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

Friday 2 January 2009

With Christmas festivities behind us, the long winter months until Spring lie ahead. January brings with it hope of the new year to come and bobbing snowdrops. The best cure for winter blues is indulging in scrumptious treats! If you are like me and have some smoked salmon left over after Christmas, this is a perfect way to use it up

Leek and Smoked Salmon Tarts
Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 25 – 30 minutes

Makes 6 tarts

500g/17½oz shortcrust pastry
3 large leeks, cleaned and finely sliced
85g/3oz salted butter, plus extra for greasing
100g/3½oz smoked salmon, plus extra for decoration
300ml sour cream
3 egg yolks
1 ½ tbsp finely chopped chives
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to season
Crème fraiche, to serve

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/190C/375F and grease six 4inch tart tins. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to ½ cm thickness. Cut out six circles of dough and press one circle of pastry into each tin. Trim the edge of the pastry with a sharp knife. Line each pastry case with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans and bake blind for 12 – 15 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Cook the leeks in the butter over a gentle heat until they are soft. Season with salt and pepper and then set aside to cool slightly. Whisk together the sour cream, egg yolks, chives, lemon zest and juice. Divide the leeks and smoked salmon between the pastry cases and pour over the lemon and chive cream. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes until the cream has set. Serve warm or cold, topped with a little crème fraiche, a small piece of smoked salmon and chopped chives.

4 comments:

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Happy New Year Hannah

Marie Rayner said...

Delicious looking tarst Hannah and I just happen to have some smoked salmon lurking in the bottom of the fridge!!

David Hall said...

Happy New Year Hannah!

Hope you have been getting my messages. I've a new year reolution for you - read and comment on our Blogs!

Hope you had fun and all the best for 2009
Cheers
David x

Anonymous said...

What beautiful tartlets! Now all I need is some salmon, and I have my breakfast for Sunday morning. Thanks, Hannah!