If you thought marmalade was just for toast, then think again.
Yes, there is a reason our favourite bear, Paddington , always ensures he is stocked up on marmalade!
Following the launch of the Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, which of course stars the much-loved Paddington Bear, Paddington has been busy creating a number of recipes fit for any kitchen.
Surprise your dinner party guests this festive season with a marmalade twist to your camembert, impress with a marmalade loaf cake for dessert, or go back to basics with a classic marmalade French toast.
How to spend Christmas in London
Extra-sticky marmalade baked camembert
Camembert is always a dinner party winner, who can say no to cheese?
Paddington says: "Mrs Bird doesn’t usually like it when I make a mess in the kitchen, but this dish is all about leaning across the table together and dipping into oodles of gooey cheese.
"Mr Brown says it reminds him of the fondue he used to have on skiing holidays, but this version is obviously a lot, lot better because it’s got marmalade in it.
"All you have to do is spoon a few big blobs of my special marmalade with a handful of chopped walnuts over a whole camembert and bake it until it’s melty and wobbly in the middle."
Buttery marmalade French toast
Next up we have a fancy marmalade on toast.
Paddington says: "If you’d said you could make marmalade sandwiches taste even better, I wouldn’t have believed you.
"But then I tried this.
"It’s so zesty and warming and delicious – like all the best things about breakfast rolled into one.
"I’m licking my lips just thinking about it."
You will need:
Two large free-range eggs
Grated zest of 1 orange
60ml full-fat milk
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Two large, thick slices of white bread
Juice of one orange
75g fine-cut marmalade
50g caster sugar
One tbsp butter
First up, whisk the eggs, orange zest, milk and ground cinnamon in a dish, preferably wide and shallow, then soak the break slices in the mixture for two minutes on each side.
Whilst the bread is soaking, bring the orange juice, marmalade and sugar to the boil on the stove and turn down the heat to simmer for around three to four minutes - this will be your syrup.
Heat the butter in a heavy-based frying pan and cook the soaked bread for around two minutes on each side on a medium heat until golden.
Serve the French toast with a drop syrup on each slice, with a jug of syrup on the side.
Marmalade loaf cake
Time for dessert!
For this you will need:
Candied peel
One large orange
200g granulated sugar
100g caster sugar
300ml water
Cake
175g softened butter
175g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour
50g ground almonds
Four large free-range eggs
One orange, zested
A few drops of vanilla essence
To make the candied peel, cut the orange up into eight wedges and cut out the flesh, leaving a 5mm thickness of peel and pith, then cut each wedge into four strips.
Pour the water into a pan and add the granulated sugar and heat until the sugar has dissolved - make sure your keep stirring as you go along.
Add the orange zest and simmer uncovered for around 30-45 minutes until the lemon peel is soft and translucent, then use a sieve to drain and leave to cool.
Once cool, spread the peel onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and sprinkle with caster sugar before placing in the oven on the lowest letting (110C) for one hour, or until dry.
You will need a separate oven for the cake as it will need to be preheated to 180C.
Grease a deep loaf tin and line with baking paper.
To make the cake mix, mix together the butter, sugar, flour, almonds, eggs, orange zest and vanilla essence in a large bowl.
If you are using an electric mixer this should take around one minute.
Once mixed thoroughly, pour your ingredients into the baking tin and leave in the oven for one hour.
Here is Paddington's verdict: "This particular cake is easy and fun to make, and it’s got a zing of citrus that will wake your tastebuds up when they’re tired after all that Christmas feasting.
"I like to watch it bake in the oven, slowly rising and going a lovely warm orangey colour. Mr Brown prefers watching TV, but – honestly – this is much more interesting."
You can get your hands on Paddington's very own marmalade from M&S, alongside a number of other Paddington treats including Paddington Marmalade Muffins, a Paddington advent calendar, Paddington inspired clothing, a milk chocolate Paddington and much more.
Head to the M&S website to explore the range.
