Charlotte's Newsletter | Issue 10

Issue 10 | Friday 24th June 2022

Welcome to Issue 10

Welcome back!

It's been an enormously busy fortnight for me. Last time, I wrote about the Guild of Food Writers Awards, which took place on Wednesday. It was such a special evening, seeing so many wonderful friends in food and celebrating outstanding work in food and drink writing. As Chair of the Guild, it's been a huge project in my life for some time, and it was such a joy (and relief) that it all went well.

I was delighted to unveil a message from Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, which was so exciting, and Delia Smith was awarded our Lifetime Achievement Award by Jamie Oliver. We were so thrilled to honour Delia's amazing work, which has been so pivotal in my life, and so many others. To have Jamie there was the icing on the cake. His speech was so touching and heartfelt. You can watch the whole presentation on Youtube if you'd like to have a look, and I've put a few photos on my Instagram. 

In other news, I am absolutely over the moon to announce the launch of my new consultancy service, The Taste Testers. I've joined forces with AJ Sharp of Sharp Relations to launch this new service, helping food and drink producers to make more delicious products. We are working with businesses of all sizes to develop and improve new and existing products, so do take a look and see what we're up to on our website.

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has been so kind and sent messages of appreciation for the newsletter. I am so pleased to bring you this 10th issue this week. As a small gesture of my thanks and appreciation for you reading and continuing to share the newsletter with friends and family, I'd like to send a little package containing some of my favourite ingredients to three of you to say thank you. Please just drop me a line if you'd like me to put your name in a hat. I'll draw the names on Monday at 5pm and send the parcels out next week. 

I hope you will all have a positive and delicious fortnight ahead,

Charlotte

Charlotte's Basket

There are so many excellent, seasonal ingredients to enjoy this fortnight. The courgettes are just ready to cut, and there is chard in the garden, plus a few green beans ready to pick. 

I've continued to buy in excellent aubergines, tomatoes and strawberries. The first nectarines have been fantastic and there are some lovely ripe melons now available to buy. I'll try and get some prosciutto to have with the melon this week, to make the easiest meal imaginable.

Tomorrow, I must pick the gooseberries, and I plan on making a fool this weekend, by lightly poaching the gooseberries with a little sugar and folding them through whipped double cream.

Charlotte Loves

Top new product discoveries

• I've been working on enjoying pulses more, and I must say, I really enjoy beans so much more than I used to. Good beans have made all the difference. I buy dried from Hodmedods, jars from Bold Bean Co and tins from Aldi.

• I love milk kefir when it's good, and this is a product I usually buy, rather than make. I have recently discovered Daylesford Milk Kefir on Ocado and think it's really outstanding.

• I love the flavour of fresh ginger and this ginger cordial has blown me away. I think it's absolutely peerless. It's superb in baking and cooking, as well as a drink.

• I had some great bread from Alex Gooch this week on a trip to Wales last Sunday. Look out for his bread and pastries in shops, delis and coffee shops if you're in the area.

• Last weekend was a busy one, as I also went to Norfolk at the weekend. We ate some fantastic shellfish. One of my regular purchases is Stoberry Potted Shrimps, which are delicious and freeze well. Catch them while you can!

What to cook this week

• Claire Thomson's Tomato book is out this week. I'm looking forward to reading it. I have made her recipe for tomato fritters so many times. I use gram flour to make it gluten free, and I recommend giving it a go. 

• I love the combination of strawberry, mango, lime leaf and coconut in this Diana Henry recipe.

• Lorna Wing is one of the most talented, inspiring and lovely people in food, and Iove her recipes. This recipe is one I make often, and it's great for this time of year. 

• For a real taste of the summer, I'm going to make Sally Clarke's elegant baked apricots.

• Jane Baxter's food is always excellent, and this sweet potato salad is really satisfying and flavourful.

Something for the Weekend

As the weekend approaches, here are 
some of my top recommendations for classic cookbooks to look out for, together with my upcoming cooking class dates.

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

Some brilliant classic cookbooks

• I had the great pleasure of seeing Sri Owen this week, who is the author of a number of outstanding books on South East Asian food. I've been re-reading The Rice Book this week. 

• I've been re-visiting the book from my childhood, Delia's Complete Cookery Course. My Mum's original copy has been thrown out, it became so revoltingly filthy from extensive use. The best compliment for a cookbook.

• Zuni Café Cookbook by Judy Rogers is surely an essential addition for any serious cook's book collection. A brilliant resource for anyone wanting to improve their culinary knowledge, skills and repertoire.

My upcoming cookery classes

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

• Monday 11th July - Tapas and Wine Tasting at Harborne Food School

• Monday 25th July - Lebanese Cooking 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.