La Recette du Jour

These really are an "amuse-gueule" -- when you bite into the crisp caramel coating, the sweet tomato inside explodes with juice. We had the recipe from one of our favourite local restaurants, the Relais du Val d'Orbieu.

A recipe for grape harvesters ...

A sumptuous cocktail, to be enjoyed on a palm-fringed tropical beach ...

Nice little nibbles to have with drinks or as a very light starter. You can use either filo or feuilles de brick for this.

Hot canapés; makes about 80.

Hot canapés.

I felt very virtuous doing this, because after squeezing my oranges for juice, I used the empty shells to make these little candied nibbles. The recipe I used suggested removing the peel in quarters, then using the oranges for something else, but I needed the juice so I did the opposite. After squeezing, I cut each half-shell in half again, and then used a small sharp knife to remove the remaining pulp/membrane, a bit like skinning fish; once you get the tip of the knife under the membrane, you can grip one end of the peel firmly, skin-side against the cutting board, and push the rest off with the knife quite easily.

Once made, these can be kept in an airtight tin. An elegant garnish for citrus or chocolate desserts; and for after-dinner treats you can dip them in melted chocolate and serve with coffee.

Having said all that, while not difficult it is time-consuming, and you can't go very far away while they are cooking.

This is a wonderfully refreshing summer punch, to be drunk chilled outdoors on a hot day, as an aperitif. Prepare it in a very large earthenware bowl and ladle into wine glasses. Warning, it doesn't taste at all alcoholic!

With thanks to Maggie for the recipe, and Sunny for finding it when I'd lost it. I made half-quantity and I haven't tasted it yet, but I'm told it's delicious ...