RECIPES

Keep popping back as I shall be regularly adding some of my tried and

tested recipes to get you in the kitchen.

Lemon Curd

I get through jars and jars of lemon curd so i decided to try out some recipes and start making my own. This is a combination of the best, giving me the ideal consistency and just the right amount of zestiness.

Ingredients

3 eggs plus 2 eggs yolks

225g caster sugar

Finely grated zest of 3-4 lemons

180ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

A pinch of salt

150g cold butter - cubed

Method

Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, zest and lemon juice together in a bowl.

Add the salt and stir.

Place the mixture into a heavy based saucepan over a low heat, whisking.

Gradually add the butter cubes, a few at a time, until they are all melted.

The mixture will start to thicken a little, make sure the egg does not scramble and it doesn't start to boil.

Take off the heat and strain through a fine metal sieve.

Place in a sterilised jar* and place in the fridge.

Makes one large or two smaller jars and will keep well in the fridge for a couple of weeks (if it lasts that long).

*Jars can easily be sterilised. Once washed thoroughly in hot soapy water, you can either boil them in water for 10-15 minutes, place them in a preheated oven (Gas 3/160 degrees c) for 15 minutes or microwave for 60 seconds. Lids can be boiled separately for 10 minutes.

Peppermint Bark

Popular in North American for years, peppermint bark is becoming mainstream here. Its easy to make and tastes like Christmas. Here's how:

You will need:

400g white chocolate

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

one box of candy canes

some festive sprinkles

Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave - total around 2 minutes - or over boiling water - be careful not to let the water touch the chocolate.

Stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate.

Place the candy canes in a ziplock bag and smash into various sized small pieces with a rolling pin.

Stir half of the candy canes into the melted chocolate.

Line a small baking tray with baking parchment and pour the melted chocolate mixture out.

Sprinkle the remaining candy canes onto the chocolate.

Decorate with additional festive sprinkles.

Leave in a cool place to set, or in the fridge if you like.

When hard, pick up the whole piece and snap into smaller shards.

Peppermint bark is great for decorating cupcakes, popping into a jar for a gift, or just snacking on. It is simple to make and much cheaper than buying ready made.

Enjoy x