I like words. I like onomatopoeia, I like emotive adjectives, I like funny words (nincompoop, flibbertigibbet, snollygoster – look them up), but more than anything, I like untranslatable words. Words that are lost in translation; feelings and ideas that we can’t put words to, the essence of perhaps an emotional state or belief.
One of my favourite word is betsubara. A Japanese word, that literally means other stomach…your dessert stomach. Now for some etymology: betsubara (別腹), is composed of betsu (separate) and bara (stomach), meaning that your body has a second stomach for sweets things.
I knew it.
Now I can legitimise my gluttony and justify the need for that bowl of sticky toffee pudding after a belly expanding, slap-up roast dinner. A meal for me isn’t right without the final crescendo of a sweet hit, sometimes all it takes is a sugar in my otherwise, sugarless tea.
Explore recipes to satisfy your betsubara here.
Cherry & Almond Welsh Cakes
Weekend visits to Nan’s, a canary-yellow tub of Stork in the fridge, hands in a cracked ceramic baking bowl…
Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta with Poached Pears & Sesame Brittle
This Panna Cotta is really special- the kind of dessert you’d want to serve to your favourite person in the entire world.
Saffron Poached Pears
The phrase less is more applies to gently poached pears more than any other dessert
Clementine Upside-Down Cake
A perfect alternative Christmas cake or simply a great way to use up that merry crate of clementines around the season.
