Traditional English Trifle Food

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH SHERRY TRIFLE - STRICTLY FOR THE GROWN UPS!

Steps:

• Split the sponges in half then spread each half thinly with raspberry jam.
• Sandwich each half back together and cut into quarters.
• Place in the base of three and a half pint (2 litre) glass trifle bowl.
• Sprinkle the sherry over the sponges and spoon over the partially thawed raspberries and their juice.
• Roughly crush the ratafia biscuits and sprinkle over the raspberries.
• Chill for 3-4 hours.
• Place the milk and vanilla pod in a small pan and slowly bring to just below boiling point.
• Transfer to a heatproof jug and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
• Remove the vanilla pod from the milk.
• Place the egg yolks, cornflour and sugar in a bowl and whisk together.
• Whisk in the milk, then strain the liquid back into the rinsed pan through a fine sieve.
• Cook over a gentle heat , stirring constantly until the custard starts to thicken, being careful not to allow to boil.
• Cook gently for two minutes unit the custard is a thick pouring consistency.
• Quickly pour the custard into a cold bowl to prevent further cooking.
• Sprinkle the surface with a thin coating of caster sugar to prevent a skin forming.
• Set aside and leave to cool.
• Spoon the cold custard onto the raspberries in the trifle bowl, spreading to the edges with a palette knife.
• Gently whip the cream until it nearly holds its shape, then spoon three quarters of it on top of the custard and carefully spread to the sides of the bowl.
• Whip the remaining cream until it holds it shape.
• Pipe swirls of cream around the top of the bowl and decorate with flaked almonds and cherries, silver dragees or raspberries.

ENGLISH TRIFLE TO DIE FOR

Steps:

• Spread a little jam on each piece of cake and place in the bottom of a large glass bowl. Sprinkle raspberries over cake.
• Heat 10 fl. oz. cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. While the cream is heating, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until pale yellow and smooth. Strain yolk mixture into a clean bowl. Pour hot cream into egg yolks and stir vigorously. Return mixture to pan over low heat and cook, stirring, until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• While custard is cooling, whip 10 fl oz. cream until soft peaks form. Place almonds on a baking sheet and toast, in a 300 degree oven or toaster oven, stirring frequently, until golden, 2 to 10 minutes.
• Spread cooled custard over cake in bowl. Top with whipped cream and toasted almonds. Chill 2 hours before serving.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH TRIFLE

Steps:

• Slice the cake into slices measuring about 3 x 2 x 1/2 inches, or whatever is convenient, and spread each slice with a little strawberry jam.
• Layer in a glass dish, leaving no significant gaps.
• Pour sherry over to soak sponge.
• Spread frozen raspberries over sponge, followed by sliced peaches.
• Make up custard, cool slightly and pour over all.
• Allow to cool in fridge.
• When set, whip cream and layer on top of custard.
• Chill for at least half an hour.
• Toast the almonds and scatter over.
• That's it, you're done, serve and enjoy!

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH TRIFLE

Steps:

• Bring the milk and 10fl oz of the cream to the boil in a non-stick pan.
• Beat the egg yolks, cornflour and sugar together in a bowl, then gradually whisk in the hot milk and cream.
• Return the mixture to the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, for about ten minutes, until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Take care not to let it boil as it will curdle.
• Transfer the custard to a bowl and leave to cool.
• Arrange a single layer of the cake slices over the base of the bowl.
• Spread the layer with 2 tbsp of raspberry jam and lay another layer of cake on top (you might not need to use all the cake).
• Spread the second layer with another 2 tbsp of raspberry jam and sprinkle over the sherry.
• Pour the custard over the cake, cover with clingfilm and chill for at least three hours.
• Whip the remaining cream into soft peaks.
• Uncover the trifle, spoon over the cream and return it to the fridge until you are ready to serve.
• Decorate however you wish, hundreds and thousands and halved glace cherries are traditional.