Lavender and Lovage

National Vegetarian Week, Seasonal Favourites, 5:2 Recipes and my Weekly Meal Plan

Karen S — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:41:29 +0000

Curried Vegetable Pasty

National Vegetarian Week, Seasonal Favourites, 5:2 Recipes

and my Weekly Meal Plan

This week is National Vegetarian Week, and I was set a challenge by Asda supermarket to eat vegetarian all week! I was happy to accept, and felt a little bit of a fraud, as to eat vegetarian all week is an easy challenge for me, for several reasons. Firstly, I was a vegetarian for four years, and secondly, some of my family are vegetarian – so I am used to cooking (and eating) vegetarian when I am with them. Thirdly, I often cook vegetarian meals when I am on a “fast day” for the 5:2 diet, as you get a lot of vegetables for not many calories! So, here is my meal plan for the week, based on what I have bought for National Vegetarian Week and also what will fit in with my two 5:2 diet fast days for this week too. Most recipes are my own and a couple are what caught my eye on the Vegetarian Society website. The photo above is of my mum’s delicious Curried Vegetable Pasty, and if I can wheedle the recipe out of her I will be sharing that later on this week…..although, I will have to sweet-talk my dad too, as the curry was initially made by him and then mum got creative with the leftovers! I have been very busy lately, as you may remember me saying in last week’s meal plan post, The Fast Diet: Menu Planning and Recipes Revisited for the 5:2 Diet, and I have had some personal sadness in my life……I will share the positive side of that when I am strong enough to be able to share my thoughts with you, but, I am looking forward to cooking and baking more over the next few weeks too, so please keep checking back to see LOTS of new recipes and news. The recipes I will be making will be shared at daily posts this week, and I will also post a summary of my Vegetarian Week Meal Plan at the end of the week too. So, here is my weekly meal plan and recipe ideas for National Vegetarian Week, I hope that there will be some recipes to inspire you, Karen

Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese (200 calories)

National Vegetarian Week Meal Plan:

Monday 20th May:

Breakfast: Porridge with Honey and Apricots

“Teacup Apricot and Honey Porridge”

Lunch: Spiced Mixed Beans on Home-made Bread Toast (Recipe to follow)

Tea: Spicy Vegetable and Quorn Stir-Fry - 5:2 Diet suitable (Recipe to follow)

Tuesday 21st May:

Breakfast: Blueberry Smoothie - 5:2 Diet suitable (Recipe to follow)

Lunch: Sweetcorn and Cheese Fritters with Salad (Recipe to follow)

Tea: Veggie Cheesy Cottage Pie (Recipe to follow)

Wednesday 22nd May:

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Goat’s Cheese

Scrambled Eggs with Goat’s Cheese,

Lunch: Stir-Fry Vegetable and Miso Broth (Recipe to follow)

Tea: Rose Elliot’s Pine Nut & Carrot Roast with Mushroom Sauce (Vegetarian Society)

Rose Elliot’s Pine Nut & Carrot Roast with Mushroom Sauce (Image: Vegetarian Society)

Thursday 23rd May:

Breakfast: Blueberry & Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon (5:2 Recipe)

5:2 Diet Fast Day: Pancakes for Breakfast – Blueberry & Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon Recipe

Lunch: Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese (200 calories)

Spring Green 5:2 Diet Recipe: Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese (200 calories)

Tea: Vegetable Lasagne (Vegetarian Society)

Veggie Lasagne (Image: Vegetarian Society)

Friday 24th May:

Breakfast: Home-made bread toast with home-made Pink Grapefruit Marmalade

Pink Grapefruit Marmalade

Lunch: Macaroni and Vegetable Cheese (Recipe to follow)

Tea: Egg and Two Cress Sandwiches with side salad

Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

Weekend of the 25th and 26th May:

Two Cheese Asparagus Tart

Broad Bean and Pea Medley with Feta Cheese

Jersey Royal Potato Salad with Three Herb Mayonnaise

Two Cheese Asparagus Tart, Broad Bean and Pea Medley with Feta Cheese
and Jersey Royal Potato Salad with Three Herb Mayonnaise

Vegetable Curry with Naan Bread - 5:2 Diet suitable (Recipe to follow)

Veggie Curry

I am adding this to Mrs M’s Meal Planning Monday (20th May 2013)

World Baking Day……Cakes Galore and my Vanilla, Strawberry & Rose Victoria Sandwich Cake

Karen S — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:02:22 +0000

World Baking Day……Cakes Galore and my Vanilla, Strawberry & Rose Victoria Sandwich Cake

Are you brave enough to Bake Brave tomorrow, Sunday 19th May 2013? Just ONE more day to go, and you can choose from 100 wonderful cakes to make on the World Baking Day website here: World Baking Day 19th May – The Recipes. There are ONE HUNDRED fabulous cake recipes from skill level one ( Banana Muffins) to skill level one hundred (Cream Puff Cake) with lots of amazing bakes and cakes in-between……such as NUMBER SIXTY SIX, which is my Vanilla, Strawberry and Rose Cake!

Regular Lavender and Lovage readers will recognise this cake from last year…….Vanilla, Strawberry & Rose Victoria Sponge Cake for Lavender and Lovage’s 1st Year Blog Birthday! I am delighted to tell you that as a Baking Ambassador, this cake was accepted and added to the One Hundred Baking Brave Cakes for World Baking Day. Along with my cake are some cakes from friends of mine too, such as the magical Violet and Rose White Chocolate Fairy Cakes from my friend Choclette and Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Tiered Cake by my Tea Time Treats co-host Kate! OR, how about my friend Rosemary’s Chococcino Cake?

So, what will you bake tomorrow? If you need more inspiration I have added some more of my cake recipes at the end of this post……there are chocolate, citrus, sponge, gingerbread and summer berry cakes.

WHAT IS WORLD BAKING DAY?

This World Baking Day we are encouraging you to Bake Brave. Step out of your comfort zone and bake a cake that will push your baking skills to the limit.

100 of the world’s most exciting bakers have each submitted a cake. They have been ranked from Level 1 being the easiest to make, up to Level 100 which is so difficult, it has master bakers quivering in their aprons. Choose a cake that you have never baked before, then on the 19th May roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

World Baking Day began as a way for cake lovers around the globe to share their passion for baking, so get your friends involved, share your challenge, invite them round, and Bake Brave this World Baking Day.

