Ayush's Banoffe Pie

Banoffe Pie - I am not very keen on fruits but bananas are manageable (only in a pie). I had found this recipe on the internet ages ago but had never had a chance to try it - so yesterday to cheer myself up after being miserable in the snow for the last few days I gave it a shot and my my it was delicious. I have already scoffed off more than half of it!!!

• 300g oaty biscuits (Hob Nobs are good)
• 60g butter , melted
• 397g tined Caramel
• 3 large bananas, sliced
• 350ml double cream
• 1 tbsp icing sugar
• 100g dark chocolate

1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Crush the biscuits in a food processor then add the melted butter and pulse to combine. Press the mixture into a 24cm tart tin, with a removable base, in an even layer. Transfer the tin to a baking sheet and cook for 10-12 minutes, until lightly toasted and set. Leave to cool then gently release from the tin and put on a serving plate.
2. Spread the caramel over the biscuit base and chill for 1 hour. Arrange the banana slices over the toffee. Whip the cream and sugar together to form soft peaks and spread over the bananas. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a bowl set over, not in, a pan of simmering water. Allow to cool slightly, before drizzling over the cream.

Traditional Scones - with real butter and blueberry Jam -

Now I hate Mondays - and I am sure all of you do - if you don't then you are so lucky. Well to beat my Monday blues I decided to make scones and enjoy it with a nice cup of tea while watching Come Dine with me- oh I do love that programme. This recipe is from my landlady - with whom I had shared a horrible house for 6 months in Glasgow ( spooky ) though her scone recipe is perfect.

I know I know this is not something you eat late at night after dinner - but I did - so what I liked it and it made me happy :-)

So here is the recipe -

• 225g plain flour
• 2 tsp 
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 30g caster sugar
• 55g butter
• 55g raisins or sultanas (optional)
• 150ml milk

1. Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar in a bowl, then rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the raisins or sultanas, if using.
2. Bit by bit, add 150ml milk until you have a firm dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface. Pat the dough into a circle about 1 1/2 cm thick and cut out the scones.
3. Put onto a non-stick baking sheet and brush the tops with milk. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Serve with butter, or jam and cream.