Banana Tarte Tatin.....the easy way!

Always fancied making a Tarte Tatin but couldn't face the trials and tribulations that ensue?  Well here's a recipe for a Banana Tarte Tatin that even a Jack Russell could follow. It's a quick, painless (relatively) and delicious alternative to the traditional Tarte Tatin!   Made with bananas and toffee sauce, an alternative to a traditional tarte Tatin will be sure to go down well with all the family.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:      20 - 25 minutes

Total time:           30 - 35 minutes    


Ingredients:

• 375g pack fresh Ready Rolled Puff Pastry
• 4 ripe bananas
• ½ x 300g pouch Waitrose (or any other) Toffee Sauce

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. 

Lightly grease a 24cm round cake, or tarte Tatin, tin. 

Unroll the pastry and cut out a 24cm diameter circle to fit the tin.

Peel and cut the bananas into slices then lay them inside the base of the tin. Pour over the toffee sauce, covering the banana evenly.

Place the circle of pastry over the bananas, tucking the edges loosely round the edges of the tin so that steam can escape. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to stand for a few minutes to cool slightly. Using an oven glove to protect your hands, place a serving dish on top of the tin and, holding them firmly together, turn the tarte upside down. Carefully remove the tin. Scrape any remaining sauce in the tin over the tarte Tatin. Serve immediately with chilled  organic Single cream or a generous scoop of good quality Vanilla Ice Cream.

Now if you're feeling really adventurous, why not have a go at making your own vanilla ice cream as this easy, creamy recipe for vanilla ice cream doesn't require an ice cream maker and only takes 10 minutes to cook!

Ingredients:

• 2 vanilla pods
• 500ml/16fl oz double cream (see tip)
• 70g/3oz sugar
• 3 fresh local organic egg yolks
  
  
  
  
  Preparation:
  
  
  
  
  Halve the vanilla pods lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Add the pods to the cream and bring to the boil, then add the sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  
  
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl then slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture.
• 
  
• Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl and whisk in the vanilla seeds. Pour the mixture into a freezer-proof container and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until set.

• Top Tip:
• 
  

• Due to the absence of milk in this recipe, the ice cream does not crystallise in the freezer bowl. So there's no need to stir it. Ideal for anyone without an ice cream maker.

Feel free to share this recipe with your friends and.....if you made it and enjoyed it.....let Ralph know, he'd love to hear from you!

The Little House of Art.....Glastonbury

 Now if you're heading down to Glastonbury for the Pilton Party fund raiser (after the disappointing news of no festival this year) at Worthy Farm featuring Professor Green and The Vaccines, Supported by Zulu Winter and Manners on the 7th of September why not take the chance to check out the charming and unique Bed and Breakfast The Little House of Art only two minutes walk from Glastonbury town centre with its eateries, characters and unusual shops.  Why unique I hear you ask?  Well Martin and Sue own not just any B&B as it has its very own Art Gallery featuring the work of local artists. 

The accommodation consists of  two double bedrooms with luxurious Egyptian cotton bed linen and comfortable beds and considering the location and standard very reasonably priced from £65.00 per room, per night including breakfast.   A choice of delicious cooked breakfasts, including vegetarian is available using locally sourced organic produce wherever possible including eggs from their own chickens!  

There's a choice of a Private Bathroom with shower and full-sized bath - bath robes provided or a luxurious en-suite wetroom.  Wireless internet connection and digital TV/DVD with Freeview are provided with a wide range of  DVD’s available to view in your room.  There's tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer in the rooms and the use of an iron and board is available on request whilst outside there's ample free parking.

Currently the featured artist is Sam Dunford from Poole in Dorset.   She specializes in Landscape paintings using oil paints on canvas. Her collection includes affordable Landscape paintings for your home, affordable paper prints of her landscape paintings, which are all handmade by Sam. She also welcomes commissions of landscape paintings from your photographs, visit her landscape painting commissions page for more details.  Sam's inspiration for her landscape paintings comes from everything, it can be from a walk around the Heath, a trip into town or just a walk into work.





Also featured are a number of 'Twitter' artists whose work can be found online..... 

