An Edible Voyage

August 2021 Agrodolce. That addictive, lip-smacking Italian goodness, the epitome of Mediterranean cuisine. It's so good in fact, even challenging fennel submits to the most delicate and delicious of dinners. Heat the oil from the anchovies, fry finely chopped garlic, pine nuts and slivered fennel, before stirring in honey, raisins, red wine vinegar and the anchovies.  Simmer until the liquid evaporates and, at the last moment, toss through fresh dill.  Serve on flatbread - if you want to go homemade, see below for the softest, fluffiest, moorish, yet super simple flatbread around. Quick Flatbread Melt 50g butter in 3/4 cup warm milk.   Add 2 cups plain flour.  Knead for 2 mins.  Rest for 30 mins.  Divide in to 4.  Roll in to rounds approx 0.3cm thick.  Cook one at a time in an oiled pan over medium heat for around 90 secs on each side, or until it bubbles up and turns golden

July 2021 With all this hot weather, I find myself craving the fresh, bright, juiciness of the season's best produce, and light, refreshing meals to keep me cool of the hottest of days.  I relish opportunities to browse the farm shop, selecting whatever takes my fancy, and then combining ingredients in to colourful patterns on my plate.  Here are some of my favourites. Chicory, Dolcelatte, Clementine, Pine Nuts This is my #1.  Bitter chicory is perfectly offset with creamy Dolcelatte and sweet clementine, whilst toasted pine nuts add a satisfying crunch.  With a simple dressing of olive oil, white wine vinegar and honey, this is quick to make and the flavours dance on my taste buds. Watermelon, Feta, Mint There's nothing quite like slicing through a watermelon and revealing that glorious red flesh, and biting in to cool wedges as the juice drips down your chin.  This salad takes seconds to prepare.  Toss a handful of cubed feta and a sprinkling of torn mint...

June 2020 On Iffley Road there sits an unassuming cafe; one that I had never noticed.  I searched it out after a friend mentioned the delicious food, excellent coffee, and lovely light, airy setting with a garden out the back.  It's now my favourite breakfast in Oxford.  A short menu means that every dish is executed to an exceptional standard.  I love the concept of Eton mess pancakes with crunchy meringue shards and mint syrup, and sourdough French toast with elderflower custard and roasted gooseberries sounds heavenly.   My favourite dish so far is the Full Silvie.  Not usually a huge fan of the Full English, I was a little sceptical, but it turned out to be one of my all time best breakfasts.  Sausage meat wrapped in bacon, and cheddar and greens toasted loaf both looked heavy going but were actually deliciously light, and the fennel seed roasted tomatoes and mushrooms added a whole new flavour dimension.  I believe it's the sign ...