Charlotte's Newsletter | Issue 6

Issue 6 | Friday 22nd April 2022

Welcome to Issue 6

Thank you for joining me again.

It's back to work this week after the long weekend, and really not very long until the next one, either. Hurrah!

Whether you were celebrating Easter, Passover or Ramadan, or just enjoying a few days off, I hope it's been a good fortnight for you.

I was very fortunate to have spent the long weekend at home in Dorset and we were so spoilt with good weather. I shared some photos on Instagram and received a number of requests for recommendations for things to do, and you'll find them below. It was great to hear from many of you who enjoyed my Lakeland recommendations last time, too.

Sticking with the countryside theme, it's been a busy few days for me after my recording on Farming Today which was broadcast last week. There was such a response to the piece that we recorded a follow up, which went out last Saturday on BBC Radio 4. If you would like to listen, you'll find the link below too. As I write, the search still continues, but I am optimistic. And I hope our new home will make an appearance soon.

I have an exciting weekend planned, as I am off on a No Dig growing course with Stephanie Hafferty, where I will be learning more about this way of growing my own vegetables, fruit and flowers. I can't wait!

And finally, I'd like to thank you all for your support for the newsletter so far. It's been an absolute joy to hear your feedback, such as you finding my recommendations helpful. So many of you have made the recipes I recommended. You'll notice that I haven't put a paywall in place, and I'd like to keep it this way. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on Ko-Fi - it is hugely appreciated and helps to cover the cost of creating and maintaining this newsletter and my website.

Until next time, take care,

Charlotte

Charlotte's Basket

It's been so nice to see so much colour when out and about over the last fortnight. Tulips, bluebells and gorse flowers are all blooming and cherry, pear, apple and blackthorn blossom are all making a colourful appearance. The wild garlic is in flower, and both the flowers and buds are edible, as well as the leaves.

I've been enjoying some new season's produce over the last fortnight. Here are my recommendations for what to eat now.

English asparagus continues to be excellent. I have been chargrilling it (in a pan and on the BBQ) to go on salads or as a light supper.

Spanish strawberries have arrived, and when they're good, they're really good.

If you like globe artichokes, they are starting to make an appearance. 

The tomato season is starting and I like to buy large mixed boxes weekly from The Tomato Stall. I also know of several people who buy boxes to share if one is too large a quantity to get through.

I have also noticed some lovely Tarocco oranges for sale, grown in Italy. This special variety is really worth snapping up if you find them, as they are sublime.
 

Charlotte Loves

My favourite new product discoveries

• Jolly Hog Proper Porker sausages are a new discovery and, I think, very good.

• I'm a huge fan of good vinegars and have been drinking diluted vinegar for some time now. It is a really nice drink, and is a great way of getting more beneficial bacteria into my diet. My favourite vinegars are made by Willys in Herefordshire. The ever-expanding range is excellent, and now includes turmeric shots, as well as large bottles of vinegar.

• Simsom Pistachio and Honey Butter is SO good.

• If you like to cook with tahini, try Belazu's roasted sesame and black sesame versions. Both are excellent.

• Tim's Dairy Live Greek Yoghurt is so good. In my opinion, the best available if you're shopping in the supermarket.

What to cook this week

• Musaqa’a from Falestin is excellent. If you make it, I really recommend giving it plenty of time to cook so that the vegetables really soften. It really does benefit hugely from the cooling time too, so don’t skip that.

• Claudia Roden’s Orange and Almond cake is a much-loved recipe. My Mum made it last week for gluten free guests, reminding us just how much we love it.

• Mum and I also made an old favourite recipe this week, Madhur Jaffrey's Tandoori Chicken, which used to be a real favourite of mine as a child. It still tastes so good. 

• My Welsh cake recipe is so simple, and a great one to make with children.

• We're seeing a real revival of the Kiev at the moment.  The last of the wild garlic makes a really good filling. This version is excellent.

Favourite teas and coffees

• This Earl Grey from Williamson Tea is really lovely. We're never without it.

• When it comes to breakfast tea, I like Yorkshire Tea, Birchall Great Rift and Thompson's Every Day.

• I make a lot of my own tisanes, using fresh mint and lemon verbena from the garden. Try elderflower and nettle tea soon if you suffer from hay fever.

• I love good coffee, and have been really enjoying some freshly ground blends from Wyndhams in Barbados, by mail order.

• And if I run out and rely on the supermarket for supplies, then I think Lazy Sunday is excellent.

Something for the Weekend

As the weekend approaches, here are 
some of my top recommendations for 
things to watch and listen, travel tips for Dorset and my upcoming class dates.

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

Some things to watch or listen to

A rather eclectic list this time, reflecting my broad interests.

• Listen to me on Farming Today last week

• A Lake District Farm Shop on Channel 4 is fascinating, charming and visually beautiful

• Derry Girls is back for a final series and I've been really enjoying it so far

• Better Caul Saul on Netflix is a real favourite here. I can't wait to find out how it all ends.

• Putin on BBC Sounds. An interesting listen and lots of context to consider.

My top recommendations for a visit to Dorset

• Studland beach is one of my favourites, but it does get VERY busy. The Pig on the Beach is a great place to stop for refreshments, a meal or an overnight stay. Taking the chain ferry makes the trip more of an adventure, but the queues can be extremely long, so avoid peak times.

• Try the coastal walks between Durleston and Durdle Door. It is so lovely, and there are lots of interesting sections to tackle in shorter walks.

• Poole Harbour is great for a boat trip, try visiting Brownsea Island. All do-able in a kayak, too.

• The Purbeck ridgeway walk is great. It is easy walking and the views are rewarding. Try Studland to Corfe Castle, via Old Harry and keep going if you want to. 

• There is so much to see and do inland, and there are loads of nice places to visit, walk or ride near Wimborne, Blandford, Cranborne and Shaftesbury away from the crowds. The small market towns are nice for a walk and a coffee, with some good independent shops.

My upcoming cookery classes

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

• Monday 6th June - Plant based cooking at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 7th June - Middle Eastern Mezze (Vegetarian) at Harborne Food School

• Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st  June - Cooking for a Healthy Body and Mind at Harborne Food School

• Monday 27th June - Bread making at Harborne Food School

• Tuesday 28th June - Knife skills at Harborne Food 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.