An Edible Voyage

April 2021 I fell in love with Lerwick - a labyrinth of narrow cobbled lanes, where you can reach out and touch both sides simultaneously, rise steeply from the harbour, ripe for exploring; quaint shops - the dingy, musty Wine Shop is a particularly atmospheric experience; the cluster of colourful fishing boats bobbing on the silver blue of the shimmering harbour; the unexpected park hidden between buildings, perfect to pause and savour, sample edible goodies purchased from the water side shops, or even read a book from the post box library. To refuel, Peerie Cafe is a great option.  Meaning 'tiny' in Scottish, one would assume it lived up to it's name based on the small, unassuming doorway.  Inside though is a spacious and convivial seating area across two floors, and a bar filled with homemade cakes, cheesecakes and scones.  Peerie automatically wins several points from me as everything is made in house by James - the daily changing soup is great for warming up, particu...

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...

January 2017 Solyanka, a soup of meat and pickled vegetables has a piquant, briny flavour.

March 2020 This sounded so intriguing, I just had to try it.  When it arrived, the vibrant green was almost shouting 'eat me!'.  It was as delicious as it looked - an earthy, peppery taste with subtle grass notes, and a little creaminess from the natural yogurt meant I almost licked the bowl clean!  This would be a great one for a morning of foraging and an afternoon in the kitchen. Try it at Worton Organic Kitchen, UK  

March 2020 Each week I get a vegetable box from the local farm.  This week, all I had left was the cauliflower so I decided to make some soup.  I was wondering how to jazz it up when I saw in the saucepan the finely chopped turmeric and ginger I had made a tea from earlier in the day.  I blended this in to the cauliflower soup and it worked! A light, nutritious, dairy free soup, with warming spices and a wonderful colour.

March 2020 Hidden away in Worton Park, where commercial and rural co-exist in harmony, is an organic farm shop, piled high with fruits, vegetables, Worton eggs, and farm pressed apple juice.  Hidden within this, is a cafe.  Homely and warm with a wood burning stove, food inspired books lining the walls, and the most delicious home-made food. Thai Spiced Beetroot Soup Gorgeously vibrant, I wasn't sure what to expect from a thai-spiced beetroot soup.  Would it work? Yes! It definitely did.  The zingy thai flavours blended perfectly with the earthiness of the beetroot, and a dollop of natural yogurt brought it all together into a hearty but healthy feeling lunch.  The sourdough was divine - a little chewy, tangy and with a delicious caramelised crust - a fantastic loaf! Masala Dosa Originating in Southern India, this rice and lentil crepe is stuffed with potatoes and served with a variety of chutneys and yogurt.  It's fresh but filling, and m...