I don't think I've ever craved a big hearty pie more in my life than when I sat watching Bake Off last week.
This weeks results were also just what I've been waiting for... Liam got Star Baker! So very well deserved and I think he's nearly everyone's favourite to win now.
The challenges were definitely an improvement from last week - I think my favourite pie was the Christmas hot water crust pie. Literal heart eyes and a great idea for those leftovers on boxing day really. However, it doesn't quite beat a traditional Scotch pie for me.
But instead of following my Scottish roots, I went for the Pastéis de Nata. I mean, when I watched it through, I kept thinking "it can't be that hard, it's pastry and custard, that's it". After baking them, I can confirm, they really aren't that hard.
For the tarts I followed this recipe, with the only alteration being that I used a muffin tin instead of a mini muffin pan. It meant instead they took around 15 minutes in the oven. Also the oven temperature stated 290C, however I could only get my oven up to 250C, but I wouldn't worry too much if you can't get your oven up as high either - just means they might take a little longer to bake.
The pastry dough after the initial mix is very wet, but it does come together and isn't as tricky as you might think. The custard is runny, but it sets perfectly in the oven at the high temperature, and still remains soft in the centre.
I've still got some of the custard mix leftover. I'm half tempted to make/buy some more puff pastry to make a big ol' custard tart. I'm not really sure what else I can do with it and I really don't want to waste it.
I struggled a bit to get those caramelised black/burnt speckles on them, only one kinda showed up. I could have left them in the oven for a minute or so longer in hopes a few of them would get them, but the pastry was already turning crispy and I didn't want to risk burning them, so that was it really.
But overall, served warm (and with a scoop of ice cream) they are pretty good. Not sure if they are something I would make again though. But then again, never say never because I do love custard...
What did you try for Bake Off this week?
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