Syllabub Sits Well
Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell. Not many people have heard about her. Even I had not till today morning, truth be told.
This particular woman caught my attention because it is her 128th birth anniversary today. 7th September. While it has been more than half a century since she has moved on from this world, she was quite the interesting character. Born in Scarborough (Instantly feel like humming Simon and Garfunkel don't you?) to very unloving parents, she was subjected to neglect and alienation all through her childhood. She spent most of her life living in a shabby apartment with her governess and fell in love with a homosexual Russian artist. Sounds pretty messed up huh?
Well she was a poet and her style and subject of poetry reflects this disturbed nature very clearly. I read quite a few of her poems all day today and a particular one caught my eye. "Sir Beelzebub" (Made me think of 'Lord of the Flies'). The poem starts with the line "Well Sir Beelzebub called for his syllabub in the hotel in Hell." Feel free to check out the rest of the poem and also other poems such as 'Clown's House' and 'The Fan' by her. What I shall highlight however is the Syllabub.
Well syllabubs are a very old and traditional dessert hailing from English countrysides. In reality it is quite a strange item to consume as a dessert. It is milk curdled with apple cider or wine. Doesn't sound very appetizing? Modern versions of the syllabub are however quite different and yummy. It is too simple to provide a recipe. I will give you a feel of what is to be done however.
Chilled double cream, whipped to soft peaks with the addition of sugar and lemon zest (you may make fancy berry versions if you wish) with chilled white wine, sparkling wine, apple cider or a dessert wine folded in. While cream and wine may not seem like the most ideal combination, this dessert is surprisingly refreshing and makes for a beautifully frothy, light and cool end to a meal. I would suggest serving it as a sequel to a fish or seafood main course.
Try out this easy and delicious dessert and read some poetry. Enjoy. :)
This particular woman caught my attention because it is her 128th birth anniversary today. 7th September. While it has been more than half a century since she has moved on from this world, she was quite the interesting character. Born in Scarborough (Instantly feel like humming Simon and Garfunkel don't you?) to very unloving parents, she was subjected to neglect and alienation all through her childhood. She spent most of her life living in a shabby apartment with her governess and fell in love with a homosexual Russian artist. Sounds pretty messed up huh?
Well she was a poet and her style and subject of poetry reflects this disturbed nature very clearly. I read quite a few of her poems all day today and a particular one caught my eye. "Sir Beelzebub" (Made me think of 'Lord of the Flies'). The poem starts with the line "Well Sir Beelzebub called for his syllabub in the hotel in Hell." Feel free to check out the rest of the poem and also other poems such as 'Clown's House' and 'The Fan' by her. What I shall highlight however is the Syllabub.
Well syllabubs are a very old and traditional dessert hailing from English countrysides. In reality it is quite a strange item to consume as a dessert. It is milk curdled with apple cider or wine. Doesn't sound very appetizing? Modern versions of the syllabub are however quite different and yummy. It is too simple to provide a recipe. I will give you a feel of what is to be done however.
Chilled double cream, whipped to soft peaks with the addition of sugar and lemon zest (you may make fancy berry versions if you wish) with chilled white wine, sparkling wine, apple cider or a dessert wine folded in. While cream and wine may not seem like the most ideal combination, this dessert is surprisingly refreshing and makes for a beautifully frothy, light and cool end to a meal. I would suggest serving it as a sequel to a fish or seafood main course.
Try out this easy and delicious dessert and read some poetry. Enjoy. :)
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