Take a look at @MrAndrewDickens's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MrAndrewDickens/status/873291725791526914?s=09

Entry for the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is now open

http://www.royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk/awards/annual-awards-of-excellence

Cape Brandy Pudding with bitter Orange sauce by Brett Pistorius.

Always a favourite of South Africans worldwide, the Cape brandy pudding is also known as tipsy tart or tipsy pudding. It can be served hot or cold and normally with Lashings of cream, ice cream or even an orange sauce.

 In this recipe i have used pecan nuts, traditionally walnuts are normally be used because of his dry bitter flavour- this helps compliment the brandy and the fruitiness of the pudding. 
Pecan nuts however are cheaper, and also offer the dry bitterness flavours - so it’s an ideal substitute.

When is trying to explain a Cape brandy pudding to someone, that has never tried one, I’d probably hint to it’s similarities a sticky toffee pudding - but with a bit of a kick.

Makes 9-10 individual 70mm x3.5mm desserts ring portions


Ingredients:

140g Chopped dates
250ml Water
1tsp Bicarbonate of soda
150g Treacle syrup
125g Butter
2 Eggs
2g Salt
5g Baking powder
210g Plain flour
5g Vanilla extract
100g Chopped walnuts

500ml Simple stock syrup
150ml Brandy


Method:

* Add the chopped dates, water and bicarbonate of soda to a medium sauce pan, and bring it all to a boil. Allow the contents to boil for 3 minutes before switching off the heat, and then allow it all to cool.
* Add Brandy to a simple stock syrup.
* Place the treacle, and butter to a mixing bowl, and using a paddle attachment for the mixer, cream the treacle and butter until pale and light.
* Scrape down the sides and add in the flour, salt, eggs, vanilla, chopped walnuts, baking powder, and all the contents of the cooled date mixture.
* Mix all the ingredients together, and pipe the mixture evenly between all the greased dessert rings.
* Bake at 160 Deg C for about 17 minutes or until cooked (dependant on your oven).
* Remove the puddings whilst still hot and plunge them into the brandy stock syrup for about 10 seconds each, then allow to drip dry over a wire rack.
* When cooled, keep in a fridge, or until needed. I tend to microwave them during service times for between 30-45 seconds to re-heat them, and I serve it with a whole orange sauce and some scrummy vanilla ice cream.

Panettone Chocolate Torte: The Christmas Pudding alternative by Brett Pistorius.

Makes a 10 inch round family sized cake ring, or 11 individual 70mm x3.5mm desserts ring portions.

Ingredients:

500g Panettone

150g Ground almonds

165g Unsalted Butter

150g Caster sugar

400g Dark chocolate

4 eggs

1 vanilla pod

200g Mascarpone cream cheese

150g Seville orange marmalade

25g Flaked almonds

Method:

-Turn the whole panettone into fine bread crumbs, then add the ground almonds and set aside in a large bowl.

-Into a medium saucepan, add the unsalted butter and place over a medium low heat to completely melt it. Once the butter has all melted you must add the dark chocolate and melt it into the butter.

-In a bowl add the eggs and sugar; with the scrapings of the inside of the vanilla pod then whisk it all together to create a smooth vanilla wet mixture.

-Add the mascarpone cream cheese to the wet egg and vanilla mixture, whisk this smooth again.

-Add the melted chocolate and butter mix from the sauce pan to the wet mix, and stir this through.

-Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the crumbed panettone and almonds, then using a spatula, fold the whole mixture together until a paste is formed.

-Separate the mixture into piping bags and set aside.

-Grease the cake or dessert rings with butter/one spray baking oil.

-Fill the rings with even amounts; the dessert rings will be full to the top.

-Level the mixtures flat, then sprinkle the flaked almonds over the top

-Add the uncooked torte mix to the oven and bake at 165 deg C.

