Abundant August!

As we rapidly approach August, more and more berries and other fruit are on offer. Some are heading out of season, such as strawberries and brambles (blackberries) but raapberries, nectarines, apples, bilberries and apricots are all coming into season.

I adore this time of year. September is my favourite month seasonal foods wise but I have to say August almost beats it. Many seasonal food lists won't include mushrooms but I have already seen some in the woods - chanterelles. I adore mushrooms, berries and many other Autumnal offerings. Why not get your wellies on and head to the woods with someone who knows what a chanterelle looks like and go fungi foraging! The wonderful addition is that this food is free and fantastic!

Scallops are also in season now. I love these sweet, simple shellfish! Fried in oil (butter is just too rich) and served with a salad which includes nectarines is very seasonal and really tasty!

Fruit in savoury salads brings flavours out and takes the hole dish up a notch. Grapes in a green salad with green peppers, rocket or some other leaf, cucmber, avacado and a dressing is simply divine!

Barbequeing is another wonderful idea at this time of year and is a sure way to get deep charcoal flavours into fish, meat and vegetables alike. Aubergines or courgettes, both available now, are wonderful charred!

Enjoy abundant August!

As you may be aware, I have written a novel, available on kindle and in paperback:
UK Amazon = http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Stone-Sword-N-Roy/dp/1477466347/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

and US = http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Sword-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338752368&sr=1-3

Summer fruit

Smmer is finally here, after more and yet more torrential rain! A great way to enjoy the summer and improve your health is to eat more fruit (of course, if you are diabetic, please do not increase to more than 1 portion of fruit plus 1 100mg glass fruit juice or 2 portions of fruit per day).

It is not a good idea to overindulge in Vitamin A, fruits like melons, mangoes etc are full of it, but having a variety of fruits is always a good idea at this time of the year. Berries are packed with anti-oxidants and are out now.

Melon for breakfast with toast, adding a few grapes to a salad, fruit juice mid morning are all good ways of increasing fruit in our diets. Frozsen fruit are far less expensive than fresh and are actually fresher!

Enjoy the health benefits of Summer.

I have written a book, not on food, that you might be interested in:
Kindle and paperback:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3


And in the US:
http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Sword-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338752368&sr=1-3

Seasonal foods in June and July

I am a bit proponent of eating seasonally and getting free food where you can. My husband fishes and we often go (when in season) mushroom picking, berry hunting and getting as much free food as possible!

At this time of year we are particularly lucky with the variety of foods currently in season. Food is fresh and tactile and very, very healthy :D

Seasonal foods in June:
http://healthyeating.knoji.com/seasonal-foods-in-june/


Seasonal foods coming into July:
http://food-nutrition.knoji.com/whats-in-season-in-july/


As you will see, Mackerel is in season. This fish is very good for you, being an oily fish packed with Omega 3. Berries are coming into season now and many can be picked for free, you just know where to find them.

Something else I love at this time of year is light lunches, with pitta breads lightly toasted, hummus and black olives!

Enjoy the feast of summer!

My book is now available in paperback as well as Kindle now.
Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Stone-Sword-N-Roy/dp/1477466347/ref=tmm_pap_title_0/279-1528994-5900510?ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

summer foods

Its summer time and the weather is starting to reflect it! Barbeques are the order of the day and one of the tastiest things to have is a minute steak, marinated in your favourite sauce and popped on the grill for a few minutes. A dish that is very summer and you can use on the barby or not, is chicken in panko breadcrumbs. Cut chicken into strips, coat in flavoured flour (plain flour with cayenne or whatever other spice you like), dunk in mixed egg and then into the panko crumbs, before frying on barbequeing until cooked through. Sprinkle with chilli flakes when cooked. Serve with potato salad and lettuce/tomatoes/dressing. a really tasty dish!

Eggs are so versatile!

Eggs really are one of the great ingredients of the cooking work. Cheap, packed with flavour and bursting with nutrients, these wonderful little oval gems are one of the most versatile foods around. Frying an egg - when was the last time you indulged? A cholesterol free oil is a good idea here, as we don't want to do anythign to negate the pleasure - and guilt about frying something negates the pleasure! I love to put my fried egg on toast that has a thin layer of dijon mustard on it. A little pepper makes it a luxurious breakfast! Scrambled - just add a little milk - no ream, it's rich enough. Many people add too much milk and wonder why it's watery - this is why. Again, i love some pepper here and I occasionally indulge in a dash of salt - just a little. Boiled - eaten with toasted soldiers or mashed up in a sandwich! Omlette - this is a true luxury - 2-3 eggs, a hint of butter in the pan, a hint of milk in the mix, salt and pepper are a must here. Cook it until it's just, just cooked and serve immediately. Unlike popular theory a few years ago, we now know that eggs are not high in dangerous cholesterol. They make no differene to the cholesterol in your body. They are high in protein and rich in vitamins, so why not crack an egg open today! My book is now available in print and on kindle! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-N-Roy/dp/1477466347/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339378508&sr=1-1

Herbs away!

Herbs are growing in gardens across the country (and much of the world). Chives and Parsley, basil and mint, sage and lemon balm.

If you don't know what does well in what, look up BBC Food website, or some other large database website for information. Most herbs are good in soup but it is a good idea to start small. Sage butter to go with ravioli o some other pasta, chives in cheesy potatoes, basil in at the end of a tomato dish, parsley on a soup and work your way up from there.

Herbs add new layers to foods you love. They bring out hidden depths to your favourite dishes and they revitalise your palate.

Get picking!

Here is an excellent book for your kids! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Home Cooking

This is a great time of year for baking. Spring brings out the best in us and getting started couldn’t be easier. Look up courses in baking if you have never done any before. Ask a friend who can bake if they’ll show you a simple recipe. If you are more cooking/baking inclined, try something you never thought you would. Try breads from another country, or a different kind of fruit loaf. No cheating now, bread-makers do all the work for you.

This time of year always reminds me of Stollen, a wonderful, fruity loaf that is often served covered in icing or accompanied by a sauce.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/stollen_87632