Wild Honey & Rye - Modern Polish Recipes by Ren Behan

One of the joys of writing a food blog and then Instagramming over the last few years, has been the opportunity to meet incredibly talented people.

Ren Behan has been blogging for the last six years,  her posts are always beautifully photographed and well written, but even more importantly her recipes are divine and work perfectly.

Whilst writing her blog, bringing up her family and remodelling her kitchen, Ren has also been writing a superb recipe book: Wild Honey & Rye - Modern Polish Recipes. Through her hard work and perseverance I'm delighted to say that today, September 7th 2017 the book is published (by Pavilion Books) and available to buy from either a good local bookshop, Waterstones or Amazon.

I was fortunate to be sent a copy, pre-publication and have thoroughly enjoyed both reading it, and trying a couple of recipes. I'm so impressed at Ren's knowledge of Polish cuisine, and her love of the country and culture shines throughout the book.

I knew the baking recipes would be super, a couple of years ago I baked an apple traybake (recipe from her blog), which my family devoured.  So I decided to try some non baking recipes.

The scrumptious Fruit Souffle Omelette was gorgeously light and fluffy, and a great way to eat eggs for breakfast (I do find I occasionally need a change from boiled, poached or fried eggs).  The fruit added a  perfect tartness,  the drop of honey and light sprinkle of sugar just the right amount of sweetness.

I'm trying to eat healthily at the moment, so wanted to try a salad for a light lunch or supper.  The Pickled Cabbage Salad is incredible.  Simple to make, and utterly delicious.  I feel virtuous eating it, and it's so pretty!

Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a stock of homemade liqueurs in my store cupboard.  Having used some honey in the omelette I wanted to ensure that I used rye in a recipe too (after all they are both mentioned in the book's title!)  I bought a bottle of Polish Rye Vodka from Waitrose, and using a combination of foraged and bought blackberries, I've made some amazing Blackberry Vodka, which should be ready in a month or two.  Just in time to go with the beautiful Polish Spiced Christmas Cookies I'll be baking this December.

Ren's book is simply wonderful.  A must for anyone who loves food, and is interested in international cuisine, her writing style is perfect, the book is easy (and interesting) to read, the recipes are clear and  enticing.  Do treat yourself to a copy, or put it on your Christmas list.

Thank you to Ren and Pavilion Books for my copy of Wild Honey & Rye.  I'll be bringing it with me to get it signed next time I see you Ren!

Hashtag Scrumptiousideas! Making small changes for the environment

Every so often an article in the newspaper, or a report on the radio, grabs my attention and I feel I have to challenge myself to make some changes.

The other day I read about plastic drinking straws, along with other plastics, ending up in the ocean, and then being eaten by fish and by sea mammals.


Plastic is a wonderful thing, I am not anti it per se.  I am glad that it is used in hospitals ensuring that medicines, blood and dressings are all safe and sterile.  It has so many good uses, but I believe that single use objects such as straws, cups, picnic plates and cutlery, grocery bags and supermarket packaging are so often not necessary.  They  end up in land fill or even worse in water ways and oceans, and take hundreds of years to disintegrate.

I have decided to make changes in my use of plastics.  I am starting small, but hope over the next few months I can remove much of the wasteful plastic I come across daily.

Rather than use Cling film (plastic wrap) I am using Bees Wrap (a fabric covered in bees wax - I intend to make my own as well) and Duralex glass boxes with silicone lids for storage in the fridge.

I have started buying soap powder for both the washing machine and dishwasher, this comes in cardboard boxes, and has no plastic wrappers to deal with.

For covering food left on the counter top, I am using old fashioned beaded bowl covers. (I know that the beads are plastic, but as I already own them, feel it is better to continue using them, rather than replacing them!)

At present I am using paper straws, but have some metal, reusable ones on order.

Are you worried about plastics in landfill and the ocean?  What steps are you taking to reduce your "once only" plastic use?

Do follow my journey to a more environment friendly home and life style here on Scrumptious Kitchens and on Instagram at my new hashtag scrumtiousideas!

My Coach Legacy Handbag

I do love a good handbag.

My beautiful Coach handbag

 I first discovered Coach bags when they had an outlet in Harrods, this was pre Millennium.  I bought a couple of lovely bags and purses (still in use) during the sales.  I was very disappointed when they closed their concession, and for several years Coach bags were no longer available in England.

Coach bags became a real treat for me, to be bought by my husband  on business trips to the States.  About 12 years ago I went on one such trip to California with him and he bought me a very beautiful, simple tan bag from the Legacy range.  I was delighted with it, the gorgeous Legacy bag quickly became my favourite handbag, so you can imagine my horror when, just two years later,  I brushed against some (unlabelled) wet paint, and the front of the bag was ruined.

