This is a recipe I found many years ago for authentic Fig Rolls, and they are almost better than the shop bought variety, much though I love the commercial ones! Try to roll out the pastry as thinly as possible, other than that, this recipe is a breeze to make. Fig rolls are a much-loved “biscuit” from my childhood days and I make them whenever I can as I now live in France, as we cannot get them here. Fig rolls are great for a mid-morning snack with a cuppa as well as being ideal for school lunchboxes, picnics, gifts and afternoon tea. (I have posted this recipe on Zaar especially for Lalaloula, who asked about a fig roll recipe in the British forum.)
I cannot believe there is no “recipe” for marmite on toast here! Okay, maybe calling it a recipe is stretching it a bit far, but it is a British breakfast classic, and if you LOVE marmite, you will love marmite on hot buttered toast! Use a nice nutty, granary bread and a cheeky little butter for the prefect Marmite in Toast extravaganza! Make a perfect pot of tea, Recipe #263420, for the perfect accompaniment and away you go, you’ll be saying “Cor blimey Guv’ner” in no time!
An adaptation from an old family “Traditional Mincemeat” recipe which was passed down through my Mum’s side of the family. This one however is FAT FREE – NO suet or butter and it still KEEPS for up to a year or two; I currently have a jar from 3 years ago which has aged and matured beautifully! I have called it traditional mincemeat as it has all the traditional ingredients apart from the fat and it is VERY EASY to make. I am posting this in early September so it can be made now and allowed to mature ready for Christmas MINCE PIES. Where I have stated rum or brandy, please use any strong liquor that you may have available; it’s just that brandy or rum work very nicely with the ingredients. Make some pretty labels, add a paper or fabric lid cover with a ribbon and then hang a pie, scone or cookie cutter from the neck – and voila, a thoughtful home-made gift! N.B. It’s the alcohol that keeps this mincemeat, so if you want a non-alcoholic version, I have a traditional suet mincemeat recipe posted, which does not need much if any alcohol – Recipe #257241.
Delicious individual pies which are perfect for supper, lunch or a picnic. These contain steak & onions cooked in good quality ale with a Stilton cheese & mashed potato topping, instead of the usual pastry. My own invention which is requested regularly now; this recipe was born out of left over mashed potato, stewed steak in ale and the dried up end pieces of some Stilton cheese! Here I have given instructions for my basic steak in ale casserole, but have assumed that you will know how to make mashed potatoes – I have also suggested frozen shortcrust pastry for ease! Serve these pies with chips, more mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables….and don’t forget the pint of ale to accompany them! “British Open Top” is a play on words, based on the British Open Top Mini car I used to have when I was a student….NO pastry tops here you see!!
I am finally posting my recipe for Spotted Dick! This delicious steamed sponge pudding with currants is a British schoolboy favourite from the days when school dinners were not only tasty and nourishing, but may have been the only hot meal of the day for some children. Originally, Spotted Dick would have been made with beef suet and breadcrumbs – this recipe has been updated for modern tastes, and uses vegetarian suet or butter with flour. Serve this with English custard for a comforting and nostalgic flavour explosion! Steaming is so easy, and whilst it bubbles and simmers away, you are free to do other things around the kitchen, such as prepare the custard!
