SWEET PLUM PASTRY SLICE

  I love to cook plums and this slice which could come under the category of pie, works a treat; crisp, buttery pastry filled with creamy yet sweet, tart plums is my idea of perfection.

serves 8-10

500g plums, halved and stones removed

50g sugar

1 Tbsp water

1 400g puff pastry

1 250g cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1/2 orange, zest only

4 Tbsp  raw cane sugar, divided

½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

1 large egg, separated

1 Tbsp plain flour

Method

Add the halved plums in a heavy-based saucepan and add 50g sugar and 1 tablespoon water.  Cook gently until the plums just start to soften (5-7minutes).  Cool.

Roll the cold puff pastry out on a lightly floured bench so that it resembles a rectangle 30cm by 25cm and it should be about 3mm thick.

On a large baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper, a silicone baking mat or foil, lay out the puff pastry which should be cold but pliable.

In a small mixing bowl add together the softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon sugar, orange zest, vanilla, egg yolk and flour and beat well to combine until thick and smooth. Scrape this mixture out onto the centre third portion of the puff pastry down the middle and spread it evenly, leaving the two outer thirds bare.

Spoon over the cooled, cooked plums and carefully spread this over the cream cheese layer.

This next step sounds more complicated than it is. Fold one side of the pastry over the cream cheese, plum mixture so that it covers it completely. Then fold the other half of the pastry over the pastry encrusted plums so that it goes right over the pastry pulling slightly to tuck the layer under the entire pastry. Press down on the ends of the long rectangular pastry to seal in the cream cheese and jam.

Whisk the egg white together with 1 teaspoon water just a little to combine. Brush this over the entire pastry. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar evenly and generously over the egg washed pastry. Use a thin, sharp knife to cut little vents along the dough.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 190C. Bake the pastry till puffed and golden for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 160C and continue cooking for a further 10-15minutes or until the pastry is cooked through.

Cut into slices and serve warm.