Tonic Hierbas Style - Spicy Membrillo and Manchego
Recipe, Food-Styling, Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald
A little bit of sunshine
Happy #dryjanuary everbody! This „internethype” has been talked about and reported on a lot in 2022, some of it quite controversial. I personally really like the initiative! In my environment, many people have been sensitized by it, and critically ask themselves what role alcohol plays in their lives. Whether each single person also participates directly in #dryjanuary, is not so important to me. The main thing is that it becomes a topic. The more it is talked about, the more normal it becomes to live sober. Yip: Normalize Sobriety! As soon as the constant glorification stops a bit and not all beliefs are bluntly parroted, already something would be achieved. In the end, since my youth, I have also only imitated what was parroted to me. And in the long run, that wasn't really effective. I guess this is a well-known scenario. So it's great that something is changing now and that we can set a good and positive example without just talking about bread and water.
My second dry January feels really good, after a year alcohol-free, a lot of things are natural and surprisingly easy. But what really spoils my mood in January for years is the certainty that now the three hardest months of the year are waiting for me. It will stay dark for a while, it will rain a lot, snow is to be expected and it can get really cold again. Here in Hamburg, preferably at the end of February, beginning of March, exactly then, when you think to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Cycling is not to think of, running is ok, but there are more enjoyable things to do. And going to the swimming pool in the evening, frozen from the day, that doesn't sound very comfortable either, a tough test for motivation. During this time, I cook more summer cuisine. I also start barbecuing early, for the feeling. Last weekend there was already a Mexican Taco Fiesta, with lots of lime and mole, that lifts the mood.
For those who don't want to spend hours in the kitchen pressing tacos, I have a simple and quick pairing that may keep the #dryjanuary motivation up a bit. A classic of Spanish tapas cuisine. Membrillo, also known as quince bread in our area, with Manchego cheese. You can get membrillo at Spanish delis, or online. The sweet jelly is tossed in toasted walnuts that are very spicy (chili, smoked paprika) and finely chopped. This adds punch and goes well with the mild cheese. Important, the parsley is not just decoration, please have some! For a drink, there's a delightfully aromatic herbal syrup topped with a mild tonic. Sage, thyme and rosemary capture the flavors of summer, and quote the Spanish Hierbas liqueur, but here in 0.0% style! Delicious, easy and hangover-free, with a hint of summer feeling. To answer the question of how to enjoy the dark January, I would answer: with that!
Buen apetito y salud !
Food-Styling, Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald
Snack
Approx. 200 gr. Membrillo (quince bread)
Approx. 250 gr. manchego
100 gr. walnuts
1.5 tsp. smoked paprika powder
1.5 tsp. Chili powder
Salt
Flat leaf parsley
Toast the walnuts well in a non-stick pan. Let cool and then finely chop in a food processor. Mix with the spices. Season to taste.
Cut membrillo into cubes and „batter” well in the walnut mixture. Finish by serving with the diced cheese and parsley.
Drink
Syrup:
300 ml water
200 gr. sugar
6 juniper berries
4 sprigs thyme, fresh
3 sprigs rosemary, fresh
6 sage leaves, fresh
Garnish:
1 thyme sprig, fresh
1 sprig of rosemary, fresh
1 sage sprig, fresh
Red pepper
Lime slice, flamed with brulee burner
Tonic to top up. E.g. Thomas Henry Botanical Tonic
Heat the water and dissolve the sugar completely. Just before the water boils remove the pot from the flame, now add the juniper and herbs. Leave to infuse until the liquid has cooled down. Important not to boil!
Pour 4 cl of syrup into a glass filled with ice and fill up with tonic. Garnish with herbs, pepper and lime slice.
Food-Styling, Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald