Cooking with Paula McIntyre

Pear and plum pudding with cinnamon dumplings

4 pears 4 plums 75g butter 75g soft brown sugar

Peel, quarter and core the pears. Cut the plums in half, remove the stone and cut in half. Heat the butter and sugar in a large frying pan and when the mixture becomes smooth add the pears. Stir around for a couple of minutes then cover with parchment paper and have the pan on medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes or until pears start to soften then add the plums. Cook for 5 minutes and then cool. Place in a buttered...

Pumpkin chowder with pumpkin soda farls

Pumpkin Chowder with butterbeans

400g culinary pumpkin ( Crown Prince or onion squash work well) peeled, seeds removed and cut into 1cm dice 100g streaky bacon, chopped 25g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 200g leeks, split washed and chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 750ml chicken stock 1 x 400g tin of butterbeans

Cook the bacon in a dry saucepan until crisp and golden. Remove from pan and add the butter to the pan. Add the onions, garlic and leeks and cook gently until soft. Add the smoked paprika...

375g dried fruit ( I use a mixture of raisins, sultanas, figs, and cranberries) 50g soft brown sugar 150ml hot strong tea 1 large egg 225g self raising flour 25ml buttermilk

Add the sugar to the hot tea and allow to sit for 5 minutes.   Place fruit in a bowl and add the tea. Cover and leave overnight to soak. Line a loaf tin with parchment paper and set oven to 170oc. Whisk the egg and mix into the fruit mixture. Sift in the flour and mix well. Add the buttermilk and mix well. Spoon into the tin and bake f...

Pork tomahawk with hot cabbage, apples and sage, mustard dressing

2 pork tomahawk steaks, about 250g in weight

1 sweetheart cabbage

1 red eating apple, quartered cored and sliced

2 medium onions, peeled and sliced

12 sage leaves

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

75ml olive oil or good local rapeseed oil

20ml cider vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Season the pork with salt and place fat side down in a pan over medium heat. Cook to render the fat until golden – ab...

Recipe

Plum compote

4 plums, halved, stoned and chopped

25g castor sugar

1 tablespoon honey

Place the plums, sugar and honey in a pan and cook until thick and jammy. Cool.

Frangipane

60g soft butter

60g castor sugar

1 egg

50g ground almonds

15g plain flour

Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Whisk in the almonds and flour.

4 thick slices barmbrack

4 dessertspoons damson or plum...

Recipe

500g carrots, scrubbed well and cut in half lengthwise, ends trimmed 4 tablespoons good local rapeseed oil or cooking oil 2 medium onions, finely sliced 25g chopped root ginger 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock 1 red chilli, finely sliced 4 small shallots, peeled and finely sliced 50g pumpkin seeds coarsely chopped

Set oven to 190oc. Take a large sheet of parchment paper and place carrots on one side. Drizzle over a tablespoon of the oil and season with salt. Fold over the paper and twist the edges to seal in the carrots. Bake in the...

Pear and blueberry buckle 2 pears 50g castor sugar 1 tablespoon honey 150g frozen blueberries Peel, core and dice the pears and cook with the sugar and honey until soft. Add the blueberries. Cool. Cake batter

60g soft butter 150g castor sugar 1 egg 125ml buttermilk 250g plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder

Butter and line a 23cm cake tin with parchment paper and set the oven to 180oc. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Mix in the egg. Mix the flour and baking powder and add half of this mixture to the butter mixture with...

Breton Chicken

8 chicken thighs, skin on bones removed ( see below for chicken stock recipe) 1 tablespoon oil 25g butter 1large leek, split, washed and chopped 200ml dry local cider 1 bay leaf 200ml chicken stock 75ml double cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Handful chopped parsley

Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Season the chicken with salt and add skin side down in the pan and cook until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip over and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side. Remove from pan and set aside. Add the butter to...

