Showing posts with label pudding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pudding. Show all posts

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

gin + tonic jelly

G and T with a twist...

Got my Bombay Sapphire...now what?
 ...a gelatine twist!

Fine Leaf Gelatine

If you're not careful it will knock you sideways.

At 15 years old I announced that I would prepare my parents their anniversary meal. I took over the kitchen for the whole day. I screamed bloody murder at my mother, if she so much as peeped around the door. I made up the dining room table. I acted as Head Chef and Maitre D. The first year, I made for starter, a 'Sugar Club' spinach, avocado, pancetta salad with homemade croutons, for main, a Nigel Slater chicken casserole, and for pudding, Jamie Oliver chocolate pots and 'Sugar Club' shallow fried biscuits. The second year, I can't remember what starter I made (!), for main, a Delia Smith's green Thai chicken curry, and for pudding, Nigella Lawson's gin and tonic jelly and florentines.

My parents were so impressed, they were hoping for a third year in a row, but I was so exhausted, I thought I'd leave it there as an iconic memory (best not to overdo these acts of kindness!). It took 3 batches of the florentines before I got them right, and I spoiled them with a choice of white, milk and dark chocolate Lindt toppings. BUT, the main pièce de résistance was the jelly. Back then I made a little mistake and got the quantities slightly mixed up, leaving my parents in a hysterical sloshed haze (perhaps this is why they raved about my efforts?) and they marvelled at how the tonic retained its fizz (this only works very fresh). However you like to look at it, it is such a fun fun easy pudding to make and can be sure to impress pretty much everyone, or at least get them drunk enough into thinking so!

I've noticed there seems to be a little blue and yellow colour scheme running...

Golden wobbly jewelled magic
It went deliciously well with the crunch of the florentines, but it equally loves the creaminess of a good ice-cream to catch the punch of the alcohol.


Extremely simple to follow and make


Friday, 6 May 2011

sweet tooth

I do have a sweet tooth. It used to be a lot worse. For a while I would have a slice of chocolate cake for breakfast in the school holidays, meticulously sliding my fork through the icing, horizontally and then vertically like a garden rake through grass. I'm rather disappointed that as I grow older my tastes are yearning for savoury. Boo.

My mother is very talented in the kitchen. I have mentioned it before, and you will be hearing it again and again. I am very lucky to have had this all my life. She whipped up quite a few stunners for the family over Easter.

I like going home. Mostly for this reason.

Catherine's chocolate cake with plum and Earl Grey ice-cream

Friday, 1 April 2011

simple supper for one

Goats cheese and beetroot salad
Whilst waiting for a friend to get ready, I dawdled about in the kitchen where my oldest and dearest friend was just sitting down to supper with her boyfriend. On her plate, beautiful colour and temptation, on his plate, a microwave shepherds pie (he insisted!). I couldn't help but fork it and tonight, I couldn't help but make it myself...

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

home sweet (or savoury) home

Roasted butternut squash with sweet spices,
lime and green chilli
Finish work. A quick pick up on Drayton Gardens, then belting it down the A3. I'm happy to say I'm back in the bosom of my family for just one night and of course I have a delicious glorious supper to look forward to. Believe it or not, this is just an average Wednesday night. This is how my mother cooks every day of the year!