It’s hot here and quite humid and the thought of turning the oven on makes me come over all queer. It’s salad days in Mrs Portly’s Kitchen. Continue reading
Salad Days
12
Category Archives: Vegetables and salads
Summer Vegetable Pie
If you equate pies with autumn and winter, think again. This is such a light, delicious concoction, it almost floats into your mouth. Packed with summer vegetables and soft, aromatic herbs and topped with paper-thin filo, it’s a joy to eat. Continue reading
Cobb Salad
The Cobb salad is notable chiefly for being named after the owner of an old Hollywood restaurant, the Brown Derby, which was built in the shape of a brown derby hat. Well, bowler me over, this was Tinseltown in the 1930s. I’ll have mine with a side order of whimsy, please. Continue reading
Beetroot & Blackberry Salad with a Pomegranate Vinaigrette
A lovely autumnal salad that works as a starter or a main course, this combines roasted beetroot and blackberries with walnuts and feta, dressed in a pomegranate vinaigrette. Continue reading
The Courgette Edit
Compilation posts can seem a bit lazy but trust me, a lot of work has gone into the Courgette Edit. I’ve been growing and cooking courgettes for years, and as anyone who has planted summer squash knows, they are inexhaustible. No matter how many you eat or give away there is a constant supply and new recipes are always welcome. Continue reading
Crispy Cheesy Courgettes
Hallelujah! Put the flags out! I’ve finally found a courgette recipe my husband actively enjoys. To be honest that’s mostly because the offending vegetables (fruits, whatever) are camouflaged beneath a thick blanket of cheese and breadcrumbs, but my goodness, we’re getting through the heatwave-induced glut pretty darned fast. Turns out these crispy, cheesy courgettes can convert even the most died-in-the-wool summer squash sceptic. Continue reading
Strawberry and Rhubarb Salad
More familiar in desserts, strawberries and rhubarb work remarkably well together as a savoury side dish. The combination of sweet and sour, soft and crunchy (for the rhubarb is eaten raw), makes an irresistible summer salad.
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Roasted Radishes and Asparagus
Sweet, grassy asparagus and earthy radishes work so well together, raw or cooked. Here I’ve roasted them for a quick but delicious summer salad. It works as a standalone dish for a quick lunch or as a side or a starter. Continue reading
Braised Lamb with Spring Vegetables
This is one-pot cooking at its best, a light, fragrant braised lamb recipe loaded with spring vegetables and soft herbs. Continue reading
Scotch Woodcock with Asparagus
Scotch Woodcock, if you haven’t come across it before, is a Victorian savoury of creamy eggs poured over toast spread with anchovy butter. Just as Welsh Rarebit or Rabbit contains no rabbit, Scotch Woodcock contains no wading birds, which will no doubt come as a relief to many. I’ve paired it here with asparagus for a dish which makes a good starter or light lunch or supper. Continue reading