Newcastle United F.C. ~ Mississippi Mag Pie

Introduction: Newcastle have probably been known as the Magpies since their founding on the 9th December 1892. Probably because of their black and white strip BUT there is a possibility that it comes from the tale that a pair of Magpies nested at St James’ Park shortly after it was built in 1880. You should know that Newcastle United actually played in red and white until 1904.

This recipe is loosely based on the Mississippi mud pie that probably originated on the banks of the Mississippi and it should resemble the consistency of the eponymous mud.

Preparation time: 30 mins

Chillin’ time: 30-40 mins

Cooking time: 40-45 minutes

Home Kit: plastic bag, rolling pin, two medium mixing bowls that sit snugly on a saucepan, the saucepan that they fit onto and a 9 inch (23cm) cake tin with a removable base.

Away kit: Tea, tea cups, saucers and side plates

Serves: Some

Ingredients

• 200g digestive biscuits
• 60g and 180g unsalted butter (you’ll see why soon)
• 60g and 180g dark chocolate (just wait and you’ll see alright?)
• 4 large eggs
• 180g brown sugar
• 200ml double cream

For the topping

• 100ml double cream
• 2 tbsp. icing sugar
• Some grated dark chocolate

Method: preheat the oven to 180^oC (160^oC if it’s a fan oven)

First half

Crush the digestive biscuits in the plastic bag with the rolling pin. Put the 60g portions of butter and dark chocolate (see told you) into the bowl over the pan with simmering hot water in it and melt them together. Then mix in the biscuit crumbs. Stick this gunge into the greased cake tin and stick the whole lot into the fridge.

Second half

Melt the remaining dark chocolate and butter in a bowl and leave to cool. Now beat up the eggs and brown sugar in the other bowl then whisk in the double cream. Lastly fold in that second batch of melted chocolate & butter. Pour the mixture over the chilled biscuit base and bake for about 40 – 45 minutes. Take it out and let it cool completely before popping it back in the fridge.

Extra time

For the topping whip the double cream with the icing sugar until it will hold soft peaks. Spread over top of pie and sprinkle on the grated chocolate.  I have yet to find a way of doing this in neat stripes.

Full time results

Serve with a nice cup of tea at half time, traditionally with ice cream in the Southern states.

Reading F. C. ~ Biscuitmen cheesecake

Introduction: Another recipe inspired by the great supporter of Reading F.C., my friend Alien. He told me that Reading were once called the Biscuitmen because of an association with Huntley and Palmers, who were based in Reading. This is a recipe incorporating biscuits and blueberries as discussed in The Ferryboat on Sunday, 10th March 2013.

Huntley & Palmers was a British firm of biscuit makers originally based in Reading, Berkshire. The company created one of the world’s first global brands and ran what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory.

Preparation time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 1 hour

Home kit: 23cm (9 inch) loose-bottomed cake tin, large mixing bowl

Away kit: 6 plates

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 75g butter
• 200g digestive biscuits, crushed
• 500g full fat mascarpone cheese
• 1 x 397g can condensed milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Finely grated zest of one lemon
• 150g blueberries

Method: Preheat the oven to 170°C

First half

Melt the butter in a large saucepan, don’t get it too hot or the butter will burn. Remove from the heat and stir in the biscuit crumbs. Tip them into the base of the cake tin, pressing them down with your fist to make a firm base. Chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

Second half

While it is chilling you make the filling. Beat the soft cheese in the mixing bowl until softened, then whisk in the condensed milk, vanilla extract, eggs and lemon zest. Pour the filling over the biscuit crumb base, then sprinkle the blueberries over the surface. Stick on the middle shelf of the oven to bake for 1 hour, until set.

Full time result

Leave until completely cold, serve.

Apologies to Kate who cannot eat this because of all the dairy shenanigans.

Alien also told me about his family’s claim to fame regarding H&P. The children’s TV series Chigley, narrated by Brian Cant, features a biscuit factory called Cresswell’s (perhaps a play on words for Crosse and Blackwell?). The factory was based on Huntley and Palmers where Alien’s great uncle worked. The character Willie Munn is based on him. Here is a picture of that famous Biscuitman.