Mars bars and pizzas are no strangers to the deep fat fryer in Scottish chip shops. But how about custard?
Deep-fried custard has been on the menu at Polpo in Soho, Rick Stein calls it “the perfect accompaniment to a café con leche” and now Giulianno Bruni, 26, has brought his favourite dessert to Brick Lane’s Sunday food market.
Five weeks ago, Bruni, an accountant, set up a food stall selling Italian delicacies that he hasn’t been able to find in his seven years living in London.
One of these is deep-fried custard, or crema fritta as it is known in Italy, and it can divide opinion — some Italians like it with lemon juice, others dust it with cinnamon sugar. Giulianno makes his with homemade vanilla custard that he coats in breadcrumbs, fries then serves hot with an optional chocolate sauce.
The crisp coating cracks easily and the custard is firm and creamy — unexpectedly light and refreshing.
£1/three cubes of Crema Fritti from Mangi (outside Rough Trade at the Sunday Upmarket, Brick Lane, E1)
