Pokerounce

Having just been to an medieval banquet at Warwick Castle it has put me in mind of a sweetmeat that was supposed to have been a Christmas favourite in times of yore.  Not only was Pokerounce a favourite sweetmeat it was regarded as being an aphrodisiac thanks to its ingredients. First of all there was honey which in medieval times was regarded as being a 'sweetener', that had the powers to cure sterility and impotence. Then there is ginger which had always been noted for its beneficial properties especially as a stimulant to get the pulse racing. Pine nuts were recorded in an early manuscript as being able to stimulate the libido, indeed a concoction of pine nuts, honey and almonds taken on three consecutive nights culminated in 'desirable effects', in other words - a medieval Viagra. So, put all three together and you have a tempting nibble that may well tempt a nibble this Christmas? Ok, ok, calm down, here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

8oz of set honey, Dartmoor if possible as you get the heather effect

½ teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon of ground black pepper

½ teaspoon of ground ginger

4 doorsteps of white bread

½ teaspoon of cinnamon

1 fistful of pine nuts

Waye to cooke

1) Take a small saucepan and weigh on scales, then add the honey spoonful by spoonful until the required additional weight is reached. Yes, I had to think about that as well, what's meant is that if you weigh the pan first then add the honey, 'tis easier 'n ladlin' it out from a basin where some on un u'll be stuck to the sides.

2) Add the spices to the honey and simmer over a low heat for 3 - 4 minutes or until the consistency becomes fluid and pourable. Don't over heat the honey or else you will end up with a toffee crisp.

3) Now you have two options, you can go for the modern, clean look in which case you need skim off the scummy froth from the top of the mixture. Or alternatively you can go for the darker, medieval look and leave it on.

4) Lightly toast the bread on both sides which will also give the honey mixture chance to cool a little. This will ensure that nobody takes a mouthful of boiling hot honey which not only burns it sticks to human flesh. And whilst we are talking about the bread, don't use any of that poncy foreign tack, this is good old fashioned English white bread just like the lad used to lug up that gert hill.

5) Slice the toast into appropriate portions and thickly spoon over the honey and spices, having done so stud the pine nuts erect into the honey and serve hot whilst bearing in mind the above warning reference of hot honey.

6) Should you want to try out the new, sexy underwear you bought your loved one then you could grate a dusting of dark chocolate over the pokerounce and serve with some honey-mead to get the full aphrodisiac effects. Believe me, its not pronounced  'poke 'r once' on Dartmoor for nothing!