I looked up the instructions that had come with the bag and they seemed to say not to use anything on the very traditional leather.  So I sadly put the bag away.

It was such a joy to me when Coach returned to London, the flagship store being in Bond Street.   I love to go shopping in Piccadilly and Bond Street,  when I had to go to do some important shopping (Rose Pouching tea from Fortnum and Mason) I thought I would dig out my poor old bag and take it along to Coach.  They might just be able to recommend something.

The staff in the shop were so helpful and kind.  They whisked the bag away and said they would see what they could do about it.  I left them contact details.

A few weeks passed and I received a phone call.  The bag was back and ..... the paint had gone!

I went up to London to collect it, and as you can see from the before and after photographs it's was as good as new.

I was completely delighted with the bag, and with the service from this shop.  I had no receipt from the original purchase, but all Coach bags have indentifying features and numbers, so the company knew it was one of their bags.   The problem was not in the manufacturing of the bag, but they still dealt with the paint, and there was no charge.

Sometimes it is worth spending a little more money on a handbag,  in this case I think I was also paying for superb after care.

Thank you Coach for such wonderful service.

Coach bags are now so popular, and over the years I have added to my collection, but I love getting this bag out every summer and using it.

My poor bag, with dreadful white paint on it

And it couldn't have been in a worse place on the bag

The bag when I collected it from Coach

It is perfect, I am really delighted 

Just in case anyone wonders, this is my own experience and I have not received anything (apart from First Class Service) from Coach.

Ham and Petersham

We're fortunate in the Ham and Petersham, to be the greenest electoral ward in Greater London, we have Richmond Park to the north, and Ham Lands with Petersham Meadows to the south, boarding the river Thames.

The water meadows are my favourite place for a walk with the dog, and to go foraging in the spring and the autumn.

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The tow path is an idyllic way to walk into either Richmond or Kingston.  If you choose to go towards Richmond, you will pass Ham House, the ferry to Marble Hill, and River Lane, which will take you to the Petersham Nurseries or the Dysart, should you be in need of a delicious meal, some gorgeous flowers, or maybe a certain Shabby-Chic item for your home.

I love walking or cycling into Richmond.  In the spring and the summer  the cows are in Petersham Meadow.  They are looked after by the National Trust and spend their winters in Surrey.  The Belted Galloways have been chosen for their gentle nature and placid attitude.  I miss seeing the nursing cows, who were there years ago, but sadly a few irresponsible dog owners caused problems,  these gentle creatures are a wonderful substitute.

If you are ever visiting Richmond, than take the walk in the opposite direction to me. Follow the river  from town to Teddington Lock, though you could do as many do,  stop at Ham House, take the foot ferry across the river, and walk back along the other side.

Have you ever taken this walk?  Which season was it?  Maybe you're a local and can recommend a hidden gem.  Do let me know, in September I intend to write some more in-depth pieces on this gorgeous "country in the city" part of London, which I am lucky enough to have called home for the last thirty years.

Cooking by the Coast - Book and PDF For Sale!

I'm delighted to say that my book is available to buy, both as a book and a PDF.

I wanted to share a link with you today, as Blurb (the publishers and bookshop) have a 25% discount for the remainder of today and tomorrow.

If you want to buy a copy you need to use this:  Code:DREAM25

Even with the discount code, the price for a book is quite high, so I have also made it available as a PDF, which you can buy and download to iBooks.  It works beautifully on my iPad and would be useful in a holiday kitchen, as well as meaning that you would have one less book to pack!

The link to my store front in Blurb is at the top righthand side of this blog.

Happy Shopping.

The PDF fills the screen of the iPad, and is easy to scroll through.

Cooking by the Coast - A Shopping List

One of the things I wanted to include in my recipe book was a shopping list, but the cost per page, meant it was something I saved for here in the blog.

When you arrive in France, for a self catering holiday, tired from a long journey, and perhaps staying in a new place, with shops that you are not used to, it's still essential to stock up.

You have several options, one is to visit the local market, which is great fun, but perhaps best saved for a day when you're less busy.

Secondly you can visit the little shops in town, and practice your French, I love doing this, and there is always someone who can suggest a new and interesting way to cook something.

Or you could visit a supermarket.  We do a combination of all three on holiday, I have to admit that the supermarket is usually my first port of call, for that initial large, stocking up shop.

This list is by no means definitive, but is a start, and I hope is useful for you.

