INGREDIENTS:
- 300g all-butter short crust pastry, thawed for 20 minutes,
- Flour, for dusting.
- 8-12 tsp strawberry jam
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm thickness. Use a 7-8cm heart cutter to stamp out 8 hearts, or a 5cm round plain cutter to stamp out 12 circles. Slide a palette knife under the pastry shapes and lower into the heart moulds or bun tin. Gently press the pastry around the edges.
- Spoon 2 teaspoons jam into each heart and bake for 12 minutes, until the pastry is pale-golden (or spoon 1 teaspoon into each round tart and bake for 8 minutes). Carefully remove the tarts from the oven - the jam will be very, very hot so don't touch it! Cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, carefully lift the tarts from the tins using a palette knife. Eat straightaway, or keep in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 days.
How to make chocolate truffles
INGREDIENTS:
- 280g 70% cocoa solids
- 284ml pot double cream
- 50g unsalted butter
- Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs.
- To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto greaseproof paper.
- Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on greaseproof paper. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight. To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them.
