Green Tomato Chutney

Ingredients
2.25kg Tomatoes (green are best and you need to cut them into 8 wedges)
600ml Malt Vinegar
5 Large Onions (finely chopped)
225g Raisins
450g Sultanas
350g Demerara Sugar
25g Salt
4 Teaspoons Mixed Spice
4 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan
Sterile Jars

The Good Bit

1. put your tomatoes and vinegar in the pan and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes, then add the onions, raisins and sultanas and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
2. Now add the sugar, salt and spices and keep on a low simmer for a further 1 1/2 hours until you have a nice thick chutney. Leave to cool slightly before putting in sterile jars

Makes 1.5 kg

Hot Cross Buns (this one is tricky)

Ingredients
(For the Ferment Starter)
1 Egg (beaten)
215ml Water (warm)
15g Fresh Yeast
1 Teaspoon Sugar
55g Strong White Flour
(For the Dough)
450g Strong White Flour (plus extra for dusting)
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoon Ground Mixed Spice
85g Butter (cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing)
85g Sugar
1 Lemon (zest only)
170g Mixed Dried Fruit
(For the Topping)
2 Tablespoons Plain Flour
Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Golden Syrup (gently heated for glazing)

Equipment
1 Balloon Whisk
1 Small Jug (for the starter)
1 Sieve
2 Large Mixing Bowls
1 Lemon Zester
1 Tea Towel
1 Baking Tray
1 Knife (doesn't have to be sharp)
1 Large Plastic Bag
1 Piping Bag
1 Wire Rack
1 Pastry Brush

The Good Bit

1. (For the ferment starter) mix the beaten egg with enough warm water to make up approximately 290ml/½ pint of liquid. Whisk in the yeast, sugar and flour until the mixture is smooth and well combined, then cover and set aside in a warm place for 30 minutes.
2. (For the dough) Sieve the flour, salt and ground mixed spice into a large mixing bowl, then rub in the butter using your fingertips. Make a well in the centre of the mixture, then add the sugar and lemon zest to the well and pour in the ferment starter.With your hands, gradually draw the flour at the edges of the bowl into the well in the centre, mixing well with the ferment starter, until the mixture comes together as a dough.
3. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead lightly until smooth and elastic.Carefully work the mixed dried fruit into the dough until well combined.
4. Grease a large, warm mixing bowl with butter. Shape the dough into a ball and place it into the prepared bowl, then cover with a clean tea towel and set aside in a warm place for one hour to rise. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knock back the dough. Shape it into a ball again and return it to the bowl, then cover again with the tea towel and set aside for a further 30 minutes to rise.
5. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten slightly into a bun shape using the palms of your hands. Cover the buns again with the tea towel and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes.
6. Grease a baking tray with butter and transfer the buns to the tray. Cut a cross in each bun, almost cutting all the way through the dough, so that each bun is almost cut into quarters. Wrap the tray with the buns on it loosely in greaseproof paper, then place inside a large polythene bag. Tie the end of the bag tightly so that no air can get in and set aside in a warm place for a further 40 minutes to rise.
7. Preheat the oven to 240C/475F/Gas 8. Meanwhile, for the topping, mix the plain flour to a smooth paste with two tablespoons of cold water.
8. When the buns have risen, remove the polythene bag and the greaseproof paper. Spoon the flour mixture into a piping bag and pipe a cross over the cuts in each bun. Transfer the buns to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until risen and pale golden-brown. As soon as you remove the buns from the oven, brush them with the hot golden syrup, then set aside to cool on a wire rack.

Bombay Potatoes

Ingredients
450g Potatoes (peeled and diced)
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
7 Curry leaves
2 Onions (finely chopped)
2 Green Chillies (finely chopped)
2 dried Red Chillies
50g Fresh Coriander (chopped)
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/2 Teaspoon Each Cumin, Mustard, Fennel, Salt and Garam Masala
1 Lemon (juiced)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Lemon Juicer
1 Large Pan
1 Wok

The Good Bit

1. Cook the potatoes in boiling slightly salted water with 1/2 turmeric in for about 10-15 minutes until they are just tender, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat your oil in the wok and add the dried chillies and curry leaves, cook until they are almost burnt, then add in the onion green chillies, coriander leaves, the rest of the turmeric and spices seeds until the onion is soft.
3. Drop in the potatoes and a splash of water then mix well and cook for a further 10 minutes until all the spices are well mixed and the potato well coated, add lemon juice to taste and serve.

