大象传媒

As part of Dorset Food Week, a competition was held to find a dish which represented the best of locally produced and cooked food.

Greg (right) receives his award

Entries from amateur and professional cooks were independently judged and finalists attended a special 'cook-off' in Blandford.听

The winner was Greg Coomer's version of a real Dorset favourite - an Apple Cake.

Greg had refined his recipe which he first tried during O'Level cookery lessons at school.

For the competition he went for the traditional approach, with a twist: "With the challenge of coming up with a dish for Dorset, I thought what's the point in coming up with something new when we've already got one?听

"The flavour in mine comes from the sultanas, apples and lemons rather than spices."

See what you think - try Greg's recipe below...

INGREDIENTS

7oz/225g Self raising Flour + one teaspoon of baking powder
1oz/25g Cornflour
4oz/110g Butter
40z/110g Golden Caster Sugar
1/2lb / 225g Cooking Apples (peeled, cored and diced)
1 Lemon (zest)
1 Large egg and 1 tablespoon milk
2 oz / 50 sultanas (optional)

To Finish
1 x Large Cooking Apple, Fresh Lemon Juice and Soft Brown Sugar

Grease and line an 8 (inch) round cake tin. Pre Heat Oven - Gas Mark 5, 190C/375F

METHOD

1. Sift flour, cornflour and baking powder into a mixing bowl

2. Cut the butter into small pieces. Rub into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs

3. Stir in the sugar, prepared apples, lemon zest and sultanas

4. Bind together with the egg and milk

5. Turn into the prepared baking tin, level the surface

6. To decorate the cake
Cut segments from an unpeeled apple, soaked in lemon juice
Cut into thin slices and soak again
Arrange in a circle around top of the cake and dust with soft brown sugar to make a crusty glaze

7. Bake in an oven for 30-40 minutes

8. Cool in the tin, before turning out onto a cooling wire.