Delicious UK Feburary 2020

PORTRAIT: TREVOR LEIGHTON. PHOTOGRAPH: MIKE ENGLISH How do you view the second month of the year? Do you see it as an endurance test, one step closer to spring, a moment to celebrate the fact that January is over? You may (or not, depending on your point of view) be surprised to know there are a few valiant, glass-half-full souls who consider February the best month of the year – a month for celebrating all that’s good about inside warmth, slouchy socks, marmalade-making, cake-baking, film-watching and a general appreciation of all home can offer. Need convincing? Turn to p32 for Kate Young’s perspective. Even if you don’t agree, her viewpoint challenges perceptions about what so many people see as a bleak month. My view is that February needs an antidote…

VEGGIE RECIPE Halloumi fries SERVES 4. HANDS-ON TIME 10 MIN Cut 250g halloumi into fingers, drizzle with a little sunflower oil, then toss in a bowl with 4 tbsp polenta combined with 1 tsp za’atar spice mix until well coated. Heat 2cm sunflower oil in a medium heavy-based saucepan. When hot, shallow fry the halloumi pieces until the polenta turns crisp and the cheese becomes soft and oozy, turning when one side is golden. Serve with a drizzle of greek yogurt and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and chopped fresh coriander, with sweet chilli sauce on the side for dipping. PER SERVING 327kcals, 23.8g fat (11.4g saturated), 16.2g protein, 11.7g carbs (1g sugars), 1.9g salt, 0.8g fibre…

Dining room matters Debora Robertson’s piece on the decline of the dining room [Jan, p20] sparked conversation STAR EMAIL FROM: MARK RIGBY Debora’s article was timely: my wife and I are having this very debate. Do we extend the kitchen into a kitchen/diner or keep our dining room? We did a ‘pros and cons’ list. Pros: no cooking smells while eating, a special-occasion ambience, you can close the door after a dinner and worry about the mess later. Cons: chef (me) isolated from guests while cooking, the dining room could become an office and so on. The clincher, though, is that we prefer informal relaxed suppers, with friends feeling part of the cooking experience – not sitting waiting in another room to be served. In 2020 we’ve decided to relax…

THE MOST POPULAR RECIPE ON DELICIOUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK  IN FEBRUARY 2019 Moroccan lamb tagine... What do you think it will be this year? 15,382 views POPULAR ON INSTAGRAM Roast chicken thighs with new potatoes and greens 3,773 likes TOP ON PINTEREST Rhubarb and vanilla sponge pudding 8,499 pins See what other delicious. fans are talking about at facebook.com/ deliciousmagazineuk Follow us at twitter.com/ deliciousmag Follow us at instagram. com/deliciousmag Follow us on pinterest. co.uk/deliciousmaguk…

Make your favourite dish from this month’s issue and you could win top-quality, tri-ply stainless steel pans from British manufacturer Samuel Groves. Made from brushed stainless steel, the pans are among the heaviest and sturdiest on the market. Their solid, durable, thermally efficient construction works on all hob types and is safe to use in the oven. The tri-ply structure ensures there are no hot or cold spots, and the pans heat up and cool down rapidly. This is kitchen kit with a ‘buy me once’ assurance: a lifetime guarantee that means you can expect years of excellent service. The five-piece set includes: 6in saucepan with lid; 7in saucepan with lid; 8in casserole pan with lid; 8in omelette pan; and 10in straight-sided frying pan. samuelgroves.com FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN……

Blow away the cobwebs… …with a frosty walk at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland – a 19th-century Greek Revival mansion and neighbouring medieval castle. In the early 18th century it became a tradition for the ladies of the house to plant snowdrops, and this month you can see the fruits of their labours in the surrounding 30 acres of gardens. Visit english-heritage.org.uk for more ideas for wintry days out PHOTOGRAPHS: PINK LADY APPLES, ENGLISH HERITAGE. *ENTRANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY 16 JUNE FORA SPECIAL PRESENTATION TEA PARTY AT RHS LINDLEY HALL, LONDON SW1 CALLING ASPIRING young food writers Do you know a young person yearning to be the next Nigel or Nigella? If so, let them know about the Young Food Writer of the Year Competition. Established in…