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NATURE'S LARDER
RECIPE SELECTION
Embrace the seasons and cycles of life. There's magic in change ...
For me, seasonal cooking starts with curiosity. What's growing? What can I grow? Who might be growing that? Sometimes it's a nature's-ingredient geo haul across the fields, sometimes a bag of something generously handed over by a neighbour, and sometimes simply the excitement of knowing something wonderful is just around the corner.
I want to discover what an ingredient can become, rather than follow what everyone else has already done with it. Anyone can roast a carrot — I want to see if I can turn it into a cocktail. But there's always a little room for nostalgia too; traditional recipes are timeless for a reason, and I love making them my own.
More than anything, cooking with the seasons has connected me to where I live — to the countryside, my neighbours, and the wonderful food and drink producers around Somerset. That connection, discovery and a little bit of culinary curiosity is what makes every season exciting.
In nature, nothing is perfect, yet everything is perfect.
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Somerset Cider Braised Lamb Shanks with Apple, Pearl Onions & Rosemary
Apples and lamb? It just works. There's something rather lovely about letting the seasons lead the way in the kitchen. A couple of lamb shanks, a bottle of medium-sweet Somerset cider, some Bramley apples, and a few wedges of crisp, sharp eating apple, little pearl onions and a few sprigs of rosemary. Nothing complicated, just a collection of ingredients that seem to understand one another. Slow-braised until the lamb is beautifully tender, with the Bramley melting into the c
4 min read
Homemade Quince Cheese: A Little Pot of Autumn Magic
This year, my little quince tree finally came up trumps. Sixteen beautifully perfumed quinces, all mine. I was rather pleased with myself, if I'm honest. There's something deeply satisfying about watching a tree you've planted reward you with its own little harvest. And then, just as I was admiring my modest quince collection, a neighbour turned up and offloaded two baskets of the things on my doorstep. Two baskets!! Apparently, I had been promoted from someone with a quince
4 min read
Quince Cheese Pavlova with Poached Quince, Cream & Thyme
An autumn pavlova with a little surprise tucked inside ... There are pavlovas, and then there are pavlovas that make you wonder why on earth you've never thought of doing this before ... This one started with a batch of homemade quince cheese and a slightly mischievous idea. What if, instead of keeping quince cheese on the cheeseboard, we tucked it inside a French meringue pavlova? .. Not stirred through completely, not blended into a uniformly pink mixture, but swirled throu
7 min read
Salami, French Cheese & Quince Puff Pastry Tart with Thyme
Golden, buttery puff pastry topped with creamy French cheese, savoury salami, sweet quince cheese and fragrant thyme. A little French-inspired kitchen improvisation that turned out rather well ... When the Fridge Has Other Plans You know those moments when you have a perfectly good idea for something to cook, only to discover that the fridge hasn't quite got the memo? ... This was one of those moments. The original plan involved bacon and Brie, which sounded rather lovely. E
3 min read
Sherry, Chorizo & Quince Terrine
There are certain things that mark the changing of the seasons for me. The smell in the air of the first fires in the grate. The hedgerows turning from green to gold. The sudden appearance of enormous pumpkins ... And, perhaps my favourite of all, the moment one of the neighbours down the road announces on Facebook that her quinces are ready. There is something wonderfully exciting about that little message appearing. The quinces are ready ... And I'm off! Yesterday, howeve
6 min read
Fig & Rosemary Chutney
Because when you decide all of the figs need to come off the tree NOW, you immediately acquire a completely different problem: a fig glut ... There are worse problems to have, admittedly. A basket overflowing with fat, ripe figs is a rather beautiful sight. Right up until you realise that there are only so many figs you can eat warm from the tree, only so many you can tuck into a tart, and that the fruit bowl is beginning to look less like an invitation to dinner and more li
4 min read
Honey Roasted Quince Custard Tarts
Honey-roasted quince, nestled into crisp buttery pastry and baked beneath a silky vanilla custard ... There are some things that are worth taking your time over, and quince is very definitely one of them. These little Honey Roasted Quince Custard Tarts started with a handful of quinces and the idea of roasting them slowly with honey and thyme until they became soft, golden and sticky. Once I had them, putting them into a custard tart seemed almost inevitable. The quince bring
4 min read
Roasted Plum & Peanut Butter Crumble