A Shopping List

These are some of the more specialist ingredients which feature on my first shopping list of the holidays in Brittany.  (Most are available in the UK too)

Eggs (Free Range, Organic ) Les oeufs de poules elevees en plein air, biologique

Yoghurt (Glass Jars – Goat, Malo) Le Yaourt, (bocaux en verre,  Chevre, Malo)

Buttermilk Lait Ribot  (also Babeurre)

Chicken (Free Range, Organic) Poulet eleve en plein air, biologique

Lardons

Seafood Le Fruits de Mer

Fish Soup Soupe de Poisson

Rillettes (jars of fish pate)

Croutons

Rouille

Tinned: Duck, Sardines Tuna, En Conserve,  Canards,  Sardine, Thon

Jars: Artichoke Hearts, Olives Pots: Coeurs d’artichauts, las olives

Jams, Honey, Chocolate/Nut Spread  Confiture, miel, Chocolat et Noix

Plain Flour La Farine

Bread Flour Farine de Pain

Buckwheat Flour Farine de Sarrasin

Baking Powder, Bicarbonate of Soda, Levure,  Bicarbonate de Soude

There is a huge selection of Breton Biscuits, Caramels (both sweets and liquid spreads), Cider, Water, even a Breton Cola!

In Brittany you will find a range of locally produced seasonal vegetables and fruit (see the book for more details about vegetables).  The breton strawberries are amazing, as are the other seasonal fruit available.

I have not included all the usual things such as washing up liquid, soap powder, kitchen and toilet paper, matches, tin foil, coffee, tea, milk, butter, cheese, ham etc etc

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Many products in Brittany carry the 'PRODUCT EN BRETAGNE' (made in Brittany) symbol, featuring the white light house, with the sea behind, all within in a bright, yellow circle.

Bruschetta

Why do I always wait to eat Bruschetta in a restaurant?  It is such a deliciously light meal to have on a summer's day, sitting in the garden.

During  the heat we've had in the last few days, I've eaten plenty of salads.  Throughout the summer I I try to eat plenty of  fresh tomatoes and often make this family favourite, bruschetta.

Tomato Bruschetta

4 slices of a good artisanal white loaf
1 clove garlic
olive oil
3 or 4 good sized tomatoes
1 shallot
Fresh Coriander or Basil

Lightly toast the slices of bread.

Whilst still warm rub with the peeled clove of garlic and drizzle with olive oil.

Meanwhile cut the tomatoes into 16ths (horizontal and vertical- so you have wedge shaped pieces)

Finely slice the shallot, add to the tomatoes with some roughly chopped coriander .

Place the tomato mixture on the prepared toast and enjoy.

We often have a little tomato mixture left over and it makes a perfect salad with pitta bread, houmous and olives.  The perfect garden picnic.

Do you have a favourite tomato meal?  Here in Richmond this is a firm favourite.  I am looking forward to a summer of heritage tomatoes, as well as tomato and fennel salads in Brittany.

elderflower harvest

By this time last year, I had made bottles and bottles of cordial, but the reluctance of the sun to shine, means that the elderflower harvest is running slightly late this year.

Elderflowers and Lemons

As a result of the weather, there is  at least a month of elderflowers left on the trees, and time to  plan some recipes which I can use them for.  Last year I made Elderflower Gin and Elderflower Vinegar!

My favourite elderflower treat is a truly scrumptious Lemon and Elderflower Marmalade, using a delicious recipe from Urvashi at The Botanical Kitchen. (My husband has specially requested it again this year, and I am planning a batch  as soon as we have a day or two of sunshine.)

There is such a plethora of Elderflowers in Richmond, sometimes I  pick too many,   I retain the extra flowers to decorate a simple dish.

If you have some Elderflower Cordial then I cannot recommend this simple dish too highly, it's tasty and (I'm sure) very healthy.  It takes moments to make and provides a scrumptious breakfast or an ideal pudding, in other words it is a truly versatile dish.

Elderflower Fruit Salad with Goat Yoghurt

Make a simple fresh fruit salad with a variety of summery berries such as:

Raspberries
Blueberries
Strawberries
or pre-prepared Tropical Fruits

You will also need:
Elderflower Cordial
Elderflowers (foraged)
Mint leaves
Goat Yogurt

When you have made the fruit salad, drizzle with a teaspoonful of Elderflower Cordial
Scatter the Mint leaves and the Elderflower Petals over the fruit salad
Serve the fruit salad with a delicious helping of Goat Yoghurt

Sometimes I sneak some onto my breakfast muesli too!

