Hello, Again!
Last month, Bottlegreen Drinks generously sent me a selection of their Cordials and Sparkling Pressés (sounds so fancy, doesn’t it?) and a request to design a recipe from them.
It took me a little while to find a perfect pairing, but I like to think I did everyone justice.
Continued after the jump…
First things first; for my North Americans out there, I did not know what a cordial was either. Before I moved to England the only time I had seen the word “cordial” was from the book Anne of Green Gables. Anne Shirley throws a tea party for her friend Dianna and mistakes raspberry cordial for currant wine.
The event doesn’t end well.
In England, cordial (also known as “Squash”) is a common drink mix. Its basically a sweet-flavoured syrup that I like to enjoy with sparkling water, although it also goes quite well with spirits. Bottlegreen is a bit more creative than I and their website has recipes for salsa, salads, roulade and even curries using a variety of cordial flavours.
In Iran; the home of Persian food, many meals are made using a sweet/savoury combination. Fesenjan for example, is a stew flavoured with ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Jeweled rice is made with barberries and saffron. So when I opened my box of Bottlegreen products and lifted pomegranate and elderflower cordial from its tomb of blue packing peanuts, I knew just which culture would inspire my recipe.
- 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
- 4 Tbsp Water
- 1 1/2 Cups Cold Milk
- 4 Tbsp Bottlegreen Pomegranate and Elderflower Cordial
- 1/4 Cup Cooked Vermicelli Noodles
- 2 Cups Vanilla Icecream
- Pomegranate Seeds To Garnish
- In two large glasses, place 1/2 tbsp each of chia seeds followed by 2 tbsp of water. Allow to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- When chia seeds have turned to a gelatinous consistency, divide cooked vermicelli noodles between two glasses, placing gently atop the chia seeds.
- Combine cold milk with cordial and stir to combine. Gently divide mixture between two glasses.
- Add 1 cup cold ice cream to each glass, careful not to disrupt the mixture.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds and enjoy.
Make sure to come along on my culinary adventures by following my Instagram Account.See something you’d like me to cook or write about? Tag me! I can’t wait for you to join in on the #DoTheDaniel adventures.
Photos: Brittany Levett & Bottlegreen Drinks
All the best,