Tomato Risotto

Last of last year’s bottled tomatoes used to make a store cupboard favourite. Tomatoes are acidic, ideally this should be … Continue reading Tomato Risotto

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

More Sopa de Ajo

We have just returned from a wedding in Sheffield. We had a great time but I ate too much and … Continue reading More Sopa de Ajo

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Gazpacho more Salmorejo

Mark next door offered to cook paella on Saturday night. We agreed to supply the rest of the meal. We … Continue reading Gazpacho more Salmorejo

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Pan con Tomate 2

It was a strange revelation that my preparation of pan con tomate was closer to a bruschetta. It prompted me … Continue reading Pan con Tomate 2

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Pan con Tomate

We were having supper with our neighbours in Thame. They are great hispanophiles and and we got to discussing the … Continue reading Pan con Tomate

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Rhubarb Chutney

We are rebooting the allotment this year so we will have only a few crops whilst we replan the planting. … Continue reading Rhubarb Chutney

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

English Asparagus

Waitrose have begun stocking the first batches of English asparagus; grown in polytunnels or glasshouses The traditional start of the … Continue reading English Asparagus

Provincia de Cádiz, from the SOIL

Pimientos de Piquillo – Little Beaks!

Piquillo means ‘little beak’ and refers to the shape of the peppers. We always bring home a dozen tins of … Continue reading Pimientos de Piquillo – Little Beaks!

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Sopa de Ajo

Sopa de Ajo is “soup as medicine”. This recipe is for Sopa de Ajo Castellana from Rick Stein. Difficult to source … Continue reading Sopa de Ajo

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Confit of Garlic

Waitrose sell this in a frappe of four heads which is about right as if I buy in larger quantities … Continue reading Confit of Garlic

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

This year’s tomatoes

My late brother-in-law Sylvain grew up in a small village on the Plateau de Langres in eastern France. Whenever we … Continue reading This year’s tomatoes

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Cauliflower

Just before we leave for holiday all the cauliflowers on the allotment are ready to eat. So cauliflower cheese 3 … Continue reading Cauliflower

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Broad Beans

The problem with allotment gardening is “gluts”. Too many of the same crop ready to eat at the same time. … Continue reading Broad Beans

County of Oxfordshire, from the SOIL

Basil

I have never seen Basil (Albahaca) used in Spain except in Italian restaurants. It is sold for its medicinal properties. … Continue reading Basil

Provincia de Gipuzkoa, from the SOIL

Guindillas – the Ibarra Prawn

I am used to eating Guindillas or Piparras pickled so I was surprised to see them served fried. We were … Continue reading Guindillas – the Ibarra Prawn