The start of July is the time when the allotment holder can finally satisfy their impatience to lift new potatoes. Planted in early April, first early potatoes need about 90 days in the ground before harvesting so from July onwards … Read more

Most kitchen gadgets are, frankly, not worth the space to store them. Two notable exceptions are the Krisk bean slicer which gets used a lot over the summer…and the tool I used today; the Leifheit cherry stoner which gets used … Read more

Malted sourdough Beetroot leaves sautéed in olive oil and dressed with lemon juice Beetroot, feta and mint salad Young courgettes with pine nuts and garlic Mangetout peas.

Chapter three of the Old testament book of Ecclesiastes contains a well-known passage which lists 14 “opposites,” a common element in Hebrew poetry; “a time to be born and a time to die”; a time to weep and a time … Read more

This recipe came from the Swedish foods website Ingredients 500 g (1 lb) redcurrants 180 g (6 oz) caster (superfine) sugar Method 1. Rinse the currants, leave them on their stalks but remove any coarse stalks. 2. Put the berries … Read more

The perfect bread with cheese. The sweet grittiness of the figs together with the nutty crunch of the pumpkin seeds on a tangy sourdough is a winning combination. The flour comes from Shipton Mill in Gloucestershire and I use a … Read more