Now that the hoo-ha of Hallowe’en has died away, I turn my attentions very happily to Fireworks Night. I think one of my earliest memories is of staring, mesmerised, at the flickering of the bonfire, writing my name in the air with my sparkler and stamping my cold feet to try and warm up. The fireworks themselves always rather frightened, but I loved the food that would circulate in the chilly garden, or warm us up in the kitchen after, our ears still ringing from the all the explosions: sausages, baked potatoes, hot chocolate. When my children were small, I’d often have friends round for supper after the firework display in the local park: big bowls of food that could be made easily in advance, and this is the food I warm to still.
But obviously, when thinking of what to eat or offer on Bonfire Night, I have to start off with Cocktail Sausages, though there are other ways of the sausage you could take instead: Italian Sausages and Lentils, perhaps, or Split Pea and Frankfurter Soup. And while we’re on hearty soups, I have to put in a plea, too, for that Italian classic, Pasta e Fagioli. And my Spinach and Coconut Soup is wonderful poured into little cups and passed around.
Photo by James Merrell
And I’m thinking that tonight is just right for my Butternut and Sweet Potato Curry or my Moroccan Vegetable Pot (both, incidentally, vegan, as are the pasta and bean and spinach and coconut soups). And while I’m still on the vegan side of the kitchen, I just have to proffer my Tomato Curry with Coconut Rice. But while I love all these, and they happen to be vegan, I am not, and I also feel the night and meat eaters would welcome a Carbonnade, that wonderful Belgian beef and beer stew. But if you want something bolstering that doesn’t need long slow cooking, and preferably to be made in advance, then the quick and easy Chorizo and Chickpea Stew with Bulgar Wheat is what you’re after. And new to the site today, though a long-time favourite in my kitchen, is Beef and Beans with Pasta, which is the best kind of bowlfood.
Photo by Jonathan Lovekin
Photo by Lis Parsons
Photo by Lis Parsons
On the sweet front, I’m stumbling over myself in my haste to suggest a perfect party-pleasing plate of Rocky Road Crunch Bars. But if you want pudding proper (and I certainly want pudding proper!) then this is surely the time to be thinking of an Apple and Walnut Crumble or Sticky Toffee Pudding. And as we all know, it’s never a bad time for my Chocolate Guinness Cake, though I think the cake I’m really hankering after for Bonfire Night is my Ginger and Walnut Carrot Cake. Just talking of that leads me to think of one sure-fire successful option: the glory that is my Chocolate Gingerbread. And this in turn brings me back to the fireworks night treat of my childhood: hot chocolate. Neither of the hot chocolates I’m going to suggest now have children in mind: you can simply melt chocolate in milk for them, and contemplate the Mexican Hot Chocolate or Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate for yourself.
Photo by Lis Parsons
Photo by Lis Parsons
Whatever you eat, may you enjoy it. Have a wonderful Bonfire Night (for those not celebrating it, know that everything I’ve mentioned is perfect for any chilly night) and be safe.
