Dominique Ashford of Dale House Barn, B&B and Kitchen in the Forest of Bowland, treats us to a Christmas special, an alternative to the mince pie, pecan and date tarts served with homemade custard.
The Christmas tree is up and the barn is feeling all cosy with the ESSE Ironheart pumping out warmth. The festive tarts are baked in the surround heat of the ESSE wood-fired oven and the custard is prepared using the cast iron hotplate above the fire.
Dominique's business has recently been featured in the Telegraph. A pastry chef for the Houses of Parliament for 13 years, B&B owner Dominique knows and loves her food and wants all her guests to do so, too. At her renovated 400-year-old barn, on the edge of Gisburn Forest, as well as breakfast, three or four-course suppers are served, packed lunches prepared and gourmet cookery courses laid on, even including foraging. All the produce is sustainably and locally sourced.
Dominique kindly shares her recipe for us to enjoy:-
Pecan and date tarts with cream cheese pastry
Dough
375g plain flour
50g caster
½ tsp salt
226g cream cheese
226g butter
Zest of 1 orange
Mix in a food processor or stand mixer, rest then roll out to about 2mm thick and cut into rounds to fit your tin. Fill with the date and pecan mix. Bake at 180°C [ESSE dial guide middle of HOT] for 15-20 mins
Filling
3 medium eggs
200g dark brown sugar
60ml maple syrup
60ml brandy
28g melted butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
½ tsp mixed spice
½ tsp salt
100g chopped pecans
100g chopped dates
Combine all.
Delicious served with homemade custard - chef's tip - add a little cornflour to prevent splitting.
Custard
250g double cream
125g milk
3 yolks
50g caster sugar
5g corn flour
Vanilla
Bring the cream and milk to the boil. Whisk yolks, caster, corn flour, and vanilla together in a bowl. Pour the simmering liquid on and mix, return to the ban, and gently cook out until it thickens.
Contact Dale House Barn, B&B, and Kitchen - dalehousebarn.co.uk/
Contact ESSE Stoves and Range Cookers - www.esse.com/
18 дек 2023
