Tuesday 10 May 2016

Fancy A Trinitarian Fumble?

Now that's an intriguing title. It's all Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's fault. Liz recommended this book, and I borrowed it from the library. It is extremely interesting and there is loads in it - but one idea that I liked was his theory of the Holy Trinity of Puddings.
HFW says that all the best puddings have three components
one- fruity
two- creamy 
three- cakey/ crispy/ crunchy
I think he is right about this, consider these classic desserts...

  • apple crumble and custard
  • ice cream sundae in wafer basket
  • trifle 
  • black forest gateau
  • classic fruit flan with creamy filling
  • blackberry pie, clotted cream
  • choc mousse on biscuit base with fruit garnish
  • Sussex pond pud with lemon butter sauce
  • Christmas pud and brandy butter
Each of these desserts includes his three components. HFW maintains that if you are using up leftovers to make a pudding, you should attempt some version of this trinity. e.g.

  • plain yogurt, with a dollop of jam and a biscuit to dip in
  • bread and butter pudding, with sultanas
  • leftover sponge cake layered in a glass with sliced bananas and chocolate sauce
And the fumble? Hugh keeps a jar of ready prepared crumble topping to top leftover fruit. But instead of serving with cream or custard, he combines the fruit with the creaminess to make a fool, and then tops it with crumble.
fool + crumble = fumble
I don't usually buy a book immediately after reading it, but there is so much in this one I know I shall use that I treated myself [RRP £20, but I found it for £6 with free delivery on the internet] I'm sure I shall share more of the ideas and recipes with you later.
















11 comments:

  1. I like HFW very much. He seems down to earth and sensible. Rather like Nigel Slater I feel there is a real love for food rather than the celebrity trappings. Of course, I may be wrong, but that's the impression I get...
    I once preached a sermon on the Trinity based on Mars bars....

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  2. Let me guess - the Christian Life is all about work, rest and play....and sharing the chocolate with others!!

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    1. No - just that a Mars Bar is made of 3 elements: chocolate, caramel and moussey stuff. Without each element it wouldn't be a Mars Bar. You can't separate any element and still have a Mars Bar. In the same way, God is made up of the 3 elements of the Trinity. You can't take any part away. (This was all in French, by the way!!)
      Then I gave out mini Mars bars to the congregation and asked them to remember God every time they had a Mars bar. One member of the congregation later remarked on the fact that my sermon had been "very English" To this day I have no idea if that is a good thing or not!!

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    2. I am so impressed that you can preach IN FRENCH! Preparing a sermon in one's mother tongue is challenging enough. Are Mars bars as popular in France as they are here? [and how generous to give a mini one to everyone afterwards- that does at least help them to remember the sermon]

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  3. All those desserts pictured look tempting! I had to look up Sussex pond pudding, though, as that was a new one to me.

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    Replies
    1. Here is the recipe I use - and microwaving it is so quick too!

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    2. sorry, forgot the link http://angalmond.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/lulavs-and-etrogs.html

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    3. Thank you for the link to the recipe. Of course, the hardest ingredient to find over here will be the suet! Not something one finds every day at the grocery stores, here!

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    4. I wonder if you could use an alternative fat - butter or lard - or maybe Crisco. The best method would be to freeze it then grate it from frozen into the recipe I think.

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  4. Oh Dear, and I promised myself No More Cookbooks.

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    Replies
    1. Borrow it from the library first, just to make sure it is one you will get on with!

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