Crispy Sichuan Pepper Mackerel with Rhubarb and Star Anise Sauce

I think today is the last of our summer days for a wee while. Unlike in many other countries, where seasons are either clearly defined, or a climate firmly established, Britain seems subject to the vagaries of a temperate maritime climate. I know by very definition ‘temperate’ should exclude ‘vagary,’ but with the Arctic systems looming large and frigid to our north, and an ill-mannered jet stream popping up and down like an attention-seeking toddler, we just don’t stand a chance at settled weather.

So, for the past week and a bit we here on this tiny weather-whipped island have been going at the barbecuing and skin-frying like there’s no tomorrow. Not for us the gradual tan or the weekend grill-out – oh no. The smells of lotion and charred meat have been wafting our way, every day, since the mercury nudged above 20C a week ago. And now it’s due to drift away and be replaced by a more skin-friendly 15C. I for one am a little bit, whispering this, grateful. It is heck of a difficult to be self-employed (-ish) when the usual, work-friendly Zeus-like clouds and wind are replaced by warm zephyrs and sunrise-to-sunset sunshine. It is frankly too much to bear. But bear it we must for another day or two. Once we are back on track with the scudding clouds and jolly hailstones I promise to break out the salad recipes. In the meantime, a seasonal, lightly cooked recipe: interim fare for interim times. 

Goats Cheese, Swiss Chard and Walnut Strudel with Tomato Fondue

I dreamt of this combination one recent night. Luckily for me I keep a notepad and pencil on my bedside table (along with many tubes of hand cream for my dishpan hands), so was able to capture it before it slipped away into the dawning light. The sharpish, minerally flavours of the strudel with the almost-sweet, Spanish inspired flavours in the tomato fondue may sound unusual, but I do think they work. Whoever said ‘dreams can come true’ was right on this occasion. We wolfed down both strudels before I could take more than a few photos. I could however have taken a lot of pictures of flaky crumbs and smiling faces. 

Steamfried Egg with Samphire and Smoked Tofu + Your Breakfast Ideas

I hope that title hasn’t freaked you out too much. Please stay! I know what you may be thinking, “I recognise the egg bit but what the devil is the rest doing in a breakfast?”

For the most part we will be quite normal here, thanks to you all: muffins, smoothies, porridge, pikelets, that kind of thing. But just indulge me a little with my  eggy, samphirey, tofu-y fixation. I  might even convince you to venture to your fishmonger, or nearest beach, to get some samphire and try this. Yes, you deduced correctly: Samphire is a marine plant. A  pretty one that tastes like asparagus to boot (or Wellington). And for today only, samphire isn’t just for fish. It’s my brekkie. And hopefully yours – someday…

Spicy Kale and Egg Breakfast

To paraphrase a certain UK MasterChef presenter, ‘breakfast doesn’t get much healthier than this’ (one has to say this in a very earnest, growling South London accent, with a cheeky, gleaming smile). Or much odder. I mean, kale? With eggs?

Cauliflower and Almond Pizza Crust with Fresh Sauce and Greens

I was going to call this recipe ‘Cauliflower Pizza Kitchen’, but a) I was worried that California Pizza Kitchen might have spies that read obscure blogs and decide to sue me for whatever they might sue me for (name infringement? besmirching?); b) Miss R pointed out that not everyone knows what CPK is and therefore would not get my dubious play on words; and c) well, it didn’t make sense. So, once again, a cumbersome yet descriptive title from yours truly. I really should get better at this.

Caldo Gallego (sin carne) – Spanish Greens and Potato Soup

It was bound to happen. I spent two whole posts bragging about our fabulous weather – heady heights of 23.6C – only for the heavens to split with sleet, hail and snow, all horizontal. And because we are also being teased with flashes of brilliant sunshine I am getting dizzy running around letting the hens in and out of their pens while the weather makes up its mind.

But it’s better here than up north. Today in beautiful Aboyne, near Aberdeen, which last week set a record for warmest day in March, ‘Aboynians’ woke to six inches of snow, with more falling. That’s got to be a shock, especially for the tender plants just peeking through, and to the early spring lambs dotting the hillsides. And to anyone still in a bikini. Well, they are in Cornwall, apparently. Jammy so and sos.

