Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Tuesday, 14 August 2007



My new brownie pan has arrived from the lovely people at http://www.bakersedge.com/ and this weekend I tried it for the first time. The brownies came out of the pan so easily and were perfectly cooked. I adapted a recipe from the leaflet that came with the pan to make chocolate orange cheesecake brownies which were delicious! We ate them after a BBQ lunch with a glass of sweet dessert wine and then again in the evening with a cup of tea!
For the Brownie base
12 oz plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarb of soda
1/2 tsp salt
200g salted butter
10 oz orange dark chocolate - I used Cote D'or Orange Intense which is the chocolate bar equivalent of a jaffa cake (yummy!)
9oz caster sugar
3 large eggs
zest of 2 oranges
For the cheesecake layer
6oz cream cheese
75g salted butter
3oz caster sugar
3 egg yolks
1oz plain flour
2 tbsp marmalade
1 tbsp chopped preserved oranges (if you have any)
First make the base, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave for 1 minute and stir. Microwave for a further 20 seconds if necessary until all the chocolate lumps are gone. Leave to cool for a few minutes. Stir in the sugar, then the eggs one at a time, followed by the orange rind and the flour. Mix gently to ensure that all the flour is incorporated. Pour this mixture in to the based of your greased tin (if you don't have a brownie pan a small rectangular roasting pan will be fine).
For the topping, whisk together the cheese and butter until they are light and fluffy. Stir in the sugar and then add the yolk one at a time. Stir in the flour, marmalade and the preserved oranges. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the brownie base and swirl them together with a fork - you do not want the two layers to be completely mixed. Bake for approximately 40 - 50 minutes, gas mark 5, 190C, 375F
Serve with strawberries and cream!

4 comments:

Twelfthknit said...

I want one! Having a tantrum and stamping my feet - I think I'm just going to have to give in and order one from the States.
India

Robbiegirl said...

I so want to make brownies now... but my waistline wouldn't thank me for it!

They look really good.

Marie Rayner said...

Mmmm...those do look delicious! Not sure I'd like the pan though as I am a person that goes for the middle brownie every time. I much prefer the fudginess of the middle over the edges, although I'll happily eat both. Call me a glutton ...
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

wow!
delish!