Serves 4

Tikka Paste

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Coriander seeds
2 Tablespoons cumin seeds
1 1/2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons Paprika
1 Tablespoons Garam Masala
1 Tablespoons Ground Ginger
1 Tablespoon Dried Mint
2 Teaspoons Chilli Powder
1/2 Teaspoons Turmeric
Pinch of Salt
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
150ml White Wine Vinegar
150ml vegetable Oil
A Few Drops Red and Yellow Food Colouring

Equipment
1 Wok
1 Mixing Bowl
2 Air Tight Jam Jars
Pestle and Mortar/Spice mill
1 Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Grind the coriander and cumin seeds until they make a fine powder, add to the mixing bowl, add the rest of the spices and stir well. Mix in the lemon juice and a few drops of each food colouring, then add 2 tablespoons of water and the vinegar until you have a thin paste.
2. Now transfer the mixture to the wok with the oil in it and heat, stirring occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes, once the oil floats to the top the sauce is done, spoon into the jars once cool and store in the fridge.

Makes 2 Jars

Jazzy Butter Sauce

Ingredients
3 Shallots (chopped as fine as you can)
100g Butter (softened)
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper (freshly ground is best)
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Pinch Of Salt
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 Frying Pan
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Fry off the shallots slowly for 6-8 minutes until they are soft and golden brown, leave them to cool for a couple of minutes.
2. Now gently warm up or beat your butter in the bowl to get it soft and add the shallots pepper, salt and mustard, blend in well then roll out on a piece of cling film and place in the fridge until firm and needed. Goes REALLY well with steak!!
   

Onion Sauce

Ingredients
450g Onions (sliced)
50g Butter
600ml Stock (vegetable, beef, chicken, lamb stock or milk)
25g Plain Flour
Pinch of Each, Mace, Nutmeg, Salt.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Pan
1 Medium Pan
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Sieve

The Good Bit

1. Heat half the butter in your large pan and add the onions, cook slowly so as not to brown them, stirring occasionally, in the other pan heat your stock or milk. Once the onions are soft add the stock or milk and drop in the mace, nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
2. Simmer for 10-15 minutes then strain, reserving the liquid and onions, now heat the remaining butter in one of your pans and add the flour, cook for about 2-3 minutes then remove from the heat and add in the reserved liquid.
3. Keep stirring all the time to avoid lumps, next chop up the reserved onions as fine as you can and add to the pan, stir again, reheat for a little while then serve. Works well with all meats but especially lamb.
   

Serves 4

Hollandaise Sauce

Ingredients
125g Butter (diced)
2 Egg Yolks
1 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
Pinch of White Pepper
Pinch of Sugar

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Balloon Whisk
1 Pan Gently Simmering Water

The Good Bit

1. Throw all the ingredients except the butter in your bowl and whisk until the mixture is light and frothy, now place the bowl over the simmering water and continue whisking until the sauce thickens and the whisk begins to leave a trail.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and start to add the butter a cube at a time whisking well between each addition until all the butter is gone, the sauce should be shiny and thick, season to taste and serve.

Makes 200ml

Potato Cakes

Ingredients
500g Potatoes
2 Teaspoons Salt
50g Butter
100g Self raising Flour
Oil

Equipment
1 Large Pan
1 Potato Masher
1 Rolling Pin
1 Frying Pan

The Good Bit

1. Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10-15 minutes, drain the water and then mash along with the salt, butter and flour, you should have a stiff and fairly dry dough.
2. Sprinkle a little extra flour onto your worktop and roll out to 5mm thickness, cut into triangles and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden (you may need to add extra oil now and then. Serve hot with a fried egg (great as part of a full English breakfast) They can be heated under a grill or in a toaster the following morning.
   

Scones

Ingredients
250g Self Raising Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
Pinch of Salt
50g Butter
25g Caster Sugar
125ml Milk (plus extra for glazing)
Whipped Cream and Jam to Serve

Equipment
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Sieve
1 Baking Tray (greased)
1 Wire Rack
1 Rolling Pin
1 Pastry cutter (2 inch round)
1 Pastry Brush

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too220c 425f gas 7. Sift the flour into your bowl along with the baking powder and salt, drop in the butter and get your hands in there and rub until the mixture looks like bread crumbs, stir in the sugar then slowly add the milk a little at a time until you have a soft dough.
2. Lightly flour a surface and knead your dough on it then roll out to an inch thin, cut 2 inch rounds then place on your greased baking tray, brush with milk and then place n the oven for 10 minutes. Transfer to the wire rack (for traditional English cream tea, serve with jam and clotted cream, and I'm gutted we can't find clotted cream over here in France otherwise I'd open a tea shop!!)

