Picnic fare
The weather forecast's good so why not rustle up some of Delia's pukka picnic food and head for the great outdoors?
Serves 6Bloody Mary Tomatoes
These look quite deceptive – I mean, what harm is there in a bowl of little tomatoes? But once swallowed, never forgotten! All the kick of a bloody Mary in one bite. Don’t forget you need to start this two days in advance.
Makes 20 mini or 6 man-sized muffinsBlueberry and Pecan American Muffins
I love American home cooking, and one of the things I feel Americans are particularly good at is baking (both at home and commercially). The American muffin reigns supreme – not like the British bread version but more like superior fairy cakes and o
Makes 6 sconesButtermilk Scones with Cheshire Cheese and Chives
Cheese scones can be a bit bland, but here Delia has used tangy Cheshire cheese and peppery chives to add bite and colour. Give them a try - they're perfect for tea!
Serves 8Caramelised Apple Tart
This is an extremely good cheat: wafer-thin pastry, light as a whisper, a little squidgy bit of Bramley apple topped with some sliced Cox's then (and this is the great bit) caramelised – not upside-down in a heavy frying-pan or scorched with a chef’s
Serves 4Cep and Onion Tarts with Cep Cream and Parsley Butter Shallots
This combination of earthy cep mushrooms and sweet caramelised onions is divine, and comes to us courtesy of Alex Mackay, the brilliant young chef who demonstrates his talents at Delia's food and wine workshops at NCFC. The cep cream is a delightfull
Serves 4Charred Onion and Swiss Cheese Tart
Mmmm…a wonderful combination of fried charred onions, Parmesan cheese pastry and Gruyere cheese in the filling give this scrummy tart the edge.
Serves 4Caramelised toffee walnut tarts with clotted cream
Can’t resist one cheat recipe, which none the less will provide an elegant dish to end a meal. This is courtesy of M&S, which sells very crisp tartlet cases (fiddly and time-consuming to make yourself).
Serves 6 (Makes 18-20 blinis)Buckwheat Blinis with Smoked Salmon, Creme Fraiche and Dill - recipe cost £5.98 (99p each)
Homemade blinis (fluffy yeast pancakes) are very easy to make, cheaper than buying them, and oh so much nicer when homemade.
Makes 8Caramelised Balsamic and Red Onion Tarts with Goats' Cheese
The long, slow cooking of red onions and balsamic vinegar gives a lovely sweet, concentrated caramel consistency. These are then spooned into crisp cheese pastry cases and topped with melted goats' cheese and sage. Serve them as a special first cours
Makes 24Caramelised Onion Tartlets with Goats' Cheese and Thyme
When we made these tartlets for the photography, we couldn't stop eating them! Crisp, light pastry with such a luscious filling – and also lovely as a first course at a supper party.
