Friday 13 April 2012

Food, Glorious Food!

The Portico is more than a library – it is a cultural institution, it is a gallery, it is a meeting space.  And it is also a place for nourishment, both cultural and culinary!  Though you may not automatically associate ‘library’ with ‘lunch’, our members and their guests regularly dine in the reading room and in the Cobden corner on meals and snacks prepared by our cook Kathy and served by our waitress Chantelle.  The menu is hearty, ranging from poached salmon to chili to soup and sandwiches with choices of beer, wine, juices and hot beverages.



Best of all, at least for those sweet-toothed, the desserts!  Kathy’s Portico Pavlova, Portico Sundae with strawberry sauce, and cakes and scones are a true pleasure.   Members of the public are also able to enjoy tea or coffee and cake in the gallery area.   Manchester based poet Jeffrey Wainwright said Kathy’s scones were the best he ever tasted!  Perhaps the recipe below from Kathy herself could get your mouth watering?



Portico Pavlova
For the Meringue:
4 egg whites (5 fl. oz.)
7 oz. golden caster sugar
1 oz. sifted golden icing sugar
1 tsp. corn flour
1 tsp. cider vinegar
Pre-heat oven to gas mark 170C.
Line large baking tray with bakewell. Wipe round large mixing bowl and whisk with lemon juice.
Whisk egg whites until hold stiff peaks.
Whisk in caster sugar 1 tbsp. at a time, whisking very well between additions until mix is very stiff.
Whisk in icing sugar and corn flour (both sifted) followed by the vinegar.
Using small cutter, arrange on baking tray - should get approximately 10.
Bake for approximately 48-60 minutes, checking and turning every 12 minutes.
Reduce heat halfway to gas mark 150C.
Cool for 10 minutes and then finish cooling on a wire rack.

For the Pavlova:
Place meringue on a plate. Cover with a dollop (or two!) of whipped cream, strawberry or chocolate sauce and toppings of your choice.  Serve with a spoon and enjoy! 

Tea or Coffee and Cake is available from 11.30 to 2.30 in the Gallery for members of the public!

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