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June, July, August
British summer time equals celebrations, barbecues and festivals accompanied by the occasional down pour of heavy showers. I’m very excited as my vegetable garden is doing very well. We are planning a brilliant harvest festival this year as I’m expecting a healthy crop of home grown produce. All I need is a couple of chickens then I’m sorted.
At it’s best during June…
Artichokes, Asparagus, Sorrel, Rocket, Broccoli, Aubergines, Courgettes, Fennel, Mange Tout, New Potatoes, Peas, Radishes, Runner beans, Spring Onions, Turnips, Watercress, Apricots, Blueberries, Cherries, Elderflowers, Gooseberries, Cantaloupe Melons, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Lamb, Wood Pigeon, Cod, Crab, Dover Sole, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, John Dory, Lemon Sole, Lobster, Mackerel, Plaice, Salmon, Sardines, Sea Bass, Sea Trout, Grey Mullet, Broad Beans, Onions, Cucumbers, Kohlrabi, Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Blackcurrants, Plums, Redcurrants, Beetroot, Green Beans, Suffolk Samphire, Sea Purslane.
Special Celebrations During June…
Taste Festivlas (London & Edinburgh) Fathers Day, Wimbledon
At it’s best during July…
English Lamb, Broccoli, Beetroot, Clams, Blueberries, Onions, Rocket, Strawberries, Redcurrants, Raspberries, Sorrel, Plums, Salmon, Peaches, Nectarines, Gooseberries, Cherries, Blackcurrants, Apricots, Spinach, Salad Leaves, Radishes, Potatoes, Peas, Globe Artichokes, Aubergines, Courgettes, Runner Beans, Tomaotes, Grey Mullet, Kholrabi, Cucumbers, Calabrese, Broad beans, Heritage Tomatoes, Mulberries, Loganberries, Garlic, Monkfish, Plaice, Scallops, Sea Bass, Wood Pigeon, Fennel, Clams, Mackerel, Sardines, Cod, Crab, Dover Sole, Greengages, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, John Dory, Lobster, Rabbit, Green Beans, Lemon Sole, Suffolk Samphire, Sea Purslane.
Special Celebrations During July…
Henley Royal Regatta
At it’s best during August…
Artichokes, Aubergines, Beetroot, Broccoli, Onions, Broad Beans, Rocket, Cabbages, Carrots, Cucumbers, Fennel, Peas, Raspberries, Runner Beans, Tomatoes, Plums, Sorrel, Spinach, Sweet corn, Apricots, Blackberries, Greengages, Wood Pigeon, Clams, Courgettes, Lamb, Rabbit, Redcurrants, Kohlrabi, Figs, Marrow, Cornish Sardines, Nectarines, Damsons, Loganberries, Melons, Cod, Crab, Dover Sole, Grey Mullet, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, John Dory, Lemon Sole, Lobster, Mackerel, Monkfish, Plaice, Salmon, Sardines, Scallops, Sea Bass, Squid, Turbot, Hare, Crayfish, Watercress, Chard, Suffolk Samphire, Sea Purslane.
Special Celebrations During August…
Notting Hill Carnival, Edinburgh and Reading Festivals
I have a special affection for Spain, I feel truly at home when I’m there. They have exceptional food, brilliantly jaw dropping innovative chefs, fantastic architecture, art, produce and wine.
Last…
Credit goes to Valentine Warner for inspiring me to make these fabulous orange and cardamom soaked brioche buns. I was watching Val on telly a few months ago making something…
Eating the produce from my garden this summer has been a wonderful experience. The fruits of our labour are swiftly coming to an end. I harvested the last of the…
This recipe gives me that lovely and overall warm feeling. It’s simple and easy to make but brings back priceless memories of my Grandmother.
