Damson Cheesecake Cream
Damson Puree
500g damsons 200g granulated sugar
Place the damsons and sugar in a pan and allow to gently simmer until the fruit is pulpy and any fruit removed from the stone. Scoop out the stones with a peascoop or a slotted spoon.Blend the pulp and then pass through a sieve. Store in sterilized jam jars.
250g mascarpone 150ml double cream 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 2 tablespoons icing sugar 150ml natural thick yoghurt 200g damson puree
Whisk the mascarpone and cream until thick. Fold in the vanilla, icing sugar and yoghurt. Ripple the damson puree through the cream. Spoon into 4 bowls and drizzle more damson puree on top.
Blackberry thumbprint biscuits
Blackberry jam
750g blackberries 350g granulated sugar
If you don’t have a temperature probe place a saucer in the freezer. Place blackberries in a heavy based saucepan and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the sugar and bring the mixture to the boil then turn heat down to a simmer. Cook until the mixture reaches 105oF on a probe or add a little to the chilled saucer and it should set straight away. Should take about 10 minutes of simmering to get to this stage. Spoon into sterilized jam jars and seal.
250g plain flour 150g butter, diced 75g castor sugar 2 egg yolks Blackberry jam ( or jam of your choice)
Rub the flour and butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the sugar and then add the egg yolks. Bring together. Line 2 trays with parchment paper and set oven to 180oc. Make small balls of the mixture ( around 25g each) and place on trays. Press your thumb into the middle of each biscuit and add some jam. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.