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Richmond Maids of Honour


Richmond Maids of Honour



Graham has a buffet at work today for someones birthday, so I used a whole pack of pastry to make Delia's Richmond Maids of Honour.


Then we ate quite a few (whoops), so I set him out for another block of pastry and used half of that as well.


So I can tell you that there is enough almond topping for one and a half blocks of puff pastry in this recipe.


I don't see how you could load any more topping on to the pastry really without it spilling over. I also couldn't find the right size of cutter, so I made the first batch with a heart cutter and the next two with a smaller round fluted cutter (I found the round pastries were easier to fill).


Which made lovely bite-sized pieces which are easy to hoover eat daintily. They are delightful and would be great to pass around at a party. Delia did us proud again!





Oh and do admire the silpat liner that Andrew brought me back from America. It is the best thing since sliced bread, honestly. Nothing sticks to it, even the curd the leaked and turned into molten toffee.











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Richmond Maids of Honour
These dainty pastries flavoured with lemon and almonds come from a Delia Smith Recipe. They are easy to make, but I have to warn you, they are very very addictive!
Ingredients
  • ½ packet puff pastry
  • 225g/8oz philadelphia soft cheese
  • 40g/1½oz caster sugar
  • grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 25g/1oz ground almonds
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2-3 tbsp lemon curd
  • enough icing sugar to dust
Instructions
1.Take the pastry out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you start.2. Pre-heat the oven to 200c/180c fan/gas mark 6/400f.3. Cut the pastry block in half, reserving the second half for another day. Roll the pastry out to a square of about 28cm on a floured board.4. Cut out circles with a 8 cm pastry cutter. Be careful not to twist as you remove the cutter. Try for a sharp tap, as they will go a bit awry if they are twisted.5. Place the circles on a prepared baking tray, leaving a little room between them.6. Dot a meagre ½ teaspoon of lemon curd in the centre of each pastry.7. In a bowl mix together the Philadelphia cheese with the sugar, lemon zest and ground almonds.8. In a separate bowl, whisk up the egg and egg yolk then mix into the cheese mixture until well combined.9. Dollop a spoonful of mixture over each pastry, covering the curd and soothing out, but don't take it quite to the edge.10. Pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry starts to turn a little golden.11. Put on a wire rack to cool. Once cool, dust with icing sugar. 12. Say you will just have one, but be prepared to eat at least 4, if not more.
Details
Total time: Yield: makes 18
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29 comments

  1. I love this book and cook from it a lot but have never made these so I'm so glad you've made them and they do look so good! Thanks do much for taking part. I'm very excited about next month.... ssshhhhhhh! ;0)

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  2. They look fantastic - sound fairly easy too? What's next month? Tell Tell!

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  3. Yes, they are super-easy and super yummy.

    Randon Recipes, well you will just have to wait like everyone else Gill, hehe :D

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  4. The "maids" are so beautiful. You do have a way with baked goods!

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  5. They look great Jackie and remind me a little of my mums vol-au-vents growing up filled with chunky chicken, ha ha remember them or was that just down in the West coast?

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  6. Lovely, they look really delicious. As a Richmond resident I really should give them a try!

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  7. Thanks Andrea :)

    Hey Gerry, yes I remember those vol-au-vent days. Although, I remember egg ones and cheese and onion ones :)

    I think you are honour bound to make them TR, hehe :D

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  8. Addictive? I'd say. This might not be wise for me to make something like that in a household where will power just doesn't exist. They look great Jac.

    Now what are you and Dom cooking up?

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  9. Thanks Choclette, yes you had better wait until you have something to take them to and you will just have to wait and see :)

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  10. I've never heard of these - but they look wonderful! And your silpat liner looks fab - can you not get them in the UK then?

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  11. Thanks Nora, and no I wasn't able to get one in the UK and they are dear enough that I didn't want to pay all the extra on delivery from the US, so I just waited until Andrew's next trip and asked him to pick one up for me.

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  12. Interesting! I shall bear that in mind next time someone I know pops to the States... :D

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  13. Oh YES! What is afoot for next month then? Hmm?!
    I LOVE maids of honour Jac, have an old recipe of my gran's that I make now and then, and yours look absolutely WONDERFUL! Lucky you with your random recipe ~ great photos too!
    Karen
    xx

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  14. It really is worth it Nora :)

    I wonder if you add more filling to yours Karen? You will have to give me some tips!

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  15. I've always wondered what Maids of Honor were...these look delicious, Jacqueline. Delia is #31 on our Women Game Changers list so I think I'll copy this and use it!

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  16. Yum! They are to die for, especially all piled up as they are n your first photo, I can see me falling nose first into that plate no worries at all ;0)

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  17. You can go off some people and their secrets!!!!

    Great little tarts Jac,the heart ones look very pretty. Looking forward to seeing the lime pie thingy.

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  18. I'll look forward to your post then Barbara :)

    Thanks David :)

    That is an image and a half Chele :)

    Pie thingy coming soon Janice :)

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  19. I cant explain what i learn from this post.Thanks a lot.Please keep posting.
    I will definitely share this with all of my friends.I would like to share with you organic milk

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  20. I just love a mystery!!!

    Lucky choice on the ramdom recipes - they look delicious.

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  21. Have never heard of these before. Perfect for a buffet (as long as you leave some for it!).

    Intrigued for next month's RRs now.

    Lou.

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  22. yum yum yum these look great!

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  23. These look lovely - particularly all piled up on the cake stand

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  24. These look beautiful -- and delicious. Good job!

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  25. How authentic your Maids of Honour look, they bring back memories of visits to Newens Tea Shop opposite Kew Gardens who invented these delicious little puffs exquisiteness. I don't believe there was any lemon curd in theirs but then I am going back more than 30 years! Will defo have to make these one day, thanks for sharing:-)

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