We went to visit her during most…
Its time for me to focus on eating healthier, it was wonderful having my Mum staying but my poor and carefree eating habits has taken it’s toll. Too many sweet…
I have been harping on all summer about my fantastic kitchen garden. We have taken full advantage of a small space and grown as many different fruits and vegetables that…
Roy called this week saying that Dennis’s greengages and damsons were ready to be picked. We had finished our chores so we wasted no more time and we departed post…
I love this concept, Mr.P told me a lovely story a while ago after he had visited a chef in the Newcastle who made plate pies. I liked the idea…
I’m really excited about this recipe. I planned baking this bread in my dream. You might find that seriously bizarre but then I’m thinking of food all the time, even…
The ultimate courgette supper is on the table and and it looks absolutely divine. Chilled courgette soup with goat’s yoghurt, courgette and garden herb pesto bread and finally borlotti bean…
Working as a chef in a top Michelin stared restaurant you get to learn the tricks of the trade. The chances are that you will make pate fruits, as we…
My borlotti beans have finally produced a few pods which can now be harvested. Last year I was very impatient and picked them too early and ended up with only…
It was Mums birthday the first week of August and on the Saturday before she returned home we took Mum, Roy and Linda to Borough market, followed by a delicious…
You have heard me speaking about a glut before but you have not seen anything yet! I think the courgette monster is about to suffocate me and take over my…
This lemon, polenta and almond cake recipe has been with me since I was a young commis chef working in a London restaurant. This is another one of my recipes…
First of all a big apology to everyone that received a version of this recipe which had lots of spelling and grammar mistakes, it was ugly and unforgivable!!. I have…
Summer is the season of plenty. Surely there must be a few keen gardeners that will have a glut of something whether it’s beans, raspberries, plums or even courgettes. I…
This recipe is inspired by Shuna a pastry chef working in London. We do not know Shuna at all, however the fantastic world of Twitter and food blogging has brought us…
My garden has been fruitful this summer. I have now harvested all my carrots, beetroot, spinach, mulberries, radishes, broad beans and peas. The courgettes, onions, garlic and raspberries are still…
The sticky sweet but strong distinctive flavour of stem ginger is a taste that you either love or loathe.
How amazing is it that your taste, likes and dislikes change as…
The wonderful sweet aroma of caramelised onions is filling the air. In the oven I have pork ribs cooking at 160°C for two and a half hours while I’m making…
I have used this fabulous salad as an accompaniment to two dishes but as it is so good it deserves a feature of its own. I love corn on the…
A few weeks ago I hosted a Fishworks cookery and skills course for a group of chefs. The day was sponsored by M&J Seafood. Their generosity was astounding as they…
It’s the beginning of August and the weather is not good. It’s been dreary,cloudy and simply cold for the past two or three weeks. I need a proper summer to…
The plum season is about to start and it’s amazing how many different varieties of plums are available. I like each for different reasons, some are sweeter than others, some juicier…
It’s a pretty miserable rainy day, not much to look forward to considering it’s supposed to be mid-summer.
However I should look on the bright side,at least my tomatoes and the…
The summer is good! Good for my garden and good for my soul. I like pottering outside in the garden, plant a few vegetables, herbs, fruits, shrubs and trees. If …
I love the summer, even though as I get older I learn to appreciate each season for it’s own beauty and seasonal gifts from nature. There is still something magical…
The inspiration for this dish came from the Great British menu. I liked both Nigel Haworth’s approach to create a taste of home with a slight twist and the little…
A trip to London is not complete without stopping at Borough market. I set off with the cool box and ice packs in the back of the car knowing that…
For some strange reason I can’t drink neat water so I always need to flavour the water with something slightly sweet and tasty. After another trip to the local PYO…
All the credit for creating this outstanding recipe goes to Ross my brilliant other half. Our annual summer holiday for this year was only for one week . Nevertheless I…
Apricots are one of my favourite summer fruits. I love the round bright orange yellow colours that shout sunshine, holidays and happy thoughts. It reminds me of my uncles farm…
The season for peas is short and preserving the flavour and colour is very important when creating a dish like this. My top tip is to work as fast as…
A few weeks ago we went on a Food Safari trip with Polly Robinson, on arrival we were greeted with freshly brewed coffee and home made flapjacks that she had…
After such an appalling summer last year, it took some time for me to realise that we are actually having a brilliant one this year. I grab every opportunity to…
The glorious sunshine has finally made it’s appearance, the barbecue got a dusting and so did my salad bowl collection. Strolling through Borough market early on a Saturday morning my…
As you have most probably gathered, we are pea fanatics, especially fresh new season garden peas from our own garden. Here is another pea delight that is delicious and perfect…
Before I launched the British larder I would have not looked twice at social networks, I thought that Twitter was a waste of time and Facebook is one of the great evils…
This might sound bizarre, most chefs have a signature dish, mine is a signature jam. This strawberry and redcurrant jam is my star recipe, and I’m proud of it.
