Valentine’s Day fayre

BY PALOMA LACY

Nothing says, I love you, quite like a luxurious, gooey dessert to share.

Big Mike’s Calypso Kitchen at Boxpark Croydon has launched a decadent trio of puddings in time for Valentine’s Day.

Best of all, for every dessert ordered, the restaurant will donate one to Croydon’s homeless.

Now that’s what spreading a little love really looks like.

South London – based, award-winning fine dining chef, Robbie Lorraine, has created two of three sweet treats, the only dilemma customers face is which to choose from.

In a modern take on a classic, Beetroot Bakewell Tart, offers a sweet crumbly short crust pastry, with a layer of silky smooth beetroot jam, and an indulgently nutty almond frangipane filling, topped with fondant icing, beetroot gel and finished with beetroot sherbet.

Millionaire Shortbread is a welcome addition to the range, and quite frankly, looks almost too pretty to eat.

There’s also Caramel Crunch Cheesecake, made by restaurant owner, Big Mike Springer’s own fair hand, to a much-coveted family recipe.

Desserts are available for delivery and collection from Big Mike’s Calypso Kitchen at Boxpark Croydon.

All the best things come in pairs and these puds are no different – two slices cost £7.99.

Order from www.bigmikesck.com.

The restaurant works with charity Croydon Night Watch every fortnight to feed the homeless, serving up 1, 000 meals since September 2020, as part of its Challenge Focus 100 initiative.

Sadly, the queue is growing but this only goes to strengthen Mr Springer’s resolve to make a difference, with his firm belief that no one should go hungry in London.

Brazilian sweets, brigadeiros, are taking London by storm.

Never heard of them? Well, you soon will. Halfway between a chocolate truffle and fudge, rolled in chocolate sprinkles, they are wickedly delicious and dangerously moreish.

Rio de Janeiro-born Katia Hickmann shows how to show love the South American way with a box of 16 brigadeiros topped with stunningly fresh, seasonal British flowers – £55.

But that’s not all – she also makes brownies and New York-style cookies. Go to www.brigadeirogourmetuk.com

Good things come to those who wait and we reckon this will improve everyone’s lockdown mood.

Regular visitors to Rudie’s Jerk Shack at Borough Market or Brixton Market will be thrilled with the recent launch of the Rudie’s DIY Kit.

You can now order the much loved Jerk Chicken Wrap to make and enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

With enough ingredients to make four – the kit includes marinated jerk chicken, packed with flavour from a 24-hour marination process, tortillas, jerk gravy, Scotch bonnet chilli jam, jerk ketchup, lettuce, peppers and red cabbage slaw.

Time to crack open the barbecue – probably the nearest you’ll get to oil drum grilling and smoking that all Rudie’s restaurants offer.

Orders will be delivered four days per week and what a great family dinner this makes. www.restaurantkitsuk.com.

The Valentine’s food market at Ram Quarter, Wandsworth, on Sunday, February 14, will be teeming with delicious dishes.

Pigling Street Butchery is teaming up with Machis Barbecue to offer a special Valentine’s Day three-course menu – for collection from noon-3pm.

It includes a selection of antipasti, followed by steak, roast pork or roast chicken (or a mix of all three) for the main course, finishing off with a wheat free chocolate brownie for dessert.

£45 for two people and pre-order from: www.pigglingstreetbutchery.co.uk

Main Pic: Beetroot Bakewell tart from Big Mike’s Calypso Kitchen