• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MsMarmiteLover

  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
  • Travel
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Wine
  • Gardens
  • Supperclubs/Events
  • About
    • Published Articles
    • Books
  • Shop
    • Cart

Summer eating

June 13, 2010 14 Comments Filed Under: Uncategorized

Dill and yellow violet bread bowls, they tasted like lavash
Blanching fresh vine leaves
Blanched and fresh, khaki and green. The lemony qualities of the vine leaf really shine when the leaf is fresh.
Salmon with wet garlic, tarragon, creme fraiche in vine leaves
The summerhouse 
Do normal focaccia dough, oil the inside of an ovenproof bowl, drape the thinly rolled out dough making sure there are no bubbles and bake for 30 minutes
I put an Ottolenghi style salad with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds and syrup, roasted seeds, inside
Butter salad, geranium and viola flowers
Roasting butternut squash in the Aga with thyme and pomegranate syrup
Sage loaf
Salmon en papillote
Oh yes the life of a writer is so romantic. I spend my days creating curlecues of prose whilst sipping rose bud tea in the garden! 

Recent posts

Yeni Raki dinner at Ruya, London

November 26, 2023

La Clique, a spiegeltent show in Leicester Square, London and a late dinner at Wong Kei

November 21, 2023

The real Maldives by Mary Wedgewood

November 19, 2023

Previous Post: « New dates: a midsummer night’s dream dinner
Next Post: Le Grain de Sel, Cogolin »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kanga_Rue

    June 13, 2010 at 10:22 am

    Looks absolutely delicious, I'm drooling!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    June 13, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    That Ottolenghi style salad looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Epicure on a Budget

    June 13, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    I would love to come sip tea with you in your garden. Everything here looks delicious…and beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Kavey

    June 13, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    Loving your style!

    Reply
  5. indiakalff

    June 13, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Omigod, this looks incredible!!

    Reply
  6. The Curious Cat

    June 13, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    ooo new format for blog! Interesting! I love your little room – so delightful! And you know what? The more I see the food you cook each entry the more I realise just how superb a chef you must be – I appreciate it even more so since my cookery course- and this is all self-taught on your behalf isn't it?! You just have some wicked ideas and truly, you are such an inspiration…you should remind yourself that when you are having a bad day! xxx

    Reply
  7. theundergroundrestaurant

    June 13, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    Curious Cat: yes I'm completely self-taught. I'd love to go on a course actually, to learn what I'm doing(?)
    Thanks everybody for your encouraging comments x

    Reply
  8. 365 Tage

    June 14, 2010 at 8:15 am

    I want your life – and your food

    Reply
  9. Sam

    June 14, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    Oooh bread bowls, I love the idea! Shame I've just a whole loaf of bread in the oven, should have read your post earlier 🙂

    A very stupid question but I've only encountered this problem recently: what's the best way to peel a butternut squash? I made a huge mess in the kitchen last time. (They're not too common in Germany, I've only ever had Hokkaido pumpkins that have an edible skin)

    Cheers 🙂

    Reply
  10. theundergroundrestaurant

    June 15, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    HI Sam.
    Just peel them then chop them up, scooping out the seeds. It is worth investing in a decent peeler though. I got one at a japanese shop.
    Think about it: we spend alot of time peeling and grating. I've got about 10 graters! Still looking for the perfect one though..

    Reply
  11. Katie

    June 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm

    Your summerhouse looks like such a lovely place to hang out you lucky thing. Our version – the 'out house' is so full of boxes and bikes that I can barely get in it.

    I think I may have to do something about this… you've inspired me…

    Reply
  12. Helen

    June 19, 2010 at 9:23 am

    God that summerhouse is beautiful. Where did you get your fresh vine leaves from?

    Reply
  13. theundergroundrestaurant

    June 19, 2010 at 9:31 am

    Hi Helen,
    I got them from a lovely lady called Laura who came to my farmers market. She bought seeds from Scarlett (in my blog roll) and they were the only thing that has come up in her newly acquired allotment. The other thing she has plenty of is vine leaves.
    Sooo different from the ones in packets.

