An Edible Voyage

March 2021 I've always been a big fan of bagels.  I even tried making my own bagels a couple of times - there's something very satisfying about watching them bob in a pan of boiling water.  But I recently discovered bagels on a whole other level.  With a soft and chewy centre, an almost caramelised crust and more flavour than I can understand how it's possible to get in to what is essentially just a ring of bread, I'm rapidly getting addicted to One Daily Bagel bagels.  I ate both the plain, and salt and pepper ones straight from the bag, no toppings, no toasting, they were that good.  There's also poppy seed, sesame seed, and cinnamon and raisin - it's fine to have a 2 course bagel meal with this as the 'dessert' right!? Hand crafted by the super friendly Esme, straight from the US, these really are perfect bagels.  Not only are they outrageously delicious, these small-batch authentic American bagels are a shiny object of beauty as well. Order direct by...

June 2020 Hidden away in a beautiful, quiet Oxfordshire village of a handful of thatched cottages set around a green, a cafe unexpectedly nestles.  Quince and Clover, originally an Events Catering company, planned to open a cafe this spring and, incredibly, have managed to make it happen despite the lockdown situation.   They make all of their own ever changing flavours of ice cream and sorbet - the pink grapefruit sorbet is so refreshing (and tastes almost guilt free!).  The coconut ice cream has a delicious sweet, yet nutty flavour which holds all the way until the end of the scoop.  They also make their own ice cream milkshakes, super thick and served in big, American style cups. Cakes are moist and not overly sweet - the coffee, chocolate and date cake is an inspired combination, and their weekly changing salads, tarts, soup and special are so colourful and fresh it's a near impossible decision to choose.  Highlights have been the courgette...