Lydia Brownlow
Teacher of Cookery

Serves 8 for the pastry 225g plain flour 150g butter grated rind of 1lemon 1 egg, beaten for the lemon curd 2 lemons 200g caster sugar 3 eggs 250g unsalted butter, cubed or 1 jar of good quality lemon curd for the meringue 4 egg whites 125g caster sugar First make the pastry. Place the flour, butter, grated lemon rind in a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add the beaten egg and pulse until the pastry comes together in a ball. Roll out with a r

Makes 20 Nowadays I am being asked for more and more gluten free recipes. This following cookie recipe is very simple and I really do think that they 'take the biscuit!' 100g raisins 175g soft brown sugar 125g butter 1 egg 275g porridge oats 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp ground ginger Tip the raisins into a small heatproof bowl, pour over 50ml boiling water and set aside for 20min to plump up. Place the sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluff

Makes 12 These scummy cakes are flavoured and decorated with fruit juices rather than artificial flavourings and colourings. This gives them a delicate flavour and colour and makes them better for you. 175g butter, softened 175g caster sugar 3 free range or organic eggs 175g self raising flour 1 lemon, grated rind and juice 1-2tbsp milk For the icing, 300g icing sugar and 100g raspberries. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until pale and

Serves 8 for the pastry 225g plain flour 150g butter grated rind of 1lemon 1 egg, beaten for the lemon curd 2 lemons 200g caster sugar 3 eggs 250g unsalted butter, cubed or 1 jar of good quality lemon curd for the meringue 4 egg whites 125g caster sugar First make the pastry. Place the flour, butter, grated lemon rind in a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add the beaten egg and pulse until the pastry comes together in a ball. Roll out with a r

Serves 6 This ice cream is real child's play as there is no cooking. It has a wonderful flavour and a deliciously smooth texture. 200g plain chocolate 1 tin condensed milk 6tbsp water 1 tsp vanilla extract 600ml double cream Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl with the condensed milk. Set over a pan of barely simmering water and leave to melt and thicken for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, add the water and vanilla extract a

Serves 6 This ice cream is real child's play as there is no cooking. It has a wonderful flavour and a deliciously smooth texture. 200g plain chocolate 1 tin condensed milk 6tbsp water 1 tsp vanilla extract 600ml double cream Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a heatproof bowl with the condensed milk. Set over a pan of barely simmering water and leave to melt and thicken for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat,  add the water and vanilla extract a

FABULOUSLY FRUITY CHEESECAKE Serves 6-8 200g digestives, hobnobs or shortbread biscuits 100g butter 397g tin condensed milk 300g soft cream cheese 100ml double cream 2 lemons or 3 limes 400g of strawberries, grapes, raspberries or blueberries Place the biscuits in a plastic bag and crush to crumbs with a rolling pin, then pour the crushed crumbs into a bowl. Melt the butter in a small pan over a low heat. Then pour over the crumbs and stir until well combined. Spoon the butte

Makes 32 squares These gorgeous brownies make a perfect Father’s Day present. If they sound a bit fiddly or time is short, simply make one batch, dust well with icing sugar and serve with some berries. You will need to make two batches of the brownies, one with white and one with dark chocolate 100g white or dark chocolate 125g butter 175g soft brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence pinch of salt 90g plain flour Place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and p

Serves 6-8 This is just the beginning, you could also crumble over feta cheese or diced mozzarella before cooking, or drizzle over a little basil and parmesan oil over the tart, as it comes out of the oven! 400g tinned tomatoes 1 garlic clove tomato ketchup salt and ground black pepper 1 small aubergine 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, halved and deseeded 2 courgette 2 red onions, peeled and halved 1 sweet potato, peeled 1 sprig of rosemary, thyme and oregano 2tbsp olive oil 500g p