Pistachio Roulade with Raspberries and White Chocolate

This is one of those ‘wow’ desserts! It would make a fantastic centre piece on any celebratory table. Naturally it tastes wonderful too, so your guests will be asking for the recipe – we have the talented Mr ‘Ottolenghi’ to thank for this delicious recipe (but put a tag in for ‘Menu Mistress’ too!). Make sure that you follow the instructions to roll the cake when it is still warm as in this way the roulade shouldn’t crack too much!

70g shelled pistachio kernals, plus 15g extra, roughly chopped

4 large eggs, whites and yolks separated

130g caster sugar

2 tablespoons hot water

80g self-raising flour (gluten free if required – I use Doves)

⅛ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon almond extract

20g icing sugar

300g fresh raspberries

For the white chocolate cream:

200g white cooking chocolate roughly chopped into 1cm pieces

75g unsalted butter, soft but not oily

280g cream cheese

270ml double cream

 ⅛ teaspoon almond extract

You will also need: 35 x 30cm shallow baking tray greased and lined with baking paper.

1. Place 70g of the pistachios in a food processor and grind until fine but not oily; don’t worry if there are some medium-sized pieces it will not affect the cake. Set aside until needed.
2. Place the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl and whisk for about 4 minutes until thick and creamy. Add the hot water by dribbling it down the sides of the bowl. Sprinkle over the ground pistachios and gently fold through to combine.
3. Sift the flour and salt together and add to the egg yolk mixture. Fold to combine.
4. Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl to form soft peaks then fold into the yolk mixture along with the almond extract.
5. Pour the mixture into the lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven, 180’c fan, for 15-18 minutes until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the centre. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes.
6. Sift half the icing sugar over the surface of the cake and cover with a clean tea towel. Place a wire rack on top, then flip the cake over so that the wire rack is now underneath the tea towel and cake. Lift off the tray and carefully peel off the baking paper and lightly dust the cake with the remaining sifted icing sugar.
7. With one of the short ends of the sponge facing towards you, roll up the still-warm cake with the tea towel inside. Allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes in the rolled up tea towel (this ‘trains’ the cake for its final roll). Then unroll the cake and set aside to come to room temperature.
8. Meanwhile prepare the white chocolate cream; Place the chocolate in a bowl set over (but not touching) a pan of simmering water. Stir from time to time until melted then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
9. Place the butter a bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until smooth then add the cream cheese and beat again until well combined. Now add the white chocolate and continue to beat until smooth. Finally, add the double cream and almond extract and beat until the mixture forms soft waves (you may want to put the mixture in the fridge to thicken up a little).
10. To assemble, use a spatula to spread about two-thirds of the white chocolate cream evenly over the surface of the cake. Leave a border of about 2cm without any cream at the short end of the cake furthest away from you. Place all but twelve of the raspberries over evenly over the top of the cream, then roll up the cake.
11. Carefully transfer the rolled up cake to a serving plate and spread the remaining cream all over the cake – this can be a little messy, you will probably have to wipe around the plate before serving! Finally, place the remaining raspberries along the centre of the cake and sprinkle with the extra pistachio nuts.

I can’t quite believe that it’s the beginning of December and of course in just a couple of weeks Christmas! On Christmas day I will be cooking a traditional fare (see my menu here) but during the rest of the holiday period, I’ll be preparing more relaxed dishes which won’t leave me in the kitchen while friends and family are relaxing and enjoying themselves in the front room – particularly on New Year’s Eve when I’m feeling totally ‘over’ the whole Christmas thing! So I thought I’d share a couple of recipes which could make it onto my ‘easy dining list’...

Menu One, ‘Chicken Fricassée with Morels’, is one of those dishes which has an air of ‘special occasion’ about it, however, it’s quick and easy enough to cook on any weekday evening. The chicken is cooked in a cream and wine sauce thus creating an indulgent and comforting dish. Menu Two, ‘Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Peas’, is Simon Hopkinson’s take on an Indian ‘Keema Curry’ – a deluxe version; these subtly spiced meatballs are wonderfully moreish. Doubled up, this recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd so is a good option for a casual get-together! Finally, Menu Three is ‘Baked Sausages with Chestnuts’; a great casual supper for those evenings between Christmas and New Year. The Chestnuts give this simple dish a sophisticated finish – it’s definitely not your average tray bake!

Hopefully you’ll get time over the Christmas period to enjoy at least one of these recipes!.. (Recipes for my traditional Christmas Dinner can be found here!).

Don’t forget to pop by next week for my ‘Tuesday Treat’ – it will make a great centrepiece for any festive table!