-The family sized portion will take about 35 minutes to cook, and the individuals 14 minutes

-Once the puddings are done, there should be a temperature reading of 87 deg C, this will allow for reheating at a later time or for service.

-To add a little extra fruity citrus hit, I use the Seville orange marmalade let down with a little water and heated up, to glaze the torte and let it shine.

-To serve, I would recommend it warm. It’s perfect to heat up in a microwave, and brilliant if served with ice cream made with cream liquor such like Ammarula even Baileys.

French Butter Cream

One of the most used butter creams in my recipe file, it draws  inspiration from a French Crème au Beurre, where the eggs, made into a pâte à bombe, enrich its velvety texture, flavour and give it a natural yellow colour.

It’s nowhere near as sweet as the English versions we’re used to. Also, I can’t stand the whole icing sugar texture on my teeth, reminds me of the time when I got beach sand in my mouth and I bit down... yuk, I can just about sense the grinding sound just thinking of it.

A Crème au beurre has many uses, from filling gateaux, covering cakes, tothe topping of cup cakes. It’s versatility comes from its ability to take on flavour and liquids easily, like if you wanted to change a vanilla one to a coffee one, it’s as simple as just adding in a couple of shots espresso, and if your wish was for a fruit version-just add in some puree to taste.

It takes a little bit of planning and a few more pieces of equipment compared to its English cousins. To make this recipe, things like a temperature probe are essential, because the correct temperature is key to cooking out any potential nasties in the eggs. It also ensures that the correct temperature of the sugar is reached before adding to the eggs, which will result in the lowest amount of water being left in the mixture so that the final product isn't too wet or runny.
It is also definitely not suitable for children to make, so adults please make sure you take precautions when making it as no one wants to get burnt.

Ingredients
* 3 whole eggs
* 325g caster sugar
* 60g water
* 500g Unsalted butter
* 1 vanilla pod

- Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, then attach it to your stand mixer and using the whisk attachment switch the mixer on to a medium – high speed to whisk the eggs
- Leave the eggs whisking
- Into a small sauce pan, add in the caster sugar and water, give it a stir before placing it over a medium- high heat.
- Boil the sugar until it reaches 121 deg C on your sugar thermometer.
- Cube your butter whilst waiting
- When your sugar has reached 121 Deg C, remove the pan from the heat, and slowly pour the hot sugar down the side of the bowl of whisking eggs (being careful not to add it too fast, and not pouring it onto the spinning whisk causing the hot sugar to spray out)
- When all the hot sugar has been poured over the whisking eggs, continue to whisk the mixture until the heat cools to where you can comfortably hold the base of the bowl.
- Slowly start adding the cubed butter. Also add the scrapings of the vanilla pod.
- You will see the mixture start to emulsify and thicken, if for some reason the mixture splits and doesn’t look thickened, do these to rectify it.

- Your mixture was either too hot or too cold when you were adding the butter, so try whisking it a little longer to see if it thickens...
- Or if it was too cold, and the mixture isn’t smooth, use a blow torch on the sides of the bowl being careful not to use it too long in one place and burning the mix inside. This will melt the butter slightly and get the mixture re-emulsified.

- Place into a piping bag and use for what you wish

Raspberry butter cream, where 150g of raspberry puree was added to this recipe.

Creme Patissiere

Often forgotten for playing a part in so many desserts and pastry recipes is the classic French Pastry Cream, also known as Creme Patissiere, or  confectioner's custard.

Made correctly, the texture and flavour of this versatile thick custard does wonders for simple desserts like trifle or fruit tarts, or in more elaborate recipes such as in a mousseline and even soufflés.

A batch of crème pat can last up to 5 days refrigerated, but common practice in the hospitality industry is a 3 day stock rotation.

None the less, it’s not very expensive to make and can be used in so many ways, I’m sure that you will use this recipe quicker than you would expect.

