Easy Olive Oil Wholemeal Pastry

This makes a lovely, crisp flan case.

Makes enough to line two 23 cm (9") flan tins

(about 410g pastry)

250g wholemeal flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp thyme

60 ml olive oil (not extra virgin)

120 ml cold water

1.  Add the flour, salt and herbs together in a food processor and pulse several times to mix.

2.  Add the oil and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs or couscous.

3.  Add the water and process until the dough just comes together in a ball.

4.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out firmly to avoid overworking the dough. 

5.  Line your flan tin(s), trim the edges and refrigerate for half an hour.

6.  Prick base with a fork and bake blind at 200°C for 10 minutes (allow to cool fully before adding filling).

NB: If you don't have a food processor, steps 1 - 3 can be done by hand.

Today, my filling is egg, yoghurt, grated courgette, cheddar cheese and leftover ravioli filling of chicken, chorizo, leeks & Parmesan spread in the base.

Alternative recipe here olive oil pastry

Dark Chocolate Coconut Torte

A wonderfully moist, moreish slice of yumminess!

3 eggs, separated

125g dark chocolate, broken into chunks

125g virgin coconut oil

125g caster sugar

3 tbsp dessicated coconut, plus extra to sprinkle

cocoa powder to sprinkle

1. Heat the oven to 180ºC. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy.

2. Meanwhile, melt the coconut oil and chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water.

3. Add the melted coconut oil and chocolate gradually into the egg and sugar mixture and whisk in. Stir in the dessicated coconut.

4. Whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until they form soft peaks. Tip into the chocolate mixture and fold in gently.

5. Pour into a 21cm diameter cake tin, either lined with silicone baking paper, or lightly oiled and dusted with cocoa powder.

6. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then remove and cool on a rack (be careful, it is quite light and flexible when warm).

7. When cool, sprinkle with dessicated coconut and cocoa powder.

Now, stuff your face...