Date and goji berry slices

This recipe uses a sweet pastry. The process may seem elaborate but attention to detail is necessary to achieve a good quality pastry case. Remember that this type of pastry is delicate so it must not be handled more than necessary, must not have much flour added, and must be rested each time so that it is easy to use and doesn’t shrink so much during cooking. The raw pastry can be stored in the fridge for two days for convenience.

Sweet pastry:

* 1 cup plain flour, sieved
* 1 cup wholemeal flour, sieved
* 1 cup cold butter, diced
* ¼ cup sugar
* Zest of half a lemon
* 1 egg yolk
* 1 whole egg

Filling:

* ¼ cup water
* 2 cups dates, chopped
* ¾ cup goji berries
* Pinch of nutmeg

Topping:

* 1 cup wholemeal flour
* ½ cup porridge oats
* ½ cup brown sugar
* ¾ cup butter, melted

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.
2. To make the pastry, cream the butter with the sugar until pale.
3. Beat the egg and egg yolk and gradually add to the butter, beating all the time.
4. Add the lemon zest and fold in the flours.
5. Bring together to form a dough.
6. Wrap in cling-film and chill for one hour.
7. Allow to soften for about 15 minutes then roll out on a lightly floured surface using as little flour as possible.
8. Use to line a 20 cm by 25 cm tin, making sure the pastry comes to as high as possible without actually spilling over the edge.
9. Chill for 20 minutes.
10. Rest out of the fridge for another 20 minutes
11. Prick all over with a fork and line with baking paper and baking beans.
12. Bake for 15-20 minutes until no raw pastry remains but avoid colouring the pastry.
13. Allow this to cool before using.
14. For the filling, put the dates and water into a pan and simmer gently for about 20 minutes until tender.
15. Add the nutmeg.
16. Allow the mixture to cool.
17. To make the topping: combine all ingredients.
18. Spoon the filling into the prepared and cooled pastry case and the sprinkle over the topping, avoid pressing.
19. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown.
20. Cool and then cut into squares.