Carrots are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This heart-warming soup is not only delicious, but a cheery eyeful of colour too. Ingredients: 150g butter 2 medium onions, finely chopped Large bag of carrots, washed and chopped (about ½ kg) 2 cloves garlic, finely crushed 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp curry powder (heat… Continue reading Curried Carrot & Coriander Soup
Author: Ashridge Support
Stop and Smell the Roses
I like to remember my mum smelling the roses, stopping to think, breathing in a lungful of sweet morning air (or the sharp, rich fug of a strong coffee) and listening to the excited trill of the blackbirds. She savoured the simple pleasures of life; even before the intrusions of phones and apps, it was… Continue reading Stop and Smell the Roses
Mulled Cider
On chilly winter days, after a bracing morning in the garden, what could be more comforting than a glass of warming mulled cider. The very thought is bliss. Ingredients 1½ l dry cider 7 tbsp apple brandy, apple liqueur, calvados or just brandy 400ml apple juice 75g dark brown sugar Zest 1 orange, pared into… Continue reading Mulled Cider
Through the Tree Hole, Tania Compton
Garden Designer and Author Tania Compton spent twelve years as Garden Editor for British House & Garden. The site-specific ethos that underpins her approach to garden design has been published in many magazines including US Vogue, UK Vogue, US and German AD, House & Garden and Tatler. She has created gardens for clients in Ibiza,… Continue reading Through the Tree Hole, Tania Compton
Christmas Mincemeat Recipe
Homemade mincemeat is a doddle to make and beats shop-bought versions hands down… Method Soak the dried fruit in the brandy/orange/lemon juice for at least an hour and preferably overnight. Drain the fruit (which should be fat and squidgy by now) and keep the liquid. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well then pour… Continue reading Christmas Mincemeat Recipe
Crab Apple Trees: Year-Round Interest
Crab apples are beautiful, compact trees with vibrant autumn foliage followed by clusters of buttery yellow, bright ruby red or mellow orange fruits that adorn the branches for many months. Spring brings prolific flowering with pure white, pink and red blossom, and attractive foliage, often with deep purple tones. Thriving in almost any soil and… Continue reading Crab Apple Trees: Year-Round Interest
Tomato & Chilli Chutney
This is a fantastic chutney, which accompaniments most cheeses, especially a strong and mature cheddar – yum! Ingredients 1 kilo Fresh Tomatoes 1 tin Chopped Tomatoes 150g Caster Sugar 250ml White Wine Vinegar 2 tsp Nigela Seeds 2 Chillis (remove seeds & finely chop) 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder 1 tsp Smoked Paprika 2 Red Onions… Continue reading Tomato & Chilli Chutney
Blueberry & White Chocolate Muffins
It’s Blueberry picking time! With an abundance of Blueberries, why not try this lovely Blueberry & White Chocolate Muffin recipe… Ingredients 300g Blueberries 60g white chocolate buttons/chunks 350g Self-raising flour 60g Caster Sugar 60g Muscovado Sugar 3 Eggs 2 tsb Baking Powder 140g Margarine 120ml Milk Pinch of Salt Method Pre-heat oven to 190oc/gas mark… Continue reading Blueberry & White Chocolate Muffins
Damson Gin
Our simple homemade Damson Gin recipe will be great in a few months, ready for autumn! Ingredients 1 Litre Gin 500g Damsons 250g Caster Sugar Method Rinse and remove any leaves and stalks from the Damsons, then pat dry. Tip into a freezer bag and freeze overnight. The next day, bash the bag of damsons… Continue reading Damson Gin
Fig, Apple & Halloumi Salad
Ingredients 10 fresh figs halved 60g honey 100ml olive oil 2 x 250g blocks halloumi, thickly sliced, then halved 2 tbsp sherry vinegar 150g rocket 1 x eating apple, peeled, cored & finely sliced 2 tbsp flaked toasted almonds Method Heat the grill to its highest setting. Put the fig halves (Brown Turkey Figs are… Continue reading Fig, Apple & Halloumi Salad