I am not normally a breakfast person. If I am super organised I throw some granola and yogurt into a bowl and eat that once I get into the office. Or I will grab a bagel on my way. But usually, my breakfast is a coffee (or two). Nowadays, maybe because I am walking my dogs early in the morning or because I am at home and surrounded by food, by about 10:30 I am HUNGRY! Bruléed grapefruit, which many of you will recognise as the darling of the 1970’s diet book has become my breakfast of choice.
Why?
- It can be made in stages so easy to do between calls
- So tasty!
- All those 1970’s diet books can’t be wrong – this is kind of healthy for you!
- Using a culinary blowtorch is fun!
- It looks so pretty and colourful, it cheers me up (all these days we need all the cheering up we can get!).
How are you all coping with life in social isolation? I am in week three of work from home and oh boy, it’s a rollercoaster. I woke up with a sore throat the other morning and immediately assumed I had the ‘rona. Which I do not. The days seem to drag even though my work has seemingly doubled. And how can I go from looking totally respectable in my bathroom mirror to looking like trash 5 minutes later on a video call? But I’m still working which is something to be very grateful for when there are so many people being laid off so the vortex of ugly between my bathroom and my computer seems like a small price to pay!
Variations
I like to top my bruléed grapefruit with some coyo and usually either some granola or chopped pistachio nuts. Of course on the day I decided to take photos I had neither in the house. So, I topped it with a maraschino cherry. Which was delicious!
Other toppings could include:
- Greek or Flavoured Yoghurt or whipped cream
- Berries or other fruit
- Nuts or seeds of your choice
- Vanilla ice cream (hey, you’re working from home, who’s going to know!)
Another way to mix this up is to vary the flavourings in the sugar:
- Add some cinnamon for a warming and sweetly spicy effect
- Adding lavender or other flower infused sugar will bring out the floral notes in the grapefruit
- Give it an Asian twist by adding a little chilli, some chopped up crystallised ginger and a dash of salt
Hmm…my recipe plugin is not working at the mo so here is recipe old school style
Bruléed Grapefruit
- 1/2 ruby red grapefruit
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- A large dollop coconut (or other) yoghurt
- 1 Maraschino cherry
Place the grapefruit cut side adown on kitchen paper and leave for around 5 minutes to drain any juice from the top. The drier it is, the better it will brulée.
Sprinkle the sugar on the cut side of the grapefruit.
Set your blowtorch to high and move to and fro over the grapefruit to caramelise the sugar. (If you do not have a blowtorch, set your grill (broiler) to high, wait until it is hot and set your grapefruit under it until the sugar caramelises).
Serve immediately with a dollop of yoghurt and a cherry on the top!
I have no stories since it is week 3 in the house but I thought it might be interesting if we started to share how we are entertaining ourselves during social distancing. This is what I’ve been up to:
Doing
This puzzle again….Arrgghhhh…what is wrong with me?
Watching
I watched Dare Me on Netflix which I really liked. I am about halfway through The Haunting of Hill House which I am loving but I can only watch in small doses because it scares the hell out of me.
For film club I need to watch The Martian and Stand By Me.
Hmm…maybe we all need to watch The Martian…
Reading
I am reading Two Can Keep a Secret which is the sequel to One of Us is Lying which I loved!!!! As well as an Agatha Christie for the next Dining With The Dame.
What are you reading, watching doing during lockdown? I would love to get ideas for new things!
Stay home, stay safe, eat grapefruit for breakfast!