The combination…
It’s a gardener and foodies delight in my back yard.I had great fun this morning pulling the beets and harvesting the broad beans. The courgette flowers are amazing too. I…
This is the easiest recipe that I have ever made and posted on The British Larder. It’s simple, there are only two ingredients but the possibilities are endless.
I bought a…
Gooseberries and rhubarb never used to excite me. Only recently did I start to appreciate the British love affair with these tart seasonal delights. I have never thought that I…
It was a joy to make these sosaties,as it evoked the wonderful memories of home life in South Africa. Sosaties is an essential dish to accompany every braai (barbecue) in…
With the summer predicted to be a scorcher it’s best to be prepared. It’s time to sift through the recipes, select the winners and be ready to move when the…
My newly planted garden is one year old and contains a multitude of plants. I am incredibly impatient and cannot wait to fill the baskets with raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries,…
Last week we went to Cammas Hall Farm to pick strawberries and gooseberries. Once we got home it was all systems go and we were fired up to make as many…
The short elderflower season is drawing to an end.
I’m feeling a bit sad as it means that this wonderful gift from Mother Nature is not going to be around for…
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…
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…
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…
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…
I have been on the elderflower watch for a few weeks and finally this week they were in full bloom. There were a few bushes by the road side with…
It’s Saturday morning and the high street is buzzing with lots of people going about their normal Saturday business. I was dashing about to complete all the tasks on my…
When I received loquats in the box of wonderful inspirational goodies last week I could hardly contain my excitement. Loquats ,also known as nispero fruits, are medium size oval-round milky…
When Richard phoned and asked me to make one kilo of strawberry chutney, I was confused and slightly sceptical.
Wow was my scepticism put to bed once I got started. This…
I could not wait for summer to arrive this year just so that I could dust off the barbecue and make this dish again. Spiedini in Italian means meat on…
This recipe has been specially developed, designed and made for Nanette aka Gourmet Worrier. I have only recently met Nanette via the internet, however it feels as if we have…
I’m going to tell you about my visit to Restaurant Sat Bains again and again…! We had a brilliant time and experienced the warm glowing feel that you get when you…
It’s nearly the barbecue season or braai weather, as my family would say.
Cooking the chicken on the bone is the best way for me as the bone helps keep the…
Wow did I have fun making this dish today!
Thanks to Great British Menu last week featuring the Welsh heat with Stephen Terry and James Sommerin. Both their desserts reminded me…
Believe it or not I have already purchased new season broad beans from Borough market this week.
I was amazed to have found them. I immediately enquired where they came from…
The perfect breakfast to savour on a bright Sunday morning with the morning paper and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. What better way is there to start the day?
Have…
There is no place like home! My place is in the kitchen. I like eating in restaurants and enjoying the beauty of a well designed dining room but when given…
When Garden or chopped salads are listed on a menu the words are vague enough to mean anything. It could convey that it includes minimal ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes and…
It’s just a little bit of fun!
There is no raw meat and no baking involved. It’s a fairly simple recipe and I’m sure you would have tried something similar at…
Onions in general are one of my favourite vegetables. I love all the different varieties and seldom cook without onions. I love the natural sweetness and flavour trapped in each…
I love Madeleines and always call them mini Me’s. Fabien my pastry chef friend always makes lemon Madeleines for me as a little treat.
I’m pretty pleased with this date and…
I have eaten and made lots of coleslaw in my life but so far have not made cabbage taste so good as this recipe. I’m pretty pleased with myself. I…
The inspiration for this dish came from Stephen Williams,the chef at the Harwood Arms. We went there last week to take photos of the pub and Stephen served up some…
These giant meringues take me back to the Millennium when I lived in Fulham. Most Sunday mornings I used to walk down Fulham Road towards Sloane Square to have breakfast…
Shoulder of lamb is level pegging with belly of pork when it comes to my favourite meat rankings. I simply love the flavour of the shoulder when cooked slowly for…
One Friday morning in March I went to the Vineyard at Stockcross where chef John Campbell(two michelin stars) is at the helm.
