New Year Nourishment
January can seem like a drab month after the excitement of Christmas and the party season passes. A long, dark winter period when you might be asking yourself ‘what is there to look forward to and, more importantly, what can we eat?’
The good news is, there are plenty of seasonal treats for us to make the most of and I find it’s a great time to focus on home cooking as it grows infinitesimally lighter day by day.
This first issue of the Delectish newsletter shines a light on some ideas of how to enjoy rather than endure the beginning of the year.
Happy New Year!!
Make the Most of Seasonal Fruit & Veg
Blood Orange, Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad
This Month…
Apples, beetroot, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chicory, clementine, dates, grapefruit, Jereusalam artichoke, lambs lettuce, leeks, lemons, onions, oranges, mushrooms, pak choi, pears, pomegranate, raddichio, salsify, swede, sweet potato, turnips
Try Creamy Roast Cauliflower & Hazlenut Soup. So Yummy!
Jump feet first into Blood Orange season which runs from December through to March. Try my easy, colourful and nutritious Blood Orange, Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad topped with a spicy rose harissa, honey and orange dressing to get your taste buds tingling.
You could also use them in my Sozzled Oranges Recipe from last year for a refreshing dessert.
Get cosy and curl with a good book….
Nigel Slater is one of my favourite food writers and his book Greenfeast, Autumn, Winter is an inspirational source of recipes which will nourish and satisfy you during the darker months. If you are aiming to eat more veg and cut down on meat during January and, perhaps beyond, this a fantastic source of delicious ideas.
Winter Fish
If you want to eat fish but you are concerned about sustainability, winter is a time when the many British Fish are in season. The Marine Conservation Society has a very clear guide which lists fish by month in a handy PDF. It tells you when fish are ok to eat and when to leave them to replenish their stocks, usually during breeding seasons.
British fish in season this month include, mussels, mackeral, lemon sole, dab, haddock and hake.
Plaice is a wonderful delicate fish and even better if bought whole. Make 2020 a year when you learn to fillet your own fish at home. It is a much more economical way to buy fish and I often find the quality of the fish is better too.
If you can’t find whole fish in your local supermarket, try ordering it online. Some supermarkets like Tesco and Asda won’t always stock it on the fish counters but you can order it as part of your internet shop. You could also buy direct from fishermen online for the freshest of the catch. Online suppliers like www.thecornishfishmonger.co.uk will do a next day delivery, although you may have to buy bigger quanties for delivery.
New for 2020
I am now taking bookings for Cooking Lessons and as a Private Chef from summer 2020. Please do get in touch to find out more and discuss your requirements.
