By the Lazy Tigers
Happy New Year one and all. Well, isn’t it nice to get Christmas over and done with and get back to the somewhat staid lifestyle to which we have all recently become accustomed?
Traditionally, cookery and cuisine columns at this time of year advocate weight loss, clean eating, and the dreaded detox. Here at London Tiger Coffee, we will have none of that kind of defeatist attitude. We have a couple of incredibly easy puddings and a cocktail with (barely) a healthy ingredient in sight to kick-start your 2021.
First, do you have any mincemeat, Christmas cake, or Christmas pudding taking up fridge space in a Tupperware container? Do you need to see the back of it for your own sanity? Try this fast dessert. It is so easy you can assemble it and eat it while you are in the kitchen pretending to make a cup of tea.
Christmas ice cream sandwich
To make one:
- 1 large scoop of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, cherry, pistachio or what you will)
- 1 tbsp of mincemeat or anything leftover that has dried fruit and spice in it
- 2 plain biscuits of your choice (tea biscuits, Nice, digestives, or Abernethy for example)
Mix together the ice cream and the dried fruit concoction, place between the two biscuits and serve.
Secondly, do you have an old man with a sweet tooth lying around your house, taking up space on the sofa? Do you need to pander to a jaded palate? Try this pudding with only three ingredients, which you might remember from school dinners. It is incredibly sweet, but can be served with fruit, cream, or nuts. It takes a little bit of cooling time but virtually no prep or cooking.
Gypsy tart
To make four to six portions:
- 320 grams dark brown sugar
- 1 X 400g can of evaporated milk (well chilled, best overnight)
- 1 x 25cm shortcrust pastry case (either buy this already baked or buy a round of pastry and pre-bake the case blind before preparing the filling)
Place a flat baking tray in the oven to preheat it at 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6.
Beat together the sugar and the evaporated milk until it is glossy and thick. This should take about 12 to 15 minutes. The mixture should be a light coffee colour and hold a peak.
Pour the mixture into the baking case and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. The top of the tart should be set, but still a bit tacky.
Allow the tart to cool. It is good in about an hour, but even better the next day.
You can do fancy things like arranging nuts on top, or grate on lemon zest or serve with cream or crème fraiche, but we are too lazy, and it is great on its own.
Thirdly, if you absolutely must drink something healthy, how about the antioxidant power of pomegranates? They are also loaded with potassium and vitamin C. They are good for the hair and eyes and work wonders for your blood pressure. Fresh pomegranates are available all through the winter in Lagos and are still good in January. If you can’t find fresh, there are lots of good juice brands in the shops.
Pomegranate Ginger Smash
To make one:
- 50 ml of vodka (any old type will do)
- 50 ml of ginger beer
- 50 ml of pomegranate juice
Throw it in a glass with lots of ice, drink down, and relish the toxins leaving your body.
Fourthly, be good to yourself this January. Remember we all had a little bit of a battering last year, and none of us got out enough to be naughty over the holidays. Take it easy, and if you are out, come and see us at London Tiger Coffee in the Old Town.
Facebook: @londontigercoffee
