This Jamie’s 30 minute pizza turned out to be the perfect late Sunday afternoon snack. Half sirloin steak, half spanish chorizo, resting on a spicy tomato base, with torn mozzarella and a generous dusting of parmesan. Grilled until melted and bubbling.
Lunch for the week ahead is this summer green tabbouleh from the Yeo valley family farm cook book. Fresh, nutty, minty and full of goodness.
My instagram photos this last week paint a telling picture; spring has sprung. The dappled green of new shoots against bursting blue skies; the pastel white of tulips standing proud in salute of the sun; sweet little daisies huddled together against freshly trimmed lawns. All snapped to the sound of chattering birds, as happy and relieved as we are that winter has finally passed.
Lunch for the week ahead is this minty broad bean dip with toasted wholemeal pitta.
Pulse in a food processor:
150g broad beans, boiled for 3 minutes and podded
Handful of torn mint leaves
1.5 tbsp creme fraiche
Squeeze of lemon
Grind of salt and pepper
Uplifting April sunshine set the scene for what was a perfect last few hours in the Lakes. A morning hot cross bun from Ambleside’s The Apple Pie bakery, a round of pitch and putt and what’s now become a ‘traditional’ stroll up my favourite Lakeland fell, Wansfell Pike. Lying on the grassy verge with the sun on our faces and an unspoilt view of Lake Windermere is a memory I’ll relive over and over again for some time.
Waking up in the Lakes to sunshine on the last morning of an impromptu few days away. Yesterday was the most glorious day here – spring sunshine, hopping new born lambs and my first stunning sunset of the year.
The last 48 hours have been packed with new experiences. On Thursday we had to abandon our walk due to the sheer strength of the wind. Tackling the final ascent proved nigh impossible for my small frame – clinging on all fours to an unstable fence marked the moment we turned back. Never, have I ever experienced wind like it. Then Thursday evening was spent ‘caving’ 30 metres below the Yorkshire Dales. What an opportunity and adventure. Squeezing through naturally-formed channels raging with spring water, slipping through crevices, climbing up waterfalls – all by torchlight with not a ray of natural light in sight. And yesterday afternoon was spent harnessed and hanging on to the side of a Lakeland fell, testing my nerve and upper body strength on a mountain-side assault course.
Here’s to the final day of this memorable break and the road trip back down south. The sun’s shining, the bakery’s open and the crazy golf course awaits. Happy spring Saturday everyone.
Waking up in the Lake District with a 3 day mini break ahead. Cafetiere coffee in hand, sash window open and a fresh breeze gently enticing me up and out into the invigorating landscape.
Shake together:
splash of white wine vinegar
dollop of dijon mustard
1 chopped little anchovy
1 crushed garlic clove
3 or 4 glugs of olive oil
squeeze of 1/2 a lemon
Chop and mix:
handful of black olives
3 or 4 spring onions
another little anchovy
steamed green beans
Griddle in a scorching pan for 1 minute on each side:
1 seasoned tuna steak rubbed with oil and lemon zest
Layer it all up together and enjoy!
Coffee? Check. Pile of mags? Check. Bertinet pastry? Check. Parfait.
gastropig 