Malteser Cheesecake

You will need

200 g malted milk biscuits crumbled
100 g butter melted
5 tbsp sugar
600 g Philadelphia (Usually comes in 300 g tubs.)
300 ml double cream whipped until stiff
300 g white chocolate melted
200 g milk chocolate melted
2 tbsp Horlicks powder (You can get one-cup packets.)
small bag Maltesers

Method

  1. Line base and sides of a deep, 22-23cm loose-bottomed round tin with baking parchment.
  2. Mix the biscuit crumbs, melted butter and 2 tbsp of the sugar, then press into base.  Chill.
  3. Divide cream cheese and cream evenly between 2 bowls.
  4. Add the white chocolate to one, and the milk chocolate, malt and remaining 3 tbsp sugar to the other.
  5. Beat each with an electric whisk until smooth.
  6. Spread the milk chocolate mixture evenly in the tin.
  7. Spoon the white chocolate mix over the top and gently smooth.
  8. Dot with Maltesers and chill for at least 5 hrs until firm.

Millionaire’s Shortbread

Ingredients

225 g plain flour
75 g caster sugar
375 g unsalted butter
379 g can unsweetened condensed milk
4 tbsp golden syrup
325 g plain chocolate
200 mm square brownie tin or similar, greased and the bottom lined with waxed paper

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C.

Bottom Layer

  1. Put the flour and sugar into a bowl.  Rub in 175 g. of butter, clumping the dough together to make a ball.
  2. Press this sandy shortbread mixture into the tin and smooth it down.
  3. Prick with a fork and cook for five minutes, then lower the oven to 150°C and cook for a further 30-40 minutes until pale golden and no longer doughy.
  4. Let it cool in the tin.

Middle Layer

  1. Melt the remaining 200 g. of butter in a large, microwavable bowl.  Add the condensed milk and golden syrup.
  2. Whisk the mixture well until the butter is thoroughly incorporated.
  3. Heat in microwave for 6-7 minutes until boiling, stirring thoroughly every minute. It's ready when it's thickened and turned a light golden brown.
  4. Pour this molten toffee over the shortbread and leave to set.

Top Layer

  1. Melt chocolate and pour over the fudge mixture and leave to cool.
  2. Once set, cut the caramel shortbread into pieces.

Makes about 24.

Red Onion Marmelade

Ingredients

2 kg red onions (or regular), halved and thinly sliced.
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
140 g butter
4 tbsp olive oil
140 g golden caster sugar
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
pinch chilli flakes (optional)
70 cl red wine
350 ml sherry (or red wine) vinegar
200 ml port

Method

  1. Melt the butter with the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over a high heat.
  2. Add the onions and garlic and give them a good stir so they are glossed with butter.
  3. Sprinkle over the sugar, thyme leaves, chilli flakes and some salt and pepper.
  4. Give everything another really good stir and reduce the heat slightly.
  5. Cook uncovered for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions are ready when all their juices have evaporated, they're really soft and sticky and smell of sugar caramelising. They should be so soft that they break when pressed against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. Slow cooking is the secret of really soft and sticky onions, so don't rush this part.
  6. Pour in the wine, vinegar and port and simmer everything, still uncovered, over a high heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring every so often until the onions are a deep mahogany colour and the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds. It's done when drawing a spoon across the bottom of the pan clears a path that fills rapidly with syrupy juice.
  7. Leave the onions to cool in the pan, then scoop into sterilised jars and seal.

Moon Rocks

Ingredients

90 g butter
90 g brown sugar
½ tsp mixed spice
125 g raisins
250 g self raising flour
1 egg, beaten

Method

  1. Set the oven to 200°C.
  2. Rub the butter into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.
  3. Add in the sugar and raisins.
  4. Mix well, then add the beaten egg.  Stir together until it is mixed enough to squeeze into a ball.
  5. Grease a baking tray and make the mix into 8-12 small heaps.
  6. Cook in the oven for about 15 mins.

Eat when cool enough (but ideally still warm).

(Swedish) Meatballs with Honey and Mustard

Ingredients

A packet meatballs
75 g pp pasta (per person)
2 tsp Grain mustard
2 tsp Clear honey
½ or 1 Stock cube
250 ml Boiling water
2 or 3 tbsp Yoghurt
oil (for frying)

Method

  1. Brown the meatballs in a frying pan with a little oil.
  2. Cook the pasta as per its instructions.
    (Time it to be ready when the sauce is ready.)
  3. Add the honey and mustard to the pan and cook for two to three minutes.
    (You may need to cover the pan in case the mustard seeds start popping.)
  4. Make up the stock, using the stock cube and boiling water.
  5. Add the stock to the pan, stirring gently. Cook uncovered for about ten minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
    (Add - a little - more hot water if it is getting too thick.)
  6. Take off the heat and stir in the yoghurt.
  7. Drain the pasta and serve