kitsch decor and desserts at issy’s milky way milk bar, angel
warming up with butterscotch on an unseasonably cold afternoon
the little laneways of london – artillery passage
well stocked shelves at esca 
september reading sorted
holding on to the last moments of summer
a tart is, without fail, my saviour on those evenings when i haven’t given dinner a thought all day, the shops are already closed so i can’t pick up some fresh meat, and the household tummies are already rumbling. it is my failsafe go-to: ridiculously easy, and surprisingly crowd pleasing, giving the simplicity.
i always keep an armory of store-bought pastry in the freezer, both puff and shortcrust, and ensure there is one of each in the fridge at all times, for emergency dinners (particularly in the summer, when a light tart and some steamed veggies is all you need).
i throw whatever is left in the fridge on the pastry and whack it in the oven. done! even the oh-so-simple tomato puree, tomato and cheddar cheese combo is a winner when piled on top of golden puff pastry.
more often than not, i have a log of goat’s cheese and a bag of prosciutto on hand, and these ingredients, paired with some quick caramelised onions, can make for a pretty fancy dinner in under half an hour.
on this occasion, i also had some gorgeous organic tomatoes that i picked up from the market, and the adornment of multi-coloured shapes and sizes were like baubles on a christmas tree. so pretty!
take the puff pastry out of the fridge while you prepare your other ingredients. first, i chopped up two brown onions, and threw them in the pan with some butter and two tablespoons of brown sugar. toss them about occasionally so they don’t go crisp – you want them caramelised, soft and delicious. when they’re a deep brown colour and taste like sweets, take them off the heat.
roll out your pastry on to a baking tray, and scoop your onions onto the pastry, spreading them out evenly. next, crumble goat’s cheese into the gaps, followed by ripped-up pieces of prosciutto and finally, dot your tomatoes about. i fold over the sides of my pastry – partly because it gives it a nice, rustic look, and also because it won’t fit on my baking tray otherwise.
bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden, and the tomatoes warmed through and seared on the top (i like mine to still have some bite in them, but if you prefer them completely soft, throw them in the pan with the onions for a few minutes). the goat’s cheese should be softened and warm but not gooey.
buttery, flaky pastry topped with a delicious mouthful of creamy, sharp goat’s cheese, sweet onions, salty prosciutto and finally a juicy pop of tomato. serve with a summer salad or steamed greens for a light lunch or dinner. in winter, make it a heartier fare with some roasted root vegetables on the side.
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I have a confession to make.
this summer i have sinned and am guilty of pure, filthy indulgence, but oh my goodness was it worth it.
wine was poured like water, bubbles have been popped at every available opportunity (we have had a lot to celebrate) and let’s face it, i have had responsibility to sample lots of andrea’s mouth-watering creations like this and these in the name of research of course. i know, i’m dedicated to the cause.
this week i have been trying to be good, or at the very least, not nearly as naughty as usual and this protein-packed chocolate, banana and blueberry bread recipe is heavenly.
it’s sugar and gluten-free, it is also low in fat and is filled with fibre and protein to fill you up – making it the perfect anytime snack.
you wil need:
2 eggs
2 scoops of chocolate protein powder (i use this one)
chia seeds
chopped nuts
2 bananas
blueberries
after pre-heating the oven to 175 degrees beat the eggs, mash up the bananas and mix together.
grind the oats and add into the mixture along with the protein powder.
blend and then add in the chia seeds, mixed nuts and blueberries.
spoon the mixture out into a heat-proof baking dish or a bread tin and smooth down.
pop into the oven for around 40 minutes, but keep an eye out you don’t want your treats to be too dry.
once the bread is cooked throughout leave to cool on a rack.
now for the fun bit. the eating.
while these bad boys are simply delicious on their own, you can serve with greek yoghurt or drizzled in almond butter should that tickle your fancy.
for those of you who like your treats extra sweet a smattering of nutella, cream or honey may also hit the spot. go on give them a go and be good to yourself.
if you like these you might also like to try my protein pancake recipe which can be found here.
we would love to hear from you so please leave a comment below, tweet us @peanut_buttered or @sarahfitzm or you can find us on facebook