Pudding for One
Sophie Lombardi
I find myself at home alone on Friday nights with increasing frequency. To be clear, I am absolutely fine with the situation as I am always knackered and don’t have the energy to create a meal , go out (what?????) or compromise on my Netflix choices. To optimize these quiet and wonderful evenings, I like to indulge in a personal pudding. There is no need to share and there is something a little rebellious about having ‘just a pudding’ for supper. If this is also your Friday night situation, I have put a couple of VERY simple recipes below to cover both chocolatey and carby cravings.
Chocolate Soufflé for One
50g dark chocolate
A pinch of sea salt
2 heaped tablespoons caster sugar,
25g butter,
1 large egg separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
Set a fan oven to 180°C and grease a ramekin or small oven proof dish with butter
Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and melt slowly.
Whilst the chocolatey mixture is melting, whisk your egg whites until they become snowy peaks and then whizz in the sugar until it all becomes glossy.
Take the bowl of chocolate and butter off the heat and cool slightly. Then stir in the vanilla extract and egg yolk.
Fold the stiff egg whites into the chocolatey mixture and delicately spoon into the ramekin.
Cook for 18 mins and scoff with cream and or ice cream.
Individual Bread and Butter Pudding
x2 small slices of any bread or brioche
a handful of sultanas, cranberries or choc chips
x2 tbsp caster sugar
x2 tbsp double cream
60ml whole milk
Butter to spread
x1 egg
Set a fan oven to 180° C and grease a ramekin or small oven proof dish with butter
Spread the bread liberally with butter.
Layer the bread (you may need to cut it down) into the ramekin sprinkling the dried fruit or choc chips between the layers as you go.
Meanwhile whisk the egg, cream, sugar and milk together in small jug.
Pour the creamy mixture over the bread in the ramekin, sprinkling nutmeg or cinnamon on the top if desired.
Bake for 35 minutes until the top is golden and delicious.
YUM YUM and no need for mind-bending ‘Ottolenghi-style’ 15 ingredient and 25 step instructional methods for total delicious decadence.
Sophie xx
One spoon please?