Charlotte's Basket - June

The ingredients I'm cooking with this month

This is such a lovely time of year, with the garden full of life and so many delicious ingredients to cook with, both to pick from the garden and to buy from shops and markets.

There is much to enjoy in the garden at the moment, including cardoons, chive and sage flowers, my favourite roses (Alaska, which I will have a bash at crystallising) and lots of fresh mint and salad leaves.

In the shops, the strawberries and raspberries are getting towards peak season. My (very small) crop of redcurrants are ripe, and if you’re lucky, you might find some gooseberries. I hope to pick some chard and courgettes soon, and may even try some fried courgette flowers in a week or so.

I’ve been busy grilling courgette slices on the BBQ, making rhubarb crumble with garden rhubarb, chargrilling the last of the asparagus and making lots and lots of salads with lovely tomatoes from the Isle of Wight. What a delicious time of year.

And in today’s newsletter for subscribers, you’ll find my comprehensive guide to organising, equipping and cooking for BBQs and picnics. I’d love you to consider joining my ever-growing list of subscribers, who receive a post each week. Thank you, to you all, for your support.