    Reply
  14. Lizzie

    June 21, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    It all looks totally gorgeous and summery. Nice new blog design too.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

Subscribe to my mailing list

msmarmitelover

Kerstin Rodgers/MsMarmiteLover
More bits done to my dining room. Painting the bar More bits done to my dining room. Painting the bare woodwork in @littlegreenepaintcompany, moving furniture around, building a spice cupboard. Tablecloth from @dunelmuk I’m off to Naples and Sicily today so it’s all a bit rushed. More tidying, painting organising on my return. Hey interiors people, paint companies, homeware and tableware companies- I’m up for collabs! #tablescape #crockery #kitchens #diningrooms #pantry #reclaimedwindows #spicecupboards #scallops #stripes #rawplaster #london
I went to an amazing @yenirakiglobal lunch today @ I went to an amazing @yenirakiglobal lunch today @ruyalondon a gorgeous Turkish restaurant just off Park lLne. It was hosted by the lovely drink expert @douglasblyde (Evening Standard drinks columnist). It was nice to see some old faces from the blogging world. I loved the ‘Istanbul- bull’ cocktail made from elderflower ginger beer and Rami with a sliver of cucumber. We had a demonstration on how to make khachapuri Turkish style. In turkey they say ‘let’s go for a raki’ meaning shots of raki with mezze. The sea bass with a pistachio crust was a great match as was the smoked salmon with pink peppercorns. Raki goes great with fish. I also loved the ‘lonely’ dip ‘rafik’ which is something you order when you are lonely- then everybody joins you.  Raki is sometimes referred to as ‘lions milk’ because it goes white when you add water and it puts hairs on your chest. Raki is made from wild fennel and grape way de vie. Fennel, like liquorice, is 13  times sweeter than sugar. First week of December is #worldrakiday #raki #turkey #turkishfood
Christmas present suggestions for foodies: a month Christmas present suggestions for foodies: a monthly subscription to @thetinnedfishmarket I love the packaging, it’s so useful to have in the pantry for last minute meals. The top three tins are from the November selection: tuna, sardines and mackerel. The bottom 3 tins are anchovies, stuffed calamari and smoked oysters. I recently used their tinned smoked tuna in a recipe- it’s a revelation. I often buy my daughter tinned fish for birthday or Christmas #christmasgiftsideas #subscriptions #christmasforfoodies #tinnedfish #foodpackaging
Berenjenas de la abuela con miel. This is my Sagit Berenjenas de la abuela con miel. This is my Sagittarian recipe for @holidaygoddessguide sag loves fiery hot fried food, purple is Jupiter’s colour, and Spain a sag country. This tapas recipe is a dead cert for the archer. Topped with Venusian honey… #astrology #planetarydiet #recipes #tapas
I made Mas Huni, a Maldivian breakfast dish, using I made Mas Huni, a Maldivian breakfast dish, using smoked tuna from @thetinnedfishmarket I like a savoury breakfast and this hits the spot. I have a post up on the blog tomorrow by Mary Wedgewood who has just spent a year teaching in the Maldives- a very different experience from the sun, sand and luxury you get in the resorts. #tinnedfish #maldives #mashuni
Last night I went to see @lacliquetheshow in a spi Last night I went to see @lacliquetheshow in a spiegeltent (a kind of wooden tent) in Leicester Square, London. A series of neo-circus acts, some rather saucy with a wonderful torch singer with top bants entertained us. A real Christmas treat- it’s only on for 8 weeks. Probably not for children although I recall my parents taking me and my younger brother and sister to see the original cast of the Rocky Horror Show in kings road. Us kids were gob smacked yet inspired.  @multitudemedia thank you  #cabaret #circus #christmastheatre #london
A quick butternut squash soup in the @vitamixuk wi A quick butternut squash soup in the @vitamixuk with Austrian pumpkin oil and pistachios as I’d run out of pumpkin seeds. Served in enamel mugs (I love enamel, it’s lightweight and unbreakable . The chips just give it more character. #soup #autumn #enamelware
