Month: March 2020

320g all purpose flour
50g plus 1 tbs granulated sugar, divided
1 packet rapid rise yeast
180ml wheat beer
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 large egg yolk (room temperature)
60ml cup heavy cream (at least 35% fat content, room temperature)
1 tsp salt
45g softened butter
100g chocolate, chopped
Powdered sugar, optional

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook add the flour, 50g granulated sugar and yeast.

Add the beer to a microwave safe bowl, microwave on high for 20 seconds, test temperate and repeat until beer reaches between 50C-55C – see note. Add the beer to the stand mixer, mix until most of the flour has been moistened.

Add the vanilla then the yolks, one at a time. Add the cream and salt.

Building up speed, beat on high until the dough comes together and gathers around the blade. The dough will be very soft.

Add dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Add dough to a lightly floured surface, roll into an 18 x 24 inch rectangle.

In a small bowl stir together the softened butter and the remaining 1 tablespoons sugar. Spread the butter/sugar mix evenly on the dough.

Cut the dough into strips about 3 inches wide. Cut each of the strips into 4 to 5 rectangles, each should be about the size of a deck of cards. You should have between 12 and 15 pieces. Sprinkle the pieces with the chopped chocolate, then stack up each one on top of another in a tower. Lay the stack into a loaf pan, like placing books on a shelf.

If making the loaf the night before, cover and allow to rise in the fridge for 12 hours. Reheat the oven to 350F/175C, allow the loaf to come to room temperate while the oven is pre-heating. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

If making the day of, preheat oven to 350F/175C, allow to sit at room temperate until doubled in size, about 20 minutes .Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from loaf pan, sprinkle with powdered sugar prior to serving.

A note about yest and temperature:

55C–60C – Yeast cells die (thermal death point).

50C–55C – Water temperature for activating yeast designed to be mixed with the dry ingredients in a recipe.

40C–45C – Temperature of water for dry yeast reconstituted with water and sugar.

38C or lower – When yeast is mixed with water at too low a temperature, an amino acid called glutathione leaks from the cell walls, making doughs sticky and hard to handle.

27C–32C – Optimum temperature range for yeast to grow and reproduce at dough fermentation stage.

For the pastry:
500g strong white bread flour, plus extra to dust
120g lard or white shortening
125g butter
1 tsp salt
175 ml cold water

For the filling:
400g good quality beef skirt, cut into cubes
300g potato, peeled and diced
150g swede, peeled and diced
150g onion, peeled and sliced
Clotted cream or butter

Also:
1 egg, beaten with a little milk

Add the salt to the flour in a large mixing bowl.

Rub the two types of fat lightly into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Add water, bring the mixture together and knead until the pastry becomes elastic. This will take longer than normal pastry but it gives the pastry the strength that is needed to hold the filling and retain a good shape. This can also be done in a food mixer.

Cover with cling film and leave to rest for 3 hours in the fridge. This is a very important stage as it is almost impossible to roll and shape the pastry when fresh.

Roll out the pastry and cut into circles approx. 20cm diameter. A side plate is an ideal size to use as a guide.

Layer the vegetables and meat on top of the pastry, adding plenty of seasoning.

Bring the pastry around and crimp the edges together.

Glaze with egg and milk mixture.

Bake at 165 degrees C (fan oven) for about 50 – 55 minutes until golden.

2 cups sugar
2 cups kosher salt
12 whole black peppercorns, crushed
1 tsp crushed dried jalapeño powder or other hot chile powder
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup citrus-flavored vodka, such as Absolut Mandarin or Citron
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 2-inch piece ginger root, minced (2 tbsp)
16 large mint leaves
1 pound / 500g center-cut beef tenderloin roast

Have ready a loaf pan in which the tenderloin will fit snugly; the meat must be buried in the sugar-salt mixture to cure properly. Line the pan with plastic wrap, allowing for enough wrap to hang over all sides of the pan.

Combine the sugar, salt, peppercorns and chili powder in a medium bowl; mix well. Add the orange juice, vodka, oil, soy sauce, ginger and mint leaves; mix well. Pour into the lined loaf pan.

Place the beef tenderloin in the loaf pan. Turn it over several times, rubbing the curing mixture all over the meat. Close the plastic wrap tightly over the top, then use a heavy can or clean brick to weight the meat. Refrigerate for 10 hours.

Remove the beef from the pan, brushing off the curing mixture. Use paper towels to pat the meat dry. Use fresh plastic wrap to tightly wrap the meat, then place it in the freezer for 30 to 40 minutes or until it is partially frozen. That will make the meat easier to slice. Discard the sugar-salt mixture.

About 30 minutes before you are ready to serve, cut the meat crosswise into very thin slices, using a mandoline if possible. Arrange the slices on a platter and let stand for 20 minutes or until the beef is at approximately room temperature.

Notes: The beef needs 6 to 8 hours’ curing time. It should be served within 1 day after the curing is complete.