There are some recipes that begin with a plan ... And then there are the ones that happen because you have eight deeply dark, beautifully ripe Victoria plums sitting in the kitchen and absolutely no intention of letting them go to waste ... This was very much the latter. The plums were big, soft and properly ripe — the sort that practically collapse when you cut into them. I wanted to roast them gently and see what happened, so into the oven they went with a splash of orange
4 min read
Blackberry Frangipane Mince Pies
Is it too early to start thinking about mince pies? Yes. Absolutely yes, and I have no excuse ... Well… actually, I do ... I was recently asked to consider putting together a Christmas food hamper. At the time it was July, the local blackberry bushes were fit to bursting, and my mind naturally drifted towards my Nature’s Larder collection of recipes. I've always loved freezing blackberries. There's something fabulously useful about having a stash of them tucked away, read
4 min read
Slow-Cooked Cider & Apple Pork Shoulder with Mustard
Slow-cooked pork shoulder in Somerset cider, with sweet apples, fennel and mustard There are recipes you plan days in advance, and then there are the ones that happen because you've got a pork shoulder in the fridge and a bottle of cider sitting on the worktop. This was one of those. I'd been making chutney, which left me with cider, and suddenly the idea of putting that cider into a slow-cooked pork shoulder seemed far more sensible than drinking it while I decided what to d
3 min read
Hot Greengage & Gooseberry Chutney Recipe with Somerset Cider & Green Peppercorns
There are certain combinations that arrive in your kitchen and make you stop for a minute. Greengages and gooseberries were one of those ... Sweet, fragrant greengages on one side, sharp little gooseberries on the other, and suddenly I was wondering what would happen if I stopped thinking about them as two separate fruits and let them get themselves into a little bit of trouble together ... The answer, as it turns out, is chutney, and not just any chutney ... This is a Hot Gr
4 min read
Blackberry & Pink Peppercorn Cassis: Because Blackberry Bushes Have Ideas Too
Now, I know that technically, there is no such thing as blackberry cassis ... Cassis is traditionally made from blackcurrants, and I am perfectly aware that blackberries are not blackcurrants. But I rather like the romance of it. Blackberry liqueur sounds like a perfectly sensible name for Blackberry Vodka, but Blackberry Cassis sounds darker somehow. A little more mysterious. Like something you might find in an old Somerset kitchen, written in faded ink in the back of a rec
3 min read
Courgette Glut? Welcome to the Help Group. For those of us who have lost control of the fridge drawer
I gather you all here today to discuss something on a rather serious note... It has come to my attention that there are people out there, such as myself, suffering from a little-known condition known as CGGOC – Courgette Glut Growers Overload Circumstance. The symptoms are actually very well documented. Sufferers are often left overwhelmed and bewildered as they stare into a fridge drawer full of courgettes wondering what on earth they are going to cook next. In the early sta
2 min read
Blackberry Cloud Pie | A Blackberry Curd & Swiss Meringue Tart
Some recipes begin with a shopping list ...This one began with a bucket of blackberries. The sort that arrive in a neighbour's hand with a smile and the words, "I thought you might like these." The sort that stain your fingertips purple before you've even reached the kitchen .. and those very blackberries became a delicious homemade curd, rich with a gentle sharpness and gloriously jewel coloured ( When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd.) Generously spooned
4 min read
Orchard Iced Tea – A Refreshing Pear & Elderflower Cider Cocktail
A refreshing taste of summer beneath the apple trees ... There are some places that quietly become part of your story. For us, Wady's Cider Orchard and Taproom is one of them. On warm summer afternoons, it's one of our favourite places to escape for an hour or two. Sitting beneath the apple trees with a chilled drink in hand, watching the light filter through the orchard, you can't help but slow down. There's something wonderfully simple about it all ... the scent of apples
3 min read
When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd
They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade ... But every now and then, life has other plans ... Not long ago, I mentioned to my husband that we really ought to go blackberry picking. I had a craving to make a blackberry curd and imagined an afternoon spent wandering the hedgerows, returning home with purple-stained fingers and enough berries to fill a basket. About twenty minutes later, there was a quiet knock at the door, and on the doorstep sat a generous
3 min read
