Cambridge Union debate dinner
I was debating in the Cambridge Union, and enjoyed the debate dinner, when the speakers and the committee are served a meal together in the Old Library before the debate itself began. First off was warm tartlet of smoked haddock with a beetroot salad and served with warm ciabatta bread. I left the bread, but the tart was good. Indeed, it was rather like the version of this dish I sometimes make myself.
Then came chump of lamb on sauté potatoes with rosemary, redcurrant jus and cavalo nero. The lamb was tasty, but I didn’t each much else, saving room for the dessert.
This was honey and cinnamon panacotta, with spiced figs and syrup. I looked at it long and hard, but eventually gave it away and just had the coffee. The problem is that I am always nervous before a speech, and this affects my appetite. I had the coffee, and had to be very sparing with the wine until after I had spoken. It was a good meal, though, made even better by the fact that my side won the debate which followed…