Strawberry Fair Yoghurt Cupcakes Recipe

You can share your baking brave photos on the World Baking Day face book page, as well as tweeting them, using the hashtag: #bakebrave and following @WorldBakingDay. They also have a Pinterest account here - World Baking Day Pinterest. That’s all for today, have a FABULOUS baking Sunday and do let me know what you baked of you make anything tomorrow! See you later, Karen

Recipes and Gallery:

Farmhouse “Teacup” Spiced Fruit Loaf Recipe

Strawberry Fair Yoghurt Cupcakes Recipe

Orange Cream Cheese Cake Recipe

The Famous Drinking Chocolate Cake Recipe

Little Victoria Lemon Daisy Cakes Recipe

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake Recipe

Old-Fashioned Granny Loaf (Egg-Free and Fat-Free) Recipe

Redcurrant Fairy Cakes with Raspberries Recipe

Genoise Sponge Cake with Berries

Double Chocolate and Summer Berries Truffle Slice Recipe

The Original Cup Cake Little Coffee Cup Chocolate-Chip Cakes with Vanilla Cream Froth Recipe

Chocolate Orange Daisy Cake

~ Little Chocolate & Violet Fancies ~

- A Kaleidoscope of Fancies – Fancy Little Cakes & My Mum’s Cake Shop!

(Images: Karen S Burns-Booth and World Baking Day site + some Press release copy)

Victoria Sandwich Cake

Print recipe

Serves	8 to 10 slices
Prep time	5 minutes
Cook time	25 minutes
Total time	30 minutes
Allergy	Egg, Wheat
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Dessert, Side Dish, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving, Valentines day
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

A true Victoria Sandwich would only contain jam, usually raspberry, but as the cake became more popular and cooks became more affluent, cream was added as a delicious addition. I was always taught that caster sugar was sprinkled on top – again, icing sugar is often used nowadays.

Ingredients

4 large eggs, weighed in their shells
butter or soft margarine ~ same weight as the eggs
caster sugar/super fine sugar ~ same weight as the eggs
self-rising flour~ same weight as the eggs
raspberry jam ( or another jam, jelly or curd of your choice.)
whipped cream (optional) or double cream (optional)
caster sugar or icing sugar for sprinkling on top

Note

Cook’s Notes:
If you use butter remove from the fridge to soften before using. This is not necessary with soft margarine.
If large eggs are used they may weigh 7 ½ ozs/210g. If so make sure you use this weight for the other ingredients.
A smaller sandwich cake can be made with 2 medium eggs. Weight about 4 oz/55g. If so, use 2 x 7” sandwich tins and the cakes and the cakes will need less time in the oven – probably 20 minutes instead of 25 minutes.
Alternative measurements:
4 eggs
8 ounces soft margarine or butter
8 ounces caster sugar
8 ounces SR flour
Proceed as above for method

Directions

Step 1	The measurements for this recipe are equal amounts of sugar, flour and fat to the weight of the eggs; therefore, weigh the eggs first – if the eggs weigh 8 ounces, you will use 8 ounces of sugar, 8 ounces of butter or margarine and 8 ounces of flour. If the eggs weigh 6 ounces, all the other ingredients will be 6 ounces – easy!
Step 2	Preheat oven Gas 4, 160C (fan oven), 180C or 360F: grease and base line the bottom of 2 x 8” sandwich tins – cake tins.
Step 3	Cream margarine or butter together with the sugar, until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs, and then add them to the mixture, gradually and beating well after each addition. Sieve the flour and fold into the mixture with a metal spoon.
Step 4	Divide equally between the 2 prepared tins and bake for 25 minutes in the middle of the oven.
Step 5	Remove and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the tins and fill with raspberry jam (and cream if using) when cold, to avoid the cream melting or the jam seeping into the sponge.
Step 6	A light dusting of caster sugar or icing sugar on the top will finish it. Place on an attractive cake stand or plate, and serve in dainty wedges with freshly brewed tea.

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

Karen S — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich!

Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

It was a moment of pure brilliance the night that the 4th Earl of Sandwich asked for his cold roast beef to be served between two sliced of bread, as not to dirty his playing cards, and so the “sandwich” was born! And over 250 years later the sandwich has to be the most famous British snack to have circled the world, from England to China and via the United States of America and beyond, they’re sold in cellophane, trains, planes and freshly made in your local “caff”, they are the easy to make and suit all appetites. In order to make sure this most iconic of snacks remains firmly in the limelight, every year, the sandwich industry celebrates the humble “sarnie” with British Sandwich Week.

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

This year, they also intend to make it an even bigger occasion than ever with an attempt on the World Record for the largest number of people simultaneously making a sandwich in the same place……it must be a HUGE kitchen! In addition to this there will be excitement across the industry with the announcement of this year’s winners for the ‘Sammies’ (the British Sandwich Industry Awards) which recognise those who are the ‘movers and shakers’ in this bubbling industry. This year’s results will be announced at a gala dinner in London on 16th May, and there will be no sandwiches will be on the menu that night!

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

Things have been a bit hectic lately, and so today I thought it would be nice to celebrate British Sandwich Week by creating a new sandwich recipe based on a classic, whilst also celebrating some wonderful spring ingredients – watercress and mustard and cress, as well as free-range eggs. Egg and cress sandwiches are the mainstay of many an afternoon tea, British Rail buffet or packed lunch, and I do love the combination of creamy eggs mashed with mayonnaise and piquant mustard and cress……however, I also love the peppery, hot taste of watercress, so I decided to add some watercress to my sandwich filling today for an extra peppery kick, and it really added a punch to this quintessentially mild-mannered English sandwich.

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

I used some lovely fresh brown bread from a local bakery, sliced for ease, and local free-range eggs from the farm shop. It’s not rocket science and hardly a recipe as such, but, I have shared the “recipe” such as it is below……all that is needed to make a decent sarnie is GOOD bread and locally sourced or artisan fillings. For those readers who like watercress all by itself, as do I, you might find this post from last year interesting: “Poor Man’s Bread” – Victorian Watercress Tea Sandwiches for High Tea, Children’s School Lunchbox and Picnics.

