guest recipes — Guest recipes from Lidl Food Academy showcase delightful dishes that are sure to impress your family and friends. One standout recipe is the Upside Down Tart with Caramelised Apples, a classic French dessert that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly rewarding. This tart, also known as Tarte Tatin, features a luscious caramelised apple filling enveloped in a flaky puff pastry, making it a perfect end to any meal.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Guest recipes: Creating the Perfect Upside Down Tart
To craft this delectable tart, gather the following ingredients:
- 600g apples (about 5), peeled and cored
- 100g brown sugar
- 75g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 puff pastry sheet (425g), cut into a 25cm circle
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans
Start by preparing a 24cm round mould, lined with parchment paper at the base and along the sides. Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan). Peel the apples, remove the core, and cut them into quarters. Arrange the apple pieces in the mould with the peeled side facing down, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the apples and scatter the pieces of butter on top. Add a dash of ground cinnamon for an added flavour.
Next, take the puff pastry and cut it into a 25cm circle using a plate as a template. Prick the pastry surface with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Carefully place the puff pastry over the apples, pressing down the edges to seal. Bake the tart for approximately 40 minutes until the pastry is golden and slightly risen.
Once baked, allow the tart to cool in the mould to set the caramel. To serve, place a plate over the mould and carefully invert it. This method allows the caramelised apples to rest beautifully atop the puff pastry. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, garnished with coarsely chopped pecans for an extra crunch.
A Savoury Delight: Braided Bread with Basil Pesto and Halloumi
Another fantastic recipe from Lidl Food Academy is the Braided Bread with Basil Pesto and Halloumi. This flavour-packed bread is not only visually appealing but also a treat for the taste buds, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal or a delightful snack on its own.
Here’s what you’ll need to create this beautiful bread:
- 180g lukewarm water
- 2g dry yeast
- 5g honey
- 40g olive oil
- 150g rustic flour
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 4g salt
- 100g unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (20g) basil pesto
- 100g halloumi cheese with basil, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing
Begin by mixing all the dough ingredients in a mixer bowl. Use the hook attachment to knead the mixture for about 8 minutes on medium speed until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to a greased container, cover it with a lid, and place it in the refrigerator to ferment for 48 hours. This slow fermentation process enhances the flavour and texture of the bread.
After the resting period, preheat your oven to 190°C. Line a 24cm round baking sheet with parchment paper. Take the chilled dough and shape it into a ball. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread the soft butter evenly over the surface, followed by the basil pesto. Scatter the halloumi cubes and chopped parsley across the dough.
Next, roll the dough from the width to form a long oblong roll. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough down the centre lengthwise, ensuring you leave a small section intact at one end. Twist the two pieces together to reveal the filling, then cross the strips together, repeating the twisting action to form a braided bread shape.
Carefully transfer the braid onto the prepared baking sheet. Cover it and let it rise in a warm environment for about 45 minutes. Once risen, bake for approximately 25 minutes until the surface is golden brown and the bread is fluffy. After baking, brush it with extra melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley for a lovely finish.
Bringing It All Together
Both the Upside Down Tart with Caramelised Apples and the Braided Bread with Basil Pesto and Halloumi reflect the creativity and culinary expertise nurtured at Lidl Food Academy. These recipes are not only designed to be enjoyable to make but also to deliver delicious results that can bring loved ones together around the dining table. Whether you opt for the sweet indulgence of a caramel dessert or the savoury goodness of braided bread, these dishes are sure to become favourites in your home.
For more exciting recipes and culinary inspiration, visit Lidl Food Academy.
