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A Superb Summer Picnic

14th July 2021 by Louise
A summer picnic
A summer picnic with Côtes du Rhône.

Summer’s in full swing and what better way to enjoy the warm weather than by spending as much time outdoors as possible? 

One of our favourite summer pastime activities is having a picnic in nature. So I couldn’t have been happier when Côtes du Rhône and Native Feasts sent me this superb summer hamper.

Now what’s in the box…

I was delighted the eco-friendly chilled box arrived last Friday, the sun was shining and we had the perfect shady spot in mind to dine. Included were light-as-a-feather puff pastry tarts filled with red onion and Oxfordshire goats’ cheese. Then a delicious selection of locally made charcuterie and buttery Nettlebed Bix cheese with Native’s homemade baguettes. And not to forget the exquisite pork rillettes.

a summer picnic
A perfect summer picnic spread

Oh and I have to mention the dessert: a heavenly concoction of local strawberries, foraged elderflowers and cream…sweet summer flavours in a glass.

A summer picnic
Rectory Farm strawberries, foraged elderflower & almond fool.

All paired beautifully with Tavel wines.  Firstly Les Seguines Blanc 2019, with fresh fruit characteristics, I particularly enjoyed with the cheese.  Then a delicious unfiltered red, Domaine Pique-Basse.  And summer wouldn’t be summer without Rosé, La Dame Rousse 2020, Domaine De la Mordorée.  With a deep strawberry/blood orange hue and full of gorgeous cherry flavour with hints of spice and wild herbs, it was deliciously different!

Côtes du Rhône wines
Côtes du Rhône wines

What a lovely way to spend a summer’s evening!

Boscobel rose

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Category: LifestyleTag: alfresco, Picnic, summer
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Blueberry sugar buns from Buns, Sweet & Simple Bak Blueberry sugar buns from Buns, Sweet & Simple Bakes 📖 - but I couldn’t resist a little riff: a raspberry sugar coating, and cardamom in the dough because it works so well with raspberry (and, let’s be honest, I have a mild addiction to it). That warm spice against the tart raspberry is exactly the flavour combination I’m looking for.

Full method’s in the book page 61, video of the process is up on my stories and highlights now.

#buns #sweetandsimplebakes #blueberrybuns #cardamombaking scandinavianbaking
As summer draws to a close and the days grow short As summer draws to a close and the days grow shorter (and definitely cooler), autumn is knocking. I’m definitely ready for the golden light, cosy evenings, and warmer layers.

My summer recap: lots happening in real life, not much of it made it onto here though. We’ve spent plenty of time with family, and we’ve also gutted and started renovating our next home.

#summerrecap #celebrationcakes #buckinghamshire #helloautumn #reallifeupdate

Can’t believe my dahlias made it this year. I planted them late and the lack of rain, but they did okay!

Plenty of cake orders this summer, added just a couple here. Autumn weddings seem to be a thing this year.

Cornwall in July was magical - and not too hot!

Plenty of al fresco dining at home and away.

Plenty of blackberries still to be had, this was yesterday.

And you can’t beat a Cornish sunset…
A summer staple in our house: griddled aubergine, A summer staple in our house: griddled aubergine, courgette and big beef tomatoes layered with mozzarella in a rose harissa tomato sauce, with giant chickpeas for texture. Mop that sauce up with sourdough, and it’s lovely the next day.

#Aubergine #Courgette #Mozzarella #RoseHarissa #Chickpeas
Struggled with sourdough before? Come and learn t Struggled with sourdough before?

Come and learn the whole process on 4th September in Bourne End. Small group, hands-on, and you’ll leave with your own starter, two loaves, and a dough ready to prove and bake at home the next morning.

Link in bio to book - would love to have you.

#learnsomethingnew #sourdoughworkshop #slowlivingmovement #naturallyleavened #healthymindhealthybody
Raspberry & Hibiscus Birthday Cake That pink is Raspberry & Hibiscus Birthday Cake 

That pink is freeze-dried raspberry powder through the Swiss meringue buttercream - for flavour of course, but it also turns the whole lot this gorgeous natural pink. Finished with fresh edible flowers. You can catch the assembly over on stories if you fancy seeing how it all came together.

In other news, we’ve been making the most of these cooler temperatures for eating outside. Pizza, baked fish, spatchcock chicken, on the Big Green Egg. I love eating al fresco.
We’re off to the Cornish coast soon too, and very much looking forward to the sea air, proper coastal walks and even better fresh fish.

Cornflowers from @henhillcutflowers 

#raspberryhibiscus #swissmeringuebuttercream #birthdaycake #edibleflowers #cakedecorating
Crustless Quiche I’ve filled this with griddled c Crustless Quiche

I’ve filled this with griddled courgette and oven-roasted tomatoes, though it really is one of those recipes that works with whatever vegetables you have in the fridge.

The cottage cheese stands out here - it gives the whole thing a lovely creamy, slightly sour depth that you don’t expect. Along with 6 eggs, a good mature hard cheese and a couple of tablespoons of crème fraîche, that’s genuinely all you need. Bake in a 20cm/8inch lined tin.

180°C for 35 minutes. Equally good warm or at room temperature, which makes it very useful for this time of year.

#crustlessquiche #prepahead #easymeal
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