Delicious UK June 2019

RECIPES THE delicious. FOOD TEAMPHOTOGRAPHS TOBY SCOTT STYLING OLIVIA WARDLEFOOD STYLING SOPHIE AUSTEN-SMITH & OLIVIA SPURRELL In association with AVS Fencing & landscaping HOW TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACE • Think and plan What do you want to use the space for? Big gatherings with friends, eating outside for two, three or four – or for moments of solitude with a cup of tea on a sunny day? Think about how to capture the best of the sunlight: are bright mornings your favourite? Or golden afternoon/setting sun? • Demarcate the area Use walls and fencing (existing or new) to anchor or enclose an area – a corner of the garden can create a focus. Define the area with features such as big pots or planters, sleepers, trellises or flower…

PHOTOGRAPHS: TOBY SCOTT, SUE LACEY PHOTOGRAPHY Could it really be summer? We’ve had a few false starts this year and I hardly dare to hope. The barbecue has been hosed down and buffed (I am that sad person), the pots planted up and the forest of dandelions excised so, for once, all is set for warm days in the Barnes back garden. Meanwhile, on the food front, strawberries, broad beans, peas and gooseberries (to name just a few favourites) are at their British best. It’s a time of plenty – both in nature’s larder and in the general feeling of bonhomie that comes with early summer, and every recipe in this issue celebrates the riches food lovers have come to look forward to so much. It’s all about the produce,…

Sunshine reading A love affair with all things Gallic – that’s how I’d describe Felicity Cloake’s latest book, One More Croissant For The Road, about a pastry-filled cycling expedition in search of the food we all hope still exists in France. There are recipes too, and every croissant that passes her lips gets a flakiness/butter/flavour rating. Funny, entertaining and informative, this is a book that makes you hungry, both for a good meal and for a visit across the Channel. Mudlark, £14.99…

Balsamic strawberries with burrata (aka the perfect starter) SERVES 4. HANDS-ON TIME 5 MIN Mix 250g hulled and quartered strawberries in a bowl with 2 tbsp good quality balsamic vinegar (we used Belazu), 1 tbsp maple syrup, a small handful of finely chopped fresh basil and a good pinch each salt and black pepper. If you have time, set aside for 10 minutes. Spoon the strawberries onto a serving platter. Split 2 x 100g burrata balls (or tear 200g buffalo mozzarella), put on the platter, then drizzle any juices left in the bowl over the top. Grind black pepper over the top and scatter with basil leaves to serve. PER SERVING 170kcals, 10.5g fat (6.9g saturated), 9.6g protein, 8g carbs (7.5g sugars), 0.1g salt, 2.4g fibre…

SUBJECT: The importance of making mistakes FROM: Peter Sadler I enjoyed the heartwarming article from Debora Robertson on making mistakes [May, p23]. She reminds us all how easy it is to overthink an informal evening with friends and family. I’m in my mid-60s and take pride in cooking for any occasion. I too, in my time, have burnt, overcooked, undercooked and hopelessly forgotten about countless soufflés – yet these are the mistakes that our children will one day recall and remember us fondly for as they host their own dinner parties. Thank you so much for the reminder. SUBJECT: Kitchen treasure FROM: Samantha Knuckey It was endearing to read about Tom Aikens’ kitchen treasure, his grandfather’s sugar jar [Apr, p19]. I lovingly thought about my grandparents’ meat platter, used by…

PICTURE PERFECT SOURCE: STATISTA.COM. PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES The overall winner of the annual Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2019 awards was Chinese photographer Jianhui Liao with this stunning shot, Cauldron Noodles. Taken in Shexian County, Hebei Province, it depicts an annual celebration in which locals don Qing Dynasty costume for a noontime feast. Liao’s picture earned him a £5,000 prize. This year, 9,000 images were entered from 77 countries in 26 categories. To see all the winners and to find out how to enter next year’s awards, visit pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com THE WORLD’S HOTTEST FRUIT *IN MILLION METRIC TONNES When it comes to fruit and veg we’re all encouraged to eat at least five a day, but which fruit top the charts in terms of the amount grown…