Vegan Recipe of the Week - Strawberry Tart

This stunning dessert is really easy to make and tastes divine. Serves 8.

Here is what you will need:

Shortcrust pastry (click here for recipe) or 1 pack of Jus-rol Shortcrust

1 punnet of strawberries, washed, hulled and quartered

1 tub of Tofutti Cream Cheese Original

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp strawberry coulis

1/4 jar of redcurrant jelly

100g icing sugar

Method:

Roll out your chilled pastry and line a large tart dish. Prick the base with a fork and line with parchment paper. Fill the base with baking beans and blind bake for around 15-20 minutes at 160C until golden brown.

Remove the beans and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, place the cream cheese, vanilla and icing sugar and beat together until creamy and soft. Spread the mixture all over the base of your cooled tart case.

Drizzle the strawberry coulis over the cream mixture and swirl with a fork.

Add the strawberries on to the filling.

In a small saucepan, place the redcurrant jelly and a tablespoon of water and heat gently until melted. Brush the redcurrant glaze over the strawberries and leave to set in the fridge.

Eat and Enjoy! If you enjoyed this recipe, please click here to see more.

VVx

Vegan Recipe of the Week - Homemade Jam Tarts

Making Jam Tarts is really simple and a favourite for when people come over to have with tea or coffee.

Makes 24 Tarts

You will need:

200g plain flour
55g cold vegan butter - I use hard Stork
55g Trex vegetable fat
3 Tbsp very cold water
A pinch of salt

or you can use Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry if you prefer

24 teaspoons of strawberry jam (my favourite jam recipe is here or you can use shop bought)

Frylight

Method:

Place the flour, butter, vegetable fat and salt into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. You can rub the fat into the flour by hand but you hands need to be really cold to stop it melting.

Slowly pour the water through the opening in the food processor until the mixture forms a ball or if making by hand stir the water in with a knife until the mixture comes together.

Wrap the ball of dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for around 30 minutes.

Once chilled roll out your pastry to around the thickness of a pound coin. Cut out rounds using a cutter slightly bigger than the baking pan holes.

 Spray your baking pan with frylight and push gently each circle into the holes.

Spoon 1 teaspoon of jam in each pastry case and refrigerate for another 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 160C fan/180C/Gas 4.

Place the chilled tarts into the centre of the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Once baked, leave to cool for at least 30 minutes before eating as the jam remains very hot.

Eat and Enjoy!

VVx

If you enjoyed this recipe, please click here for more of my recipes and share with friends.

Easy DIY Vegan Cornetto-Style Treats

I don't know about your corner of the globe, but here in the UK, we have been basking in a heat-wave for the last week or so, and there is something oh so tempting about the sun and iced treats. When the Ice-Cream van plays its tune and goes on its rounds by me, the 6-year old inside me says, I want an ice cream!

Keep these handy vegan friendly treats at home and next time you hear the jingle of the Ice-Cream van you can saunter to your freezer, and make yourself this vegan sweet treat!

I got both of these from Tesco, but most supermarkets have their own versions. These are chocolate dipped and still dairy-free! Use your favourite vegan ice-cream...

Mine is this Swedish Glace vanilla.. creamy and great texture with just the right amount of vanilla.

Scoop into the cone, top with your favourite vegan sauce, I used this Askey's and some strawberry syrup and enjoy!

With Wimbledon just finished, our thoughts turn to strawberries and cream/ice-cream and this Swedish Glace works just as well on top of a delicious bowl of organic strawberries. If you have a pick-your-own fruit farm near you or can grow them yourself, even better.

My nearest pick-you-own fruit farm is Essington Fruit Farm in Wolverhampton. Pop along if you are in the region, they have a fab farm shop which sells loads of fruit, veg and preserves as well as a tea room.

Enjoy the Sunshine! VVx