HAZELNUT WINE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the meringue, heat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Draw an 18cm circle on each of 4 sheets of baking paper, then use to line 4 lightly oiled baking sheets.
• Grind the nuts in a food processor with 1 tbsp of the caster sugar until finely ground with some texture – don’t overgrind or it will become oily. (If you prefer, you can use a pestle and mortar or finely chop the nuts with a knife, then mix with the sugar.)
• Put the egg whites in a spotlessly clean mixing bowl and whisk with an electric hand mixer to stiff peaks (they shouldn’t droop when the beaters are removed). Add the remaining caster sugar to the whites a tablespoon at a time, whisking back to stiff peaks each time. Once you’ve added half the sugar, start adding in larger quantities, whisking back to stiff peaks each time. Once all the sugar has been added, whisk in the vinegar to form stiff peaks, then fold through the hazelnuts with a metal spoon or balloon whisk.
• Spoon or pipe the meringues in circles onto the baking paper to give 3 flat circles and the fourth circle swirled a bit thicker (this will form the top layer). Bake for 40 minutes until the edges are crisp and set and the insides are still gooey.
• Take out to cool for 20 minutes on the trays, then transfer carefully to wire racks or boards to cool fully (see Make Ahead).
• For the PX sherry chocolate cream, put the chocolate, sherry and brown sugar in a large, heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) a pan of barely simmering water. Melt, stirring very occasionally, until smooth, then remove from the heat, stir in 150ml of the cream and leave to cool to just above room temperature. Whip the rest of the cream to soft peaks, then gently fold through the chocolate mixture with a balloon whisk, being careful not to overmix it or it will become grainy.
• Spoon the chocolate cream into a piping bag and snip off the end (see tips). Put one meringue on a serving platter and pipe a third of the cream on top. Repeat with the next layers, finishing with the thicker meringue.
• To decorate, melt the 50g chocolate and butter together (a microwave on low is fine), then cool a little. Drizzle all over the top, then scatter over the nuts. The cake is best filled as soon as you make the chocolate cream, to get a good shine (see make ahead).

Steps:

• Make the Wellington: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion to coat. Spread evenly in the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 12 to 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Spread the butternut squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and lay 5 thyme sprigs on top. Bake until the squash is tender and starting to caramelize, about 15 minutes.
• Gently pull apart the maitake mushrooms into small pieces and place in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and gently toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with 5 thyme sprigs and 5 rosemary sprigs and bake 15 minutes. When the vegetables are cool to the touch, gently remove the herb sprigs and discard.
• Toast the hazelnuts on a separate baking sheet until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. (Be careful not to burn the nuts.)
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until softened. Add the spinach, season with salt and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool slightly, then gently squeeze out any liquid over the sink.
• In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the portobello mushroom caps and sauté until they soften and release their liquid, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Gently press to remove any excess liquid.
• Chop the leaves from the remaining 2 thyme sprigs and 2 rosemary sprigs. In a medium bowl, mix the caramelized onions, butternut squash, spinach, hazelnuts, maitakes, chopped herbs and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Mix well with a spoon or your hands.
• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Unfold the puff pastry on the counter. Spread the vegetable mixture on the pastry in an even layer, leaving a 2-inch border on one short side. (You will have some of the vegetable mixture left over.) On the short side opposite the clean border, arrange the portobello caps dome-side up in a line, about 2 inches in from the edge, overlapping if necessary. Top the mushrooms with the rest of the vegetable mixture.
• Gently roll up the puff pastry tightly, starting at the side with the portobellos and pushing in any filling that falls out. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently score a crosshatch pattern into the top of the pastry with a sharp knife; brush with the vegan egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the gravy: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots, reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring, until they start to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly add the vegetable stock and red wine, whisking constantly so that no lumps remain. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tamari and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Slice the Wellington and serve with the gravy.