannot obtain clotted cream, use whipping cream, heavy cream or double cream instead. Madeira is used in place of sherry in this trifle, which gives a mellow flavour to the trifle. This is a recipe that my mum sent to me, from a cutting in a British magazine promoting Devon and Cornwall in the West Country - home of the Cream Tea! If you wish to serve this to children or non-drinkers, substitute the Madeira with fruit juice of your choice. In the summer scatter some pink rose petals over the top for the ultimate and romantic finish! (Prep time includes the chilling and soaking time.) -- posted by French Tart