CUBED CHEESE TRAY RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the baking sheet in the oven and heat it to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper and mustard powder into a food processor. Add the cubed butter and process briefly until the mixture resembles very fine breadcrumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, put the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, add the butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles very fine breadcrumbs.
• Tip the mixture into a large mixing bowl (if it’s not already in one), then mix in the 100g finely grated cheese.
• Add the milk and water mixture to the bowl and, using a dinner knife with a cutting motion, mix everything together quickly and evenly. Bring the mixture together quickly with your hands into a smooth ball, then put on a lightly floured work surface. Resist the temptation to knead it.
• Gently press out the mixture using the heel of your hand to 2.5cm thick. Cut out 4 scones using your cutter. Gently press the offcuts together and cut out 2 more scones. Shape any remaining dough into a small disc (the cook’s perk!).
• Brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle with the remaining 50g grated cheese. Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven, put the scones on it, spaced well apart, then bake for 12-14 minutes until richly golden and cooked though.
• Remove the scones from the oven and serve as soon as possible after baking, ideally spread with a little butter.

Steps:

• To make the pastry, put the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Rub in the cubed butter between your thumbs and forefingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg, milk, and vinegar using a table knife. Using your hands, work the mixture until it comes together to form a dough – it should be soft but not sticky. Shape the dough into a ball on a flour-dusted work surface, flatten into a disc and cover in cling film. Set aside in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to rest (see Make Ahead).
• For the filling, melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, covered for 10 minutes until softened. Stir regularly and add a little water if they start to look dry. Add the potato to the onions and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Heat the oven to 180ºC fan/gas 6. Divide the pastry into 4 equal pieces. Roll out one piece on a lightly floured surface to form a circle roughly 4-5mm thick (keep the rest of the pastry wrapped in the fridge).
• Stir the cheddar and cream (if using) through the cooled potato mixture, season with a good pinch of salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper (you want the mix to be heavily seasoned). Pile a quarter of the cooled filling on one half of the pastry, leaving a 3cm border around the edge. Brush the edges with a little beaten egg, then fold the other half over and press to enclose the filling. Crimp the edges of the pastry and place on a large, lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pastry and filling. Brush the pasties with the egg, poke with a fork so steam can escape, then bake for 25-30 minutes until golden (see Make Ahead)
• Serve the pasties, hot from the oven with chips and baked beans, or your favourite pickle if you like.