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

Anyway, I hope you are all embracing British Sandwich Week with gusto, as I am……it will be time to get back on the 5:2 diet wagon next week, but for now, here is my Egg and Two Cress Sandwich recipe……watch out for some new recipes, reviews and another giveaway to come soon, as well as some lovely photos of my mum’s beautiful cottage garden. Bye for now, Karen

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

Egg and Two Cress Sandwiches

Print recipe

Serves	2
Prep time	5 minutes
Cook time	5 minutes
Total time	10 minutes
Allergy	Egg, Wheat
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Lunch, Side Dish, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Birthday Party, Christmas, Easter
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

A classic egg and cress sandwich with an extra peppery twist, fresh watercress. Make the filling as soon as the eggs have cooled, and use fresh thick cut brown bread.

Ingredients

4 slices brown bread
a little softened butter
2 large free-range eggs
2 teaspoons Dijon mayonnaise
salt and black pepper
1/4 of a punnet of mustard and cress (chopped)
large handful of watercress (roughly chopped with some set to one side for a garnish)

Note

A classic egg and cress sandwich with an extra peppery twist, fresh watercress. Make the filling as soon as the eggs have cooled, and use fresh thick cut brown bread.

Directions

Step 1	Butter the slices of bread and set them to one side.
Step 2	Hard boil the eggs for 4 minutes, plunge in to cold water and then carefully peel the shells from the eggs.
Step 3	Mash the eggs with a fork and add the mayonnaise, salt, pepper, chopped mustard and cress and most of the chopped watercress. Mix well and adjust seasoning.
Step 4	Divide the egg and cress equally between 2 slices of buttered bread and the place the other buttered slices of bread on top of the filling - cut into four quarters and serve with some extra watercress as a garnish.

Celebrating Britain’s Most Famous Snack – The Sandwich! Egg and Two Cress Sandwich Recipe

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

Karen S — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:12:08 +0000

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

As a local Yorkshire lass who knows and loves Bettys, and who has had many a Fat Rascal from there, as well as ”rainy day” breakfasts of cinnamon toast and tea, when I was recently invited to take tea at Bettys of York, I was over the moon. Not only would I be taking tea in the beautiful Art Deco Belmont Room, but I would be joined by Kelly from Bettys HQ and the afternoon tea was to be a Champagne tea……what an indulgence and treat. The Belmont Room is steeped in history, and is reminiscent of an elegant bygone era. Bettys founder was inspired to create this breathtaking Art Deco room in 1937 after his journey on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary liner the previous year, and the room has a definite feel of an ocean liner, with its wood panels, sleek wooden pillars and atmospheric lighting.

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

It was lovely to meet Kelly, as we have been emailing each other for several months now, and she was waiting there for me when I arrived at 2:30 last Friday. Afternoon tea at the Belmont Room in York is by booking only and is open for tea every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 pm onwards. (Harrogate’s Imperial Room is open for tea every Saturday and Sunday) I was met by the gentle tinkling of a piano, the atmosphere was warm and elegant, and all of the tea-time customers were happily enjoying the Bettys experience. Our table was next to the piano and was clad in a crisp, starched linen table-cloth. Having being asked what champagne I would like (there was a choice of Hébrart Premier Cru Champagne or Moutard Prestige Rosé Champagne) I was given a menu to peruse, with a selection of speciality teas to accompany my afternoon tea. There was a wonderful selection of black, green and white teas as well as some herbal infusions to choose from.

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

I was tempted by the Lapsang Souchong, China Rose Petal as well as the China Yunnan, but it was the Ceylon Blue Sapphire that I chose in the end……This delicious tea has a large, well twisted, tippy leaf and a smooth, delicate flavour with a slightly honeyed character. We have added blue cornflower petals to represent the famous blue sapphires which are found close to the tea garden in South Western Sri Lanka. (Exclusive to Bettys)

Bettys Blue Sapphire Tea

Then came the triple cake stand of assorted sandwiches, cakes and the most delightful little scones, with jam and cream…..

Assorted Sandwiches at Bettys of York Afternoon Tea

……the Champagne Afternoon Tea Menu comprises:

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

An assortment of sandwiches:

Smoked Scottish Salmon and Cream Cheese, Roast Yorkshire Ham and Mustard, Roast Free-Range Chicken Breast with Tarragon Mayonnaise and Free-Range Egg Mayonnaise and Cress

Freshly baked Sultana Scones with Jam and Yorkshire Clotted Cream

A selection of Hand-Made Miniature Cakes

A Pot of Speciality Tea

A Glass of Champagne:

Hébrart Premier Cru Champagne or Moutard Prestige Rosé Champagne

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

The sandwich assortment was perfect, a selection of local ham, Scottish salmon and beautiful free-range chicken with herb scented mayonnaise, and the miniature scones were just melt in the mouth. The scones were served with local Yorkshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve….

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

……and the cakes were stunning; there was as a fabulous selection that included a rose and strawberry macaron, a mini Victoria sandwich and the most delectable raspberry shortcake.

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

The afternoon passed by in a cloud of champagne and chat, with the occasional bite here and there and cups of real tea; and although I wanted to taste every little cake that was on offer, after eating the raspberry shortcake, I had to give in and the rest of the cakes were packed in a box for me to take home……

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

…….and the lemon meringue fancy was devoured after a light supper!

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

I have had many an afternoon tea in my time and I pride myself on being a bit of an afternoon tea expert; I have had great ones, indifferent ones and a strange sickly sweet “boozy” one just before Christmas…….however, I can say that Bettys was the best I have ever had – a perfect assortment of sandwiches made with Bettys own bread (the bakers get up at 4pm to bake the bread every day), and made with locally sourced ingredients too. The scones were as light as a feather and the Yorkshire clotted cream was positivity dreamy…..the cake selection was delectable with a wonderful assortment of chocolate, citrus, nuts, floral and fruity flavours. And, the tea selection was amazing, with eighteen teas to choose from it made the whole tea drinking experience interesting – my Ceylon Blue Sapphire tea was delicate with a slight floral flavour, perfect as a chaser to my pink champagne!

