Easy Meals Text Only. Rachel Allen

classic pannacotta contains only cream, but I’ve added coconut milk and cardamom for a tropical twist. It is delicious served with slices of juicy ripe mango.

      Serves 4–6

      PREPARATION TIME

      10 minutes

      COOKING TIME

      5 minutes, plus chilling

      12 green cardamom pods

      150ml (5fl oz) single, double or regular cream

      75g (3oz) caster sugar

      2 leaves of gelatine or 2 tsp powdered gelatine

      1 x 400ml tin of coconut milk

      1 mango, peeled and cut into slices, to decorate

      4–6 small cups or glasses

      * Place the cardamom pods on a chopping board, lay the flat side of a large knife over the top and press down to lightly crush. Remove the seeds (discarding the pods) and crush to a powder with a pestle and mortar or place in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.

      * Place the crushed seeds in a saucepan and add the cream and sugar. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat and leave to infuse.

      * If using powdered gelatine, place this in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and leave in the fridge for 3–4 minutes or until the mixture becomes sponge-like in consistency. If using leaf gelatine, place the leaves in a bowl, adding just enough cold water to cover, and set aside for 5 minutes or until the gelatine has become very soft.

      * Empty the tin of coconut milk into a large bowl, whisking it to get rid of any lumps. Place the cream mixture back on a medium heat just to heat through, then remove from the hob. If using powdered gelatine, mix the spongey mixture in with the coconut milk. If using leaf gelatine, remove from the water, allowing any excess to drip off, then stir into the coconut milk. Mix together thoroughly, then pour the coconut milk and gelatine through a sieve onto the cream mixture and stir to mix.

      * Divide between the cups or glasses and chill in the fridge for about 3 hours or until just set. Serve topped with some mango slices.

       Vanilla buttercream squares

      The sponge in this tray bake is light and delightfully delicate, though the truth is this recipe is all about the rich and sweet icing. Is there anything more invitingly indulgent than buttercream?

      Makes 16 squares (v)

      PREPARATION TIME

      5–10 minutes

      COOKING TIME

      40 minutes

      200g (7oz) butter, softened and diced

      200g (7oz) caster sugar

      3 eggs

      325g (11½oz) plain flour, sifted

      3 tsp baking powder

      2 tsp vanilla extract

      150ml (5fl oz) milk

      For the vanilla buttercream icing

      150g (5oz) butter, softened and diced

      200g (7oz) icing sugar, sifted

      2 tsp vanilla extract

      2 tbsp milk

      20cm (8in) square cake tin

      * Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas mark 4. Line the base of the tin with baking parchment and grease the sides with butter.

      * Place all the ingredients for the sponge in a food processor and whiz for 1 minute or just until combined. Alternatively, cream the butter until soft using a hand-held electric beater, then beat in the sugar, whisk in the eggs one at a time and fold in the remaining ingredients.