The British Larder Inspirational recipe diary

I used to live in Fulham for many years and North End Road was my local foodie heaven. The attraction for me was the different cultures and influences.

I moved to the country but still pay a regular visit to the Al Baydar Mediterranean Delicatessen. I love the outrageously big bunches of mint and the boxes of limes that can be bought for a couple of pounds. Money seems to go a very long way when I’m shopping on North End road, especially at Al Baydar.

I walk away with a guaranteed smile every time, but the smiles are for many reasons . Friendly staff, competitive prices but most importantly I find something interesting every time! That is priceless for a full-blooded foodie like me. On my last visit I found Lebanese cucumbers and a jar of sumac along with a box of limes and a enormous bunch of mint.

Dear Gill,

A big apology for not replying to your letter and saying thank you for sharing this remarkable recipe with us. Your cheesecake recipe will be one that I shall treasure for the rest of my life! As a big cheesecake lover I am proud to add this recipe to my collection. I know it would be one that my children will make for their friends, passing it down from generation to generation just as you have done with us.

This recipe  differs from the norm and truly shows your skill as a brilliant cook and baker. I have taken the liberty to add the gooseberries but I’m sure you will not mind. The cheesecake turned into a beautiful fragrant English rose on a sunny summers day and I particularly love the pièce de résistance the glossy soured cream glaze.

I was meaning to bake this recipe for the

Congratulations to Maria Elia for writing The Modern Vegetarian cookbook. It’s beautiful and truly outstanding. A few weeks ago I went to a cooking demonstration hosted by Maria to promote her new book. I found Maria’s demonstration truly inspirational. She is a wonderful and passionate cook, her sparkly personality is infectious.

The roasted carrot houmous recipe is inspired by Maria as she had demonstrated a similar dish. She made carrot pancakes with the houmous and served it with a delicious feta salad. Maria kindly reminds us that we do not necessarily have to eat meat everyday and that vegetarian meals can be approached with a modern twist.

On my cookery journey I have fallen in love with the functions and capabilities of the Thermomix. It’s a brilliant piece of finely crafted German perfection however it took a lot of persuasion to convince me that I could successfully make

I have had a serious love affair with cherries since I was a little girl. I remember that the cherry season in South Africa is around Christmas time and how Mum would buy a little box of cherries each year as a pre -Christmas treat. I remember it to be a fairly expensive treat and I was taught to appreciate the cherries, from that stemmed the love and respect for this beautiful fruit. Even when I was working in Michelin stared restaurants in London many years ago ,we served fresh cherries in beautiful solid silver bowls along with the petit fours. It was perceived as the fruits for the glamorous and rich.

Cherries still have a truly special meaning for me. When Mum visited four years ago, the British cherry season was in full flow. She still reminisces about the day trip to Kent and buying fresh cherries at a