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

A Champagne afternoon tea at Bettys is not just about the food, it’s about the experience too; so, if you want to take tea the British way, with quality loose tea, hand-baked cakes and scones, as well as freshly made sandwiches and champagne, then you MUST indulge in a Bettys Afternoon Tea. The surroundings were beautiful, the staff were attentive and friendly, and the whole experience was indulgent and rather special. With a HUGE thanks to Kelly and Bettys for my invitation, it was a fabulous afternoon, and one I would be happy to repeat again. Karen

~ NB: A selection of vegetarian sandwiches are available on request ~

Belmont Room, Bettys of York

PRICES:
£25.95 per person
£32.95 per person with Champagne

Belmont Room

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm. (Bookings only)

Imperial Room

Every Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm. (Bookings only)

An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York

I have a Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two to give away as a prize, to enter just visit the page here:

Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York (Worth £65:90)

When Bettys opened its doors for the first time in 1919 it was just as our founder, Frederick Belmont, had visualised – customers were greeted by a tempting array of delicious Yorkshire and Continental confections in the shop, and an elegant Café Tea Room served teas and meals in the traditional English style. It was an immediate success.

Nearly 100 years later and we welcome more than one million customers a year to Bettys. There are six Bettys Café Tea Rooms to explore: the spa town of Harrogate has two branches (one in the town centre and a second at the RHS Garden Harlow Carr) as does York (another Bettys is just around the corner in Stonegate), and you’ll also find Bettys in the market towns of Northallerton and Ilkley.

To find out more about Bettys, please visit The Bettys Story.

(Images in this post: Bettys and Karen S Burns-Booth)

Giveaway: Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York (Worth £65:90)

Karen S — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:58:47 +0000

Giveaway: Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York (Worth £65:90)

Giveaway:

Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York

(Worth £65:90)

What a fabulous treat I have for all Lavender and Lovage readers, a wonderful opportunity to win a Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Bettys of York or Harrogate, worth £65:90. I am so excited to be able to offer this very generous prize on behalf of Bettys, and even more so as I was lucky enough to be invited to review a Champagne Afternoon Tea at Bettys of York last week. You can read my review here: An Art Deco Afternoon Tea Experience with Champagne at Bettys of York. A champagne tea at Bettys is an experience not to be missed and the prize is for tea to be taken at Bettys of York in the beautiful Art Deco Belmont Room, or at Bettys of Harrogate in the Imperial Room. The complete prize comprises:

Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two (£32:95 per person)

Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea

An assortment of sandwiches:

Smoked Scottish Salmon and Cream Cheese, Roast Yorkshire Ham and Mustard, Roast Free-Range Chicken Breast with Tarragon Mayonnaise and Free-Range Egg Mayonnaise and Cress

Freshly baked Sultana Scones with Jam and Yorkshire Clotted Cream

A selection of Hand-Made Miniature Cakes

A Pot of Speciality Tea

A Glass of Champagne:

Hébrart Premier Cru Champagne or Moutard Prestige Rosé Champagne

Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea

All you have to do to enter this wonderfully indulgent contest, is to follow the instructions below and answer this question:

If you were a cake on an afternoon cake stand, what cake would you be and why?

To enter this Giveaway, all you have to do is the following:

1. Complete the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries – THREE mandatory questions will appear, which you need to answer by leaving a comment at the bottom of the post and liking the Bettys and Lavender and Lovage FaceBook page. (After this, you can complete the bonus entries as explained on the form to increase your odds of winning – you can also return daily to tweet this for more bonus entries)

2. Entries are by blog comment, Twitter, Facebook etc

3. Closing Date 16th July 2013

(For more information on how to enter blog giveaways using Rafflecopter please see this short video)

You can win more bonus entries by tweeting on a daily basis.

It’s EASY! Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf. For information on finding the URL of your tweet please see this.

GOOD LUCK!

Karen

Giveaway: Bettys Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York (Worth £65:90)

With a BIG thanks to Bettys who are providing this wonderful prize of an afternoon tea for two with champagne. The date and time for the afternoon tea is to be discussed between the winner and Bettys, and no alternative prize is offered. You must be over 18 years to enter. The tea can be taken at Bettys of York on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and in Betty’s of Harrogate on Saturday and Sunday. *The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received. The winner will be notified within 7 days of the closing date. The prize is as stated: no cash alternatives are available. This competition is open to UK entrants only. The winner will be selected at random by the Rafflecopter widget below and you can enter via Twitter on a daily basis to have more chances of winning.

(Images: Karen S Burns-Booth and Bettys)

Giveaway: Betty’s Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at Harrogate or York (Worth £65:90)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Fast Diet: Menu Planning and Recipes Revisited for the 5:2 Diet

Karen S — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:43:10 +0000

The Fast Diet:

Menu Planning and Recipes Revisited for the 5:2 Diet

The Fast Diet: Menu Planning and Recipes Revisited for the 5:2 Diet

Last week was a funny old week, it started off with a lovely birthday on Sunday, a trip to Fountains Abbey on Monday and then sadness on Thursday……more about all of these events later, but for today I want to share some of my most popular 5:2 recipes and meal plans from the archives, as well as remind any new readers why the fast diet is so beneficial and works for me. As I am sharing meal plans, I will also be linking up to Mrs M’s Meal Planning Monday too. I have been staying with my parents recently, so any new 5:2 diet recipes have been temporarily put on hold, but, I will be back later this week and next week with some lovely new low-calorie recipes suitable for fast days, as well as some new normal “feasting” recipes too. I thought it was about time I revisited some of my archived recipes, and shared them with you, as I had forgotten just how many recipes I have created for the 5:2 diet over the last few months…….so, sit back, have a cup of green tea (if you are on a fast day) and take your pick – I have soups, salads, curries, stir-fry, pancakes, stews, pies and many more enticing recipes to share, I even have a burger recipe too! To visit ALL of my 5:2 recipes, please follow this link: The Lavender and Lovage 5:2 Diet Fast Day Recipes and Meal Plans. I have FIVE pages of enticing and easy to make recipes, and NOT a “boring diet recipe” in sight! That’s all for now, see you later with all of my news, new recipes and more…….Karen

Roast Tomato and Garlic Soup

The recipe that started it all off, and my MOST popular recipe for soup!

Roast Tomato and Garlic Soup Recipe

Fresh Fruit Kickstart

Kick start the day with this amazing fruit salad.

Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe

Calories in Fruit:

Apple raw, with skin, 100g = 1 small, 52

Apricot raw, with skin, 100g = 3 apricots, 48

Banana 1 medium, 94

Blueberries raw, 1 cup, 81

Grapefruit 1 medium, 82

Grapes 1 cup, seedless, red or green, 114

Kiwi fruit 1 medium, no skin, 46

Lemon 1 medium, 17

Nectarine 1 medium, 67

Oranges 1 large, 86

Peaches 1 medium, 42

Pear 1 medium, 98

Pineapple 1 cup, diced, 76

Plums 1 medium, 36

Raspberries 1 cup, 60

Strawberries 1 cup, 46

Watermelon 1 wedge, 92

Halloumi & Tomato Salad Platter Recipe

Just in time for summer, a simple and extremely tasty Mediterranean salad.

Halloumi & Tomato Salad Platter Recipe

Herb and Spice Crusted Baked Chicken Breasts

Elegant and low in calories, only 180 calories per portion.

Herb and Spice Crusted Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

Vegetarian Red Pepper, Lentil and Cheese Pâté (Spread) Recipe

A protein packed vegetarian recipe, great for lunch box sandwiches and snacks.

Vegetarian Red Pepper, Lentil and Cheese Pâté (Spread) Recipe

Luxury Steak Burger with Artichokes and Olives

Yes, you can have a burger on the 5:2 diet! This gourmet burger is packed with flavour and is only 290 calories each.

Luxury Steak Burger with Artichokes and Olives

Smoky Mexican Stir Fry with Chicken

A Mexican style stir-fry with chipotle chillies and lots of vegetables.

Smoky Mexican Stir Fry with Chicken Recipe

Pancakes for Breakfast – Blueberry & Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon Recipe

Pancakes with blueberries for breakfast, also packed with oats for health too.

Pancakes for Breakfast – Blueberry & Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon Recipe

Chinese Garlic,Ginger & Honey Chicken with Noodles (200 Calories)

An amazing Chinese inspired dish that is only 200 calories per portion.

Chinese Garlic,Ginger & Honey Chicken with Noodles (200 Calories)

Tiger Prawn Curry with Basmati Rice (5:2 Diet)

My most popular recipe, this has hundreds of visits a day and is also our favourite curry recipe too!

Tiger Prawn Curry with Basmati Rice Recipe

Low-Calorie Minted Pea & Vegetable Frittata – 200 calories

A wonderful Frittata recipe with peas, mint and potatoes too……perfect for any time of the day.

Low-Calorie Minted Pea & Vegetable Frittata Recipe

Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese (200 calories)

A DELECTABLE vegetarian recipe with only 200 calories and lots of attitude!

Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese Recipe

Easy Cheesy Family Fish Pie Recipe

Cheesy topped fish pie that will be loved by all the family and only 300 calories per portion.

Easy Cheesy Family Fish Pie Recipe

And finally, a KEBAB recipe, yes, you can have your kebab on a fast day!

Cajun Chicken Kebab and Spiced Yoghurt Dip Recipe

To talk more about the benefits of the 5:2 diet, here is some information that I found on the

BBC Health News website:

Scientists are uncovering evidence that short periods of fasting, if properly controlled, could achieve a number of health benefits, as well as potentially helping the overweight, as Michael Mosley discovered.

I’d always thought of fasting as something unpleasant, with no obvious long-term benefits. So when I was asked to make a documentary that would involve me going without food, I was not keen as I was sure I would not enjoy it.

But the Horizon editor assured me there was great new science and that I might see some dramatic improvements to my body. So, of course, I said, “yes”.

I am not strong-willed enough to diet over the long-term, but I am extremely interested in the reasons why eating less might lead to increased life span, particularly as scientists think it may be possible to get the benefits without the pain.

How you age is powerfully shaped by your genes. But there’s not much you can do about that.

Calorie restriction, eating well but not much, is one of the few things that has been shown to extend life expectancy, at least in animals. We’ve known since the 1930s that mice put on a low-calorie, nutrient-rich diet live far longer. There is mounting evidence that the same is true in monkeys.

Growth hormone:

The world record for extending life expectancy in a mammal is held by a new type of mouse which can expect to live an extra 40%, equivalent to a human living to 120 or even longer.

It has been genetically engineered so its body produces very low levels of a growth hormone called IGF-1, high levels of which seem to lead to accelerated ageing and age-related diseases, while low levels are protective. Professor Longo has investigated growth hormone deficiency in humans A similar, but natural, genetic mutation has been found in humans with Laron syndrome, a rare condition that affects fewer than 350 people worldwide. The very low levels of IGF-1 their bodies produce means they are short, but this also seems to protect them against cancer and diabetes, two common age-related diseases.

The IGF-1 hormone (insulin-like growth factor) is one of the drivers which keep our bodies in go-go mode, with cells driven to reproduce. This is fine when you are growing, but not so good later in life.

There is now evidence suggesting that IGF-1 levels can be lowered by what you eat. Studies on calorie restrictors suggest that eating less helps, but it is not enough

As well as cutting calories you have to cut your protein intake. Not entirely – that would be a very bad idea. It’s about sticking to recommended guidelines, something most of us fail to do.

The reason seems to be that when our bodies no longer have access to food they switch from “growth mode” to “repair mode”.

As levels of the IGF-1 hormone drop, a number of repair genes appear to get switched on according to ongoing research by Professor Valter Longo of the University of Southern California.

Intermittent fasting:

One area of current research into diet is Alternate Day fasting (ADF), involving eating what you want one day, then a very restricted diet (fewer than 600 calories) the next, and most surprisingly, it does not seem to matter that much what you eat on non-fast days.

Dr Krista Varady of the University of Illinois at Chicago carried out an eight-week trial comparing two groups of overweight patients on ADF.

“If you were sticking to your fast days, then in terms of cardiovascular disease risk, it didn’t seem to matter if you were eating a high-fat or low-fat diet on your feed (non-fast) days,” she said.

I decided I couldn’t manage ADF, it was just too impractical. Instead I did an easier version, the so-called 5:2 diet. As the name implies you eat normally 5 days a week, then two days a week you eat 500 calories if you are a woman, or 600 calories, if you are a man.

