Membrillo Chorizo Cheddar Toastie Food

MEMBRILLO, CHORIZO & CHEDDAR TOASTIE

Steps:

• Heat a large frying pan. Spread the membrillo paste over one slice of bread (you might need to mash it first with 1 tsp water if it's very firm), top with the chorizo and cheese, and sandwich with the other slice. Spread the outside of both pieces of bread with mayo, and press on the sage leaves.
• Heat the oil in the pan and cook the toastie for 2-3 mins each side, squashing with a fish slice every now and then, until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted. Cut in half to serve.

PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET WITH CHORIZO, MEMBRILLO, AND MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line two 13x18-inch baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Prep the ingredients for the filling and set aside.
• If using a 17-ounce package of puff pastry, roll each sheet to a 9x12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured work surface. Cut each piece lengthwise into eight 1 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip crosswise into two pieces, about 4 1/2 inches long. You should have 32 pieces of pastry.
• Spread the center of each piece of pastry with 1/2 teaspoon membrillo and top with 1/2 teaspoon manchego. Brush one narrow end of the pastry with egg wash, add a piece of sausage, and roll to enclose. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, seam-side down. Brush the top of each pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with additional manchego and pimentón. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Bake pastries until golden brown and puffed, 23 to 27 minutes.

SPANISH TAPAS MANCHEGO, MEMBRILLO AND CHORIZO TOASTIES

Steps:

• Spread 4 slices of bread with the Membrillo, quince paste.
• Add the slices of Manchego cheese and Chorizo.
• Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread to make a sandwich.
• Brush the melted butter over the all sides of the sandwiches and then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat up a non-stick frying pan/skillet.
• Fry the sandwiches on both sides, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Trim the crusts if you wish - I don't bother!
• Cut each sandwich in to 3 lengths or 6 squares and serve them hot.
• Wonderful with roasted almonds and chilled Fino Sherry.

MEMBRILLO

Steps:

• Put the quinces and lemon zest and juice in a large heavy-based pan. Add enough water to cover the fruit. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hr until the quinces are very tender. Strain through a jelly bag or muslin-lined colander. Do not press out the juice - just leave it for at least 4 hrs, or ideally overnight, until the juice has dripped through.
• To make the jelly, put three saucers in the freezer. Measure the juice and return it to the pan (reserve the leftover fruit for the membrillo paste). For each 1 litre juice, add 750g sugar (or for each 100ml juice, add 75g sugar). Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then boil hard until set. This could take between 5 and 20 mins. To test for set, spoon a little onto a chilled saucer, leave for 1 min, then push your finger through the juice. If it wrinkles, the jelly is set. If not, return to the heat and boil again for a few mins, then test again.
• Remove from the heat and skim off any surface scum with a slotted spoon. Stir in the butter to dissolve any leftover sediment, then stir in the rose water. Pot into sterilised jars, seal and label. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one year.
• To make the membrillo, line a 16 x 24cm shallow oblong tin or tray with baking parchment. Tip the reserved fruit into a food processor and whizz to make a smooth-ish paste. Weigh the paste and for each 1kg paste, add 750g sugar (or for each 100g paste, add 75g sugar).
• Tip the paste and sugar into a large heavy-based pan and heat gently, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat and cook, stirring regularly, for 30-45 mins until the paste is thick and golden, and leaves a gap when you run a wooden spoon across the base of the pan. Be careful as the mixture will spit at you and can burn. Spoon into the tin or tray and smooth the top. Leave to cool, then chill overnight until it is very firm.
• Wrap the paste in fresh baking parchment, then over-wrap in foil and store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.