Fancy a Snog?

I think of frozen yoghurt in much the same way that I would think of the disarmingly handsome lead singer of a band with a voice like hot chocolate. Delicious, but not quite to be trusted.* 

I used to think that frozen yoghurt was ice cream for snobs (or rather, for people who insist on calling ice cream ‘gelato’). I avoided it out of principle.

But then I had my first Snog. Snog, to those who don’t know, is a chain of frozen yoghurt shops. I have also found it to be one of the best places on earth.

At the first frozen spoonful I was weak at the knees. My first Snog was like my first snog, but without the nausea and the sweating palms.

It was as I greedily dove in for another sweet spoonful that I read the sign on the shop wall. “No fat, no sugar.”

At first I didn’t believe it. Then I read it again and realised it must be true. The only answer to something so deliciously naughty being so innocent is magic.

And I trust magicians even less than suave singers. 

Since the first Snog I have become something of a frozen yoghurt fan. Here is a list of places to try:

Snog - Fab frozen yoghurt, disturbingly attractive staff, posters that say things like 'you can never have too many snogs.' South Kensington, Covent Garden, Soho, Westfield, Chelsea. www.ifancyasnog.com

Frae – If you thought frozen treats were restricted to summer, try Frae’s ‘Winter Warmers’ – a great combination of frozen yoghurt and hot toppings.  Islington and Notting Hill. http://www.frae.co.uk/

Yog – Simply yum. Oh and honey as a topping is free! Brent Cross and Charlotte Street: London, Watford, Thurrock, Reading, Brightonhttp://www.yogyogurt.co.uk/

And also check out these recommendations:

http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/articles/places-to-eat-frozen-yogurt-in-london

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/features/8880/London-s_best_frozen_yogurt_shops.html

In an attempt to understand the magic of frozen yoghurt I decided to have a go at making my own. Admittedly, mine isn’t quite as healthy as the kind you’ll buy from the professionals, but it was delicious (so delicious that I ate it for breakfast this morning) and a healthier treat than ice cream (unless you eat it for breakfast).

Libby's 'So Tasty You'll Want to Eat it for Breakfast' Frozen Yoghurt

500g tub Greek Yoghurt

Half of a 400g tin of condensed milk

A punnet of strawberries

Half a punnet of raspberries

A bunch of mint

1) Put on a pretty apron and some music. My current album of choice is Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.

2) Chop the strawberries in half and put them in a blender with a handful of raspberries. Blend until smooth. If you don't have a blender, put the fruit in a bowl and mash with a fork until mostly smooth.

3) Pour the strawberry and raspberry purée into a large bowl and mix in the condensed milk and yoghurt until the mixture is smooth and pink.

4) Chop up the mint and stir into the mix. 

5) Pour the yoghurt mix into a suitable container. I chose a pink lunchbox I have had since I was little that has a picture of a girl in a pink car on it. 

6) Put the yoghurt in the freezer and leave over night until solid. You will need to let it defrost (or zap it in the microwave) before eating as it will turn into a brick. Or if you are too impatient to wait for it to completely freeze (like my friend Lucy and I were), serve it half melted.

7) Serve with the rest of the raspberries and a sprig of mint. I also served mine with what were meant to be brandy snaps but which turned out more like sugar biscuits.

8) Enjoy your frozen yoghurt.

9) Enjoy your frozen yoghurt so much that you sneak another scoop for breakfast the next morning.

 

* I also don’t trust blueberries, green peppers and Spam.

Spam should be fairly self-explanatory. It comes in a tin and is called Spam.

Green peppers, well, they trick you into a false sense of security by looking the same as red peppers and green peppers. But they are NOT the same.

A similar thing could be said for blueberries. Firstly, they are hardly even blue. Secondly, they make you think that they must be delicious by being so tasty in blueberry muffins. But in actual fact they are the devil’s fruit. They hardly even taste like a fruit and are not nearly as sweet as you would expect.

You may think it is crazy not to trust food. But before judging me I ask you to eat a blueberry muffin and then eat a blueberry. I hope you will see what I mean.

 Libby