Fetes des peres/Father's Day

Fathers Day in the UK and once again we've been blessed by hosting our two elderly fathers - a pair of peres.

Whilst not having large appetites, they both have a sweet tooth and so I decided to make Pear and Almond Friands which are a version of French Financiers.

140g unsalted butter
1tbsp plain flour
125g ground almonds
150g icing sugar
4 large egg whites
1tsp almond extract
1 pear from a tin
4tbsp flaked almonds

1. Melt the butter in a pan and set aside to cool
2. Mix flour, icing sugar and ground almonds together
3. Add the lightly beaten egg whites and almond extract
4. Pour in the cooled butter and mix
5. Chill in fridge for 2-3 hours
6. Divide batter into lightly greased muffin tins
7. Place a few diced pear pieces in the centre & scatter flaked almonds around the edge
8. Bake in preheated oven at 180/gas mark 4 for 20-30 mins until cooked & browned at edges
9. Leave in tin to cool for 10 mins then turn out onto a wire cooling rack
10. Serve slightly warm with double cream

Both dads agreed the pears for a pair of peres were pearfection!

Father's role

It's Father's Day here in the UK. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages although we probably followed the Americans who began this celebration in 1910. A young girl named Grace Golden Clayton lost her own father in a mining accident along with 360 others. This left approximately a thousand fatherless children. She suggested to her pastor that we honour fathers everywhere.

My maiden name is also Clayton, although I am not blessed with the same middle name. We have celebrated today with my own father, father-in-law and husband and father to my children. 

Here is the card my husband received -

What about vegetarian sausage rolls, vegetarian spring rolls, vegetarian sushi rolls ...

Bet they don't make cards for we vegetarians!