One of the many joys of spring is the reemergence of a whole range of crisp, sweet vegetables cultivated Britain. Being frugal and buying British is so much simpler once the weather warms up. Every vegetable and herb in this Tenderstem Broccoli Tabbouleh recipe was grown in Britain; even the tomatoes. And the quality of each ingredient speaks for itself.
The word ‘casserole’ is synonymous with cold, winter nights; a comforting dish for when you need it the most. But that needn’t be the case, as my recipe for Fresh Herb Chicken Casserole proves. Comforting meals are necessary all year round. Don’t confine them to only a few months.
As the weather begins to warm up – there are far fewer frost days once April comes around – grocers and even – shudder – supermarkets across the country begin to stock all manner of wonderful seasonal ingredients. Two of my favourites? You guessed it. This recipe for Radish, Watercress and Potato Salad highlights the best bits of British food in April/May.
Shaped like a grain of rice but with the textural qualities of pasta, it’s easy to see why orzo is such a versatile ingredient. Indeed, whether in a casserole, salad or “risotto”, orzo performs admirably, adding a touch of lightness and a smooth texture to every dish. One of its finest qualities, however, is just how quickly it can be prepared. From start to finish this fresh herb salad should only take you 10 minutes to prepare, making it a great choice for anyone who’s in something of a rush.
When I was growing up the word ‘potato’ came across as a call to action; fry, chip or mash – we must do something! New potatoes aren’t, and never will be, in vogue with five year olds, but as we get older, a little wiser and a great deal fatter, their brilliance reveals itself. When boiled until just the right moment the new potato, whatever the variety chosen, possesses a pleasantly substantial texture and subtle, somewhat nutty flavour that lends itself perfectly and inimitably to the creation of “salads”.