Makes 10

Ginger Nuts

Ingredients
115g Self Raising Flour
1 Level Teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
Pinch of Salt
1 Level Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 Level Teaspoon Ground Mixed Spice
45g Ground Rice
60g Butter
60g Caster Sugar
115g Golden Syrup

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Sieve
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Pan
1 Baking Tray (lined with greased parchment paper)
1 Wire Rack

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too 190c 375f gas 5. Sift the flour into your mixing bowl and add the bicarb, salt, ginger and mixed spice and stir in along with the rice, make a well in the centre. Warm your syrup, butter and sugar in the pan until it is a little runnier then pour into the well and mix thoroughly. Get your hands in there and make a good dough!
2. With a teaspoon shape into balls about the size of a walnut and place well spaced apart on your lined baking tray (do 2 lots if you haven't the room, otherwise you'll get 1 big block of biscuit, yes i have done that myself, doh!!) cook for 10-12 minutes then remove from the heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Makes 24ish

Rogan Josh

Ingredients
900g Lamb Fillet (cubed)
250ml Natural Yoghurt
400g Chopped Tomatoes
150ml Water
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Inch Fresh Ginger (grated)
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Tomato Purée
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Bay Leaves
4 Cardamom Pods
2 Teaspoons Each Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
A Splash of Oil
Rice to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Metal Spoon
1 Wok/Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan (for the rice, see home page for instructions on how to cook perfect rice every time)
1 Garlic Press

The Good Bit

1. Mix together the lemon juice, yoghurt, salt, half the crushed garlic and ginger then add the lamb and leave to marinate over night.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok and fry the cumin seeds for 2 minutes, then add the bay leaves and cardamom pods and fry for another 2, next add the onion and the remainder of the garlic and fry for a further 5 minutes.
3. Now add the coriander, ground cumin, and chilli and fry for 2 minutes before adding the lamb and marinade, cook this for 5 minutes, stirring all the time to prevent it burning to the bottom of the pan.
4. Add in the tomatoes, water and tomato purée, bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes. Serve with rice (start preparing the rice after the meat has been simmering for an hour)
   

Serves 4

Lamb and Apricot

Ingredients
600g Lamb (stewing lamb cubed if you can)
1 Inch Cinnamon Stick
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Teaspoons Curry Paste
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1 Teaspoon Coriander
A Pinch of Salt
120g Dried Apricots (ready to eat)
240ml Lamb Stock
A Splash of Oil
Fresh Coriander (chopped to garnish)
Rice and Mango Chutney to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok

The Good Bit

1. Heat the oil in the wok and add in the cinnamon stick and cardamoms, heat gently for 2 minutes before adding the onion, now heat for a further 5 minutes until the onion is soft but not coloured.
2. Add in the curry paste and cook for 2 minutes before adding the cumin, ground coriander and salt, cook this mixture for 3 minutes, finally add the meat, stock and apricots, bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes.
3. Serve on a bed of rice (yellow rice looks good for this, add a teaspoon of cumin and 1 of turmeric to the rice pan whilst cooking to achieve this, or if your posh do it with saffron instead of cumin and turmeric). Add a spoonful of mango chutney at the side or in a separate bowl.
   

Serves 4

Lamb and Mint with an Indian Twist

Ingredients
225g Lamb (cut into strips)
150ml Water
120ml Natural Yoghurt
50ml Coconut Milk
2 Onions (thinly chopped)
1 Tablespoon Each Ground Almonds, Fresh Mint (chopped)
1 Teaspoon Each Fresh Ginger (grated) Garam Masala, Salt, Garlic (crushed)
Pinch of Each Ground Cardamom, Ground Cinnamon
4 Black Peppercorns
2 Chillies (finely sliced)
1 Bay Leaf
Oil
Fresh Mint (roughly torn to garnish)

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Spoon
1 Wok/Large Frying Pan
1 Balloon Whisk

The Good Bit

1. Whisk the yoghurt with the coconut milk, adding one at a time the following, chillies, almonds, salt, garlic, cinnamon, mint, ginger, garam masala and cardamom, then set aside.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok and fry the onion along with the bay leaf and peppercorns slowly for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and golden, then add the lamb and stir fry for 2 minutes before adding in your sauce.
3. Add in the water, bring to a gentle simmer and cover, leave to cook for 15 minutes stirring only once or twice, then take the lid off, turn up the heat a little, and stir fry for a further 2 minutes, keeping it moving at all times.
4. Serve garnished with chopped mint leaves.
   

