The most enchanting strawberries I have ever tasted were Norwegian berries, bought from the grower in a gravel-strewn lay-by on a winding road along Sognefjord on Norway’s west coast. They were pale pink and I was suspicious of their anaemic pallor, … [Read more...]
Syttende Mai
Norwegians everywhere on this 17th day of May are celebrating “Syttende Mai” – Norway’s National Day of independence, the day in 1814 when its constitution as an independent nation was signed after over 400 years of Danish rule, following Denmark’s … [Read more...]
Seed cake and story
‘I don’t mind some seed cake, if you have any.’ ‘Lots!’ Bilbo found himself answering to his own surprise; and he found himself scuttling off, too, ... to a pantry to fetch two beautiful round seed-cakes which he had baked that afternoon for his … [Read more...]
A progression of rhubarb
Our colder than usual March here in East Anglia was good for primroses and daffodils, but the rhubarb on my village allotment used it as an excuse to tarry in hibernation. Where I would normally be harvesting the first stalks by now, I turn in … [Read more...]
Primula vulgaris: a common treasure
My English country garden is more abundant with the native, pale yellow primrose this year than I have ever known it. Suddenly the insignificant volunteer seedlings I half-remember seeing in unpromising places have plumped into blooming clumps that … [Read more...]
Moist and sticky banana bread
I got this recipe thanks to the minor misfortune of a good friend many years ago, and it remains my absolute favourite version of banana bread -- gooey and moist and very banana-y. It is worthy of my best Texas pecans when I want to add nuts … [Read more...]