Not to be confused with the vegetable of the same name from temperate countries, sorrel is a favourite West Indian drink for Christmas and New Year. Actually it’s more of a spiced, iced tea, as the juice is drawn from the red sepals of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa) which is commonly called sorrel in the Caribbean. This drink is a favourite with children to whom the task of ‘picking’ sorrel (removing the red sepals from the prickly seed) is often given. The drink is usually prepared in two batches with one batch being spiked with rum for the adults. The drink needs a lot of sugar to temper the tartness of the fruit but to my mind it should not be made thick and sweet, for then it becomes sickly and cloying although some like it this way, so feel free to vary the ingredient amounts to suit your taste. Usually served chilled with ice but I had a German friend tell me that this drink reminded her of mulled wine so I imagine it could also be served warm.
I woke up a few mornings ago thinking about a special Christmas cookie we used to make using my Hungarian grandmother’s recipe. I could remember the cookie, but not the name. Thanks to Facebook (who knew a friend in Cabo had a friend in Hungary!) I got the name but an internet search didn’t come up with something exactly like I remembered. I took the closest, which used raisins, and came up with this which is EXACTLY as I remembered, but much easier. NOTE: if you like the filling you might want to make about 1.3 times the amount to overstuff your Kifli. If there’s any left over roll it into balls, cover with sugar and call it a truffle. Hope someone out there enjoys this!
This dish is a little work but the end result is glorious! The sauce adds an interesting finish. In Spain, this dish is traditionally made with goose, but duck is more readily available here.
Young partridges are considered to have particularly delicate flesh and are usually roasted, while older ones are most often used in casseroles or stews. Count on one bird per person. There are two main types, both edible: the grey or common partridge and the red-legged partridge. The latter is larger but its flesh is considered to be less delicate. If you do not hunt for these wild birds, they are readily available in speciality shops with a gourmet butcher, or most larger super-markets will have partridges packaged in two’s, and frozen. These seem to be more readily available during the Christmas season. I acquired an excellent cookbook, while on a trip to England many years ago, entitled “Supercook’s Poultry and Game Cookbook”. The investment in this book has returned extraordinary dividends. Over time, I have used most of the recipes in this book, at least once. An absolutely delicious dinner, this recipe may be served with mashed potatoes, and buttered baby carrots; but make your own choices, you won’t be sorry.
Soft, tender fish that melts in your mouth covered with a delicate sauce. All chinese flavors combined to bring you a fresh dish.