There are no firm rules because so far there have been few proper human trials. I found that I could get through my fast days best if I had a light breakfast (scrambled eggs, thin slice of ham, lots of black tea, adding up to about 300 calories), lots of water and herbal tea during the day, then a light dinner (grilled fish with lots of vegetables) at night.

On my feed days I ate what I normally do and felt no need to gorge.

I stuck to this diet for 5 weeks, during which time I lost nearly a stone and my blood markers, like IGF-1, glucose and cholesterol, improved. If I can sustain that, it will greatly reduce my risk of contracting age-related diseases like cancer and diabetes.

Current medical opinion is that the benefits of fasting are unproven and until there are more human studies it’s better to eat at least 2000 calories a day. If you really want to fast then you should do it in a proper clinic or under medical supervision, because there are many people, such as pregnant women or diabetics on medication, for whom it could be dangerous.

I was closely monitored throughout and found the 5:2 surprisingly easy. I will almost certainly continue doing it, albeit less often. Fasting, like eating, is best done in moderation.

Menu Plan Idea:

Fast Day (500 calories)

Breakfast: Fat-Free Plain Yoghurt and Banana = 110 calories

Lunch: Salmon Niçoise Salad = 240 calories

Salmon Niçoise Salad (5:2 Diet)

Supper: Curried Carrot Soup = 85 calories

Curried Carrot Soup = 85 calories

Total:

435 calories + 65 cals for 150mls skimmed milk = 500 calories

Giveaway: Win a Summer Picnic Hamper with Belvoir Fruit Farms

Karen S — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:52:21 +0000

Giveaway: Win a Summer Picnic Hamper with Belvoir Fruit Farms

Giveaway:

Win a Summer Picnic Hamper with Belvoir Fruit Farms

Imagine this, a summer’s day, no work and plans for a country or seaside picnic, well, I have JUST the thing for all Lavender and Lovage readers, a FABULOUS Summer Picnic Hamper from Belvoir Fruit Farms……..perfect for a picnic by the river, the seaside or just at the bottom of your garden! The hamper comprises:

Two bottles of Belvoir cordials

Melting pot fudge

Traditionally Made chocolate biscuits

Chocolate covered honeycomb

A bar of fruit and nut chocolate

A pot of Mrs Bridges preserve

Giveaway: Win a Summer Picnic Hamper with Belvoir Fruit Farms

To win this hamper, all you have to do is follow the following information and answer the question:

Where would your perfect picnic be?

Image: Dan Duchars for Debenhams

To enter this Giveaway, all you have to do is the following:

1. Complete the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries – THREE mandatory questions will appear, which you need to answer by leaving a comment at the bottom of the post and liking the Belvoir Fruit Farms and Lavender and Lovage FaceBook page. (After this, you can complete the bonus entries as explained on the form to increase your odds of winning – you can also return daily to tweet this for more bonus entries)

2. Entries are by blog comment, Twitter, Facebook etc

3. Closing Date 14th July 2013

(For more information on how to enter blog giveaways using Rafflecopter please see this short video)

You can win more bonus entries by tweeting on a daily basis.

It’s EASY! Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf. For information on finding the URL of your tweet please see this.

GOOD LUCK!

Karen

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

Karen S — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:18:56 +0000

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi:

Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

There is nothing as nice as afternoon tea, unless it happens to be afternoon coffee. I am a bit of a tea and coffee snob, and only drink the best stuff, made in a tea-pot for tea and in a cafetière for coffee. So, when De’Longhi asked if I would like to receive a fabulous Icona Vintage Coffee Machine in order to participate in a “coffee challenge”, I was pleased to accept; not only would I be able to create a new recipe that used coffee, but I would be able to make a good cup of espresso (or even cappuccino) in my new coffee machine too. My beautiful new machine arrived in a lovely vintage olive-green and I practised making coffee in my machine whilst I pondered on what I would make for the coffee challenge. The Icona Vintage Coffee machine is fabulously sleek with a vintage Italian coffee shop look. The machine not only makes espresso, but also makes cappuccino with a classic steam, air and milk system, so you get a cup of wonderfully frothy topped coffee. There is a cup warmer, a removable water reservoir as well as a very handy “crema filter”, which takes ground coffee as well as coffee pods.

Icona Vintage Coffee machine

But on to my coffee challenge recipe; I was originally going to make a savoury recipe that uses coffee as one of the ingredients, a Mexican recipe, but I also wanted to bake something too, and so my afternoon tea time menu was planned. Would I make macarons, cakes, mousse, parfait or wafers, or would I make biscotti or amaretti? In the end it was my coffee machine that gave me the recipe idea, and I decided to make a classic and VERY retro biscuit (cookie) – one that is popular on many a vintage tea time-table, “coffee kisses”, based on my coffee machine’s vintage good looks! But these coffee kisses are not any old coffee kisses, mine have a sophisticated twist on the usual recipe, I decided to use cocoa powder and some freshly brewed espresso coffee in my little biscuits as well as the butter-cream too. And, as I had some butter-cream left over, I added a dollop of fresh double cream to it, and piped some of the espresso cream into some home-made brandy snaps my mum had made……..a lovely addition to the afternoon tea coffee table.

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

In addition to my espresso butter-cream filling, I also added some home-made raspberry jam for a rich berry burst with the coffee flavours. All that was needed to complete my afternoon tea, was a cup of coffee of course – I had a cappuccino and Malcolm my husband had a double espresso. I am thrilled with my new coffee machine, and I’m hoping to add to it with an Icona Vintage kettle and toaster in olive-green if I win the coffee challenge……..as my kitchen is yellow and green, so they will the perfect match! I have not added the brandy snaps recipe as it is simply an assembly job; just add some fresh double cream to a little espresso butter-cream and pipe (or carefully) spoon it into the brandy snaps. The recipe for my Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses is shared below, and I always think they are similar in looks to macarons, albeit it in a more “country cousin” way……Tuscan country cousins maybe!

