RED AND WHITE COCKTAILS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and line two 18cm sandwich tins with baking paper. Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Beat the eggs and add to the oil and buttermilk, then stir in the food colouring. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and then beat them together with an electric whisk until a smooth batter forms.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25-30 minutes or until risen and a skewer poked into the centres of the cakes comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
• To make the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar together until smooth, then beat in the soft cheese. Put a layer of frosting between the cake layers and then use the rest to frost the cake.

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 200šC/gas mark 4. Place the pepper & onion halves (cut side down) along with the plum tomatoes & garlic cloves into a baking tray & drizzle with the olive oil. Bake at the top of your oven for 30 mins or until the vegetables are roasted & tender.
• Meanwhile melt down the butter in a large pan over a medium heat and saute the chopped celery for 4-5 mins. Not too hot, don't burn the butter.
• Make up the vegetable stock adding the tomato puree, sundried tomato paste & the chilli flakes. Mix well and then add to the sauteed celery. Remove from the heat.
• When the baked vegetables are ready remove the peel from the onion & garlic cloves roughly chop them & add them to the pan along with the plum tomtoes. Place back on to a low to medium heat & using a hand blender blend until the soup is smooth.
• Season to taste & gently simmer until the soup is at a comfortable edible temperature. Do not allow the soup to boil. Serve with ciabatta bread & enjoy the moment.