GOOD DAY. I thought, mostly in a selfish attempt to stave off library-based insanity, I'd give you dinner (figuratively), drinks (also figurative) and a treat for tomorrow. Mini mozzarella pizza puffs, Earl Grey Martinis and a shopping spree. Sound good?
EAT: mini pastry puffs
Today marks the beginning of my new approach to blogging: distribution of Bridget Jones-themed advice. After all, the benefits we can reap from what was arguably one of the most relatable films of all time are endless. Today's tip: food is always, always 'trendy' in miniature form.
You will need:
- One pack of ready-rolled puff pastry- makes about 18 tarts (3 each plus salad and/or chips is a decent meal size)
- Plain flour
- Cookie cutters, ramekins or anything circular you can use to cut the pastry. You'll need two sizes- one slightly bigger than the other.
- Pesto/tomato puree
- Cheese- mozzarella and cheddar are winners
- Raid your fridge for pretty much anything else you fancy- I went for: red onion, courgette, peppers, bacon bits and sundried tomatoes.
- 1 egg yolk to coat the pastry
1. Cook any meat you're planning to use (bacon, chicken etc)
2. Cut up your fillings into fine pieces & grate cheese
3. Spread flour on your worktop & roll out pastry to about 3mm thick. Use the smaller template to cut the tart bases from the pastry and place them on an oven tray covered in baking foil or butter
4. Spread pesto/tomato puree lightly in the centre of the pastry
5. Add small amounts of your toppings into little piles in the middle of the pastry (be generous with cheese)
6. Use the remaining pastry to cut larger circles out
7. Carefully layer the larger pastry circles on top of the tarts
8. Use a fork to press down the edges, sealing the tarts
9. Using a brush or the back of a spoon, glaze the sealed tarts with egg yolk
10. Place in the oven, at about 200 degrees/gas mark 6 for about 25 minutes or until golden
DRINK: Gin & Earl Grey Martinis
Given that my favourite drinks are, unsurprisingly, tea and G&Ts, this little two birds/one stone concept was an inevitability. This is a seriously easy way to impress someone, provided you purchase the necessary kitsch/tacky plastic cocktail glasses. That said, if the object of your desires is a fan neither of gin nor pretentious tea leaves,1. this probably isn't the recipe for you. Perhaps seek someone with better taste in beverages.
I'm very much operating on a quantities negotiable basis, depending on the kind of day you had. A bit of improvisation never hurt anyone (again, see Bridget Jones).
You will need:
- A bottle of gin (I'm a fan of Gordon's/Tanqueray but obviously what I actually used is Sainsbury's London Dry- works fine if times are hard)
- Earl Grey teabags (again, amount negotiable but best to buy a whole packet)
- A couple of lemons and a passion fruit or two if this is a special occasion
- Flavoured sparkling water (you can usually get 3 for £1 in supermarkets, choose whichever flavour you prefer. I went for passion fruit & mango)
- Caster Sugar & water (to make sugar syrup)
- Jazzy cocktail shaker set (not compulsory but why not make it dinner and a show)
1. Pour the gin into a jug and add a handful of teabags. Stir occasionally, letting the gin turn tea-coloured
2. To make the sugar syrup: 2 parts sugar, 1 part water. Bring the water to the boil on the hob, add sugar & stir until dissolved and remove immediately. Leave to cool.
3. Half fill shaker with ice, pour in 3 tbsp sugar syrup, 1 tbsp lemon juice, whatever measure of gin you deem appropriate & shake
4. Empty half a passion fruit into the glass, add the mix & top up with sparkling water
SHOP:
To combat the raging hangover you may or may not have tomorrow, Londoners and keen H&M fans alike, how about frittering away some of that hard earned cash/loan/overdraft...
So there you have it. A comprehensive guide to procrastination and expenditure/an afternoon well spent in the library. Good day to you.
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