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

Coffee Kisses are the cross between a small cake and a biscuit, and have a distinctive crackled top……they can be made smaller than the ones I made, (as you can see in the photos) and can be sandwiched with all sorts of different fillings such as vanilla butter-cream, chocolate butter-cream, berry butter cream or lemon butter-cream, and the flavourings can be varied in the actual cake/biscuit too. I hope you have enjoyed my “virtual” De’Longhi Tea with Coffee, Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps…….do let me know if you make this recipe. See you later with a new giveaway, a new 5:2 recipe as well as personal post about gardens, cats and the National Trust. Have a wonderful weekend, Karen

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses

Print recipe

Serves	8 to 10
Prep time	15 minutes
Cook time	15 minutes
Total time	30 minutes
Allergy	Egg, Wheat
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Dessert, Snack
Misc	Gourmet, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving, Valentines day
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

A decadent twist on the usual retro style "coffee kisses" beloved of the vintage tea table - these kisses are made with cocoa and espresso coffee for an elegant Italian twist and are sandwiched together with raspberry jam and espresso butter-cream for a very sophisticated flavour. Use a high quality espresso coffee and also a home-made or quality jam too.

Ingredients

Kisses

140g Self Raising Flour
15g cocoa powder
75g golden caster sugar
75g butter
1 free-range egg, beaten
2 teaspoons freshly made espresso coffee
raspberry jam

Buttercream

100g icing sugar
50g softened butter
2 teaspoons freshly made espresso coffee

Note

Directions

Step 1	Mix the flour, cocoa and sugar together and then rub in the butter.
Step 2	Stir in the beaten egg and espresso coffee and mix well.
Step 3	Divide the mixture into even size balls, about the size of a walnut and place them on to a well-greased baking tray. Bake in a pre-heated oven (180C/350F/Gas Mark 4) for 15 minutes, or until the kisses are well risen, cracked on the surface and firm to the touch.
Step 4	Allow them to cool on a wire rack and when they are completely cold, spread a little raspberry jam over both sides of each kiss, and then sandwich together with espresso butter-cream.
Step 5	Butter-cream: Cream the butter and then gradually add the icing sugar and cream together until light and fluffy. Add the espresso coffee and mix well, put to one side until you need to sandwich the kisses together.

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

Disclaimer: I received a De’Longhi Icona Vintage Coffee Machine worth £189 in order to make coffee and enter the Coffee Challenge; all opinions and views are my own, and my recipe is being entered into a competition to win the matching toaster and kettle. Karen S Burns-Booth

The Coffee Challenge with De’Longhi: Italian Coffee Mocha Kisses and Brandy Snaps

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

Karen S — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:43:28 +0000

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine

for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

I have had a life-long love affair with cast iron cookware, probably since I was old enough to lift a casserole lid, and Le Creuset tops my cast iron cookware list. I am an avid collector of new and vintage Le Creuset, so, when I was contacted by McArthurGlen, a designer outlet, and asked if I would like to take the “Cast Iron” challenge and receive a 20cm Le Creuset casserole dish in a colour of my choice, I accepted with alacrity. And the challenge? Well, the challenge is to create a recipe that is cooked in my new Le Creuset dish. Having made my challenge recipe, I, along with four other selected food bloggers will have our recipes published on the Le Creuset page (on the McArthurGlen website) and the recipes will then be judged by a Le Creuset chef who will mark the recipe in the following three categories:

- Presentation
- Creativity and innovation
- Cooking expertise

As well as these three categories, we will also judged by the public via social media, through Twitter, so if you would like to vote for my recipe you can vote via twitter using the official hashtag: #CastIronChallenge Voting starts on Monday the 13th May, and you can vote via the page here: Le Creuset on McArthurGlen You will be entered into a draw to win a £50 Le Creuset Voucher JUST for voting here: Vote HERE (The recipe that wins, receives a £250 Le Creuset voucher!)

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

I was given a choice of what colour casserole dish I wanted, and I was tempted with Volcanic as I have a large vintage collection of Le Creuset in this colour, but, as soon as I saw the Teal casserole pot, I knew this was the new Le Creuset colour for me! Then there was the recipe to create……and I was in a bit of a quandary about that – would I go for a classic casserole or stew, bread or cake, crumble or pudding, OR something completely different? In the end it was some seasonal asparagus and some excellent hot smoked salmon (that I had in my freezer from Delish Fish) that helped with my decision - I planned to use my gleaming new pot as a bain-marie, and make a light terrine.

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

I was very pleased with my recipe for Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine – it held together as well as being light and almost fluffy; the asparagus spears gave the terrine an attractive pattern when it was cut, and is was beautifully flavoured with herb cream cheese, lemon and the delicious hot smoked salmon. The Le Creuset casserole dish made the perfect bain-marie, with even heat distribution and retention, as well as a nice tight-fitting lid. The recipe can be doubled up to make in a larger casserole dish, but the amount I made this time was just right for a light lunch for three people when served with salad and crusty bread. This recipe would also serve four people as a starter, again, served with salad and maybe some Melba toast.

As you can see from the photos above, this terrine is easy to make, and its simplicity is belied by its elegant good looks! This terrine went down a storm the other day and I have had requests from my family to make it again. Finally, everyone who votes via Twitter on Monday onwards, will also be entered into a prize draw to win a Le Creuset voucher, as a little thank you for getting involved! So, here it is, my entry into the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge, Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine, perfect for a spring gathering or simple family lunch. Bye for now, see you later with a new giveaway, review, recipe and more kitchen chat. Karen

Disclaimer: I was sent a 20cm Le Creuset casserole dish worth £115 in order to participate in the “Cast Iron” challenge; all views and opinions are my own. Karen S Burns-Booth

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine

Print recipe

Serves	4 as a starter or 3 as a main meal
Prep time	20 minutes
Cook time	1 hour
Total time	1 hour, 20 minutes
Allergy	Egg, Fish
Meal type	Appetizer, Lunch, Salad, Snack, Starter
Misc	Gourmet, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving, Valentines day
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

An elegant and tasty terrine with hot smoked salmon and fresh asparagus, this terrine cooks in in a Le Creuset casserole dish which is used as a bain-marie for perfect and even heat retention. Serve this as a starter with salad, or as a light lunch with salad and crusty bread. This delightful terrine is also wonderful for picnics and as a luxury sandwich filling.