Ingredients

* 2 Large eggs
* 100g Caster sugar
* 50g Plain flour
* 10g Custard powder
* 500ml Whole milk
* 1 vanilla pod

- Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthways, and scrape the insides vanilla pod of all the little vanilla seed. Now place the seeds and pod into a small saucepan and add the whole milk. Over a medium heat, place the saucepan to heat the milk.

- In a bowl, crack in the 2 eggs, and beat it with a whisk until the yolk is mixed and broken through the egg white, now add the sugar, flour and custard powder and mix it in together.

- Just as the milk is heated to just below boiling point (scalded), take the pan off the heat and slowly pour the hot milk through the mixed egg whilst whisking. Only do this a little at a time also being careful not to splash hot milk over you.

- When all the hot milk has been added to the egg mix, return the whole mix to a pan and place it back onto the heat.

- Cook the mixture out now over the heat, stirring or whisking continually. The mix will slowly thicken, once it becomes very thick, cook it out for 1 minute to ensure the flour and custard powder is properly cooked out before removing it from the heat.

- Pass the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any lumps or any other traces of foreign textures and place into a container to cool.

- It's important to cover the creme pat with a layer of cling film, or baking parchment pressed against it, to stop a skin from forming over the top of the custard.

Jo Lloyd makes the perfect pancake with Brett Pistorius

Recipe details here: http://www.smoothradio.com/northwest/shows-presenters/how-to-make-the-perfect-pancake-with-jo-lloyd/#dAkddPYIAgDJarTS.97

Panettone Chocolate Torte - Take Stock

Panettone Chocolate Torte - Take Stock

Dessert Canapés - Take Stock

Dessert Canapés - Take Stock

Marshmellow

My light pipeable marshmallow recipe is quick and easy to do if you have a mixer. It's based on the Italian style meringue recipe... how ever if you fancy a work out - you could always try - a Swiss meringue recipe over a bain marie.

Recipe
* 200g Caster sugar
* 400g Egg white, (12  egg whites)
* 3 sheets Bronze Grade gelatine leaves.
* a touch of cold water

- First place the sugar into your pan, and stir a little bit of water into it as to wet it. Don't make it too runny, just enough to loosen the sugar and water together.
- place the sugar over a medium - high heat and allow to come to a boil without stirring.
- Use a temperature probe to grade how hot the sugar is, we're looking for 121 deg C so well before any hint of caramelisation, and of course, very very hot.
- in your mixing bowl place your egg whites and connect it to the machine with the whisk attachment.
- Place the gelatin into cold water to loosen it up.make it rubbery and limp as to crisp. Cold water is essential so allow the gelatin to soak for up to 2 minutes, or even 3-4 if multiplying up the recipe by batches.
- When the sugar boils to 121 deg C
- Add only the softened gelatin to the boiling sugar, by dropping in the gelatin sheets using your finger from a safe height away from the hot sugar, discard the water away.
- place the mixer on a medium to high speed, and count to 12 seconds to watch the white foam before pouring the sugar in at a slow and safe speed.
- allow the mixer then to whisk the meringue firm. The bowl will be hot, so allow the mixer to spin at a relatively high speed for a white until the bowl is at a cool body heat or room temperature.
- The mix when we can ripple it, is ready to go into a piping bag to be piped.
- Alternatively onto a oiled baking tray to cut up later.
- Refrigerate until required as part of your recipe, and if possible bring to a safe room temperature before consuming. Never chance the rules in catering, where possible only display open food to room temperatures for a maximum of 3 hours. The recipe stands well refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.
-Also perfect for marshmallows on top of hot chocolate

Bakewell baking video 2013

The Pastry King & Hospitality Action

It's that time of year again where Brett Pistorius attempts to raise some more much needed funds for a worthy and incredibly essential charity.

Hospitality Action is the hospitality industry benevolent organisation, helping past & present workers of all ages who are in crisis, such as the bereaved, the ill & the disabled. 

Hospitality Action offers financial aid & information, and also supports a youth guidance scheme educating on alcohol and drugs misuse.

