Delia Smith Canape Food

TINY CHEESE, ONION AND OLIVE SCONES

Steps:

• Fry the onion in the oil over a highish heat for about 5-6 minutes or until it's a nice brown caramel colour and darkened at the edges. Keep it moving about so that it doesn't burn. Now transfer it to a plate to cool. While that's happening, take a large mixing bowl, sift in the flour, salt, mustard powder and cayenne, and add a good grinding of black pepper (the scones need to have a piquant bite). Now rub in the butter, toss in the cooled onion, the olives and two thirds of the grated cheeses, forking them in evenly. Beat the egg and pour this in, mixing first with a knife and finally with your hands, adding only enough milk to make a soft dough - it mustn't be too sticky. Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface, knead it gently till it's smooth, then roll it out to about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick, being careful not to roll it too thinly. Next, use a 1¼ inch (3 cm) plain cutter for cutting: place it lightly on the dough and give a sharp tap to stamp out the scones. Lightly knead together and re-roll any trimmings. Then, when all the scones are cut, brush them with milk, top them with the remaining grated cheese and bake them near the top of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove them to a wire rack to cool. For more recipes for scones, see our Cookery School Video for Little Cakes on this page

ANCHOVY PALMIERS

Steps:

• Roll out the pastry to a 24 x 26cm rectangle. Brush with a little egg and place 4 spaced-out rows of anchovies over the pastry, parallel to the longest sides. Sprinkle the Parmesan between the rows.
• Roll up the pastry from each long side to meet in the middle, brushing with a little egg to help it stick. Using a very sharp knife, cut into thin slices. Place slices a little apart on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment. Chill for at least 30 mins, or cover with cling film and chill for up to 24 hrs.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake for 12-15 mins until the pastry is crisp and golden.