Serves 4

Spicey Roast Lamb

Ingredients
1.5Kg Leg of Lamb
1 Teaspoon Each Chilli Powder, Garlic (crushed), Coriander, Cumin, Salt
1 Tablespoon Breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Sultanas
3 Tablespoons Natural Yoghurt
Oil
Salad Leaves, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Wedges, Chopped Fresh Coriander and Grated Carrot to serve

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Blender
Tin Foil
1 SHARP Knife

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too 180c 350f gas mark 4, trim any fat that you can from the leg of lamb, rinse it, then pat dry and set on a sheet of tin foil that will be large enough to cover it.
2. Mix all the teaspoons of spices together in the mixing bowl, the rest of the ingredients (breadcrumbs, yoghurt, lemon juice, sultanas and a splash of oil) should be blended until you have a smooth paste, combine this then with the spice mixture and mix well.
3. Pour your spice mixture over your lamb and rub it in well then cover with the tin foil, cook in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, remove and with the juices in the tin foil baste the leg again, you may need to use a spoon here, this time whack the lamb in the oven uncovered to brown off for 45 minutes.
4. Serve on a bed of salad leaves, chopped cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander and maybe some grated carrot and lemon wedges.
   

Serves 6

Mini Lamb Kebabs and Baby Onions

Ingredients
450g Lamb (minced)
1 Onion (thinly chopped)
1 Teaspoon Each Garam Masala, Garlic (crushed) Salt
4 Tablespoons Fresh Coriander (chopped)
6 Green Chillies (sliced, de seeded for a cooler kebab)
1 Tablespoon Flour
12 Baby Onions (de-skinned but left whole)
12 Cherry Tomatoes
Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Wok
1 Blender
1 Spatula
1 Mixing Bowl
Wooden Skewers (soaked in water for 20 minutes before hand)
1 Pastry Brush

The Good Bit

1. Ok, in the mixing bowl along with the minced lamb, add the chopped onion, garam masala, 1/3 of your chillies, 1/2 the coriander, salt and flour, get your hands in there and give it a good mix, then transfer to your blender and give it a blast for about 1 minute.
2. Now take out clumps of the mixture about the size of a lime and form around the skewers, you should be able to get 2 clumps on each skewer, continue until all the mixture is used up.
3. You now want to brush the kebabs with a little oil then stick them under a very hot grill, turning and re basting occasionally for 12-15 minutes, until the meat is evenly brown all over.
4. Now heat a good splash of oil in your wok and drop in the onions, when they start to brown you can add the tomatoes and the rest of your chillies, now slide the kebabs carefully from the skewers into the wok and cook, stirring slowly for 3 minutes.
5. Serve and garnish with a sprinkling of coriander which you should have left.
   

Serves 4

Lamb in Yoghurt and Masala Sauce

Ingredients
225g Lamb (boneless, cut into strips)
1 Tablespoon Tomato Purée
175ml Natural Yoghurt
1 Teaspoon Each Garam Masala, Salt, Fresh Ginger (grated), Garlic (crushed),Chilli Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Medium Onions (thinly chopped)
25g Butter (unsalted is best)
1 Inch Cinnamon Stick
2 Cardamom Pods
5 Dried Apricots (quartered)
Oil
Parsley/Coriander Leaves to Garnish

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Blender/Pestle and Mortar
1 Wok/Large Frying Pan
1 Spatula
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Metal Spoon
1 Slotted Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Mix the yoghurt and all the spices (apart from the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods) and salt in your bowl, add in the lamb, stir well, cover and set aside for at least an hour.
2. Fry the onion of gently in a little oil until it becomes golden and crispy, then remove with the slotted spoon and either blend or crush with pestle and mortar.
3. Add a splash more oil to the wok and drop the onions back in, now add the lamb and its sauce and stir fry for 2 minutes, then cover and cook for 15 minutes (you may need to add a little water if thing start to look dry, 150ml should do)
   
4. Empty the lamb into a serving dish with the sauce, add a splash of oil to the wok and then melt the butter in it, drop in the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods, then add the apricots and stir fry for 2 minutes over a low heat, pour over the lamb and garnish with parsley or coriander leaves.
   