500g shin of beef 2 tablespoons oil 2 large carrots peeled and roughly chopped 1 onion, roughly chopped 2 sticks celery chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon tomato puree 750ml beef stock 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons balsamic 350g pasta - I used pacheri 75g grated parmesan or hard cheese

Heat a tablespoon of the oil in a casserole until smoking hot. Season the beef with salt and sear on both sides for a couple of minutes. Remove from pan and add the onion, celery and carrots and the remaining tablespoon of oil. Cook for 5 minutes to colour then add the tomato puree...

Paula shows John how to make chocolate peppermint traybakes.

Coconut cheesecake cream

250g cream cheese 250g mascarpone 50g castor sugar 250ml double cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 50g desiccated coconut 25g icing sugar

Take 125g of the cream and add the vanilla and sugar. Bring to a simmer until sugar has dissolve and add the coconut. Turn off the heat and cool for 30 minutes. Whisk the cream cheese, mascarpone, remaining cream together and add the coconut cream mixture and icing sugar. Orange Crumble 100g plain flour 80g soft butter 100g castor sugar Zest 1 orange. Rub the flour and butter to coarse crumb texture. Add the...

1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry 60g soft butter 60g castor sugar 1 egg 50g ground almonds 15g plain flour 15g cocoa powder 1 egg yolk 10g melted butter 1 tablespoon Demerara sugar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 175g cherries, stone removed

Place the pastry on a lightly greased baking tray. Beat the castor sugar and butter until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Mix in the almonds, cocoa and flour to a smooth paste. Score a border of 1cm thick around the pastry, prick the middle with a fork and brush all over with the egg yolk. Spread the...

Spiced Courgette fritters with yoghurt dressing

125g mashed potatoes 250g coarsely grated courgettes ½ teaspoon salt 4 scallions, finely chopped 45g rice flour 1 teaspoon garam masala ½ teaspoon cumin seeds ½ teaspoon nigella seeds Oil for shallow frying

Mix the courgettes with the salt and leave for 10 minutes. Squeeze through a sieve to get rid of as much water as possible and place in a bowl with the potatoes, scallions, rice flour, and spices. Mix well. Form into small golf ball size pieces – roll and then flatten. Heat a quarter of thumb nail depth of oil in a frying pan a...

Braised local beans with parma ham and spaghetti

1 stick celery, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 25g butter 4 slices parma ham, shredded 1 tablespoon tomato puree 250g mixed beans ( runner beans and green beans) topped tail and cut into 2cm pieces 250g local tomatoes cut the same size or whole if cherry tomatoes 250ml stock 300g dried spaghetti 75g hard cheese like parmesan/ Cais na Tire/ pecorino Handful fresh basil, parsley or lovage, chopped 1 tablespoon of good olive oil

Cook the onion, garlic and celery in the butter in a pan over low heat – ke...

Recipe

Florentines 50g butter 50g soft brown sugar 50g golden syrup 50g plain flour 100g chopped mixed nuts ( pistachio, hazelnuts, almonds) 75g mixed dried fruit ( apricot, cranberry, raisins etc) Set oven to 180oc and line 2 trays with parchment paper. Melt the butter, sugar and syrup in a pan. Remove from heat and beat in the flour to a smooth paste. Mix in the buts and fruit. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and place on the baking tray and flatten slightly. Repeat with remaining mixture, leaving space in between as they spread when cooking. Bake for about 10...

Recipe

Scones 225g soda bread flour ½ teaspoon baking powder 50g butter 35g castor sugar 1 egg 125ml buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg yolk

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the butter and rub until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. ( For best results chill at this stage for an hour) Add the sugar and mix well. Set oven to 190°C and lightly butter 2 baking trays.

Whisk the egg, buttermilk and vanilla together and add to the flour mixture Mix to a soft dough and place on a floured surface. Knead gently. Ro...

Recipe

Southern Fried Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs 150ml buttermilk 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme 1 clove garlic, crushed 150g plain flour Half a teaspoon mustard powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder Half a teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprka Half a teaspoon of salt Oil for cooking

Mix the buttermilk with the minced garlic and thyme. Add the chicken and marinate in the fridge for a few hours Mix the flour with the mustard, onion, garlic powders, pepper, salt and paprika. Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture...

