I'm easing back into the food experiments after a month or so off. First up, blackcurrant vodka, part of a continuing series where I stick things in vodka and hope for the best. However, I've tried this one before, and it doesn't work too badly. Get some blackcurrants, wash and de-stem them, and put them in an empty bottle (I used half of a box from Tesco). Fill the bottle up with vodka and shake it about a bit. Store in a cupboard for at least a week (but a month will probably be better), then mix with Sprite/7up for a refreshing summer drink. You'll probably want to strain out the blackcurrants first, mind you.

The 40 second cake comes from playing with fire via el Bulli. It's yet another use for the iSi whipper, which is beginning to be known as the "aero machine" in our house. At first, I attempted to make a chocolate ginger cake, but after I'd got the bars of Green & Blacks ginger chocolate home, I discovered that the ginger was actually part of the bars rather than just a flavouring. The whipper is apparently sensitive to things that aren't liquid, so I changed my mind and melted down a chocolate orange bar I had instead. After mixing, it was all poured into the whipper and given a shot of nitrous oxide (it should have been two shots, but I halved the recipe linked and mistakenly halved the canister count). Then, the magic began! Straight in the microwave at full power!

The result was not as spongy as other efforts I've seen around on the Internet, but I imagine not using enough canisters is the reason for that little disappointment. But it tasted surprisingly good; you could definitely taste the chocolate orange. Definitely something I'll be playing with again (and perfect for children's parties, I'd imagine!). Perhaps a little savoury next time - chipotle cake, anybody? No? Wasabi?