It was the
English writer Canon Sydney Smith (1771-1845) who suggested that Scots had
no sense of humour. He wrote of our forebears –
“It
requires a surgical operation to get a joke into a Scotch
understanding.”
The
Englishman lived for a number of years in Edinburgh, indeed was the first
editor of the Edinburgh Review in 1802, and perhaps he did find the Scottish
capital of his day to dour and douce. Glasgow on the other hand has always
had a reputation for humour and enjoyment and laughter will be very much to
the fore when the 5th Glasgow International Comedy Festival kicks
off next week (Thursday 8 March 2007). The Dear green Place will host the 17
day funfest ( ends Sunday 24 March 2007) and its packed programme – nearly
300 shows in 40 venues throughout the city with a staggering 85,000 tickets
available for the 240 plus performers. Scottish talent on display will
include Phil Kay, Karen Dunbar, Fred Macaulay and from BBC Radio Scotland’s
‘Off The Ball’ the unique double of Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove. Visit
www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com for full details of an entertaining and
varied programme.
No one
would welcome a Glasgow Kiss (head-butt) but our kiss recipe will appeal to
all those with a sweet tooth. Chocolate Kisses will tickle your palate as
the Glasgow comedy will tickle your laughter zone.
Chocolate Kisses
Ingredients: 4 oz butter, softened; 3 oz castor sugar; 1 egg yolk;
2 tbsp milk; 2 tbsp sieved cocoa powder dissolved in 2 tbsp boiling water
(leave to cool); 8 oz plain flour and 1 tsp baking powder (sieved together)
Buttercream Filling: 3oz butter, soften; 7oz icing sugar and 1
tbsp cocoa sieved together
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180 deg C/Gas Mark 4. In a large bowl beat sugar and butter
together until light, Beat in egg yolk, milk and cooled cocoa mixture. Fold
in flour and baking powder to form a stiff mixture. Place 24 small heaps of
the mixture onto 2 baking sheets. Leave plenty room between each as they
will spread. Bake for 15-20 minutes until set and golden brown. Transfer to
a wire rack to cool. Beat the ingredients for buttercream filling together.
When cool sandwich together with buttercream. Enjoy quickly as Kisses go
soft after 2 days.