Menu One

Chicken Fricassée with Morels (Serves 4)

This is one of those dishes which has that air of ‘special occasion’ about it yet is quick and easy enough to cook on any weekday evening. The chicken is cooked in a cream and wine sauce thus creating an indulgent and comforting dish; it will warm up the coldest, darkest winters day! The recipe is from Rick Stein’s cookbook, ‘Secret France’.

20g dried morels

200ml tepid water

40g unsalted butter

4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on

1 banana shallot, finely chopped

90g chestnut mushrooms cleaned and quartered

100ml Noilly Prat (or dry sherry)

130ml chicken stock

300g full-fat crème fraiche

Sea salt and black pepper

1. Soak the morels in the tepid water for about 15 minutes, then drain them in a fine sieve over a bowl. Strain the liquid and reserve 75ml for the sauce. Rinse the morels under cold water to remove any debris, dry them on kitchen paper and cut them in half lengthways.
2. Melt half of the butter in a large frying pan. Fry the chicken, skin-side down until light golden brown. Turn them over and repeat on the other side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the remaining butter to the pan. Fry the shallot over a medium heat until softened, then add the morels and chestnut mushrooms and fry for a few minutes. Add the Noilly Prat (or sherry), the reserved morel soaking liquid and chicken stock, bring to the boil then turn the heat down and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the créme fraiche and stir, then put the chicken back in the pan along with any resting juices. Cover the pan and cook over a medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until the chicken is just cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately with rice or potatoes.

Menu Two

Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Peas (Serves 4)

This is chef, Simon Hopkinson’s take on a Indian ‘Keema Curry’ – a deluxe version. The recipe is similar to his ‘Lamb Kofta Curry with Rice’ (which I shared back in 2021) but the flavours are subtly different; this dish is lighter as it is made with natural yogurt rather than coconut milk. In addition there’s the key ingredient for a Keema curry – peas. I suggest you try both recipes!..

350g onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

4 tablespoons olive oil (plus a little more to grease)

750g minced lamb

2 tablespoons coriander seeds

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

1 tablespoon garam marsala

½ teaspoon chilli powder

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint (plus an extra handful, coarsely chopped)

1 egg, beaten

Flour (gluten-free if needed)

50g butter

½ stick cinnamon

4 cloves

4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

350g frozen peas

150ml plain yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon

1. First of all dry roast the coriander and cumin seeds in a frying pan until fragrant, then grind with a pestle and mortar. Leave to one side.
2. Fry the onions and garlic in the oil until golden brown, allow to cool before mixing into the lamb together with the all the spices, salt, the tablespoon of chopped mint and the beaten egg.
3. Form the mixture into balls the size of a walnut, roll in flour. If time allows, place in fridge for 30 minutes or so to firm up.
4. Melt the butter in a roomy frying pan, add the meatballs, fry until golden brown all over.
5. Add the cinnamon and cloves, stir over a medium heat for a minute or two before adding the tomatoes and peas. Allow the tomatoes to collapse and exude their juices then stir in the yogurt. Cook for a further 20 minutes.
6. Finally add the lemon juice, a handful of coarsely chopped mint and a little salt if necessary. Serve with rice.

Menu Three

Baked Sausages with Chestnuts (Serves 4)

This seriously simple recipe from Diana Henry’s ‘Pure Simple Cooking’. Despite its simplicity it’s not your average sausage traybake – the addition of chestnuts and red wine lift it to higher realms! Simply serve with some creamy mashed potato (recipe below).

8 good-quality pork sausages (gluten free if required)

150g cooked vacuum-packed chestnuts

350g field mushrooms, cut into thick slices

1 large onion cut into half-moon-shaped wedges

1 bulb garlic, cloves separated but not peeled

4 tablespoons olive oil

4 sprigs rosemary

1 bay leaf

250ml red wine

Sea salt and black pepper

1. Put everything except the red wine into a broad, shallow baking dish/ roasting tin. Turn the ingredients so that they are coated in olive oil.
2. Roast in a preheated oven, 190’c fan, for 25 minutes. Pour in the red wine and cook for another 25 minutes.
3. Serve with mashed (or roasted potatoes) and a salad of winter greens.

‘Staple Side Dish’ – ‘Favourite’ Mashed Potato (Serves 4)

There are numerous recipes for mashed potato, and yes, I have tried many, but this one is probably my favourite. It actually doesn’t contain any butter, which makes me feel that it could be healthy, although admittedly it does contain double cream! Don’t be put off by the garlic, you really can’t taste it, it just enhances the flavour of the potato. I must admit I ‘cheat’ when it comes to mashing, I am fortunate to have an amazing kitchen appliance, a Thermomix, this is a serious piece of kitchen kit; I can actually steam my potatoes in it and then mash them in seconds. If you don’t have a Thermomix you can either mash by hand, however,  for an easier option I would recommend doing as Delia Smith suggests in her ‘Winter Cookbook’ – whisk them with an electric hand whisk. When whisking them you do have to be careful – make sure that the potatoes are absolutely cooked, otherwise they will go gluey. Start off with the speed slow to break up the potatoes and then increase to a high speed to quickly whip them until smooth – don’t do it for too long, as again, they will go gluey, which is not good!

