
Rhubarb tart
The filling here – the lemon cream – is from Raymond Blanc. It works with gently poached gooseberries as well. It's from Raymond's book Cooking for Friends. Be very careful not to overcook the rhubarb.
Ingredients
For the pastry
150g plain flour
¼ tsp baking powder
45g icing sugar, plus extra to sift at the end
75g cold butter, cut into cubes
1 medium egg yolk
For the rhubarb
100g caster sugar
400g rhubarb, cleaned, trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths
For the cream filling
2 egg yolks
50g caster sugar
70ml double cream
finely grated zest of ¼ lemon
Method
Step
Put 150g plain flour, ¼ tsp baking powder and 45g icing sugar into a bowl and add 75g butter, cut into cubes, with a pinch of salt.
Step
Using your fingers rub the butter into the dry ingredients. When it looks like rubble mix 1 medium egg yolk with ½ tbsp water and add this. Pull the pastry into a ball. It should be smooth. Press into a disc, wrap in clingfilm and put in the fridge for 45 minutes.
Step
On a lightly floured surface roll out the pastry so that it's big enough for your tin (23 cm in diameter). Line the tin with the pastry and put in the fridge for 30 minutes. It must be very cold.
Step
Heat the oven to 190C/180C fan/gas mark 6 and put a baking sheet into it.
Step
Fill the tart case with foil and baking beans (or real beans) and blind bake it for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. Remove the foil and beans and leave the tart case to cool.
Step
To cook the rhubarb, melt 100g caster sugar in a saucepan with 200ml boiling water, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. Add 400g rhubarb, cleaned, trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths, and poach for 1 minute only.
Step
Lift the rhubarb out with a slotted spoon on to a rimmed baking tray where the pieces can lie without touching (otherwise it will keep cooking).

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Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Wales Online
Venomous snake bolts into sea from beneath paddleboard at popular Welsh beach
Venomous snake bolts into sea from beneath paddleboard at popular Welsh beach The adder bolted into the sea after being discovered under a paddleboard at a beach in North Wales - and people have been left feeling uneasy after watching the video A poisonous snake made a beeline for the ocean after being discovered hiding under a paddleboard on a beach in Gwynedd. It began surfing the waves, showcasing its remarkable swimming abilities. A viral video clip of the juvenile adder taking a plunge off Pwllheli's coast stunned viewers with its aquatic skills, but also sparked concerns among those planning their next beach trip. Adders, which often inhabit sand dunes, are not uncommon on the Llŷn Peninsula, although they are rarely spotted. While they don't typically venture into the sea, they may seek cooler areas to regulate their body temperature on hot days, sometimes taking a brief dip. The 18-inch (45cm) long snake was found lurking under a paddleboard at Morfa'r Garreg, near Pwllheli's Carreg yr Imbyll (Gimblet Rock), after being left unattended for just five minutes - long enough for the adder to make itself at home. Raymond Vaughan Jones, the paddleboard's owner, said he was "more surprised than shocked". He said: "I'd never seen a snake on a beach before and certainly nowhere near the sea," reports North Wales Live. Upon being discovered, the young snake slithered towards the water's edge, prompting Raymond to grab his mobile phone. The resulting footage elicited primal responses from viewers when shared on social media. Article continues below At one point, the female snake pauses and lifts its head after a brief swim. "That's a defensive pose," commented an Australian man online. "When the head is lifted and held still like that, it is saying, 'that's close enough'." Many were simply astounded to learn that adders can swim. Over time, Britain's only venomous snake has been sighted in lakes and canals. The young female adder was spotted trying to hide under a paddleboard (Image: Raymond Vaughan Jones ) Typically, swimming serves a purpose, such as evading a perceived threat, which was likely the case here. Unlike certain snakes, adders are not primarily aquatic and do not hunt in water. Despite this, they've been discovered in the sea and even in rock pools, like this recent incident on the photogenic Anglesey. Adders won't react unless provoked, whether intentionally or not. Nevertheless, Pwllheli's "surfing snake" managed to unsettle some, leading to numerous "OMG" exclamations online. "I love the beach but this is too much, feel physically ill just watching this," expressed one woman. Another chimed in: "Omg snakes as well now! I would drown, if I met this in the water." A third simply exclaimed: "Jjjeeeeessssss!". Upon returning from an hour on the water, Raymond discovered the snake was still by the water's edge. Concerned for its well-being, he said: "I was worried it could be in trouble, or could pose a threat to children and dogs, so I picked it up with a paddle and carried it to the dunes." Adders are known to flourish in various environments throughout North Wales, such as heathland, moorland, and open woodland. They are often spotted along the coast, and those frequenting Pen Llŷn are particularly vigilant when walking their pets, more so during this season and following prolonged dry weather. A local shared online that she had encountered five adders beneath a field groundsheet on the same day. While some people appreciate the snakes for their role in the ecological equilibrium of the area, others may feel apprehensive. The adder was still on the beach when Raymond returned from paddle boarding (Image: Raymond Vaughan Jones ) A Wrexham resident commented online: "It's perfectly natural for some people to feel uneasy around snakes - especially when it comes to adders." Article continues below "But fear shouldn't override understanding. Adders are a shy and reclusive part of Britain's wildlife, not lurking threats. They don't seek out humans, and bites are rare – typically only occurring when they're startled or stepped on."


