Charlotte's Newsletter | Issue 13

Issue 13 | Friday 5th August 2022

Welcome to Issue 13

Welcome back.

It's been another busy fortnight here. Thank you for bearing with me with a shorter issue last time, whilst I took some time out and spent it with my family in Scotland. You'll find some of my recommendations from my trip below to file away.

After a brief pit-stop back home, I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks in Italy. I will be working in Tuscany and will try and share some photos on my social media whilst I'm there. I'm really looking forward to returning to this beautiful part of Italy and discovering some great food along the way. I am expecting to delay the next newsletter issue by a week though, so you will hear from me next when I'm back home.

Whilst I was back, I put together some lovely summery recipes for Countryman's Weekly, which is now out and in the shops this week. I also spent time tending to the veg patch and even managed to film a sneak peek for you, which is on my Instagram page. I have been working hard to cook with all the lovely ingredients we have been growing, too. Our harvests are bountiful at the moment and we really do not need to buy in any vegetables or salad right now.

I also have some more product recommendations for you, together with the first of my exclusive discounts for you to enjoy. I hope you will find these useful. 

Finally, I have made the decision to start a Patreon account. The climate for food professionals is mostly challenging at the moment, and it's a way of supporting my work. So do take a look, if you'd like to. Thank you to everyone who has very kindly supported me so far. It is very much appreciated.

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

Charlotte

Charlotte's Basket

Most meals here over the last couple of weeks have been planned around enjoying garden produce. We have plenty of beans, courgettes and beetroot, plus kale and cavolo nero. I've included links to some recipes I've made recently below.

It is stone fruit season too, and the nectarines, cherries and apricots have been fantastic. Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to strawberries and raspberries, as are mostly over now, too.

I am eagerly awaiting some fresh corn in the coming days, and the tomatoes in the greenhouse are just starting to turn a deep red. The borlotti beans are looking freckled, with flashes of deep magenta, but the pods need to fill out more before we can pick them. 

As I'll be spending the next couple of weeks in Italy, I can't wait to see what I will find there. Fresh porcini, aubergines and tomatoes will be on my list to look out for.

Charlotte Loves

My top 'shortcut' products

We all run out of time, even sometimes despite the best intentions.  Here are some of my go-to pre-made products I buy from the supermarket to save time and deliver maximum flavour.

• Bertinet sourdough loaves make good toasting bread, with a lovely sour flavour and honest ingredients list. I like all the flavours and keep it in the freezer, to toast slices on demand from frozen.

• I have been missing fresh vanilla pods in my cooking for a couple of years now, and I have just come across LittlePod (available on Sous Chef), which is the only vanilla paste I have tried and liked. It's very special indeed, as are their super extracts.

• I love to cook with tamarind, but find it a real faff to prepare. I keep jars of paste in the fridge - Bart Spices is my favourite, which does the job well, in my opinion.

• I do like to make my own oatcakes, but these from Your Piece are a very good alternative. They are so useful for picnics or putting together a scratch lunch.

• One of my most-asked questions is about stock. It is a wonderful thing to make from scratch - and really worth making the time for. However, it isn't always possible and I use Kallo Organic Cubes as an alternative and they work wonderfully well.

What to cook this week

• The last two weeks have been all about using up the gluts from the garden. I made this Keralan runner bean curry by Anna Jones, which we all liked.

• We have been making my courgette fritters again and again, as everyone loves them.

• My courgette bread has also made an appearance - Page 86 of my Baking Book.

• Ottolenghi's runner beans in tomato sauce is a great recipe. Our beans continue to thrive.

• And a Niçoise salad is such a classic, but a real favourite way of using green bins. This recipe is by Jane Baxter. 

New 'Charlotte Loves' Discounts

I'm absolutely thrilled to tell you that I am working with some of my favourite friends in food to bring you some exclusive discounts on their products.

These discount codes will only be available through my newsletter. I hope you will find them useful. If you have a friend who might find it of interest, please do invite them to subscribe, so they don't miss out.

For avoidance of doubt, these discounts are purely for you to enjoy. I am not paid to offer them, nor do I receive any commission.

The first is from my friends at Pipers Farm. I have bought much of my meat from Pipers Farm for years, and they have expanded recently to offer a wider range of first-rate ethically and sustainably produced fresh produce through their online grocery website. They now offer fish, dairy, and an extensive range of pantry goods, all available for UK delivery.

Pipers Farm have kindly offered you all a 20% discount off your first order if you use the CHARLOTTELOVES discount code. You can use this link to join their points scheme, too. 



 

Something for the Weekend

As the weekend approaches, here are 
some of my top recommendations for places to eat in Edinburgh and where to buy food to go in St. Andrews.

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

Some brilliant places to eat in Edinburgh

• My favourite restaurant is Borough in Leith. The food and wine are both fantastic. The cooking is creative and totally delicious, and it is a stylish and relaxed place to eat that feels special, but comfortable. A totally delight.

• Best pizza in Edinburgh? I think it's Razzo on Great Junction Street. Seriously delicious, and they do eat in and take away.

• Gulp Ramen is a great spot, but you must book in advance.

• Bross Bagel is an Edinburgh institution and I think are really good. A delicious lunch.

• Little Fitzroy on Easter Road is good for excellent coffee.

Some brilliant places to by food to go in St Andrews

• Jannetta's Gelateria has been around for years, but is genuinely really good. Very clean surroundings for eat-in as well.

• Tail End is a good place to buy fish and their fish and chips are very good indeed. Among the very best I've had in Scotland.

• I live to visit Fisher & Donaldson to buy oatcakes to take away. They do loads of pies and cakes too, so it's the place to go if you're assembling a picnic

The Taste Testers

I am really excited to be working on a 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. This really is a must for anyone looking at starting a food business, or wanting to take existing products further into award territory. Please don't hesitate to get in touch for more information.