There  are many other  delicious Elderflower posts to be found on the web, I particularly recommend  a tasty selection of elderflower recipes from  Helen at Fuss Free Flavours and some scrumptious elderflower madeleines from Laura at How to Cook Good Food.

Elderflower Cordial

One of life's simple joys is to walk with purpose.  Everyday, twice a day, I walk the dog, we tread the same paths throughout the seasons, and have time to observe and enjoy autumnal leaves, wintery landscapes, and now the trees ablaze with blossom.

I simply adore the sensations of a spring walk, the glorious colours, the effervescent bird song, the smell of damson blossom, followed by apple, followed by my favourite; elderflower.

As the earlier blossoms fade, the elderflower begins to dominate, calling out to be gathered and used.  

Every May I end up with a little cottage industry in my kitchen,  making small, delicious quantities of Elderflower Cordial.

Some of the cordial will be kept for refreshing summer drinks.  Other's will be gifted to friends, this year I have promised 10 small bottles for the Church stall at Ham Fair.  I also have to freeze some of my cordial,  so I will be able to send it, during the winter, to my son who will be deployed abroad. 

I've been making cordial for years, and have gradually adapted various recipes to have one that I really love.

20 Umbrells of Elderflower

2 Lemons
.75L Water

900g Sugar

33g Citric Acid

Gently shake the elderflowers over a sink, but don't wash them

Remove the flowers from the stalks

Wash, peel and juice the lemons

Place the elderflowers, lemon peel and juice in a large bowl

Meanwhile, in a pan, bring the water to the boil, turn off the heat

Add the sugar to the water and allow to dissolve (about 10 minutes)

Pour the syrup (sugar water) over the flowers and lemons

Add the citric acid and stir it in

Cover with a clean tea towel and leave for 24-48 hours

Strain through a sieve (lined with butter muslin) into sterilised bottles

You can make the cordial more citrusy, by switching an orange into the mixture.  The cordial will keep in a cool place for three to four months.  Once opened refrigerate. 

I freeze cordial in small water bottles, which means it can be used throughout the year.

The cordial is delicious with sparkling water, or add a dash to a Gin and Tonic for a simple, summery cocktail.  I also use it in a simple glace icing, to give a glorious, seasonal flavour to birthday cakes.

Happy foraging!  Don't forget to leave some of the flowers on the trees, so that bees and butterflies can gather pollen and to ensure a harvest of autumnal elderberries!

Do you make homemade cordials or perhaps use elderflowers in other drinks or foods?  Do let me know.

Jude xx

Scrumptious Kitchens - A New Blog

It is very exciting to start blogging again, after a gap of several years.

My friends from Instagram will know that for the last 18 months I have been involved in a monthly hashtag prompt list called Scrumptious Kitchen.  It has been great fun,  I worked with several super food bloggers, who all contributed superb prompt lists.

Following a mention by  Me and Orla,  in one of her monthly list of favourite hashtags last year, Scrumptious Kitchen  really took off, with over 30,000 individual photographs.  As a result the prompt list no longer seemed relevant,  as the tag was flying.  We decided to discontinue the list, though I still love and use the hashtag daily.

The name was too good to lose, and rather than return to A Trifle Rushed, which I believe has passed it's sell-by-date, I have decided to take the name Scrumptious Kitchen, adding an 's', to make a plural, and post new stories from my two kitchens, in Richmond and Brittany.

I have also been writing a recipe book.  Having struggled to find a publisher,  I have decided to self  publish.

The book features seaside recipes from my kitchen in Brittany,  I hope it will become a valuable resource for people holidaying both in Brittany and  other coastal regions in France, Britain and beyond.

Self publishing is expensive, and the book is proving expensive too, if I put all the recipes and notes I wished into it, it would be prohibitive!  Therefore I hope this blog will supplement the book.

I am investigating the possibility of  publishing the book as an e-book, as well as a 'real' book.  I'm sure that having the book on a phone or iPad, would  be an aid to holiday makers, as well as being a far cheaper option!

Please follow my new blog, especially if you are interested in simple seaside, holiday recipes.  You can sign up for email's of new posts in the side bar.  Or perhaps you're keen on foraging (one of my favourite pastimes here in Richmond) I am so excited as the Elderflower session is nearly upon us.

I'll be sharing my Elderflower Cordial Recipe later this week, watch out for it.

In the meantime please follow my Instagram account @jude_magee , I post daily seasonal photographs there.

Look out for more information on my book, on the e-book and some gorgeous recipes.

I will be working on this blog over the next few weeks, and very much hope I can improve it's appearance! (fingers crossed!)

Thank you for reading, let me know what you think.

Jude xx