I went to the most fabulous dinner tonight in this I went to the most fabulous dinner tonight in this old theatre near London Bridge, with actors playing the roles of famous French cheeses. The food was great, the company charming, the atmosphere, like being at the Kit Kat club in cabaret, and le fromage divine. #enjoyitsfromeurope #cheeseatheart #cheesesfromfrance #frenchloveaffair
Lebu or Bengali lemon in Whitechapel. These are so Lebu or Bengali lemon in Whitechapel. These are so floral. You just use the zest, there isn’t much juice or flesh. A pound each which is cheap. Just turn left out of Whitechapel station and most of the greengrocers have them. Do not confuse with lime. These are big and knobbly. #london #citrus #elizabethline #bengalifood
Incredibly cute single grilled sandwich maker made Incredibly cute single grilled sandwich maker made in Singapore @brunohotplateuk it comes in pink, lilac and red. It has multiple attachments for donuts, tarts, waffles, taiyaki fish waffles. Going to try it out tomorrow. Love the design and colours, it’s sturdiness- it’s metal. It’s sort of barbie industrial. #kaiwai #kitchengadgets #design #toasties #taiyaki #
Home grown poblano chillies. They didn’t reach t Home grown poblano chillies. They didn’t reach the size of one’s from Mexico, which are more like bell papers. But it’s virtually impossible to get fresh poblanos in the UK. It’s a shame as they are very mild, a more interesting flavour than bell peppers. They are wonderful stuffed, in soup or to make the Mexican national dish - poblanos with walnut sauce. #londongarden #londonmexicanfood
I’ve been doing the tube game, no cheating, no c I’ve been doing the tube game, no cheating, no conferring. This score means I’m officially a nerd according to @helenlewisposts I’ve always thought if I were kidnapped and held in solitary Terry Waite style, that this is how I’d pass my time, remembering every stop on the London Underground. They should do one for the paris metro. I lived in paris for 5 years so I wonder how I’d do with that. This is the link if you want to have a go: https://london.metro-memory.com
Russell Norman’s latest book Brutto @bru.tto all Russell Norman’s latest book Brutto @bru.tto all about florentine food and Tuscan recipes. Beautifully designed, great photos. Recipes include florence favourites such as panini con lampredotto ( tripe- not for me thanks), schiacciata, negronis. Can’t say I’m a fan of salt less Tuscan bread though ( introduced due to the salt tax) but Russell explains it’s never supposed to be eaten on its own but as a mop for highly flavoured sauce. There are a lot of neat recipes but also plenty of vegetarian ones. Want to try the sugar caramelised pecorino. The book has the Russell Norman trademark of an exposed and stitched spine. Lovely design as ever. One for the Christmas lists. Also thankyou to @eburybooks for their quick efficiency in sending me the book. I do review books: for my blog, for social media and also for newspapers. Yet I struggle to get hard copies of books- looking @murdochbooks_uk for instance. I’ve asked for @tessakiros and @missfoodwise latest books but impossible. Sometimes publishers say we can send an e version. NO! Books are physical objects: the paper, the typeface the feel are all important otherwise I’ll just read a website. Also writers get paid SO little the least publishers can do is send you an actual book. Do they expect us to buy the copies? I find they’ll often send some shitty little TV cook or minor celebrity book or my particular personal horror- wellness books- but not actually something you want to review. Rant over. Not the authors fault but the publishers. #cookbook #review #publishers
Ophelias first birthday party. I made a smash cake Ophelias first birthday party. I made a smash cake: something babies have now, which means they can ‘smash’ it or plunge their face in. It was sugar free, gluten free etc. but Ophelia was rather refined while picking at it. She’s a little lady. Lots of presents, food, cakes, babies, tears and tantrums ( the latter from mum and grandma) #granfluencer
