If there's one thing that typifies California cooking to me more even than artichokes, it has to be garlic. It grows famously in Gilroy, south of San Francisco, where the town smells of garlic in the best kind of way, and you can procure anything … [Read more...]
Anise hyssop gelato
If you don't know it already, meet anise hyssop. I'm very excited by this delightful new acquaintance, my serendipitous culinary discovery of the summer. Also known as liquorice mint, its leaves and beautiful purple flowers taste remarkable. It is … [Read more...]
Sicilian vanilla gelato (gelato di vaniglia)
This is a Mary Taylor Simeti interpretation of Sicilian ice cream, as made by her neighbourhood gelato maestro in Palermo. She painstakingly reproduced it at home so she can, in her words, "survive when he closes down for winter...". This … [Read more...]
Strawberry rose jam and cream scones
It’s June, and the roses in my English garden are putting on their best show in years (all that May sunshine!). The English strawberries with real flavour are also starting to come in, with a glut to follow once June really gets going. This seasonal … [Read more...]
Celery, stilton and sage tart
This is a special tart, one of my very favourites in the savoury class. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy celery at the time of year when it’s at its best – from October to Christmastime. Celery and stilton (or any blue cheese) are a classic pairing; … [Read more...]
Summer fruits: a decadent chocolate-raspberry brownie with white chocolate, and a lighter way with Pavlova
[This article was published in the July 2017 edition of Cambridge magazine). Summer fruits are irresistible. Who can look at all that colour and not want to come away with a little of this, a little of that, simply because it all looks so … [Read more...]