It’s almost that time of year when we are besieged by green vegetables. After a few years off planting in my little kitchen garden, I’ve taken an almighty leap and sown all my veggie beds. Many are still tiny shoots but I eagerly anticipate harvesting courgettes, carrots, beetroot, kale, Swiss chard and peas. Assuming (the…
Recipes
Turmeric Houmous with Lightly Pickled Beetroot & Spelt Flatbreads
I can’t remember when I first tasted houmous but I do remember loving the garlicky chickpea dip. Once upon a time in the West it was an ethnic delicacy with a hippy following, now its available in every supermarket! This ancient peasant dish – the authentic version contains chickpeas, mashed and flavoured with sesame seed…
Elderflower & Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream
There isn’t anything lovelier than the first crop of locally grown strawberries, sweet, juicy and a taste of summer. Following a warmer than usual climate so far this year, British strawberries are ready to eat much earlier, I’m totally happy with that! Last weekend was a productive one, I was out amongst the hedgerows picking…
Elderflower Shrub
Now I love a homemade elderflower cordial however I am a huge fan of shrubs and this flower works so well in this drink. The word “shrub” is derived from the Arabic sharbah, which means “a drink” “sherbet” and “syrup” also come from the Arabic root. Shrubs are so refreshing, when combined with sparkling water or…
Kladdkaka – Sticky Chocolate Cake
This decedent dark chocolate torte is possibly Sweden’s most popular cake. Without exception, every cafe boasting its own unique version. This rich, dense, incredibly simple cake has few ingredients. Baked just long enough to form a crisp exterior, while remaining gooey and mousse like in the centre, kladd means sticky in Swedish. Serve at room…
Spanakopita – Greek Spinach & Feta Pie
This spinach pie, is a Greek classic: made from dark leafy greens and salty feta cheese, enclosed in several layers of perfectly crisp, flakey filo pastry. If you’ve never tried it before you’re in for a treat. Delicious hot or cold, perfect to serve vegetarians and suitable for lunch or a light dinner. I like…
Garlicky Chicken
The beauty of cooking a humble ingredient such as chicken is that it’s used in pretty much all cuisines. I have prepared chicken with 40 cloves of garlic many times, it’s a French classic. The other I picked up from a chef I had the opportunity to work with from Mougins, some years ago, vinegar…
Cauliflower Cheese Tart
This was ‘I don’t know where the day has gone and I haven’t planned dinner kind of meal’. In fact I raided the fridge in desperation only to find cauliflower, spinach leaves and cheddar cheese to work with. (I always try to buy vegetables in season and cauliflower is superb at the moment). As a…
Mother’s Day Almond Cake With Rhubarb & Rose Yogurt
With the clocks ‘Springing’ forward this weekend, yes an hour less in bed but longer days, surely has to be a good thing. Why not take the time to make this simple almond cake, naturally gluten free for Mother’s Day. While appreciation for a parent should be every day of the year, I still love…
Sri Lankan Dhal and Chapatis
With beautiful golden beaches lined with palm trees, tea plantations nestled on misty mountain tops, bustling traffic packed cities, tuk-tuks, elephants, bananas and coconuts. Sri Lanka has so much to offer. We visited the cultural triangle between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla, it has a profusion of wildlife, exotic plants and World Heritage Sites. The palace…