Martin Lilley -  Photographs

Neil Gardner - Artist ngautoart.com  follow him on twitter @ngautoart

 Marilyn Ewens Painter - see more of her work at marilynewens.com

Emma Bradshaw: Painter withycombefair.co.uk  or on twitter @SAW_Ltd

Anita Pegler: Painter contact her via clivepegler@havenfarm.freeserve.co.uk 

Judy Blathwayt Painter contact her at judyblathwayt@btinternet.com 

Thomas Haskett Painter thomashaskettillustration.blogspot.com  on twitter @TmHaskettArtist

Jackie Curtis - Print Maker jcurtisart.com  follow her on twitter @jcurtisart

James Wedge - Painter jameswedge.com 

Alacoque Doyle - alacoquedoyle.com  follow her on twitter @alacoquedoyle

Jon Curtis - Potter - joncurtisceramics.com  follow him on twitter @Jonthepotter

Lucy Large- Artist lucylarge.com  follow her on twitter @lucylarge

Jenny Barron - Still Life jennybarron.co.uk @JENNYBARRON

Wendy Dunt - Ceramics merrymaiden.co.uk @wheelyworld

Sam Dunford - Artist samsart.co.uk @samdunford_art

Kathryn Nichols - Illustrator thedrawinghouse.com @thedrawinghouse

Julia Nairn - Artist Acolytehomeandgifts.com @myapplique

Paul Burgess - Artist paulburgessart.co.uk @PB_art

The Bed and Breakfast itself is situated within easy walking distance of all the major attractions like Glastonbury Abbey, Chalice Well Gardens and Glastonbury Tor.  A short 10 minute drive will see you in the historic cathedral city of Wells and the Somerset Levels Wildlife Reserves.  If you're feeling more adventurous it's only an hours drive to Bristol and Bath or the lovely beaches of Dorset and Devon on the world heritage site of The Jurassic Coast.

What's on in Glastonbury   

Follow Martin and Sue on Twitter and keep up to date.

Here they'll be providing information on what's happening in Glastonbury. Follow them on Twitter@arthousesue to keep up to date

Mid-Somerset Show Sheptom Mallet 19th August midsomersetshow.org.uk

Somerset Arts Week - 15th to 30th September www.somersetartworks.org.uk

Glastonbury Chilkwell Guy Fawkes Carnival2012 17th November 2012 The town centres largest event of the year with a procession of floats lasting all evening. A major spectacle, with collections for charity. The town is full of people and there is a great atmosphere.website

Glastonbury Frost Fair 15th December

Booking with Martin and Sue is easy. Simply click your arrival date, choose the number of nights you wish to stay and how many adults there will be. Click 'Check Availability' and you will be re-directed to their secure booking area where you can confirm and pay for your stay.

Room with private bathroom £65 per night incl breakfast.

Room with 4 poster and ensuite wet room £75 incl breakfast.






Secure Online Booking Instant Confirmation

Check Availability

Alternatively you can ring Martin and Sue on 01458 830485 and they will complete your booking for you.....tell them Ralph sent you.....


A scrumptious picnic Hamper with fresh produce, wine or
champagne, can be provided whether for the beach or a special occasion or treat yourself to Breakfast in Bed with a glass of Moet or Bucks Fizz? (option available during booking process) and breakfast is available outside when the weather permits.
 

Now the owners of some establishments cower in fear when the dreaded Trip Advisor website is mentioned (just ask Channel 5's Alex Polizzi, The Hotel Inspector) but not so Martin and Sue.  You can check their reviews of The Little House of Art safe in the knowledge they offer a 5* service at a very reasonable price.


Here's the latest Trip Advisor review.....

“A lovely B & B”

Reviewed 27 August 2012 

My husband and I stayed here for a long weekend, whilst attending a wedding in a nearby village.

The b & b itself is lovely - lots of thought has gone into its decoration, with art displayed on all the walls. We stayed in the poetry room, which was very sweet. Comfortable bed and spotless throughout. The weather wasn't nice enough to go out in the garden, but this looked nice. The b & b is a short walk to Glastonbury High Street, which was brilliant.

Sue and Martin were excellent hosts, advising us on local places to go and helping us with anything we needed. They made our three night stay very pleasant.

The breakfasts were fantastic. The vegetarian full English is one of the best I've had and my husband was impressed with the other options too. We would definitely recommend this b & b.