Tuesday 25 April 2017

The Spirit of July

At this time of year, we're all constantly thinking about the summer ahead, filling our minds full of eternal sunshine, endless days of fun, food and frolics in the park and packing our bags ready to jet off for our uninterrupted, precious, dearly-held holidays. Fanny is no different. She is forever telling us about the glorious 'foreign' recipes she has collected on her travels, and that we should be presenting to our guests, encouraging us to always refer to our creations with their French names. Except today. It's all about the wonderful world of the all-natural, all-British ingredients. Almost.

Fanny Cradock Spirit of July

Fanny says they are indisputably (and, be honest, would you argue with her?) the very best in the world. She always maintains that 'this island' grows the finest fruit and vegetables of all. However, when she's in a particularly 'wry' mood she is compelled, for honesty's sake, to add "they just suffer a little when they reach some English doors!" Presumably she isn't talking about us, her dearly devoted followers? After all she is showing us the correct way to ensure that no produce suffers in our hands. Unless aspic is involved.

Fanny Cradock Spirit of July

With summer in mind, and feeling a little nostalgic for the sunny days of youth, Fanny wants to revive an adult-only version of a childhood staple - a whipped fruit cream dessert. I was obsessed with Angel Delight when I was young, loving almost every flavour (even banana). So easy to buy, so easy to make, so easy to enjoy. Fanny has grander ideas of course, making good use of British strawberries, especially those which may not be perfect enough (yet) to simply enjoy with cream. She brings us the throughly British Spirit of July. or L'Espirit de Juillet, for those that simply cannot resist.

Fanny Cradock Spirit of July

It's not only the desserts that are making Fanny reminisce. She's caught sight of herself in the mirror, in-between frantic cooking sessions. It must be hot in the kitchen and she's tired. Her face is burning up (only a little) and is looking a little, erm, shall we say, saggy. Before getting stuck into her Spirit of July, she reaches for an un-skinned and completely un-continental cucumber. She quickly tops and tails it, and rubs the pieces you'd normally throw away over her face for an 'instant' face-lift. Her clammy flesh muscles tighten and her face cools instantly, she tells us. She doesn't forget her sticky, sweaty neck or back either, for maximum cooling down possibilities. I am so glad she felt the need to share.

Fanny Cradock Spirit of July

If we haven't lost our appetites, and to distract ourselves from Fanny's flushed face, we should throw ourselves into whipping up egg whites, whipping in whipped cream, whipping together Maraschino, Kirsch and icing sugar, and whipping through blitzed strawberries. The resulting whip is light and fluffy, and must, Fanny insists, be served in old-fashioned champagne glasses topped with a single, fresh, presumably acceptable looking, strawberry. This must be the all-British way. I was lucky if my Angel Delight made it beyond the mixing bowl in reality. Guaranteed to whip you back in time, or straight ahead into summer, whichever you desire. That's the spirit...

Fanny Cradock Spirit of July

10 comments:

  1. Ooh this looks absolutely yummy. I'm loving all the flavours. Would Fanny approve, if I substituted meringue powder? Raw eggs can't be eaten by children - even though mine are growing as quickly as David turns into the Hulk! I promise to rub cool cucumber over me.
    Where did you get your cherries from please?

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    1. Substitute away - I've never used meringue powder - is it cooked? Does it fluff up? I'll need to search some out! The cherries are from a cocktail shop... Mmmmm....

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  2. What do you mean 'even' banana?! That was my favourite - I loved Cool banana milkshake too at school. Remember that? This looks like a whizzy dessert to try :)

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  3. What a treat! Loved the cucumber trick. I'll do that next time I make cucumber sandwiches for an afternoon tea!

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  4. Oh, that looks delicious.

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  5. Thanks for sharing Fanny's beauty secrets. Love your blog which I just discovered a few days ago (after looking for the Brandy Butter recipe she mentions in her Christmas cooking special). I've heard of Fanny through other cooking show and I after watching her on youtube I think I'm in love.

    Still don't know what Brandy butter is...

    (satine)

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    1. Hey thanks! Fanny is great isn't she? Her recipe for Brandy Butter is - whip 7oz butter with grated rind of an orange until white & creamy, whip in 1/2lb soft brown sugar, 1 teaspoon orange flower water and a miniature of brandy... voila, Brandy Butter (green colouring optional)... hope that helps?

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