Head Chef Peter Eaton cooked this amazing dish of…
The best kitchen gadget and the number one must have for 2009 is the phenomenal Thermomix. There is very little that this machine wonder cannot do in the terms of…
This recipe is a follow on to the farmhouse white loaf recipe inspired by Richard Bertinet. I have used exactly the same bread dough and the same method, however I…
I was inspired to make this salad after visiting Ottolenghi in Notting Hill. If you have ever had the opportunity to visit any of the Ottolenghi shops you are seriously…
Baking bread is nothing new to me. My aunt lives on a farm and bakes bread everyday. As a child I loved visiting the farm, one of the very familiar…
I love spring, today is a bright and sunny day, a bit chilly but its great as long as its sunny. I even noticed the daffodils popping up everywhere. The…
Making tart tatin used to be my “party piece”. I love the wow factor which I still get after all these years. It’s a warm fussy feeling and a sense…
“Sugar and spice and all things nice. That’s what little girls are made of”. You might think that I have now completely lost the plot!? Perhaps I have, but this…
When Brett Graham invited me to visit him at the Ledbury in Notting Hill to share one of his signature dishes , I was truly honoured and incredibly excited.
Brett cooked for…
There is a lot of love in our home for corn on the cob. These Corn on the cob and celeriac fritters are just one of many recipes that we…
Walking through Borough market is truly inspirational. The different cultures, seasons and aromas draw you into this wonder world of food, it spits you out at the other end half…
Eggs, ham and chips is one combo that makes Ross a very happy man. As my digestive system does not appreciate this combination I took the challenge to refine Ross’s…
I can only describe this dish as healthy and sophisticated. The nuttiness of the wholesome pearl barley salad complements the fresh wild salmon. To add to the earthy taste I…
For years it has always been a hassle and a half to make a successful and vibrant green Garden Pea Soup. It does not matter if you use fresh or…
Packing a lunch box to work is something of the past. Most work places have a lunchtime offer on site and if not there’s enough expensive temptations on the high…
I’m very excited about this fine pear tart.Firstly I had made a fresh batch of rough puff pastry and was very pleased with myself. Secondly I have finally followed a…
The warm aroma of melting cheese mixed with smoky bacon is enough to make anyone salivate. There is something magical about these Gorgonzola and smoked bacon breakfast muffins. The tiny…
The inspiration for this recipe came from the book ‘ Under Pressure’ by Thomas Keller. I love this recipe for many reasons, one of which is that the pears do…
Inhale a deep breath of air; the aroma of freshly baked Banana and Date Loaf caresses your nose and all your senses. My mouth starts to water and the memories…
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Oats and whole grains are perfect as they release energy slowly. The attraction for this recipe is that there is no…
Warm or cold;starter,main course or accompaniment, this recipe ticks all these boxes. It’s one of my favourite salads, it’s healthy and absolutely delicious. I make this dish in the summer…
The rich chocolate with a hint of beetroot is enough to suppress the guilt of indulgence. The fibrous beetroot enhances the richness of the chocolate and makes this recipe truly…
Chocolaty, gooey, deliciously rich is the only way to describe Catherine’s ultimate very chocolaty brownies. A few months ago the whole support team at work took part in a cooking…
The inspiration for this recipe came from Daniel Clifford the chef at the Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge. We went there for lunch and were served a delicious canape of vinegar…
This recipe is a memory of last spring when we went to the Basque country, Northern Spain for a pure stuff your face weekend. We had a table booked for…
This recipe is one of the very first recipes that I specially produced for The British Larder.This website has been a dream in the making for a long time. The…
Who would have thought that the old-fashioned Cream Whipper would have become fashionable again? Squirty cream had been at the forefront of Gastronomy during the 60’s and 70’s. They then…
Comté cheese is one of my favorite cheeses with a mild, distinctive fragrance and slightly sweet taste. These semi-dried tomato & Comté cheese scones are ideal for breakfast or as…
Yum, yum I love this recipe!! It’s brilliant, no additives or preservatives. This chocolate fudge spread recipe takes pride of place amongst my recipe collection. Mum gave it to me,…
Growing vegetables has been a new and humble experience for me.It has given me a new found respect for the food we eat. I had a good harvest last summer…