Ingredients

12 slender asparagus spears (woody ends trimmed)
75g smoked salmon (cut into small pieces)
2 large free-range eggs
100g herb and garlic cream cheese
1 tablespoons crème fraiche
225g hot smoked salmon (flaked)
zest and juice of 1 lemon
lemon wedges to serve
fresh chives to serve

Note

Directions

Step 1	Pre-heat oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 3.
Step 2	Select a container that fits into a 20cm Le Creuset casserole dish, one that has a lid preferably.
Step 3	Line the container with cling-film allowing a large overlap to cover the terrine as it is cooking. (I used a 450g tinfoil "take-away" "freezer" tray with lid)
Step 4	Trim the asparagus speaks to fit the container, and then steam them in salted, boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully take the asparagus out with some tongs, and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Step 5	Lay 6 of the asparagus spears in the bottom of the prepared container lined with cling-film. Cover with half of the smoked salmon pieces and then make the terrine mixture.
Step 6	Whisk the eggs and add to the cream cheese, mix well and then add the crème fraîche to loosen the mixture before adding the flaked hot smoked salmon. Then add the lemon zest and juice and mix well.
Step 7	Spoon over half of the cream cheese salmon mixture and then lay the remaining 6 asparagus spears over the top, followed by the rest of the smoked salmon pieces. Add the remaining cream cheese salmon mixture and fold over the spare cling-film to cover the terrine loosely, to allow the terrine to puff up and rise during cooking.
Step 8	Cover the terrine with a lid, or tinfoil and place it into the Le Creuset casserole dish. Boil a kettle and carefully pour in enough hot water to come up three-quarters around the container. Cover with the casserole lid and bake for 45 minutes to one hour, or until the terrine is puffed up.
Step 9	Allow to cool in the casserole dish, then take the container out and chill for about an hour before serving in slices with lemon wedges and freshly chopped chives.
Step 10	Perfect as a starter or for picnics, also wonderful as a luxury sandwich filling, or for a light lunch with salad and crusty bread.

Hot Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Terrine for the Le Creuset Cast Iron Challenge

To vote for my recipe and be entered into a draw to win a £50 Le Creuset voucher, vote here:

Win £50 Le Creuset voucher

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

Karen S — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:36:15 +0000

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a

Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

Terracotta Rhubarb Forcing Bell

Just over a week ago I was invited to attend an open day at Perch Hill as part of my contribution as a writer for Garlic and Sapphire – along with several other bloggers who also write for Sarah Raven’s Garlic and Sapphire blog, we were shown around Perch Hill by Sarah herself (and the lovely Alissa who works at the Sarah Raven offices in Marlborough), as well as having some time to speak with Sarah personally and ask her questions, all whilst watching her picking the edible flowers that we were to enjoy for lunch later.

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

The day was a sunny late spring day and having picked Belinda and Rona up from the nearby railway station, we made our way down winding country lanes to Perch Hill. Sarah’s husband Adam Nicholson was on the gate and welcomed us all with a cheery smile, we then made our way in to meet with Alissa who was waiting in the Perch Hill shop. The beauty of Perch Hill strikes you immediately and Sarah herself was gardening as we walked past lettuces and tulips growing side by side – pure purples and peaches alongside vibrant greens……

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

……the conservatory housed several large tables, where we were to have lunch later, and pots of succulents were interposed with little glass jars of freshly cut sprung flowers. We had a cup of tea first, and admired the freshly baked cakes that were being set out ready for the open day guests who would arrive later.

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

I loved the talk that Sarah gave all to all of the guests who attended the open day – her passion and knowledge shone through, and I was delighted that she set aside some time to speak with myself and the other Garlic and Sapphire bloggers. I asked her about pruning lavender – I am never sure whether I should prune in autumn or spring, and Sarah gave me some valuable and practical advice, as well as how and when to prune my quince tree too. One thing that stays with me are Sarah’s guidelines for what she plants in the Perch Hill garden, basically, everything is sown or planted for flavour first, then ease of growing and finally productivity, which is the exact opposite for most large commercial growers.

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

Oast House Perch Hill

As we wandered around Perch Hill, we passed a Shepherd’s hut, forced rhubarb in terracotta bells, daffodils, tubs of tulips, rows of salad leaves, French sorrel, herbs of all types and beautiful old shrubs and trees. Perch Hill is magical and even though lots of plants were six weeks behind their normal flowering (and fruiting) season due to the cold spring, there was still lots of blooms on show…….

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

After our long walk about the grounds, we were all ready for lunch, and lunch at Perch Hill is a delight; there were huge bowls of freshly picked salad leaves with the edible flowers that we saw Sarah pick earlier on………jugs of home-made Perch Hill rhubarb cordial were lined up by the serving area and the whole restaurant was infused with wild garlic, rhubarb, baked potatoes, cheese and star anise.

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

The menu for the day was: Wild Garlic Baked Potatoes with Wensleydale Cheese and Creme Fraiche served with Wild Garlic Pesto Yoghurt OR Chicken Salad with Olives, Anchovies, Pine Nuts and Parsley in a lemon dressing – both meals were served with “help-yourself” edible flower and mixed leaf salad, Quinoa and a Carrot, Fennel and Parsley Salad. I opted for the baked potato, which was delectable……especially when eaten alongside a mug of rhubarb cordial, the recipe that can be found here: Perch Hill rhubarb cordial. The Wild Garlic Pesto recipe is also on Sarah’s site here: Wild garlic pesto

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

The day ended with Alissa, Belinda, Rona and I chatting by the rhubarb patch, before we collected our “goodie bags” and went on our way……it’s difficult to put into words the beauty of Perch Hill, but hopefully my photos will give you all a taste. Sarah holds numerous courses there, and I am very tempted to attend one myself…….you can see the full timetable of future events here: Perch Hill Diary of Events. With thanks to Alissa who organised the day for us Garlic and Sapphire contributors, and DO take a look at all of the wonderful articles here: Garlic and Sapphire, as well as my most popular article here: LAVENDER AND LACE, ROSES AND SALT.

Rhubarb Cordial, Tulips, Edible Flowers and a Day at Perch Hill with Sarah Raven

If you would like to wine some Sarah Raven seeds and gardening products, I have a giveaway currently running, enter here:

Giveaway: Sarah Raven Seeds and Gardening Products for You and the Children! RRP £42:50