Recipe

4 mackerel filleted, pin bones removed and trimmed ( ask your fishmonger) Oil for brushing Seasalt for seasoning

Heat your barbecue or a hot pan ( if you’re worried the pan might stick, line the bottom with parchment paper). Brush the skin with oil and season with salt. Place skin side down and cook for about 3 minutes or until skin is crisp. Season the flesh with salt and flip over. Cook for another minute and rest. Elderflower Yoghurt

200ml Greek Style yoghurt 1 teaspoon black onion seeds 1 teaspoon hot honey 1 dessertspoon elderflowers chopped ½ teaspoon seasalt

Recipe

Salsa verde Handful basil Handful parsley Handful mint leaves 2 cornichon chopped 4 capers 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white balsamic or lemon juice 75ml olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Blend together

500g lamb leg steaks Oil for rubbing Seasalt 500g baby potatoes, boiled, cooled and cut in half 8 scallions, split in half lengthwise 75g feta cheese

Rub the lamb leg steaks with oil and season with seasalt. Place on grill and cook for 3 minutes each side. Allow to rest. Toss the potatoes in a tablespoon of oil and place on...

Recipe

Salsa verde:

Handful basil Handful parsley Handful mint leaves 2 cornichon chopped 4 capers 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white balsamic or lemon juice 75ml olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Blend together

500g lamb leg steaks Oil for rubbing Seasalt 500g baby potatoes, boiled, cooled and cut in half 8 scallions, split in half lengthwise 75g feta cheese

Rub the lamb leg steaks with oil and season with seasalt. Place on grill and cook for 3 minutes each side. Allow to rest. Toss the potatoes in a tablespoon of oil and...

Recipe

Custard Cream 225 ml milk 2 egg yolks 75 g caster sugar 10 g plain flour, sieved 10g cornflour 250ml double cream Simmer the milk. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornflour and flour and then pour over milk. Whisk well and return to pan over low heat. Stir constantly until custard is thick. Pour into a bowl and cover surface with cling, cool and chill. Whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold in the custard.

Poached rhubarb 4 thin sticks rhubarb, cut into 2cm pieces 75g castor sugar 150ml water

Place the sugar and water in...

Recipe

Peanut butter cake 100g soft butter 50g smooth peanut butter 100g soft brown sugar 2 eggs 75ml natural yoghurt 100g self raising flour

Line a 25 x 20 cm tin with parchment paper and set oven to 180oc. Mix the butter, peanut butter and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and whisk well. Whisk in the yoghurt and flour to a smooth batter and spoon into the tin. Bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted skewer. Allow to cool. Turn out onto a tray and remove...

Recipe

Sobrasada buttered tomatoes 75g sobrassada 25g butter 1 red onion finely chopped 200g halved cherry tomatoes Handful parsley chopped 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the sobrasada in a pan until it melts and add the butter and onions. Cook until the onions are soft and add the tomatoes. Cook for a minute then add the parsley and vinegar. Check seasoning. Grilled corn 2 ears corn Oil for brushing

Boil the corn in salted water for 2 minutes then drain and pat dry. Brush with oil and cook on the grill to...

Jerk spiced pork with grilled pineapple salsa

750g pork belly slices 2 cloves garlic 1 onion, chopped 25g root ginger, chopped 1 green chilli 1 teaspoon all spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf shredded 2 teaspoons thyme leaves 65g dark brown sugar Zest and juice 1 lime

Blend the garlic, onion, ginger, chilli, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, bay and thyme to a smooth paste. Mix in the sugar and lime and then rub in all over the pork. Marinate for a few hours. Rub off the marinade and place the pork on a g...

Recipe

Meringues 3 egg whites 175g castor sugar 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon cornflour

Set the oven to 120oc and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl to stiff peaks. Slowly add the sugar, whisking all the time. Whisk in the vinegar and cornflour. Spoon into a piping bag preferably with a star nozzle. Pipe onto the baking tray. Cook in the oven for about an hour or until firm to touch and allow the meringues to cool in the oven when you turn it off. <...

