"To Sandy, the unfamiliar pineapple had the authentic taste and appearance of happiness ... Both girls saved the cream to the last, then ate it in spoonfuls." (p.16)
"Sandy recalled Miss Brodie's admiration for Mussolini's marching troops ... It occurred to Sandy, there at the end of the Middle Meadow Walk, that the Brodie set was Miss Brodie's fascisti..." (p.31)
With the Edinburgh Festival in full swing and feeling slightly nostalgic for the city after my Harry Potter musings last month, I turned to Muriel Spark for inspiration. It didn't take long for this heady concoction to tickle my creative palate. I took the classic Scottish cranachan (traditionally made with raspberries, oatmeal, cream and whisky) and, using the above quotes for inspiration, turned it into a flamboyant and sultry combination - much like Miss Brodie herself. The pineapple is symbolic of the bright enthusiasm of the Brodie set while the amaretto represents not only Miss Brodie's love of Italy, but the intoxicating effect of her influence.
How would you interpret The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark? All cakes and comments welcome.
Pineapple & Amaretto Crème de la Cranachan
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 small pineapple, stems reserved for garnish
120g amaretti biscuits, crushed
200ml double cream
1tbsp caster sugar (or to taste)
2tbsp Amaretto liqueur
Method:
Slice the pineapple into small pieces (like you would get on a pizza). Place half in a blender and pulse until roughly chopped. Stir in remaining pieces and set aside.
In a large bowl, whip cream and sugar until set. Stir in 2tbsp of the crushed biscuits and the amaretto being careful not to over whip the cream.
Layer the pineapple, crushed biscuits and whipped cream into glasses and garnish with the green stems. Allow to chill slightly before serving.
