Red Velvet Brownie Pie

I decided as it was almost valentines day, well soon anyway, that I would start to do some great valentines inspired recipes and post them for you all. My first had to be something devilish as we had guests, so I decided on a Red Velvet Brownie Pie.....well what more can you ask for...a brownie in a pastry case and beautiful red colour just perfect for valentines :)) it's a must try recipe!

Red Velvet Brownie Pie

Ingredients

For the Pie
½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 ¼ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ounce red food coloring
2/3 cup chocolate chips
1 sweet shortcrust pastry case

Preheat oven to 350°. Make shortcrust pastry and blind bake, leave to cool.
Combine cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and food coloring in a small bowl. Stir to form a paste.
Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in eggs, one at a time, then add remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add cocoa powder mixture and beat until completely incorporated. Mix in flour and salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into the pastry case.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or only slightly coloured)
Now enjoy either with ice cream or a cream cheese whipped cream.

Halloumi flat breads...easy to make and so very tasty

I like to try and do some form of bread to accompany our meals. When time is short and I don't have the time to work with a yeast dough I always turn to this recipe for flat breads. It's so versatile and although I am giving you the halloumi version you can try any combination, such as olive and Harissa, Manchego cheese and roasted red pepper, or olive and feta, they really are so yummy :)

Halloumi Flat Bread

300g self raising flour
1tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
300g plain yoghurt
150-200g halloumi

Add the flour, salt and baking powder to a bowl and add the yoghurt and mix to form a dough. Add the crumbed halloumi cheese and knead into the dough
Cover your work surface with plenty of flour and divide your dough into 8 pieces and now you can roll them flat ready to dry fry
In a frying pan heat a small amount of oil and once heated up pour it out and place your first flat bread into the pan. Fry for a couple of minutes until golden and then turn over and fry for a further couple of minutes and remove to a plate. Continue with the rest of the flat breads and serve

(Adapted from Jo Wheatley recipe)