Recipe:

3 egg yolks 160g castor sugar 190g soft butter 250g plain flour 1 heaped teaspoon baking powder

Beat the butter with half the sugar until pale and fluffy. Whisk the egg yolks and remaining sugar for a minute. Mix the egg yolk mixture, flour and baking powder into the butter mixture to a smooth dough. Line 2 x 8 inch cake tins with parchment paper or 6 individual tins or ring moulds. Divide the dough in 2 and roll each one into a ball. Place on parchment paper and place another sheet on top. Roll out to a circle to...

Grilled picanha steak, hash browns, café de Paris butter

4 x 175g picanha steaks Salt Remove steaks from fridge half an hour before cooking and season with seasalt. If cooking in a pan – place steaks fat side up over medium heat and cook until fat is rendered and golden. Flip and cook to your liking. Allow to rest. Keep the fat for the hash browns.

Café de Paris butter 250g soft butter 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon oil 1 shallot,finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon curry powder 2 anchovies, chopped 1 teaspoon capers 1 tablespoon ketchup 1 teaspoon English mustard 35ml Bran...

Wild garlic mole 1 tablespoon oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced Handful wild garlic leaves, shredded Handful coriander chopped 75g purple sprouting broccoli 2 green chillis, deseeded and chopped 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds Zest and juice 1 lime 50ml olive oil

Shred the broccoli and cook in boiling salted water for a minute. Drain and cool. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until soft and add the chillis. Cook for a minute. Place the mixture in a jug and blend with the wild garlic, coriander, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, lime juice and zest and oil. Check seasoning.

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Teasmoked brined chicken

8 boneless chicken thighs 500ml water 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 cloves garlic, smashed Few sprigs rosemary or thyme 20g seasalt 50g brown sugar 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Simmer the water with the mustard, garlic, herb, salt, sugar and vinegar until the sugar has dissolved. Cool completely and add the chicken. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Remove from brine and pat dry

50g longgrain rice 25g Demerara sugar 1 dessertspoon tealeaves

Line a roasting tray with foil and scatter over the rice, sugar and tea. Mix well. Place a rack on...

Recipe

Lemon shortcake 200g soft butter 150g castor sugar 2 egg yolks 150g plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 50g ground almonds Zest of 2 lemons 4 tablespoons lemon curd

Beat the sugar and butter until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, flour, baking powder, almonds and lemon zest ( keep the lemon juice for the syllabub) Wrap in cling and chill for an hour.

Set oven to 180oc. Line a baking tin with parchment paper. Coarsely grate half the mixture into the tin and press around evenly. Spread over the curd. Top with the remaining...

Recipe

Grilled leg of lamb with wild garlic and almond pesto

4 x 175g lamb leg steaks 1teaspoon fennel seeds ¼ teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon castor sugar 1 teaspoon seasalt 1 tablespoon oil

Grind the fennel seeds as finely as possible and mix in with the oregano, sugar and oil. Rub all over the lamb and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Remove from fridge half an hour before cooking. Wild garlic and almond pesto 35g wild garlic leaves, washed in cold water, patted dry in kitchen paper and shredded 35g flaked toasted almonds 75ml olive oil Z...

Recipe

Biscuit base 200g chocolate oaty biscuits, crushed 65g melted butter

Mix together and press into a pie tin up the sides a bit and chill.

100g chopped dates 50ml PX sherry

Mix, cover and leave overnight.

150g chopped dark chocolate 150g chopped milk chocolate 150ml double cream 25ml banoffee toffee 25g butter

Place the chocolates in a heat proof bowl. Heat the cream, butter and toffee in a pan until bubbling, pour over the chocolate and stir until melted. Add the dates and mix well. Pour...

