Cakes & Bakes: Jam roly poly

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Home-made jam roly poly & custard | H is for Home

We do love a hot, hearty pudding on a cold winter’s day – and what could be better than jam roly poly? I have to confess that I needed two attempts to perfect this week’s bake.

Jam roly poly pastry mixture in food processor

Roly Poly ‘Mark I’ was a disaster. There wasn’t enough jam to start with. Also, I rolled up the pastry way too tightly. Last and certainly least, I boiled it. A method I’d read in a few recipes. It was so bad that Justin spat it out, declaring it was the worst thing I’d ever made! Ever!!

Rolling out jam roly poly pastry mixture

I’m pleased to report that Roly Poly ‘Mark II’ was a triumph!

Adding jam to the rolled out roly poly pastry

 The ingredients were blended gently, then rolled not too tight… with plenty of filling.

Rolling up jam roly poly

Sugar was sprinkled over the surface (another omission in the earlier version).

Rolled up jam roly poly with top brushed with milk and sprinkled with granulated sugar

And finally it was baked to a wonderful golden brown, the hot jam oozing through cracks.

Freshly baked jam roly poly

After allowing to cool slightly, it was devoured – with lashings of custard of course!

Bowl of jam roly poly and custard | @hisforhome

And the official verdict from the chief taster? “Superb – I could eat that all over again!”

Home-made jam roly-poly & custard

Jam roly poly

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g/10½oz self raising flour
  • 75 g/2½oz vegetarian suet
  • pinch of salt
  • 180 ml/6fl oz cold water
  • 4 tbs fruit jam or jelly raspberry, strawberry etc. I used a jar of my home made blackberry jelly

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas mark 4
  • In a large bowl or food processor mix the flour, suet and salt
  • Add the cold water and combine to form a stiff dough
  • Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough into a rectangle
  • Liberally spread the jam leaving a 1cm gap along each edge
  • Roll up along the short side and brush the long edge (and ends if desired) with milk to seal
  • Grease a large baking tray and put the roly poly on it, putting the join at the the bottom
  • Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with a little granulated sugar
  • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes
  • Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving with custard
Jam roly poly ingredients
Keyword jam, roly poly, suet

Bookmarks: Pie

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'Pie' book by Genevieve Taylor

Today’s Bookmarks review features Pie by Genevieve Taylor. What a treat, as we love a good pie… who doesn’t?

foreword in 'Pie' book by Genevieve Taylor

We haven’t met the world’s lone pie-hater yet either!

game pie

Buttery pastry & rich fillings – tasty, hearty & homely. What’s not to like?

salmon encroute

You can, of course, find bad examples – the infamous petrol station pie springs to mind – cold, pale, soggy & bland. A very poor substitute for the wonderful offerings in this book.

apple pie

They’re not difficult things to make. A bit of preparation maybe, but once they’re in the oven, they look after themselves. No last minute running around. Just the gorgeous smell of bubbling fillings &  pastry browning to heighten the appetite.

double crust pie

This book expertly guides you through the whole process.

lamb filo pie

There’s an early chapter covering pastry – different types, methods, techniques & tips.

different pastry recipes

Then lots of examples of what to do with it.

suet pudding

Hot pies, cold pies, sweet & savoury pies.

smoked gammon pie

Pies from Britain & the rest of Europe , North Africa, America and the Caribbean.

leek, bacon and cheese quiche

It features meat & vegetarian options.

Greek pie

Some very traditional pies such as steak & ale, cheese & onion and raised game. Others are far less familiar – Tunisian egg pastry pie, creamed celeriac & Serrano ham tartlets, greengage & ginger strudels.

steak and ale rough puff pie

There are a hundred recipes in all, so you’ll never run out of ideas!

lattice pie pie

The wonderful photography by Mike Cooper is sure to inspire you. The pies are beautifully staged with wooden boards, old knives, vintage enamelware, tins & crockery. The lighting is superb and the images really live.

summer tartlet

Recipes are clear & concise – each neatly fitting onto its own page so there’s no turning backwards & forwards.

Moroccan carrot tart tatin

When it comes to pie, home-made is definitely best so this book is a must for any kitchen shelf. Pies can provide the perfect meal for a relaxed family gathering, a light lunch or a dinner party.

weekend pies

We defy you to read this book and not want to get baking.

smoked salmon tarts

So what’s keeping you – there’s pie to be made!!

stargazy pie

Pie is also available from Hive and Amazon.

Here’s a little preview of the first pie we tried from the book. It’s a leek, blue cheese & wild garlic pie – an interesting combination of ingredients that could all be locally sourced… and truly delicious which is the most important thing. Blog post with recipe to follow in a couple of days!

blue cheese with wild garlic pie

[Many thanks to Bloomsbury for this review copy]