How To Entertain This Month With Alexandra Dudley
It always feels like we turn a corner in April. Spring is well and truly in the air, the evenings are lighter and even during the worst of traffic jams or tube delays, everyone’s mood seems to have improved by the welcome appearance of some sunshine. In my home at least, chocolate is also one of the best things about April with Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and Easter lunch on the horizon, so this month I’ve shared a very chocolatey pudding guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Asparagus is just coming into season, and I’ve suggested a delicious way to enjoy it alongside simple lemony fish.
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Lemon Garlic Buttered Monkfish
This is ridiculously simple to make but is no less delicious as a result. Garlic, lemon and butter are always a holy trinity when it comes to fish.
Preheat the oven to 200°C Fan.
Finely slice one lemon and lay half of it over a deep baking dish.
Place the garlic and butter and garlic in a pan and cook gently over a low heat until the garlic has softened and begins to smell fragrant. Zest in the remaining lemon and stir to combine.
Spoon the butter over the fish, season with flakey sea salt and top the fish with the remaining lemon.
Bake the fish for 20 minutes switching the grill for another 3 minutes to brown the lemon.
Serve with freshly squeezed lemon and chopped parsley.
Roast Asparagus & Spring Onions With Pistachio Pesto
This is a simple side but one that always delivers. You’ll end up with a little more pesto than you need which you can keep to stir through pasta, drizzle over salads or use on other veg.
Preheat the oven to 190°C Fan.
Trim any woody ends from the asparagus and peel away any browned outer leaves from the spring onions. Place on a roasting tray. Finely slice half of the lemon and add to the tray. Drizzle liberally with olive oil, season with salt and toss to coat. Roast for 12 minutes.
Combine the pistachios, basil, garlic, juice from the remaining lemon with a good pinch of sea salt and a good glug of olive oil and pulse till you reach a desired texture. Then stir through enough olive oil until you reach a spoonable consistency.
Arrange the asparagus and spring onions onto a platter and spoon over the pesto.
Molten Chocolate Skillet Brownie
This is a seriously chocolatey pudding that has a molten, almost lava-like centre, once baked. Best enjoyed with vanilla ice cream, cooking it in a cast iron skillet means it will stay warmer and molten for longer but if you don’t have one, just use a cake tin.
Preheat oven to 180°C Fan. Lightly grease a 25cm cast iron skillet or line a 25cm cake tin with parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Allow to cool slightly.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa and salt in a separate bowl.
Whisk the sugars into the melted chocolate then whisk in the eggs. Fold in the flour mix then fold in the chopped chocolate.
Pour into an oven proof skillet or cake tin and sprinkle over sea salt.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or or until the top has set but the middle still wobbles. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes and serve with ice cream.
THE ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES ALEXANDRA’S ADDING TO HER TABLE
I have been a longtime fan of canned cocktails when entertaining primarily because they chill so well. A bottle of wine or champagne needs at least three hours but a canned cocktail can chill within the hour. These are my favourites.
Bloody Mary
£36 For 6 | Mary Mary
This might be the best Bloody Mary I have ever tasted. Unless I am making them myself, I find most Bloody Marys disappointing and never ever spicy enough. This one is certainly not shy when it comes to spice. There are two variations: Bit of a Kick and Fiery as Hell. As the names suggest the latter has a proper kick, thanks to fresh jalapeno. They are brilliant and better than anything I make at home.
Available at DRINK-MARYMARY.COM
Rum & Ginger
£39 For 12 | East London Liquor Co.
Usually I am a short-and-strong girl (my drink preference is a dry martini), but occasionally I fancy something a little mellower. These are delicious and still pack a punch when it comes to flavour. Fresh ginger juice is kept alive by a kick of red chilli, all doused in a shot of East London Rum. This little can has a lot going on in it.
Available at EASTLONDONLIQUORCOMPANY.COM
Spicy Margarita
£26 For 8 | Moth
Moth is my go-to when entertaining. I love having a mix of its negronis, margaritas and cosmopolitans ready and chilled when friends come over, letting everyone choose. The team’s latest cocktail is a spicy margarita, and it is delicious. If you like a picante you will love this.
Available at MOTHDRINKS.COM
For more from Alexandra, follow @ALEXANDRADUDLEY or visit ALEXANDRADUDLEY.COM
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