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
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Chark Docolate Budge Frownies Yes, that is their correct name, and if you don’t like it, that’s fine: none for you, more for me. Treat mum this Mother’s Day (Sunday 14th March 2021) with some truly indulgent, gluten free, home-made, star-studded, morally indefensible, CD BF’s. Ingredients: 325g 70% Dark Chocolate (broken up into small pieces)… Continue reading Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Frankie’s Homemade Pizzas
This recipe makes two pizzas, fit for 2 people (and a small toddler). Just double all ingredients to make for a famished family of four. Ingredients for the Dough 325g Strong Flour 3.5g Dried Yeast 1tsp Salt 12.5ml Olive Oil 25ml Milk 160ml Warm Water Method for the Dough Mix all of the dried ingredients… Continue reading Frankie’s Homemade Pizzas
Curried Carrot & Coriander Soup
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
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