This time last year Brett was spotted delivering and transporting goods across Cheshire and Greater Manchester in a big pink baby outfit, completed with a bib and frilly hat and even a pink frilly skirt. This year however Brett's decided to go a more modest route...

Surprising as it was to us, The Bupa Great Manchester Run caught Brett's attention this year-no one knows why, or how?!?...but he's doing it this coming Sunday!! He's not got that much training in, so it's going to be a hard slog :)

The Bupa Great Manchester Run is staged over a course of 10km, which has been officially measured and certified.  The 2012 start line is on Portland Street near the junction with Oxford Street while the finish line is on Deansgate. 

There is an Aqua-Pura water station on the course just before the 5km marker, just past Old Trafford. Other facilities for runners in 2012 include the “run-through" shower just before the end of Trafford Wharf Road at around the 6.5km point. 

In addition, there will be several Bands on the Run positions throughout the course to ensure runners received that all-important musical boost at regular intervals.

 

As a keen supporter of Hospitality Action, Brett would like you to know ''I would like to highlight how important the work of the charity is in offering vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK''and find themselves in crisis.

Please help Brett hit his target to raise £250.00 for the charity, help him finish the run by digging deep and visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Brett-Pistorius to donate 

or you can also donate by phone by texting  BRET82 £10 to 70070 to sponsor him today. Thank-you :o)

chouxchouxbedoo: Simple pleasures

chouxchouxbedoo: Simple pleasures: Sometimes the simple things are the best and just lately I've really appreciated some really quick and easy recipes that give great results....

Marshmallows made at home-Easy done :) here's how!

Just in case you need a recipe to make marshmallow to glue your Dutch Butter biscuits together, here is a simple recipe to make it at home :) Enjoy!!

• 8 sheets sheets leaf gelatine

• 500 g castor sugar

• 100 ml water

• 3 large egg whites

• icing sugar

• cornflour

- First you need to mix the sugar with the water and ensure it’s all moistened to the same level, and we need to bring it to a boil over a medium high heat.

*Warning: Hot sugar causes serious harm, so please be careful so not to hurt yourself or others when cooking it*

- In a jug of cold water, soften your gelatin. This recipe uses Bronze leaf gelatin.

- You need a sugar thermometer to do this properly, and the sugar needs to boil to a soft ball stage which is 235 deg F, or 112deg C

- As your sugar starts to get close to the soft ball stage, in a mixer start whisking the egg whites on a medium slow speed, this will allow for more uniform smaller bubbles to go into the egg whites :)

- Add the softened gelatin to the hot sugar when ready, and remove from the heat, and add into the whisking egg white.

- Whisk until cool, so this can be around 5-10 minutes in the miser, and add colouring if required. Some chefs add beetroot juice and even purees of fruit-the trick is to not add too much, dashes yes! As too much liquid going in may require a higher level of gelatin in the recipe

- I normally spread the mix over a tray and chill before slicing it, and then adding the cubes to a cornflour icing sugar mixture. However you can also pipe the mixture onto your biscuits and make your own biccie sandwich :)

Hmmmm. Dutch Butter Biccies

For a quick fix for something to dip into your cuppa tea this afternoon we recommend a Dutch Butter Biscuit. If you have a food processor it’s alot easier but can be done by hand all the same, so all you need to make 600g batch is:

100g Icing sugar
200g Unsalted butter/salted butter if you like it like that
300g Plain flour

Just mix it to a dough, roll into a sausage and slice into 1cm thick coins :)
I bake them myself at 160 deg C till gently browned (normally 20 minutes), but 180 deg C for about 10 minutes is also fine (That way you get to dunk it into the tea faster ;0)

Oh, and if you prefer shapes, the dough can be rolled out and cut, filled or garnished like in the picture!

I hope you enjoy making this very simple delightful recipe, any questions, just ask it here or put it to us on twitter :)