Pea and Coriander Dip – a Mock Guac

No offence, but I want to hurry up and get this to you so I can GET OUTSIDE. Yesterday Scotland set a record for hottest March day on record, and today is poised to beat yesterday’s temperature of 22C. “Huh?” Well, believe you me, in Scotland 22C is a big deal. Even a big deal in the summer. Seriously, look it up.  It is so unusually warm, and suddenly so, that yesterday as Rachel and I strolled up into town, she remarked, “I can’t believe we are in the same country as yesterday”; ‘yesterday’ having attained  a high of 9C. That day I wore four layers on my upper body – inside. I’m not even counting the cosy ‘tv rug’ that I swathe myself in while watching, um, tv. I blame what I call my Florida blood.

So, after month upon month of layer wearing (and complaining of layer-wearing), I can now report that I am in cut-offs, T-shirt and bare feet. I’m not saying it’s a pretty sight or anything, but it sure feels fantastic to be so pared down; I must be at least 2 pounds lighter. Hurrah! And of course warm weather gives the boot to stews and suchlike, in favour of salads, light nibbles and barely cooked this and thats. So, if the weather plays ball, so will I, starting with this little nibble suggestion. 

Greenslove: Greens and Squash Gnocchi with Chili and Roquefort

Yesterday was Mothers’ Day in the UK – or Mothering Sunday, if you prefer not to pander to the Hallmark hijacking of celebrations. Although Andrew and Rachel were away on the train to Newcastle for the football – with my blessing I should add – I managed to have a special day with Andrew’s mum Ann, and great-aunt Trudy. We had thought we would splash out on a slap-up restaurant lunch, or indulge in a fancy afternoon tea at one of the hotels, but I just couldn’t bring myself to book a table. Although I like being waited on hand and foot as much as anyone else, what I wanted – and what I knew Ann wanted too –  was to chill out with some nice food, a bottle of something bubbly and just relax. For us going out to a restaurant  is a treat and not a weekly occurrence, but sometimes you just want to take your time, not worry about getting crumbs on your face and, for us, watch the hens take sun baths in the hard-baked ground. Simple pleasures. 

Lemony Broccoli, Leek and Tarragon Soup

As you will see from the side bar to the right, just under the slightly smug looking photo of me (I really need to find a new one), I work with a cancer charity. A particularly fabulous and well-respected one at that. I am so proud, and fortunate, to be a part of the team in both Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy. Inspiring ethos, centre users, colleagues – even the buildings are inspiring. Not many people can say that about their workplace environment. Everyone involved, from the volunteers to the senior staff do a marvellous job helping to support those with cancer and their loved ones. I just thought I would tell you a little about what I do before I get to the recipe. I have written about this before so I won’t be offended if you skip right to the recipe. I won’t be even be offended if this is the first time you have clapped eyes on this blog and you decide to leap on  over. Although I should tell you I do have a sixth sense – the mother sense – so I will know. Now sit up straight, and stop slouching… 

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagne – Low-fat and Luscious

Hello from under the duvet! I know what you are thinking, lazy git/lucky cow. I would too. But before you get all judgmental/jealous I should clarify: this duvet day is not out of choice. Nope. Not surrounded by Heat magazines (which is the creme de la creme of trashy magazines in my humble opinion) and straight-to-DVD, DVDs. No sign of smoked salmon bagels either. You see, after the amazing high of being featured on last week’s wordpress.com homepage (still can’t quite believe it – click ‘earlier’), I have swiftly received my comeuppance. Temperature, sneezing, wheezing, aches in places that shouldn’t ache. Not forgetting the tap dancing in my head. If I were a man I would dub it the flu, but I’m not so it’s just a rubbish chesty thing. My once a year cold, perfectly timed to put me in my place.

What has kept me feeling perkier than I might be otherwise is reading the kind and encouraging comments to the blog. Mostly on the Tamarind and Shiitake Tofu post, but also many of the others. I can’t believe so many of you are raring to give tofu – and me – a go. Like I said a few times in the commenting, I am so grateful for every click through to food to glow. Astounded in fact that of all the zillions of food blogs out there that you found and read (possibly skimmed, I don’t know) my not very razzmatazz effort. So, so humbled. Thank you. Now before I get all sentimental and sappy, and you get bored, onto the recipe bit…