A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Sunday 10 November 2013

Bakewell Tart


I thought I'd better make amends for my rustic, rock-hard soda bread, so I've just taken a Bakewell tart from the oven which I'm actually quite pleased with. I don't like puddings which are too sweet, and this one fits the bill nicely. The shortcrust pastry is light, thin and buttery, and the tart has a lovely, fresh, almondy taste, with crunchy flaked almonds on top and a base layer of raspberry jam. In the jug there's some crème fraîche. All perfect for Sunday tea with a pot of Earl Grey.

The recipe I followed is Mary Berry's, and you can find it here. I can't resist namedropping shamelessly by saying that I've met Mary Berry and several other famous chefs, including the Roux Brothers and Antonio Carluccio. This was because I used to work for the publishers who produced some of their cookbooks. I'll never forget eating at Carluccio's flagship London restaurant (of course, there's a whole chain of these now). The benign and generous-hearted Antonio came to our table and gave us all a lesson in the finer points of olive oil appreciation. He convinced us that a fine olive oil dripped onto ciabatta bread was food heaven.

4 comments:

Dominic Rivron said...

It looks almost good enough for me to pop round for a bit - although I don't THINK I'd go quite that far for a bit of cake... I went to Bakewell not that many years ago. If I remember right there are two different versions and there is controversy (and rivalry) there as to which recipe is indeed the real Bakewell tart.

The Solitary Walker said...

Dominic — it would be lovely to see you, as always, but I think by the time you'd arrived... the tart would be gone!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Makes my Sunday tea (whhich I am just about to get ready) look a bit feeble. Must not let the farmer see this.
Incidentally I think Dominic will find that the real Bakewell tart is in fact called Bakewell pudding and is really quite different although just as delicious.

The Solitary Walker said...

I am sure you are incapable of making a feeble Sunday tea, Pat, from what I've read of your recipes!