The shelves in the supermarkets seem to be full of ham this time of year, and especially when it’s discounted, as a family, we stock up on it throughout January. Our family eats a lot of ham throughout the winter months. It’s a great alternative than your ‘standard’ winter stew, it works well with bubble… Continue reading Ham Hock Terrine
Author: Ashridge Support
Baked Camembert, Olive & Straws
The perfect food for your Christmas dinner party, New Years Eve, or all to yourself! Baked Camembert is both fancy and so simple to prepare with olives and pecorino straws: all your guests will be asking for the recipe. Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry 1 large egg 1/3 cup grated Pecorino cheese 1 cup finely chopped… Continue reading Baked Camembert, Olive & Straws
Spicy Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
Warm your cockles and calm your wockles with some homemade butternut squash and sweet potato soup. As the weather chills, recipes in the kitchen heat up from salads and summery stirfrys to soups and stews: after being outside on a wet and wintry day, there are few things as revitalising as some homemade soup. With… Continue reading Spicy Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
Why I love hazelnuts. Or cobnuts?
What is the difference between a cobnut and a filbert? Are they the same thing, with regional variations of nomenclature? Is a filbert the fancier version of a cobnut with a longer husk? And how do they relate to hazelnuts? There must be a kernel of truth in there somewhere… Kent is where you’ll find… Continue reading Why I love hazelnuts. Or cobnuts?
Tomato & Pepper Bruschetta
A great recipe for using the last of the tomatoes in your garden If you have a few guests popping over and want something easy to prepare, or a quick, light, refreshing lunch, tomato & pepper bruschettas are a scrumptious addition to your menu. Bruschetta is a traditional Italian antipasto of grilled bread rubbed with… Continue reading Tomato & Pepper Bruschetta
An Awesome Artichoke Recipe
The globe artichoke, Cynara scolymus, is a stately plant with a Mediterranean air and wonderful silver-grey serrated leaves Leave it to flower and its buds erupt into magnificent thistle sprays of rich purple, each one a good 12cm across. It’s as good to eat as it is to admire, making a grand addition to the… Continue reading An Awesome Artichoke Recipe
Lavender and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Lavender is such a lovely, colourful plant. Easy to grow and great for bees, it also has a beautiful flavour to suit sweet and savoury recipes. This lavender and vanilla ice cream has soothing, subtle flavours, perfect for a summer’s day. The best flowers for culinary use are from the Lavandula angustifolia varieties, known as… Continue reading Lavender and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Raspberry Smoothie Recipe
This lovely raspberry smoothie recipe is so refreshing on a hot summer’s day. And on any other day, for that matter. Raspberry picking starts from the end of June until October, assuming you have a range of early, mid and late season varieties. Ingredients: 350g fresh raspberries, plus extra to serve 220g natural yoghurt 250ml… Continue reading Raspberry Smoothie Recipe
How to use Hostas in the Garden
The ribbed leaves of Hosta ‘August Moon’ glow with golden-green light this morning, their lavender bells quivering high above the sea of foliage. In a lush, shady corner of my garden, under an overhanging Acer, Hostas provide attractive ground cover and their tall flower spikes create structure in early summer. Hostas in the Garden Blue-hued… Continue reading How to use Hostas in the Garden
Mint Julep
The 30th May is Mint Julep Day. The bourbon based Mint Julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, on May 1st, since 1939 – bourbon being the signature spirit of Kentucky. Juleps originated in Persia and Michaelangelo apparently had a daily dose for medicinal values…use home-grown mint for your own delicious version!… Continue reading Mint Julep