Little something for the weekend

Holiday bramble cocktail

Ingredients

50g Caster sugar 100ml water

4 blackberries, plus extra to serve

30ml Dry gin Slice of lemon, to serve

Method

In a small pan, gently heat the caster sugar with 100ml water, stirring until fully dissolved

Add the blackberries and bring to the boil

Cook until the mixture has reduced by about half

Remove from the heat and leave to cool fully

Strain the cooled liquid between two glasses filled with ice, then add the gin to each

Stir to mix and garnish with a slice of lemon and a blackberry each to serve

Ingredients

4 scoops Clotted Cream Vanilla Ice Cream 50ml freshly made espresso 25ml Vodka

Coffee beans, to garnish

Method

Scoop the ice cream into two bowls Stir together the espresso and vodka, then

pour over the ice cream Garnish with coffee beans to serve

A little something for the weekend!

The Loaded Naan

Last Sunday the skies were blue and the sun as bright as a button. Brilliant I thought, I’ll take myself off into town and grab a bite to eat and a beer in the sun. It was a lovely day for it, so in the car I jumped and off down to the docks I trotted.

However upon getting down there, the weather decided to change slightly. The wind had picked up and some clouds had started to form. After half an hour looking for somewhere in the sun to sit and eat I gave up on the idea. It was just too cold in that wind. So I settled for a takeaway sandwich from one of the many food stalls near the now redundant water fountains.

I had a look at several of the stalls on show, and eventually chose “The Loaded Naan”. Serving up freshly cooked fillings, crisp salads and slaws all served in a toasty warm naan bread. My sandwich of choice was the spicy pulled lamb, with coleslaw and cucumber salad.

I had made my choice, gave my order to the masked server behind the counter. Now to eat out of any of these stalls isn’t cheap, so one would hope that you would get your fill? As I watched my emotionless almost robotic like sever place the fillings in the wrap I decided to crack a joke. “Don’t be shy, pile it on!” Not even a sideways look! Drizzling the mint yoghurt and spicy sauce over the meat the young lady just looked at my sandwich like she was facing a 10 year stretch for manslaughter! I was given my change in a metal bowl. And my now rather delicious looking naan.

A faint “thank you” came from behind her cloth mask which I’m guessing aren’t that healthy to be wearing in a kitchen environment to begin with?

I walked away and tucked in. It was incredibly good. Fresh, bursting with flavour and warm. Everything you’d want in a sandwich like this. As I tucked in every mouthful was a delight. It’s just a shame the filling wasn’t as bountiful as I’d have liked. Great sandwich but not worth the £8.50 price tag.

Article by Peter Abraham Food critic.