Perhaps it is the time of year but I’m feeling quite nostalgic. Thinking about childhood memories from years ago, one in particular, my Granny’s sherry trifle.
On New Year’s Day, we always used to go to my paternal Granny’s for dinner. The menu was always the same: homemade soup, steak pie with potatoes and peas and trifle for dessert. Traditional and very tasty. It was a tradition that started with my Dad’s Granny, hosting Ne’er Day dinner and my Granny carried it on until dementia set in. When my Granny died, my brother inherited the trifle bowl and serving spoon. He loved them from when he was very young.
When my Papa was alive, he used to joke about nudging my Granny’s arm when she was pouring the sherry to soak the Swiss roll in. My Granny always used Swiss roll as the sponge. Never any jelly. For me, it was always my favourite part of the meal. New Year was the only time I ate trifle. Nowadays with everything available all year round, it’s nice to be harking back to a time when things weren’t readily available.
This trip down memory lane all started the other night when I watched “The Great Festive Bake Off” with the cast of “Derry Girls.” Their signature challenge was to make a trifle. Earlier today, trifle was featured in two cookery programmes. I felt it was a sign, so I bought the ingredients and made my Granny’s sherry trifle.
For a first attempt, it was okay. I didn’t soak the sponge enough. I didn’t want it to be soggy. I’d also make the custard slightly thicker too, it was a little too runny. Other than that, it was a taste of childhood and it was good. Its been a long time since I last had trifle at New Year, it’s a tradition that I intend to continue as my Granny did before me.
