GINGER NUTTY KEY LIME PIE

I love any citrusy based desserts. That sharp kick really packs a punch and works so well with all
different types of cakes and bakes. It's only natural then that every time I see a Key Lime pie it takes all my might not to jump over and stick my face in it! I'm no food historian so I don't know what's in a traditional Key Lime pie but I say who cares about the rules and just make what you enjoy to eat! That's why for me the best biscuit base to use on a Key Lime consists of crushed ginger nuts. Lime and ginger! A fabulous flavor combination.

MATTY'S HOMEMADE MINCE PIES

So you have made your homemade mincemeat  and it's been brewing away for a while so now, in the last few days before Christmas it's time to make those mince pies. Obviously if you haven't made your own mince meat you can use a ready made variety but for me, making your own pastry, filling it with your own mince meat and baking them so that your kitchen is filled with those incredible festive smells is what Christmas is all about! My recipe below will make 8 mince pies but you can scale the recipe up if you want to make a bigger batch.

MATTY'S MINCEMEAT IN A MINUTE

Mincemeat can be very dividing. A lot of people love it but I know a lot who can't stand the stuff. If there is anything that will ever convert people to the joys of mincemeat it will be this recipe! More fresh and fruity than the jarred varieties that are rushed out onto supermarket shelves at this time of year, it's another treat you can add to your Christmas repertoire. It takes literally minutes to whip up a batch which you can use on the same day or store in sterilized jars to really intensify the flavor before baking.

"NOT AS GOOD AS NANS" CHEESE AND ONION TART

My Nan is my number one food inspiration. She had some classic dishes in her repertoire from her "Pea Wack" to her coleslaw. It's this recipes that take me right back to when I was young, helping her out in the kitchen and then eating her fabulous creations. One of my favorites of her's was her cheese and onion tart which I've tried to recreate it in her honor. Its obviously not as good as hers but the nostalgia it conjures up is worth making it for alone! If you love a good quiche, and you love the flavors of cheese and onion this is the perfect bake for you!

WIMBELDON "GRASSHOPPER" PIE

Nigella Lawson's Grassshopper pie is one of my most favorite things to make. That creamy, minty and most importantly boozy filling on a chocolate biscuit base is a dessert that is so easy to make and delicious in these warm summer evenings. With Wimbledon now in full swing I decided I to put my own spin on this classic dish by using a strawberry and cream liquor instead of the usual creme de menthe to create a pretty pink pie packed with those traditional Wimbledon flavors. Place it centre court on your dinner table and it's game, set and match.

LEFTOVER NUT ROAST PIE

 

So I've shared my perfect nut roast recipe earlier in the month and let me tell you something, it's well lush. However sometimes, try as you might you can't always eat wants in front of you especially if you have issues with portion control like I do. This recipe uses all your left over nut roast and the trimmings from your Sunday roast and transforms it into a fabulous next day meal. A delicious dinner and no waste. It's a win/win situation all round really!

VEGGIE "COTTSHEP" PIE

I was just going to call this a veggie shepherds pie but then I realised that as its meat free you could call it a cottage pie too. Either way you look at it, this winter classic of an array of vegetables simmered in a herby vegetable stock and covered with lashings of cheesy mash is the perfect comfort food meal now that the chilly evenings are drawing in. Best of all, finish it off with a flash grill to create those fantastic cheesy crispy bits of mash that you will all be fighting for come dinner time.

HALLOWEEN "PUMPKA-PIE"

I had quite a bit of pumpkin left over from making my pumpkin spice muffins so I thought whilst I'm enjoying my new found fondness for those orange boulders that I'd give the classic pumpkin pie a whirl. Using my favourite sweet pastry recipe and topping with a layer of delicious dark chocolate this is more suited to serving as a pudding at a Halloween themed dinner party (or after Thanksgiving dinner if your one of my American chums!). It's defiantly a more grown up treat that you can enjoy whilst the little ones enjoy their candy hauls.

RED HOT QUICHE

You know when you wake up sometimes and just go "oooh I really fancy that for tea tonight". Well
that's the feeling I got this morning and my craving was for a good homemade quiche. Sitting in my fridge was some cooking chorizo, roasted red peppers, red chili and cherry tomatoes. All beautifully glowing ruby ingredients that I thought would work amazingly together hence the birth of my "Red Hot Quiche". A spicy, smoky and sweet dish that was exactly what I wanted!

"3-3-2" PIE

Whats the name all about? Well it's quite simple. This delicious pie has 3 types of cheese, 3 types of mushrooms contained within two types of pastry. I maintain that a true pie should always have a pastry base and lid and I've covered my puff pastry lid with Parmesan whilst the filling is rich full of Cheddar and mozzarella which melts to go all beautifully gooey and stringy. Its such a comforting evening meal ideal for a rainy weekend when you just need something to warm your up from your head to your toes.

HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY'S "SNICKERS CHEESECAKE PIE" (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Ive never really been a fan of Snickers (or Marathons if your really old school). Not sure why, think there were more appetising chocolate treats out there. So i was surprised that when I saw this recipe for what is essentially a giant snickers pie by the Hummingbird Bakery that i was instantly enamoured. I had to try it. I wasn't sure i would like it but myself and everyone who tried it had nothing but "umms" and "aaahs" to say about it.

 Basically its a peanut butter cheesecake pie. But that really doesn't do it justice. Let me talk you through it:

MA'AM'S WIMBLEDON TART

Its Wimbledon time and that calls for one thing. Strawberries and cream! There are many recipes for S+C based cakes on line but when I had to think of something to make for a chocolate lovers birthday today I thought chocolate tart with strawberries on top! Perfect.

Wheres the cream you may ask? Well not only is the filling essentially just a beautifully rich and smooth chocolate and double cream ganache but a nice dribble (or lashing!) of single cream makes the perfect accomplishment.