LOKSHEN RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. You will need a large, shallow ovenproof dish, about 28cm (11in) in diameter. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6 and grease the dish with butter.

  2. Slice the brioche into thin slices, about 5mm/¼in, and arrange these over the base of the dish. Make sure you cover the base and fill in all the gaps, but don’t overlap the slices.

  3. Measure the butter and sugar into a food processor and whizz until pale and fluffy. Add the almond extract, ground almonds, eggs and flour, then whizz again until the mixture is soft and creamy and there are no lumps. Be careful not to over-process.

  4. Spoon the mixture over the brioche base and spread it to the sides. Arrange the sliced apples in a neat overlapping circular pattern over the top. Bake the pudding in the oven for about 40 minutes until lightly golden all over and firm in the centre when lightly pressed.

  5. Melt the jam with 2 tablespoons of water in a small pan. Brush over the surface and sprinkle with flaked almonds.

  6. Dust the pudding with icing sugar and serve warm.

  Prepare ahead: Can be made and baked up to 8 hours ahead and reheated to serve.

Steps:

• 1. Grease it with baking spread, then cut a small square of baking paper (about the size of the base of the bowl), grease it and place in the base of the basin, pressing it into the corners.

  2. Measure all the pudding ingredients into a mixing bowl. Whisk with an electric hand whisk until well blended, light and fluffy. Spoon the mixture into the basin and level the top.

  3. Cut a square of foil about 4cm (1½in) bigger than the top rim of the pudding and grease the underside with butter. Make a pleat in the middle of the square. Place it on top of the basin and tightly press around the edges, then tie with string to seal.

  4. Put a small plate or a trivet in the base of a deep saucepan. Place the basin on top and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides and cover with a lid. Bring the water back to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer very gently for 1½–1¾ hours until firm to touch on top when gently pressed.

  5. To make the chocolate sauce, measure the milk and cream into a saucepan. Heat until just boiling, then add the chocolate and vanilla. Remove the pan from the heat and stir until the chocolate has melted.

  6. Carefully remove the basin from the pan and take off the foil. To turn out, loosen around the edges with a knife, then turn upside down on to a plate and remove the bowl. Remove the paper on top. Pour some warm sauce over the pudding and cut into wedges. Serve the remaining sauce in a jug.