INTRODUCING: THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF LIVE!

The Cake & Bake Show is thrilled to announce a perfect partnership with the nation’s favorite baking show. With the current series pulling in record ratings, over ten million for the episode dedicated to bread-making aired 19th August 2015, The Great British Bake Off, created and owned by Love Productions, has become a television phenomenon.

PUFFY PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS

When making my delightful egg custard tart this weekend I may of dropped a bit of a clanger by
making for too much filling for my pastry case. Not wanting to let leftovers go to waste, I decided to make Portuguese custard tarts which seem to of become more and more popular in the UK over recent years since being featured in magazines, books and on TV. These cinnamon flavored custard filled puff pastry tarts may not be as nostalgic in look and flavor as an egg custard tart but they do come a close second!

THERE'S NOWT LIKE AN EGG CUSTARD!

If you had to write a list of Great British baking classics, the egg custard will be up there on many peoples lists. Is there any better way to treat yourself on a dreary afternoon than popping into your local bakery and picking up a few egg custards to cheer yourself up? I know a lot of people in my family feel the same so I thought it was time to try and give this comfort food great the MattyB Bakes treatment. Pastry filled with egg custard and topped with nutmeg. Doesn't get much simpler but some times the simplest things in life are the best!

TABBOULEH TIME

To round off a week of mezze based treats comes the jewel in the crown! This stunning tabbouleh looks gorgeous but you won't believe how super quick and simple it is to whip up. All you need is to soak some Bulgar wheat, prepare a zingy marinade and chop up a few herbs and veg, whiz it all together and you have a middle eastern masterpiece ready to plonk on your table for everyone to dive into. Throw over some glistening pomegranate seeds to finish for a burst of fruitiness and you have the perfect tabbouleh feast!

CLASSICS REVISITED: HOORAY FOR HOMEMADE HUMMUS

I said it last time and I'll say it again, I really should make homemade hummus more often. The amount you can make for the fraction of the cost is amazing! My previous homemade hummus was a simple roasted garlic affair that perfect for whipping up in big batches to tuck into at your leisure. This time around I'm making a balsamic and caramelized onion hummus which you can top with herbs and spices and present as a sharing dish at a dinner or party alongside some of my fabulous garlictastic focaccia. A stunning centerpiece for any spread. 

BOOZY BLACK FOREST BROWNIE CAKE

After the Black Forrest Gateaux was featured on cake week of the Great British Bake Off 2015 my social media feeds exploded with people having a go at making their own version and posting their efforts online. Well, I wanted a piece of the action but wanted to come up with something slightly different and so my boozy black forest brownie cake was born. Essentially it's a brownie but dotted throughout are some gorgeous Kirsch soaked cherries that give this cake a very adult edge. It's gooey, rich and chocolaty. Whats not to love!

CLASSICS REVISTED: FABULOUS FOCACCIA / GARLICTASTIC BREAD

With bread week of the Great British Bake Off 2015 a few day away I thought it was time to test out my own bread baking skills but with a twist. With lots of dips being made in my kitchen recently a nice dippy bread was the order of the day and in homage to the demise of Glee on UK TV this week a mash up of my fabulous focaccia and Jon's Garlictastic bread seems most appropriate with this garlic and rosemary brushed focaccia. The best of both worlds, this lully loaf can be cut into gorgeous little strips perfect for a bit of dunking action.

QUICKIDY QUICK AUBERGINE DIP

To round off a trio of quickidy quick dips from this weekends mezzeathon here is my take on the classic Baba Ghanoush. A Middle eastern classic made from roasted aubergine (eggplant for my American chums!) blitzed with lemon juice, tahini, tomato paste, garlic and spices and topped with a handful of my new best friend the pomegranate seed. The only real work involved is roasting the aubergines but once that is done it's just a case of whizzing everything in a food processor and your done. Quick, simple and delicious!

QUICKIDY QUICK RED PEPPER DIP

It all went a bit mezze mad at MattyB Bakes this weekend what with my tzatziki and now this gorgeous red pepper dip. It is essentially blitzed roasted peppers, walnuts and breadcrumbs flavored with pomegranate molasses to give it a delicious sweet edge over the garlic and smoky spices. Finish off with a smattering of fresh parsley leaves and a couple of pomegranate seeds for a real fruity burst of flavor. You are going to fall in love with this delicious treat the second you take your first bite. I can you for sure that I certainly did!

QUICKIDY QUICK TZATZIKI DIP

Tzatziki is another one of those things that I really thought I didn't like, mainly because I'm not a fan of cucumbers. However when I made this Greek dip from scratch at home I was once again won over by an old adversary, it was delicious! I think the key is to remove some moisture from the cucumber before mixing it with the yoghurt, lemon, garlic, herbs and spices so that they have a bit of crunch and add texture to the tzatziki and preventing a sloppy mess. It certainly helped in making the only Tzatziki I've ever enjoyed!

CLASSICS REVISITED(ISH): BUTTER (NO) CHICKEN CURRY

One of the most popular dishes on my blog is my veggie and healthy "no butter, no chicken curry", a twist on the old curry house favourite. It's a fabulous recipe but it was most defiantly ripe for those who aren't too fussed about watching the calories and really want to spoil themselves to a delicious and unctuous classic. It's still veggie friendly but this time I'm including the butter and cream as well as adding some additional little flourishes to really lift this dish up to the next level. It's full of sin's but we all need to be a bit naughty now and then!

TIRAMISU TIME!

I'll be honest, I've never really been a fan of Tiramisu. I often found them to be soggy messes that are all mushy and nasty in your mouth. They are one of Jon's favourites though so I thought I bite the bullet and have a go at making my own and I have to say I have been converted. My version is like a delicious and moist tiered sponge cake with those beautiful booze and coffee soaked fingers layered with delicious marscapone and grated chocolate. Its the first time I've ever enjoyed a tiramisu so I think I must of done something right!

BOOZY BISCOTTI

It felt like a just the time for baking biscuits this weekend. It had been a while since I'd made some , crunchy sweet biscuit treats and even longer since I'd made some twice baked biscotti over two years ago when I gave them out as gifts at Christmas. With that in mind I took an old classic recipe and jazzed it up in the best way I could think of; by adding alcohol to the mix. These flaked toasted almond, amaretto and raisin biscotti are super crunchy and ideal for dunking into your tea on a wet Sunday afternoon.
nibbly

INSTANT COFFEE CAKE

When things are a bit hectic in your life but you still want to do something nice for friends, family or for the fantastic nursing staff at the Royal Liverpool hospital who have been looking after your poorly loved one, my instant coffee cake is the perfect recipe for you. Instant in that being an all in one recipe you can bung everything in a bowl, beat and bake and have a fantastic cake all ready in under 1 hour. Add a bit more time to make an instant coffee marscapone topping and you have a yummy treat for any girl on the go!