All posts tagged: summer food

Portuguese Chickpea Salad

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For the first two night of our Portuguese Honeymoon we stayed in Caldas de Monchique, a mountain spa town, nestled into a lush green subtropical jungle – a perfect get-away for a newly wed couple. It’s a little rough round the edges, but it is full of charm and amazing flora and fauna. We took the time there, to just decompress after a very busy 3 months of wedding arrangements. We loungeing by the pool, had massages and romantic dinners in the 16th century courtyard. We also sampled a delicious Cod & Chickpea Salad in their tapas bar, which is a traditional Portuguese summer dish, served with crusty bread and lots of wine! After our stay in the mountains, we travelled to the south coast of Portugal where my criteria for accommodation included a kitchen. I can’t not cook on holiday..!       And the first thing I whipped up was a vegetarian/vegan version of that delightful Chickpea Salad we sampled in Monchique. Everywhere you go in Portugal you’ll see orange sellers, and often they will also be …

Panzanella – Italian Summer Sour-dough Salad

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Panzanella – Italian Summer Sour-dough Salad Its hot! And its gorgeous outside! And when it’s hot for days on end, my tastebuds always hunger for light ‘salady’ type foods, that are fresh, aromatic and seasonal. This ‘salad’ could almost be called a de-constructed Bruchetta,  and is an absolute winner if you are hungry rather than peckish, as the bread is already inside the dish. The chunky sour-dough soaks up all the rich olive oil and vinegar, and combined with fresh tomatoes from the garden, you have yourself the perfect salad. _______________________________________ Serves 4 1 organic loaf of sour dough bread or ciabatta 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 750g ripe tomatoes, halved 100ml organic extra virgin olive oil 2tbsp white wine vinegar 10 or so basil leaves salt and pepper   ___________________________________ Combine the halved tomatoes and garlic in a bowl, with the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well using your hands to release the flavours. Stir well, then leave the salad for 10 minutes, to infuse. Meanwhile chop the bread into cubes, and lightly fry …

Homemade Elderflower Ice Lollies

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The sun is still shining! Oh we are so lucky to have a whole summer of pleasant weather here in Scotland. The first flush of this seasons flowers and produce is finished, including the beautiful elderflowers and sweet strawberries. But other crops are ripening at the moment in my garden including wild raspberries and peas. And there are still many ways to prolong the taste of summer, for example by using my elderflower cordial recipe, which you can find here, and freeze the sweet summer drink into homemade ice lollies. It is the easiest thing I have ever made, but I know it will impress your guests and its fun for kids to make too. _________________________________________________________________________ Ingredients 500 ml elderflower cordial, recipe here 1/2 a lime squeezed _________________________________________________________________________ Simply make the cordial a little stronger than you would take it, if you were drinking it. Squeeze the lime juice in, and pour the liquid into a pre bought lolly tray, or into 6 small washed yoghurt tubs. Insert the plastic popsicle sticks, or wooden ones if …