Sweets For My Sweet
Our tempting Valentine’s Day treats are so easy to make.
1 First, make the sorbet. In a saucepan, bring 600 ml (1 pt) water and the sugar to the boil, then add the apples and simmer until they are cooked through and soft. Add the watercress, then remove from the heat and leave to rest for 1 minute. Place the mixture in a blender and blend until as smooth as possible, then strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and allow to cool in the fridge. Finally, pour the mixture into the bowl of an ice-cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a storage container, cover tightly and freeze for at least half an hour or until ready to serve.
2 To make the fondant mix, add the chocolate and butter to a heat-proof bowl and place over a pan of boiling water until melted. Remove from the heat then allow to cool for a few minutes before mixing in the flour, sugar and eggs. Allow to cool.
3 While the mix is cooling, use a pastry brush to coat the inside of two 8 cm (3¼ in) metal moulds with soft butter. Once coated evenly, add a tablespoon of cocoa to each and keep tipping the moulds round until the entire inside is coated with a fine layer. Tap out the excess. Split the mixture evenly between the moulds and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Skill level: medium Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 45 mins Serves: 2
85 g (3 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
85 g (3 oz) butter
50 g (1¾ oz) plain flour
85 g (3 oz) caster sugar
3 eggs
Extra soft butter for lining moulds
Cocoa powder for coating moulds
For the sorbet (makes 1 litre): 50 g (1¾ oz) caster sugar 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
170 g (6 oz) watercress
120 ml (4 fl oz) apple juice 4 tbs lemon juice
For the Honeycomb
(makes 1 tray):
200 g (7 oz) caster sugar
60 g (2¼ oz) golden syrup 200 ml (7 fl oz) glucose syrup 20 g (¾ oz) bicarbonate of soda
4 To make the honeycomb, line a deep 30 x 20 cm (12 x 8 in) tray with parchment paper. Add the sugar, golden syrup and glucose syrup to a large heavy-bottomed pan, then place over a medium-high heat and cook until it turns a golden-brown caramel colour (or 165°C on a sugar thermometer). With your lined tray ready, tip the bicarbonate of soda into the pan in one go and whisk in quickly. The mixture will bubble up so be careful at this point – it will also be very hot! Tip the mixture immediately into the lined tray, then give the tray a couple of taps to release any large air bubbles. Allow to cool and set. The honeycomb can be broken up and stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 5 To bake the fondants, pre-heat the oven to 190 deg. C.,
375 deg. F., Gas Mark 5. Put the chilled fondants on a baking tray and place in the centre of the oven and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a crust has formed on the top and the fondant has started to come away from the sides. Remove from the oven and rest for 1 minute before turning out on to a plate. Serve with a scoop of watercress sorbet and scattered pieces of honeycomb.
Dark Chocolate Fondant with Watercress Sorbet and Honeycomb