The Black Nebula Spritz - A Heritage Carrot Cocktail
The Black Nebula Spritz ... An elegant aperitif inspired by a heritage carrot, an old family recipe and a neighbour's garden. Some recipes begin with a carefully planned shopping list, The Black Nebula Spritz begin with a message from a neighbour ... Whenever Beverley invites me round to try something from her garden, I know I'm in for something a little out of the ordinary. This week, she shared a photograph of freshly pulled Black Nebula carrots on Facebook and casually ann
3 min read
Enchanting Flavours of the Fig Leaf and Gooseberry Spritz
A Somerset Fairy Tale (With a Cocktail at the End) Are you sitting comfortably? Then we shall begin... Every fairy tale contains an element of truth. As with all stories handed down through the years, however, they have a habit of acquiring a little extra sparkle in the retelling. Such is the tale of the Fig Leaf & Gooseberry Spritz. And like every good story ... Every recipe has a beginning. Sometimes it's a scribbled idea in a notebook. Sometimes it's inspired by a memora
5 min read
Refreshing Blackberry Mangelwurzel and Hibiscus Spritz Recipe for Summer
The drink I nearly didn't make ... This drink almost never existed, but then ... While making my Blackberry & Mangelwurzel Jelly ( Deliciously Unique Blackberry and Mangelwurzel Jelly Recipe to Try ), I found myself standing over a pan of the most beautiful ruby-red juice I'd ever made. It seemed almost criminal to watch every last drop disappear into the preserving pan. So I quietly poured 100ml into a jug. No plan. No recipe. Just curiosity. What followed was one of those
2 min read
Deliciously Unique Blackberry and Mangelwurzel Jelly Recipe to Try
How an old-fashioned root vegetable became my favourite preserve of the summer ... Some recipes arrive with months of planning. Others arrive in the hands of a neighbour carrying a rather extraordinary vegetable. When I was given mangelwurzels ahead of village Mangelwurzel celebrations, I'll admit I wasn't entirely sure where to begin. Most people know them as livestock feed, not something destined for toast or afternoon tea. But curiosity has always been my favourite ingre
3 min read
Delightful Goat Cheese and Courgette Tart Perfect for Summer Gatherings
If you find yourself with an abundance of courgettes and want a fresh, light dish that captures the essence of summer, this goats cheese and courgette tart is an excellent choice. It combines a crisp, buttery pastry with a creamy, tangy filling and tender, golden courgettes. The subtle heat from red chilli and the aroma of fresh thyme add layers of flavour that make this tart a standout at any meal. Whether served warm or cold, it’s a versatile dish that works well for casual
3 min read
From Disaster to Delight: The Journey of My Mascarpone Spelt Apple Crumble Tart
Sometimes the best recipes come from unexpected moments. This Mascarpone Spelt Apple Crumble Tart was never meant to exist. What started as a simple plan to bake an almond-based apple crumble tart with mascarpone and cream cheese filling turned into a kitchen adventure fuelled by a sudden rainstorm and a missing ingredient. Yet, this twist of fate led to a delicious discovery that I’m excited to share. The Unplanned Beginning The original idea was straightforward: create a ta
3 min read
Deliciously Creamy Apple Custard Tart Recipe for Perfect Autumnal Dessert
If you love the cosy flavours of autumn, this apple custard tart will quickly become your go-to dessert. Imagine sweet, juicy apple slices nestled in a smooth, creamy vanilla custard, all resting on a buttery, crumbly crust. It’s a treat that combines the best of textures and tastes, perfect for sharing with friends or indulging in a quiet moment at home. Just a quick tip before you start: make sure your tart bakes on a level shelf in the oven, unlike my last effort which res
3 min read
The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe: Creamy Bacon and Red Onion Potato Gratin
On those chilly autumn days, nothing beats the warmth of a serving of Creamy Bacon and Red Onion Potato Gratin. It’s not just food; it’s a feeling of cosiness, bringing together family and friends around the table. With layers of soft potatoes, crispy bacon, and a rich creamy, cheesy sauce, this dish offers comfort in every bite. Creamy Bacon and Red Onion Potato Gratin - The Recipe Ingredients 1 kg potatoes, thinly sliced 2 tbsp unsalted butter 180 g bacon lardons 1 red onio
3 min read
Deliciously Cosy Spiced Apple Juice Donut Cake Recipe to Embrace Autumn Flavours
As autumn leaves drift and the air gets chillier, the pumpkin spice lattes firmly take over their seasonal annual reign, but perhaps controversially I will never be convinced that pumpkin spice has any place in my latte. I believe another comforting flavour deserves your attention: spiced apple juice donut cake! This apple juice donut cake is more than a treat; it’s an experience. Each moist bite bursts with the tangy sweetness of apple juice, perfectly matched with warm