Recipe

Coconut Rice Pudding

100g pudding rice 450ml coconut milk – 1 tin 150ml whipping cream 25g honey 25g castor sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Rinse the rice pudding for a minute in a sieve under cold running water. Place the pudding rice in a pan with the coconut milk, cream, honey, sugar and vanilla and gently simmer for about half an hour or until rice is cooked through.

Poached and caramelized pineapple 1 pineapple 350ml pineapple juice 25g brown sugar

Peel the pineapple and remove the “eyes”. Quarter, remove the core and cut th...

Recipe

Lemon Crunch Pie with blueberries

Base 200g oaty or digestive biscuits 75g butter

Crush the biscuits to a fine crumb either in a food processor or place in a bag and bash with a rolling pin. Melt the butter and mix with the crumbs. Line a 20cm springform cake tin or 6 individual tins, with parchment paper. Press the biscuit mixture into the tin and press down. Chill in the fridge.

Filling Zest and juice 2 lemons 150ml condensed milk 300 ml double cream, whipped

Fold the condensed milk, lime zest...

Shepherd Pie Jackets with fennel and feta salad Shepherd Pie Jackets 4 large baker potatoes, scrubbed 250g lamb mince 1 tablespoon oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic 1 stick celery, finely chopped 1 small tin chopped tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato puree 250ml beef stock 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 50ml milk 125g finely grated cheddar

Bake the potatoes in a 180oc oven for about 45 minutes or until cooked through. Heat a pan until smoking hot and add the lamb mince. Cook until sealed off well. Drain off the fat and add the onion, garlic and celery to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes...

Pastry 225g plain flour 100g chopped cold butter Pinch salt 1 egg Rub the flour and butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Mix in the salt. Mix in the egg to dough, wrap in cling and chill.

Filling 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs Oil for brushing 25g butter 1 large leek, split, washed and chopped 25g plain flour 150ml chicken stock 1 tablespoon cream 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Brush the chicken with oil and cook on a hot grill pan for about 4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Allow to rest. Heat the butter in a pan and...

Buttermilk breadrolls 450g bread flour 7g dried yeast 190ml buttermilk 60ml local rapeseed oil 1 heaped tablespoon castor sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking powder Egg yolk for brushing Stir yeast and 35ml of lukewarm water in a large bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Warm the buttermilk to blood temperature gently and add to the yeast mixture with the oil and sugar. Mix in the flour and baking powder to a soft dough and transfer to a floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes and place in a clean bowl rubbed with oil.

Cover with cling or a damp tea towel and leave...

Caramel pecan pancakes

3 large eggs

1 dessertspoon golden syrup

200ml buttermilk

300g plain flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

50ml bannoffee toffee

75g chopped pecans

Oil for cooking

Whisk the eggs, syrup and buttermilk in a bowl.

Sift in the flour and baking soda. Whisk to a thick batter.

Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Wipe a medium hot pan with oil and add a tablespoon of batter – don’t over crowd the pan. Drizzle some of the bannoffee toffee and add...

Rhubarb compote 100g castor sugar 250g rhubarb, chopped into 1cm pieces Zest and juice of 1 orange Splash of gin ( optional)

Cook the sugar and orange zest and juice until the sugar has dissolved over medium heat. Add the rhubarb, cover with parchment and simmer gently until just cooked – really only a couple of minutes.Turn off and cool.

Pastry 225g plain flour 100g butter 60g icing sugar 1 egg 1 egg yolk

Rub the flour, butter and sugar together until the mixture resembles fine crumbs ( do this in a food processor if you wish). Mix th...

Recipe

Pickled mustard seeds 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds 2 tablespoons cider vinegar Place the seeds in a small bowl and cover with vinegar. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for 2 days before using

4 x 175g boneless shoulder chops 1 tablespoon oil ½ teaspoon smoked seasalt ( or regular seasalt) 2 teaspoons maple syrup 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 15g butter 1 shallot, finely chopped 200ml chicken stock 2 teaspoons pickled mustard seeds 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Mix the oil with the salt, maple syrup and vinegar and rub all over the chops. Cover and chill overnight. Heat a l...