All That I'm Eating

Recipe ideas for budget meals, everyday cooking and a little indulgence. Travel inspiration and restaurant reviews too.

Using up jars in the cupboard – Rich Shortcrust Pastry Tarts

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ingredients for shortcrust pastry tarts

Where a few months ago a slice of lemon drizzle cake or a blueberry muffin would have cheered up my lunchbox I needed something more substantial, more buttery and more comforting. All this snow has meant I’ve been raiding the cupboards and I found jars and bottles full of stuff that really I’m never going to use. I also figured if any of my nearest and dearest know me, I’ll be getting many more jars of treats on the 25th.

I managed to find some raspberry jam, golden syrup, lime curd, greengage jam, pecans in honey and some quince jelly. All lovely on toast or scones or crumpets but also all nearing their ends. I needed to use them up and make the most of them. read more

Quince and Apple Crumble – adventures with the quince

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apples and quince
The quince used to be a hidden fruit. It seems it was embarrassed of its furry skin, ever varying sizes and odd looks. I had heard rumours of it returning to its former glory and I kept my eyes peeled and nostrils ready for a sight or a whiff of this mysterious fruit.  I found it. If you have not ever been lucky enough to encounter the quince then scrap any plans this weekend and go and hunt some down. It looks like a pear, is tough like a pumpkin, fuzzy like a peach and smells like a guava crossed with a passion fruit. It’s a cheeky fruit that would cheer up even the most dampened spirits. I wanted to make the most of this fruit. Very resourcefully I had frozen some apples that were given to us a while ago and for which I had no use at the time. I made a crumble, it is the season for them after all.

Ingredients

What you will need (for four large servings):
  • Quinces – I had 2
  • Apples – I had 1 big one
  • Knob of butter
  • Good portion of caster sugar
  • Bowl of water with lemon juice in
  • 175g flour
  • 75g butter
  • 50g light muscavado sugar
  • Almonds and oats for the top

Method

I have never come across anything that will brown as quickly as a quince. It’s quite impressive. You will need to super speed peel the quinces and put them in the lemon infused water. Even then don’t be surprised at how quickly they change colour. When chopped, put them in a pan with the butter and the sugar. 
I would say don’t go too sweet as some of the charm of the quince is in its astringency. I added the frozen apples right at the end so they didn’t turn to a mush.

I put this in a small dish so that when it was served, everyone got a good dose of quince. I then crumbled. Rub the butter into the flour and then stir in the sugar. By putting it into a small dish it ensures no one will be short of crumble either. 
I put some crushed almonds and oats on the top too. read more

Anzac Biscuits and Chocolate Nut Biscuits

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What a week! I felt like I’d earned a good baking session. The following two recipes are really easy and truly yummy.

Anzac Biscuits

Yes perhaps I am a bit premature for Anzac day but nonetheless, they are a deliciously oaty crunchy cookie.

Ingredients – makes 12-15 biscuits

What you will need: 100g rolled oats 140g plain flour 100g unrefined light brown sugar 45g flaked coconut 110g unsalted butter 2tbsp golden syrup ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1tbsp hot water

Method

Preheat your oven to 175⁰C/350⁰F/Gas mark 4. Line two baking sheets with some parchment. Firstly, mix the dry ingredients together – not the bicarb.

Melt the butter and golden syrup together on a low heat. Dissolve the bicarb in the hot water and then stir this into the butter and golden syrup mixture. Mix the hot butter mix into the rest of the dry ingredients.

Put dollops of the dough onto the parchment – make sure there is room between them because these fellows expand like the foam used for house insulation. Flatten them slightly on top. read more

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