Blueberry swirl cheesecake,Balsamic steaks with peppercorn wedges

Blueberry swirl cheesecake

                              


Ingredients

300g digestive biscuits
140g butter, melted
275g golden caster sugar
100g blueberries
1 tsp cornflour
3 x 300g packs full-fat cream cheese
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
200ml pot soured cream
                                                                                                                                                               

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a 20 x 30cm rectangular tin with baking parchment. Put the biscuits in a food processor and blitz to a fine crumb. Add the butter and blitz again to combine. Tip into the tin, press down firmly with the back of a spoon to cover the base, then bake for 10 mins. Leave to cool

Meanwhile, tip 25g of the sugar and the blueberries into a small pan. Mix the cornflour with 1 tbsp cold water and add this to the pan. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bubble for 1-2 mins until saucy. Set aside to cool

in a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese with an electric hand-held whisk until smooth. Add the remaining sugar and whisk again. Add the flour, vanilla, eggs and soured cream, and whisk until smooth and well combined

Pour half the cheesecake mixture over the biscuit base, then spoon half the blueberry sauce on top in small blobs. Cover with the remaining cheesecake mix and smooth the surface with a spatula. Drizzle the remaining blueberry sauce over the top, then use the end of the spoon to ripple it into the cheesecake. Bake for 10 mins, then lower the heat to 110C/90C fan/ gas ¼ and bake for a further 30 mins. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hr, then leave for 1 hr more with the door ajar. Finally, leave at room temperature until completely cool, then chill for at least 3 hrs or, even better, overnight. Slice into 14 bars. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days

 

Balsamic steaks with peppercorn wedges



Ingredients

For the steaks
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp concentrated liquid beef stock
3 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp clear honey
2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
6 sirloin steaks, about 5cm thick
salad or peas, to serve (optional)
For the wedges
1½ kg medium potatoes, such as King Edward, cut into wedges
3 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing
1 tbsp thyme leaf
2 tsp green peppercorns, crushed 

Method

  1. Mix together the vinegar, stock, garlic, mustard, honey and olive oil in a large shallow bowl, then grind in some black pepper, but no salt. Add the steaks and turn to coat. Leave to marinate in the fridge for 1 hr, or preferably overnight.
  2. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the potatoes in a large bowl with the oil, thyme and peppercorns. Spread out on 2 greased baking sheets and bake for 10-15 mins until the potatoes are nearly cooked. Remove and leave to go cold.
  3. Open-freeze the wedges until solid, then pack into a large rigid container in layers, interleaving with foil. Individually pack the steaks into freezer bags – make sure they lay completely flat when you put them in the freezer. Use within 1 month.
  1. To serve, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7, with a baking tray inside to warm up for the steaks. Put the wedges on another large baking tray, spread them apart and season. Bake for 20 mins until golden and crisp. Unwrap the steaks and brush both sides with oil. Press onto the hot tray and bake for 15-25 mins, turning after 10 mins and testing until hot, to give you medium-rare steak. Serve with the wedges and salad or peas, if you like.

   

                                                                                                            

                                                                                 

No comments: