Am I alone in having good intentions that frequently outshine my actions? Surely not. Though I’ve thought (and written) much about our intentions to live as sustainably as possible, in real life, time or cost often win out against worthy ideals. So, yes, I grow a lot of veg and get a weekly organic veg … Continue reading Eating sustainably: three new superfoods
Cooking
My kids killed my love of cooking
When I was growing up, as one of four children, being fussy wasn’t an option. I don’t think it ever really occurred to any of us that we might not eat a meal – we were normally too busy fighting over the seconds. Sure, there was certain food I wasn't as keen on as other … Continue reading My kids killed my love of cooking
The fruit preservation society
I’m a chronic over-caterer. I’d far rather have leftovers for weeks than the thought of – good god! the horror! – a guest leaving the house after a meal still feeling a little bit peckish. This urge to feed someone more food in one day than they could reasonably eat in a week really comes … Continue reading The fruit preservation society
Feasting on sour cherries: morello cherry compote recipe
It was a bumper harvest from our little morello cherry tree this year. We planted it two years ago, in the front garden, and – until now – it had spectacularly failed to either grow a lot or produce very much fruit. But, back in Spring, I was excited to see the branches weighted down … Continue reading Feasting on sour cherries: morello cherry compote recipe
Grow, forage, cook: stickyweed salsa verde
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I am just absolutely bloody loving this good weather. Oh, the sun! Oh, the warm temperatures! Oh, the chance to potter around the garden, smelling the fabulous springtime smells of new growth out there! Actually, though, not a huge amount of pottering has been done in … Continue reading Grow, forage, cook: stickyweed salsa verde
Grow, forage, cook: a Christmas hamper
If there’s a better present in the world than a hamper at Christmas, I’ve yet to come across it. Oh, wait, I do know of a better one: a homemade hamper, stuffed to bursting with delicious goodies made over the previous 12 months. (Note to readers: please do feel free to read this as a … Continue reading Grow, forage, cook: a Christmas hamper
Grow, forage, cook: September round-up
Ah, September, always one of my favourite months of the year. I say this not just because it is the auspicious month of my birth. (Actually, my birthday was a rather muted affair this year; the sproglet choosing the day to give me two full-on hour-long tantrums and my birthday cake not lovingly made by … Continue reading Grow, forage, cook: September round-up
Grow forage cook: spicy plum chutney
There’s been a definite chill in the air this week and I have to keep reminding myself that, yes, it is still officially August and still officially summer. For one more week at least... I’m sure I can feel the days shortening imperceptibly each evening and my summer duvet is wrapped more tightly around me … Continue reading Grow forage cook: spicy plum chutney
Grow, forage, cook
It's the bucolic dream: cooking with produce fresh from your veg patch, or plucked from the hedgerow with your own fair hands. A lamb bleats contentedly in the background, the birds cheep overhead, the sun shines down through the trees, the dappled shade ripples over your wheelbarrow and far away up a hill, a shepherdess … Continue reading Grow, forage, cook
Grow forage cook: morello cherry vodka recipe
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you might know that the wonderfully talented Laura at Circle of Pine Trees is a good friend of mine. Laura and I met back in our student days at Bristol Uni, both of us studying English Literature and then taking a masters in poetry (otherwise … Continue reading Grow forage cook: morello cherry vodka recipe
Wolves in London 