Walnut And Roquefort Cake Recipes

WALNUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160 C, 325 F. Grease and lightly flour two 8 inch or 20 cm loose bottomed round cake tins. I always like to place a disc of parchment in the base of each tin so the cake comes out very easily.
• Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Chop the walnuts. Make sure the pieces are NO LARGER than pea size. Any bigger and they will sink to the bottom during baking.
• Lightly beat eggs and add vanilla in a bowl. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
• Add egg mixture, a little at a time to the batter. Then add half the flour, then milk, then the rest of flour. Add the walnuts and make sure they are well combined and distributed.
• Transfer the cake batter mixture equally in to the 2 baking tins and bake 30 - 35 mins or until skewer comes out clean. If using a loaf pan, keep the same temperature, and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hr 10 minutes. Again, check for doneness.
• Allow the cakes to rest for 2 minutes then remove from pans and place UPSIDE DOWN on a cooling rack. Allow to COMPLETELY cool before frosting.
• *** Please note, bake times will vary slightly so please check for done - ness after 25 - 30 minutes of baking.
• Add the softened butter (it MUST be softened) vanilla and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and start by using a wooden spoon to combine. If you start with an electric mixer the powdered sugar will fly everywhere!! Once combined, use a mixer and beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until you see an almost white colour and the mixture is fluffy. At this point, taste the buttercream for sweetness. If you want more, just add some more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time until it is to your liking.
• When the cakes have COMPLETELY cooled, place the first cake on the plate, then take some frosting and spread evenly over the top. Then add the second cake on top and continue to frost all over the cake, or how you like. You can simply spread the frosting or use a piping bag if you would like a pretty pattern. You choose!
• Make up a cup of tea and enjoy!

ONION, WALNUT AND ROQUEFORT TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• On a floured, cold surface, roll out the pie dough to a 14-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and unroll onto the tart pan (use an 11" pan with a removable bottom).
• Gently mold the dough around the edges to completely line the pan. Roll the rolling pin over the edges of the pan to cut off the excess dough. Patch any spots with the extra dough and then freeze any remaining for later use. Chill the molded pie shell for about 20 minutes before baking or freeze, well wrapped until ready to use.
• When ready to bake, score the bottom of the tart shell with fork marks to prevent the dough from bubbling. "Blind bake" the tart shell by covering it fully with a sheet of parchment paper and filling the tart with rice or dried beans, making sure to completely fill in the shape of the shell with the beans. This weighted process will allow the crust to bake without shrinking or losing its shape.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until shape has set and the dough is lightly colored.
• Remove the beans and parchment and store for later use.
• Return the tart shell to the oven and bake another 10 minutes until it is golden brown.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and oil in a heavy based sauté pan. Add the onions and cook gently over medium heat, until the onions are caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Once caramelized add the sherry and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the onions are dry.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove to a plate and chill in the refrigerator. The onions can be made two or three days ahead.
• Toast the walnuts in the oven until lightly colored, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the nuts and then place in a colander or large holed strainer and shake until most of the bitter skins or "dust" is removed. Set aside until ready to use. The nuts can also be prepared ahead and kept well covered.
• To make the custard, simply whisk together the yolks and the heavy cream until mixed and season with salt, pepper and cayenne.
• To assemble, cover the bottom of the tart shell with an even distribution of the caramelized onions.
• Repeat again with the walnuts and then the Roquefort.
• Cover with the custard and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until just golden. Remove from the oven and allow to set before serving.

ROQUEFORT & WALNUT ROLLS

Steps:

• Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse to chop finely; leave to one side. Put the flours, 10g salt, yeast, butter and 300ml water in a bowl, stir together and begin massaging the ingredients for a minute. If the mixture seems dry, add more water a tbsp at a time to make a soft but not sticky dough, then knead in the bowl for a further couple of minutes to bring the dough together.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead well for 10 mins before returning to the bowl. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr. Briefly knead the walnuts into the dough, then leave to rise in the bowl for a further 20 mins.
• Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a rectangle, approx 50 x 20cm, 1cm thick. Sprinkle the Roquefort evenly over the dough and lightly press in. Place the rectangle width-ways in front of you and roll up the rectangle like a Swiss roll. Cut into 8 equal sized pieces and place them onto a lightly greased baking tray, cut-side down. Cover with cling film and leave to rise for 1 hr.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Brush each round of dough with the beaten egg and bake for 20 mins. Leave to cool for a few minutes and eat while still warm. These are delicious on their own or served with a soup or a chunky salad with apple in it.

ROQUEFORT, LEEK AND WALNUT TART

Steps:

• Blend together flour, baking powder and half the salt in a bowl or a food processor. Beat egg yolk with 5 tablespoons cold water. Stir in olive oil. Pour this mixture over the flour mixture and beat with a fork if using a bowl, or pulse about a dozen times in the processor, until dough starts to come together. Add another teaspoon or two of water if mixture is too dry.
• Gather dough together and knead briefly on a lightly floured surface to form into a ball. Roll and trim to make an oblong 9 by 13 inches or a 12-inch round. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Fold up a half-inch border all around either shape. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Spread bacon in a heavy skillet and cook until very lightly browned. Stir in leeks and remaining salt and cook until softened and translucent. Stir in walnuts, sauté about 30 seconds, and remove from heat. Mash Roquefort and work in crème fraîche. Spread on pastry. Scatter leek, bacon and walnut mixture evenly on top. Bake 20 minutes, allow to cool briefly, cut in squares or wedges and serve.