Apple & Ricotta Slice

• cooking apples, peeled & cored↗500 g
• mixed spice1 tablespoon
• demerara sugar↗1 tablespoon
• puff pastry↗680 g
• ricotta cheese↗250 g
• orange, zest of↗1
• orange, juice of↗1⁄2
• milk, for glazing↗
• handful sliced almonds↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 220c/fan200c/gas 7 & lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. 2

   Slice the apple into thin slices & toss with the mixed spice & demerara sugar. Set to one side.

3. 3

   Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 30cm bt 28cm rectangle. Spread half of the apple mixture onto half of the pastry leaving a 1.5cm rim round the three edges.

4. 4

   Place the ricotta into a bowl & beat with a wooden spoon to soften.Add orange rind & juice to the ricotta & mix well together. Spoon the ricotta over the apple, then spread the remaining apple over the ricotta.

5. 5

   Brush the edges of the pastry with water then fold over the other half of the pastry to enclose the other mix. Press the edges together & pinch to decorate.

6. 6

   Make diagonal slashes over the top at 2cm intervals, do not cut all the way through the pastry.Brush the pastry with milk the sprinkkle over the demerara sugar & flaked almonds.

7. 7

   Carefully lift onto the pre greased baking sheet & place in oven. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 180c/ gas4 for a further 15 minutes till golden.

8. 8

   Remove from oven & allow to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then move to a cooling rack.