North Wales Live
24-05-2025
- North Wales Live
'Surfing snake' on popular North Wales beach adopts 'defensive pose' when filmed
A venomous snake bolted for the sea when it was found hiding under a paddleboard on a Gwynedd beach. To general surprise, it began riding the surf, showing just how adept they are at swimming. A video clip of the juvenile adder taking a dip off Pwllheli went viral when it was posted online. While many marvelled at its ability to swim, it also sent shudders through people worried about their next trip to the beach. Sand dunes are among the habitats favoured by adders, which are rarely seen but not uncommon on the Llŷn Peninsul a. While they're not known to seek out the sea, on hot days they might look for cooler areas to regulate their body temperature. It's not unknown for them take a brief dip. The snake – estimated to be only 18 inches (45cm) long - was discovered lurking under a paddleboard at Morfa'r Garreg, near Pwllheli's Carreg yr Imbyll (Gimblet Rock). The board had been left lying there just five minutes – long enough for the adder to make its move. Its owner, Raymond Vaughan Jones, said he was 'more surprised than shocked'. He added: 'I'd never seen a snake on a beach before and certainly nowhere near the sea.' On being discovered, the young snake slithered towards the water's edge, prompting Raymond to fish out his mobile phone. The resulting footage provoked primeval responses from viewers when it was shared on social media. At one point, having enjoyed its brief dip, the female snake freezes and raises it head. 'That's a defensive pose,' said an Australian man online. 'When the head is lifted and held still like that, it is saying, 'that's close enough'. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Most were just amazed adders can swim. Over the years Britain's only venomous snake has been spotted in lakes and canals. Usually, swimming is a means to an end, like escaping a perceived threat, as was likely in this case. Unlike some snakes, adders are not primarily aquatic and they don't hunt in water. Despite this, they've been found in the sea and even in rock pools, like this incident on an 'Instagrammable' Anglesey last month. Moreover, adders won't react unless threatened, accidentally or otherwise. Still, Pwllheli's 'surfing snake' was enough to give some people the jitters, prompting lots of 'OMG' exclamations online. 'I love the beach but this is too much, feel physically ill just watching this,' said one woman. Another added: 'Omg snakes as well now! I would drown, if I met this in the water.' A third simply shrieked: 'Jjjeeeeessssss!' One viewer said it ignited her snake phobia and she was 'now having a panic attack'. A man insisted he would put caution before curiosity, adding: 'If I saw one I'd turn into a fat Usain Bolt...' Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday After returning from an hour-long stint on the water, Raymond found the snake was still near the water's edge. Anxious to ensure its safety, he said: 'Worried it could be in trouble, or could pose a threat to children and dogs, I picked it up with a paddle and carried it to the dunes.' Adders thrive in a range of habitats across North Wales, including heathland, moorland and open woodland. Often they're found on the coast, and Pen Llŷn regulars know to be extra careful when walking their dogs, especially at this time of year and especially after such a long dry spell. A local remarked online how she'd found five adders under a field groundsheet the same day. Many people admire them for their beauty and accept they are part of the natural balance of local landscapes. Writing online, a Wrexham man said: 'It's perfectly natural for some people to feel uneasy around snakes - especially when it comes to adders. 'But fear shouldn't override understanding. Adders are a shy and reclusive part of Britain's wildlife, not lurking threats. They don't seek out humans, and bites are rare – typically only occurring when they're startled or stepped on.'


Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Telegraph
Rhubarb tart
The filling here – the lemon cream – is from Raymond Blanc. It works with gently poached gooseberries as well. It's from Raymond's book Cooking for Friends. Be very careful not to overcook the rhubarb. Ingredients For the pastry 150g plain flour ¼ tsp baking powder 45g icing sugar, plus extra to sift at the end 75g cold butter, cut into cubes 1 medium egg yolk For the rhubarb 100g caster sugar 400g rhubarb, cleaned, trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths For the cream filling 2 egg yolks 50g caster sugar 70ml double cream finely grated zest of ¼ lemon Method Step Put 150g plain flour, ¼ tsp baking powder and 45g icing sugar into a bowl and add 75g butter, cut into cubes, with a pinch of salt. Step Using your fingers rub the butter into the dry ingredients. When it looks like rubble mix 1 medium egg yolk with ½ tbsp water and add this. Pull the pastry into a ball. It should be smooth. Press into a disc, wrap in clingfilm and put in the fridge for 45 minutes. Step On a lightly floured surface roll out the pastry so that it's big enough for your tin (23 cm in diameter). Line the tin with the pastry and put in the fridge for 30 minutes. It must be very cold. Step Heat the oven to 190C/180C fan/gas mark 6 and put a baking sheet into it. Step Fill the tart case with foil and baking beans (or real beans) and blind bake it for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. Remove the foil and beans and leave the tart case to cool. Step To cook the rhubarb, melt 100g caster sugar in a saucepan with 200ml boiling water, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. Add 400g rhubarb, cleaned, trimmed and cut into 2cm lengths, and poach for 1 minute only. Step Lift the rhubarb out with a slotted spoon on to a rimmed baking tray where the pieces can lie without touching (otherwise it will keep cooking).