By the Lazy Tigers
Happy February everyone. We have made it through the worst of the winter and the days are getting longer. We have two big, very different events to look forward to this month. The first, arriving on the 14th is Valentine’s Day, the second is the Volta ao Algarve on the 16th.
The first occasion may require us to shop and cook and dress up, the second is like a big fair coming to town with lots of buzz and exotic strangers. We know which we prefer (the second), and suggest you get your other half to do all the running on the romantic front; however, if you have got to cook on Valentine’s, here are a few ideas.
The first thing you must remember about Valentine’s are the rules.
- Anything pink/red is Valentinesy
- Anything with a sexy name is Valentinesy
- Anything French is Valentinesy
- Anything heart-shaped is Valentinesy
So, what we have for you is two cocktails with sexy names, one of which is red, a French breakfast dish and advice on the heart-shaped stuff.
Firstly, what could be more appropriate than a kiss?
The Kiss
Serves 1 or 2:
- 60ml of Gin (any old kind)
- 25ml of Sweet Vermouth (like Martini Bianco)
- 25ml of Dubonnet Rouge
- 7.5ml of a luxury cherry liqueur (there are lots in the shops)
- Apple to garnish
Add all of the alcohol into a mixing glass and top up with ice.
Stir and strain into two martini glasses or one big glass with two straws. Garnish with a piece or two of apple cut into heart shapes.
If you like your cocktails with a little innuendo, why not try a Between the Sheets?
Between the Sheets
Serves 1 or 2:
- 30ml of Brandy or Cognac
- 30ml of Triple Sec (like Cointreau)
- 30ml of Light Rum (any old kind)
- 7.5ml of fresh lemon juice
- Orange peel to garnish
Add all of the liquid into a shaker with ice and vigorously shake. Strain into two small glasses or one big one with two straws. Flame some orange peel over the glass and then discard. Garnish with some more orange peel.
Now under no circumstances are you making either lunch or dinner on Valentine’s. What you might consider is a fairly substantial breakfast. Who knows what the day may bring? Croque Madame is a variation on the classic French sandwich Croque Monsieur and will set you up nicely.
Croque Madame
To make two:
- 4 slices of nice ham (not wafer-thin)
- 100 to 200 grams (depending on the required level of cheesiness) of any hard, white cheese that will melt well. Consider Cheddar or Gruyere, or anything you have in the fridge. Of course, mixing in a bit of Mozzarella won ́t do any harm
- 4 slices of a good quality bread such as sourdough
- 4 tablespoons of butter (at least)
- 2 eggs
Heat a heavy-bottomed frying pan on medium heat and put your oven on about 80 to 100 degrees celsius. Grate the cheese. Make two sandwiches with the ham sandwiched between the cheese and bread, then butter the bread on both sides on the outside. Keep a little of the butter back.
Fry the sandwiches, pressing down with a spatula or fish slice on both sides till they are golden brown, then transfer to the oven to keep warm.
Melt some butter in the pan and fry two eggs (another opportunity to make something heart-shaped with a heart-shaped cutter). Top the sandwiches with the eggs. On no account serve with salad or any other vegetation.
When Valentine’s is over don’t forget to get out to the Volta ao Algarve. You won’t be able to miss it. The Avenida will be closed to all other traffic and there will be huge pantechnicons parked everywhere. The carnival atmosphere will stretch into the night, so get out there and be a barfly. The Lazy Tigers will be there. If you miss us, come and see us in London Tiger Coffee, we are open all February.
R. Marreiros Netto 14, 8600-754 Lagos