2 min read
Vibrant Persian Style Carrot and Fresh Herb Chutney Salad Recipe
Are you craving a fresh and vibrant salad that is both healthy and packed with flavour? Look no further! The Persian Style Carrot and Fresh Herb Chutney Salad is a colourful dish that is easy to make and sure to delight your taste buds. With the perfect mix of sweet carrots, zesty chutney, and aromatic herbs, it shines as a light lunch or a standout side dish for any gathering. I love to serve this alongside my herby Pea & Feta and Giant Couscous Salad Persian Style Carrot a
2 min read
Creating Homemade Pasta with Fresh Courgette Flowers for a Taste of Produce from Around my Village
Living in Somerset has its perks, especially when it comes to fresh produce. This time of year, the local area is overflowing with vibrant fruits and vegetables. Buckets brimming with apples are common sights, while fresh figs and plums often come from friendly neighbours' trees. With an abundance of eggs at hand, I was inspired to create a dish that highlighted some of the villagers produce to be found. But having used my fill of apples, figs and plums this year, I wanted t
3 min read
The Art of Compromise in the Kitchen: Creating a Blackberry Pie Crust That Everyone Will Love
Life is full of compromise, especially when you share your home with kids. The sound of "Mum, I've picked you some more blackberries" is often followed by the request, "Mum, can you make a pie?" But every time, there’s a twist: "Mum, but can it not have blackberries in the middle because I don’t like when the blackberries go all squishy?" Navigating these kitchen negotiations can be tricky, but they also spark creativity. After enjoying the deliciousness of freshly frozen bla
4 min read
Blackberry Shortbread Biscuits A Creative Twist on a Classic Treat
These beautifully hued Blackberry Shortbread Biscuits came to being following one evening when my kids returned from a dog walk with my husband, proudly holding a treasure trove of ripe blackberries aloft in front of me asking me what I would make with them. My head was full of other recipes at the time and I had been caught a little off guard with this unexpected ingredient, I told them to pop the blackberries in the fridge while I thought about my options. My eldest sugge
4 min read
A Refreshing Tomato, Feta and Mint Salad to Celebrate Summer's Bounty
Summer shines brightly with an array of fresh produce, and tomatoes are one of the standout stars. Their vibrant colours and juicy textures remind us of sun-soaked gardens and the aromatic smell takes me back to summer visits exploring my Granddads green house. This Tomato, Feta, and Mint Salad beautifully showcases summer's offerings by blending sweet, large tomatoes and arm cherry tomatoes, blistered in a pan with tangy feta and fragrant mint. It is a delicious way to celeb
2 min read
Discover the Delight of Fresh Fig No Churn Ice Cream for a Refreshing Summer Treat
As the summer sun blazes overhead, nothing beats a cool, refreshing dessert to help you beat the heat. This year, we are excited to share a simple yet delightful dessert that embodies the essence of summer: Fresh Fig No Churn Ice Cream. With its enticing aroma, light texture, and rich creaminess, this ice cream is the perfect way to savour the season’s bounty. Get ready to indulge in a summer treat that is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly delicious! The Allure of
3 min read
Sip into Summer: The Magic of Fig Leaf Syrup Cocktails
There are certain things growing in the garden that you look at every year and think, surely I could do something with that. Fig leaves are one of mine. We all get terribly excited about the figs themselves. We wait for them to ripen, eat them with cheese, put them in tarts, roast them, turn them into chutney and generally make a great fuss of them. Meanwhile, the poor leaves are just standing there. So I started wondering what would happen if I brought them into the kitchen
4 min read
Summer Bliss in a Jar: Crafting My Go-To Apple Pear and Green Grape Chutney
As the summer sun shines brightly and the days stretch longer, we all crave a taste of the season. One of my favourite ways to capture that essence is by making a delightful Apple, Pear, and Green Grape Chutney. This chutney is much more than just a condiment; it’s a burst of flavour that can elevate any dish, from grilled meats to cheese platters. Let’s explore how to create this delicious summer treat! The Magic of Chutney Chutney has a rich history in Indian cuisine, where
2 min read
Delightful Hibiscus and Rose Tea Plum Jam for Ice Cream and Sweet Treats
I love to make this Hibiscus & Rose Tea Plum Jam almost for the smell alone, but trust me when I say it tastes just as beautiful. Combining juicy plums with the fragrant notes of hibiscus and rose tea, transforms an everyday jam into moments of indulgence and delight. In this guide, we’ll reveal how to make this delectable jam, suggest creative uses for it, and explain why it has become a beloved favourite in our house. Why Hibiscus and Rose Tea? Hibiscus and rose are cheris
