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Flambé is a dramatic and spectacular way of cooking, and can enhance the flavour of your chosen dish.

Flambe

1. Gently heat the alcohol in a frying pan or saucepan on a low heat until it just begins to bubble.  Don’t allow it to boil.

2. Keeping a metal lid close by, ignite the pan.  In an emergency, you can place the lid over the top to extinguish the flames.

3. Allow the flambe to go out on its own or cover with the lid a few seconds later to contain more flavour in your recipe.

(Thanks to Morrisons magazine for the tips)

To celebrate Chinese new year here is an oriental cocktail recipe for you: China Beach.  This is a lightly spiced cocktail.

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Ginger slice on rim

Ingredients: 1 shot plain vodka, 1 shot ginger tam’s ginger and honey whisky liqueur, 2 shots cranberry juice.

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled glass.

Tipsy Laird is essentially a whisky trifle.  An ideal dessert for a Burns supper.

Ingredients

6 tbsp single malt whisky

Zest and juice of 1 orange

450 grams/1lb raspberries

5 trifle sponges

110 grams / 4 ounces grated white chocolate

A carton of decent fresh custard

400 millilitres  / 13 fluid ounces double cream

A tub of mascarpone cheese

55 grams / 2 ounces flaked almonds, toasted

To prepare

1. In a shallow bowl, mix the orange juice and the whisky.

2. Halve the trifle sponges horizontally.  Dunk each of the pieces into the whisky and orange mixture, then place them into the bottom of a trifle bowl.

3. Scatter the grated chocolate and the raspberries over the top of the trifle sponges.

4. Pour the custard over the top.

5. Half whip the double cream, add the mascarpone then spoon over the trifle.  Before serving scatter the toasted almonds over the top.

A Hot Toddy

Preparation:

• Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey.
• Add the liquor and the juice of the lemon quarter.
• On the side, heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag to make hot tea (if using).
• Pour the steaming tea or hot water into the glass and stir.