麻豆约拍

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150g soft butter

150g castor sugar

3 eggs

100g ground almonds

300g self raising flour

Zest of 2 clementines

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Set oven to 180oc.

Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time and then fold in the almonds, flour and zest.

Pour into a greased and lined baking tin and bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Cool then cube and place in the bottom of a trifle bowl.

Drizzle liberally with sherry - my personal favourite is Pedro Ximenez that you can get in most off licences.

For an alcohol free version, drizzle the sponge with orange juice or elderflower cordial.

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Clementine Jelly

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8 Clementines

50ml Grenadine

2 gelatine leaves

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Peel 4 of the clementines and slice in three then into segments.

Soak the gelatine in cold water.

Drain any juice into a saucepan and juice the remaining clementines into the pan.

Add the Grenadine and bring to the boil.

Drain the water from the gelatine and add to the hot liquid. Remove from heat.

Place the segments in a tray and pour over the liquid. Cool and set.

When set cut into cubes and place over the sponge.

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White chocolate Layer

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200ml double cream

200g chopped white chocolate

250g mascarpone

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Bring half the cream to boil and add the chocolate.Remove from heat and cool.

Fold into the mascarpone with the remaining cream then whisk to a smooth consistency.

Pour over the jelly and place in the fridge.

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Italian Meringue

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4 egg whites

300g castor sugar

1 tablespoon liquid glucose

50ml water

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Boil the sugar, glucose and water until the mixture reaches soft ball stage - after boiling for 5 minutes approximately a drop of the liquid placed in cold water will form a pliable ball.

Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks then stream the hot syrup into the them, whisking constantly. When all the liquid is added continue to whisk until cool - about 10 minutes.

Pipe over the trifle and glaze with a blow torch.

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Caramel Cherry Mousse with Crunchy Pecan and Coconut Layer, Rum Ganache and Honeyed Rice

Crunchy pecan and coconut layer

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100g crushed chocolate digestives

50g desiccated coconut, toasted until golden

75g pecan nuts

50g sugar

75g butter

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Heat the sugar in a pan, without stirring until it turns amber.

Add the pecans, mix and turn onto parchment paper.

Cool and then crush in a bag with a rolling pin.

Melt the butter and mix the digestives with the crushed pecan and coconut.

Place in a greased baking tin, lined with cling film. Press well and chill.

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Caramel Cherry Mousse

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1 tin banoffee toffee

100ml double cream

75g dried sour cherries

4 leaves gelatine

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Place the toffee in a bowl and soak the gelatine in cold water.

Boil the cherries and cream and add the bloomed gelatine.

Mix into the toffee.

Pour onto the chilled crunchy layer and spread evenly.

Chill to set for about 4 hours.

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Honeyed Rice

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100g rice crispies

50g honey

25g butter

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Melt the butter and honey together.

Mix in with the crispies and press onto the set caramel layer.

Chill.

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Rum Ganache

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50ml dark or spiced rum ( for an alcohol free version just leave it out and add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the cream)

200g chocolate, chopped

150ml double cream

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Boil the rum to reduce by half and add the cream.

Bring to the boil and pour over the chocolate.

Stir until the chocolate melts. Stir occasionally until the mix reaches piping consistency - about 20 minutes.

Place in a piping bag and pipe onto rice.

Serve garnished with gold or silver balls.

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