Of all the pastry to make at home from scratch, short crust is the most useful for both sweet and savoury dishes. Making it yourself gives you great flavour and more flavour options, and means you know exactly what's in it. It's not difficult to … [Read more...]
Early spring magic: wild garlic, radishes and the common primrose
The softness of these early spring days is heartbreakingly lovely: the birdsong, the quality of light, the gentle but perceptible warmth of the sun; and who could resist the antics of those gangs of new lambs racing in the fields for the joy of … [Read more...]
Cambridge in January: fruits less ordinary
I love January. Despite its grey tendencies, I relish the fresh start, the hopeful certainty that last year’s inadequacies can be redressed by what comes next, that this year’s surprises will be of the wondrous variety. I’m also one of many … [Read more...]
Elderflowers: champagne, cordial and a cake
There’s just time to make one more batch of elderflower cordial and champagne, with their inimitable fragrance of English summer – floral, yet also a little wild and very slightly musty. Nothing drinkable is more evocative of our hedgerows and … [Read more...]
Asparagus now!
It’s here! I returned from a week away to find my asparagus bed has leapt to attention and is at risk of growing into trees before I’ve had a harvest. It really is one of the “hurry up and wait” crops: you drum your fingers for weeks in impatience, … [Read more...]