Charlotte's Newsletter | Issue 4

Issue 4 | Friday 25th March 2022

Welcome to Issue 4

Thank you so much for joining me again. This fortnight's newsletter is slightly shorter, as I'm heading off for a little break to to rest and recharge. 

As I pack my bags and load the car, I thought I'd share some of my top tips for cooking and eating on holiday, plus more recommendations for delicious things to cook and buy. 

Wishing you a great fortnight ahead,

Charlotte

Charlotte's Basket

Today, my basket is being packed and is heading off on a little break.

This time, we are staying in a house, and so I thought I'd share my checklist of things to take for a self-catering holiday. 

I refer to it every time I go away, and I hope you might find it useful, too. 

Taking time to make a plan and organising the shopping really helps. I tend not to meal plan usually, but it really helps whilst on holiday. Taking the thought out of the equation makes it easier to relax. I plan an extra meal too, so there are plenty of options.

Think through your days and work out what you will do. I plan to include breakfast, a very light lunch, tea, drinks and nibbles and dinner in the winter, but often skip lunch and tea in the summer. 

I also plan what I will take with me. For me, that is:

1. Maldon sea salt (or your salt of choice) and a really good pepper mill 

2. Knife roll (or just one sharp knife you like)

3. Peeler & Microplane grater

4. Stick blender

5. Condiments - mustard, sauces (if you like them), chutneys and pickles 

6. Homemade bread (due to dietary requirements and general fussiness about shop bought bread)

7. Drinks - coffee (and coffee making equipment), teas, wines, spirits, mixers, citrus. Nibbles to accompany. 

8. Homemade cakes and biscuits (when celebrating birthdays and guests are visiting)

9. Specialist ingredients required for recipes, such as achiote, fresh curry leaves

10. Spice boxes or jars - so much easier than trekking round trying to find what you need

11. Storecupboard ingredients, such as rice, pasta, sugar, stock cubes, a couple of tins of tomatoes if needed etc

12. Anything you can’t manage without for a week, if applicable 

13. Washing up liquid, a sponge or cloth, kitchen roll, apron and tea towels, plus loo paper, soap, foil, baking paper, matches, candles, dishwasher tablets, logs, kindling, firefighters, charcoal (if necessary), laundry detergent.

This is obviously a list for when I’m travelling by car. I scale it back to the absolute minimum when flying, which usually includes knives and any essential ingredients I just won’t be able to get locally.

I also make a plan for my food shopping. I have booked a shopping delivery on arrival before, and taken fresh food packed up in the car. If you’re shopping on arrival, it can really help to investigate some options online before you go. Often it's worth taking a detour on the way and stocking up.

Charlotte Loves

For your shopping list

These are some store cupboard products I've discovered that I simply cannot be without and I really recommend you trying them, too:

• Mani Life dark roast peanut butter

• This balsamic vinegar is sensational

• White Lake cheeses - Driftwood and Tor are sensational

• Vallebona's truffle oil, honey and salami are stunning

• Clearspring's Tamari, sesame and sunflower oils are outstanding

What to cook this week

It's been such a joy to hear from all of you who have been cooking the recipes I have shared with you here. This week, I've been enjoying these dishes:

• My potato soup with fresh parsley pesto

• This baked chicken dish from Diana Henry

• These cinnamon, oat and sultana cookies

• This chickpea, chard and tomato stew is great

• Ben Tish's Aeolian salad is lovely

Some brilliant farm shops to try

I mentioned stopping for food shopping, and so I thought I'd share some of my favourite farm shops, in case you happen to pass by one on your travels.

• Tebay and Gloucester Services

• Allington Farm Shop, near Chippenham

• Three Trees Farm Shop, near Swindon

• Compton McRae, near Shaftesbury

• Washingpool Farm Shop, near Bridport

Something for the Weekend

As the weekend approaches, here are 
some of my top recommendations for 
new cookbooks to read and cook from, 
and some lovely British flower suppliers I have used and loved.

Do, please, let me know if you try any of them, and what you think.

Some brilliant new cookbooks

• One Tin Bakes Easy by Edd Kimber

• Freekeh by Ruth Nieman

• Sicilia by Ben Tish

Something floral

• The Good Flower Company

• Scented Narcissi

• Appleyard Flowers

My upcoming cookery classes

• Monday 4th April - Breadmaking at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 5th April - Knife skills at Harborne Food School

• Monday 11th April - Italian pasta at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 19th April - Plant based cooking at Harborne Food School

• Monday 25th April - Plant based cooking at Harborne Food School

• Wednesday 27th April - Middle Eastern cooking at Colliers Cookery School

• Thursday 28th April - Easy salads and suppers at Colliers Cookery School

Places are available, currently, on all courses. And if you'd like a private class, either one-to-one, or for your friends or business, you can find our more on my website, or get in touch.