1kg potatoes (floury, such as Maris Piper)

100ml full-fat milk

100ml double cream

2 cloves garlic, sliced

Sea salt and black pepper

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into even sized chunks. Steam until completely cooked through.
2. Put the milk, cream and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat.
3. Mash the potatoes (see note above) adding the milk mixture a little at a time. Season well with salt and pepper.

The Ultimate Hot Toddy (Serves 1)

Ok this isn’t exactly a cocktail but it’s a very good alcoholic beverage! And as it’s getting cold out there, I thought it was the right time to share this ‘Hot Toddy’; I have shared a recipe for a ‘Hot Whiskey’ before but I must admit that this new recipe is far superior! It has just the right balance of whisky and honey plus there’s a touch of cayenne pepper which gives it the perfect punch! It’s seriously good!

180ml water

60ml honey

30ml bourbon (I like Makers Mark)

30ml lemon juice

Pinch of cayenne

Thin slice of lemon (optional)

1. Place the water and honey in a small saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Add the bourbon, lemon juice and cayenne. Whisk to distribute the flavours evenly.
3. Serve in a mug or heat-proof glass, topped with a lemon slice (if using)

Tarragon Pot Roast Chicken (Serves 4)

Scrolling through the recipes which I’ve shared with you, I was shocked to discover that I haven’t already re-shared this recipe as it’s probably one of my all-time favourite chicken recipes! So without further ado I’m posting it again… If you haven’t already, you must try it as it’s not only very good but is super easy; the sauce is created from the delicious juices which are caught under the chicken in the pot. Tarragon and chicken are, of course, a classic combination so you honestly can’t go wrong with this recipe! I serve it with Garlic Green Beans, which are amazing – try them – and also with either Concetta’s Potatoes or Roast Potatoes .

2 tablespoons chopped tarragon

1 garlic clove, crushed

50g unsalted butter, softened

1 x 1.6-1.8 kg chicken

2 teaspoons oil

150ml chicken stock

30ml white wine

1 tablespoon plain flour (gluten free if required)

1 heaped tablespoon tarragon leaves, roughly chopped

150ml double cream

1. Mix together half the butter with the 2 tablespoons of chopped tarragon and the garlic. Season with salt and pepper and place inside the cavity of the chicken, then tie the legs together.
2. Heat the remaining butter and the oil in a large casserole dish, and brown the chicken all over.
3. Add the wine and chicken stock. Cover the casserole and place in a preheated oven, 200’c fan, for 1 hour 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked.
4. Remove the chicken to rest in a warm place, making sure that you drain any juices from it back into the pan.
5. Skim a tablespoon of the surface fat from the cooking liquid and put it in a small bowl. Skim off any remaining fat and discard.
6. Add the flour to the reserved fat and mix to a smooth paste.
7. Whisk the paste into the cooking liquid over a moderate heat until the sauce boils and thickens.
8. Strain the sauce into a clean saucepan and add the heaped tablespoon of chopped tarragon leaves, simmer for 2 minutes and then add the cream, reheating without boiling. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Carve the chicken, serve with the sauce spooned over and with Garlic Green Beans, Concetta’s potatoes or Roast potatoes (Click here for recipes).

Almond Amandines

These make such a tasty treat. They are quite sweet so you only need a small square although the problem is that they’re rather moreish! The recipe, from Claudia Roden’s ‘Med: A Cookbook’ is super simple. The recipe calls for a shallow baking tin around 30 x 30cm, I didn’t have a tin but used a pyrex square dish and they came out fine!

6 eggs

400g caster sugar

500g ground almonds

200ml whole milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

5 drops almond extract

100g pine nuts

150ml apricot jam, to glaze

*You will need a baking tin about 30x30cm (or dish – see my note above), lined with baking parchment

1. Using a fork, lightly beat the eggs with the sugar then add the ground almonds, milk, vanilla and almond extracts and mix thoroughly. Pour into the prepared tin. Sprinkle the pine nuts on top and bake in a preheated oven, 160’c fan, for 1 hour or until the top is brown and the cake feels firm. If it is browning too early cover the tin with foil.
2. While the cake is still warm, melt the apricot jelly with 1-2 tablespoons of water and brush it over the top. Leave to cool.
3. To serve cut into small squares and lift out the amandines from the tin one by one.