3 min read
Sweet Summer Vibes with the Delectable Plum Galette with a Chocolate and Blackberry Ripple Ice Cream
Summer has finally arrived, bringing with it a cornucopia of vibrant fruits just waiting to be transformed into delightful desserts. In my neighbour's garden, the plum tree is practically overflowing with juicy, deep purple plums. This season, let's celebrate these gems with a delicious Plum Galette paired with velvety No Churn Chocolate & First of the Season Blackberry Ripple Ice Cream. This dessert is the epitome of sweet summer vibes you won’t want to miss! The Allure of P
5 min read
Caramelised Red Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil for Lazy Pantry Nights
When the week has dragged on and your pantry seems bare, you’ll want a quick yet satisfying meal that can uplift your spirits. Enter Caramelised Red Onion Pasta with Chilli Oil—your go-to dish for evenings filled with uncertainty about dinner. With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe converts a few simple ingredients into a rich, flavourful experience that warms the soul. The Allure of Onion Let's delve into the star of the show: caramelised onions. Cooking onions slow
3 min read
Indulge in Summer's Bounty with this Irresistible Blackberry & Whiskey Lemonade Recipe
There's something absolutely delightful about blackberry season that brings a smile to my face. As the summer sun shines bright, the arrival of fresh, juicy blackberries means it's time to enjoy the sweet and tangy flavours these berries offer. Pair them with a robust whiskey and zesty lemonade, and you have a cocktail that captures the essence of warm, sunny days. In this article, we're going to explore how to make a vibrant Blackberry & Whiskey Lemonade cocktail that will b
3 min read
Unwind with a Fig & Pear Cider Prosecco: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic!
Thoughts of Summer, take me back to a season filled with happy gatherings, sunny picnics, and refreshing drinks. If you want to elevate your casual entertaining this season, you need to try a Fig & Pear Cider Prosecco or two ... No judgments here! This delightful beverage blends the gentle sweetness of figs, the sparkling zing of pear cider, and the bubbly essence of prosecco, making it the ideal drink to help you unwind and slip in to Summer. Imagine lounging in your backyar
2 min read
Rhubarb and Gin Jam - Got Rhubarb? Add a Twist with Gin and Elevate Your Jam Game!
Rhubarb season is here, which means it's also hunting season for my elderly neighbour as she turns pro stalker and there'll be no avoiding her rhubarb harvest generosity. There's no escaping it, even when she can't catch me on the driveway, I'll find a seemingly endless supply of vibrantly coloured rhubarb hanging on my front door. While I love rhubarb, there’s only so much I can consume at once and it really forces you to think about how to use it, so it doesn't end up
2 min read
Indulge in the Heavenly Delight of Pear and Custard Pecan Crumble: A Taste Worth Sharing
There are some recipes you make once, enjoy, and promptly forget about. And then there are the ones that quietly become your recipes ... This is one of those. My husband is a huge fan of pears and, for years, I made the same pear cake on repeat because, apparently, when a man finds a cake he likes, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to look for another one. A few years ago I decided enough was enough and went looking for something different. That’s when I found this lit
3 min read
Taking Flavour to the Next Level: Wild Garlic & Bacon Butter and Beyond
Ah, it's that delightful time of year again when wild garlic makes its grand entrance. Its bright green leaves and unique scent blanket woodlands and meadows. If you've experienced the magic of wild garlic, you know its versatility can transform any meal. Scones and pesto are common choices to feature this herb and I know you love your wild garlic scones your wild garlic pesto ... However, I was watching somebody make bacon butter by very simply blending crispy streaky bacon
1 min read
Sweet and Sour Oven Roasted Apple, Fennel and Sour Cherry Chutney ... From Smoky Mess to Foodie Success: Unveiling the Tale of My First Pizza Oven Adventure!
Vegetarian - Vegan This week in the Garrett household has been a whirlwind of excitement. After two decades of dreaming, heavy hints to the husband, laced with lots of build your own videos wafted hopefully under his nose, I can finally say, I’ve got one! That’s right, we have a brand-new pizza oven, and the excitement in the air is electric. The Surprise Gift Picture this: I’m lounging in the living room, one eye glued to the TV and the other on my phone, when my husband wa
3 min read
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