Serves 4

Lamb Balti withPeas and Potatoes

Ingredients
225g Lamb (boneless, cut into strips)
120ml Natural Yoghurt
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cardamom Pods
3 Peppercorns
1 Teaspoon Each Garlic (crushed), Ginger (grated), Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Salt
2 Onions (sliced)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint (roughly chopped)
300ml Water
1 Large Potato (diced)
115g Frozen Peas
1 Tomato (peeled and de seeded, then diced)
Rice to Serve (optional, check the tips section on the home page)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Wok
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water for the potato)

The Good Bit

1. Mix the yoghurt, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns, chilli powder, ginger, garlic, garam masala and salt together, add in half the mint stir well then drop in the lamb, stir well again making sure the lamb is well coated then set aside for 2 hours.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok then cook the onion slowly until it is soft and brown, then pour in the lamb mixture and cook for 3 minutes, add the water and bring to the boil and lower the temperature, simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile cook the potato, should only take about 10 minutes, you want it cooked but not ready to turn to mash. Add the peas to the wok, drain the potato and then add that too, stir gently to get a good mix then stir in the tomato and remaining mint.
4. Cook for 5 more minutes before serving, you may want rice with this, check my tips section on the home page on how to do perfect rice every time.
   

Serves 4

Lamb Pitta Pockets

Ingredients
350g Lamb Fillets
4 Pita Bread
1 Tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce
2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint (chopped)
1 Lemon (juiced)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
50g Salad Leaves (rocket is good)
4 Tablespoons Greek Yoghurt (or Mint Sauce)

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Juicer
1 Griddle Pan (frying pan will do)
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board

The Good Bit

1. Mix the chilli sauce, lemon juice, salt and mint together, then drop in the fillets, turning over to coat well, leave to marinate for 10 minutes. Griddle (or dry fry, no oil in the frying pan) the fillets over a high heat for 8-12 minutes turning once until they are charred but still a little pink inside, then set aside for 5 minutes.
2. Enough time to do the rest! Warm the pita bread in the same pan, then cut open and fill with salad leaves, slice the lamb into strips and place on top then a good spoonful of Greek yoghurt or mint sauce on top of that, you can also give lemon wedges to squeeze over for extra flavour!
   

Serves 4

Potatoe Skins

Ingredients
4 Large Potatoes
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
100g Cream Cheese
4 Tablespoons Single Cream
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives (chopped)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan
1 Oven Proof Dish
1 Potato masher
1 Mixing Bowl

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too 200c 400f gas 6, cut your potatoes in half (with out peeling) and scoop out most of the insides, cook this in a pan of boiling water for about 12 minutes.
2. With the skins you want to drizzle oil over them then sprinkle on the salt and pepper and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
3. Mean while, mash your potatoes in the bowl and add in the cream cheese, cream and chives, season with salt and pepper, then scoop into the potato shells when they come out of the oven and serve.
   

Serves 4

Christmas Cake

Ingredients
125g Self Raising Flour
200g Plain Flour
250g Butter
250g Brown Sugar
250g Currants
250g Raisins
250g Sultanas
75g Mixed Peel (chopped)
75g Glace Cherries
50g Ground Almonds
5 Eggs
1 Tablespoon Treacle
1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
50ml Sherry
1 Lemon (zested)
4 Tablespoons Brandy

Equipment
1 Large Mixing Bowl
2 Wooden Spoons
1 9inch Round Baking Tin (or 8inch square tin) (greased)
Greaseproof Paper
1 Sieve
2 Mixing Bowl
1 Airtight Tin

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too 140c 275f gas 1. Line the baking tin with a double thickness of grease proof paper and leave a good 5 cm sticking out above the rim of the tin.
2. Start by sieving the flours into the large mixing bowl, add the salt and spices and give a little stir, in an other bowl cream the butter and sugar together until you have a light mixture then add the treacle and mix well, in the other mixing bowl, drop in the eggs, vanilla and sherry and beat gently together.
3. Now what you need to do is, beat half the egg mixture into the creamed mixture then fold in 1/3rd of the flour, then add 1/2 the egg mixture again and fold, then add 1/2 the remaining flour and fold, finally add the last bit of egg, fold, and then the flour and fold again.
4. Now add in all the other ingredients (except the brandy) and fold in well then pour the mixture into your cake tin and flatten out the top. Now chuck this in the oven for 4-4 1/2 hours)
5. If the cake begins to brown too much you can cover it with a double layer of greaseproof paper, check to see if it is done by sticking it in the centre with a skewer, if the skewer comes out clean it's done, if it comes out sticky then leave it in. Turn the cake out on to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely then finally prick the top all over and drizzle over 4 tablespoons of brandy, leave it to mature for 3 months in an airtight tin (adding brand 1-2 tablespoons every couple of weeks)