Happy first birthday to my granddaughter Ophelia. Happy first birthday to my granddaughter Ophelia. It’s brilliant being a grandma, nostalgia for the time my daughter was a baby. Having children is so interesting. It’s hard but worth it. I’m making her a smash cake for her party tomorrow. Find out more then… #granfluencer #ophelia #firstbirthday  1) & 2) Ophelia aprés Dégas  3) munchkin pumpkin.  4) winsome  5) bit rheumy with her mum.  6) trying on grandma’s sliders.  7) she has a teeny light up electric toothbrush with which she can clean her 4 teeth.  8) dress from portobello £2 and she has the most brilliant laugh.  9) her eyes have now turned golden brown but here she still had the new born’s blue eyes.
As it’s #worldpastaday I’ve made a little reel As it’s #worldpastaday I’ve made a little reel of my few days in Firenze or Florence. It’s horrendously crowded but glowing with golden romance. At the central market you can eat the local focaccia sandwiches ‘schiacciata’ often with tripe ‘lampredotto’ (boak), or pasta with truffles. Elsewhere you can drink affogato , a small coffee with gelato, you can walk over the pontevecchio bridge, lined with glinting jewellery shops, you can visit the uffizi gallery, the painted ceilings, the cherubs, the somber and carnal portraits, you can crane your neck up to the green and cream marble stripes of the churches, you can visit the paper makers of hand marbled stationery, and at the end of the day you drink a perfect sunset negroni with aperitivo snacks then take the tram to your hotel and plan to visit again when it’s quieter. When is it quiet? January? October was rammed. #travelandfood #solotravel #florence #firenze #italy
Today 21st October is #worldrepairday. I’ve been Today 21st October is #worldrepairday. I’ve been attending a workshop @camden_fixing_factory to learn how to repair toasters, kettles, fans, irons etc. we get them from a local dump, fix them then give them to charity. Very few actually need repair: they are thrown away because they have limescale ( a real problem with London water) or are dirty or something minor.  First we do a visual inspection - what appears to be wrong with it? Then we do a connectivity test with two probes to see if there is a circuit. Then a Pat test to see if it passes. Then we plug it in: does it work? With a toaster does the press down, pop up mechanism work? Does it toast? Then we clean it thoroughly- vacuuming all crumbs and polishing so that it looks almost as good as new. This is part of a European movement called Right to Repair @r2reurope whereby fixing things not just dumping in landfill is encouraged- not just on a personal level but businesses and manufacturers too. It’s very satisfying being things back to life. Next week kettles! #righttorepairmovement #camden
Truffle hunting in Tuscany with teo. I learnt how Truffle hunting in Tuscany with teo. I learnt how they train the dogs from birth but putting truffle oil on the treats of the mother. Each dog has its nose for two hours, after that they change dog. English setters are the best breed but all dogs can be trained.
 There are different seasons for different types of truffle: at the moment, we are at the end of the black summer truffle season. At the end of this month it bbc will be the more valuable white truffle season- worth 5000 euros a kilo. This was such an interesting experience with Teo and Bianchi the dog. Then we sat down to a 4 course truffle meal. Exquisite! #Tuscany #Italy #truffles
Put truffles into a paper bag with eggs, the scent Put truffles into a paper bag with eggs, the scent will penetrate through the eggs. Then bake the eggs with a little ghee. Finally shave a little fresh truffle on to the eggs. Eat warm with crusty bread. #pisa #tuscany #truffles #foodandtravel
Gelato in the shape of a rose. So pretty. Marron g Gelato in the shape of a rose. So pretty. Marron glacé and passion fruit. Kind of a weirdo combo but wanted to try each flavour. #breakfast #pisa #gelato
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Archives

Copyright © 2023 msmarmitelover