Food editor Jane Curran brings you the best
fresh produce and latest products to buy this spring
Leeks, delicious sautéed in butter
What’s in season
APRIL After the long winter months, spring is finally upon us and we’re
beginning to see more variety in home-grown produce. The British watercress
season kicks off this month, perfect in salads, soups and for adding to pasta
or risotto. Look out for more unusual leaves too – baby red chard, mizuna
and sorrel all add bursts of colour and flavor to meals. Purple
sprouting broccoli is at its best – gently steam and clip in melted butter
as you would asparagus, which also begins its season at the end of the
month. Leeks are also wonderful sautéed in butter, and kale, cauliflower
and spinach are best steamed or pan fried with spices. Fruit-wise, it’s still a
little early for British produce, though you may find some early-season
strawberries grown in polytunnels. Imported oranges are juicy and plump, and
mangoes and pineapples are refreshing in a smoothie. Shellfish lovers can make
the most of native mussels and oysters before the end of the
month, and cockles and crabs shouldn’t be overlooked either.
This month…
Pure gold
New
from M&S for Easter are these golden wholemeal hot cross buns. Made
with golden cherries, golden sultanas, golden syrup… you get the idea! They’re
delicious toasted with salty butter, or with raspberry jam for an indulgent
breakfast $2 for four, M&S.
Spring drinking
Bottle green’s new Sparkling Lemon & Lime Leaf pressé is fresh,
aromatic and perfect for spring. Served over ice, it’s great for the
non-drinkers and is more grown up than a can of pop. $3 for 750ml, Sainsbury’s.
Souper relaunch
Campbell’s relauched its coups recently and retro food memories have
come flooding back to us. We’d love to hear yours – why not email us on
w&[email protected]
Serious snacking
Tyrrells has lauched Crinkly Veg crisps – Beetroot, Parsnip & Carrot with
Rosemary & Wild Garlic. From 99p for 40g, widely available.
Divine dairy
Yeo Valley has relauched with new packaging and some delicious additions. We love
the Greek Style Yogurt with Coconut. $2.5 for 450g, widely available.
The best job in the world?
Claire Burnet, co-owner of Chococo
Based in Dorset. And using almost entirely local ingredients to create
mouthwatering chocolates, Claire’s company Chococo is celebrating its tenth
anniversary this year.
Both
of a desire to escape corporate London, Claire and her husband Andy opened
their first chocolate shop in Swanage on a shoestring, having spent weeks
practicing in their kitchen. Their hard work certainly paid off, as their
chocolates have since won 33 Fine Food Awards and Claire published their first
Chococo cookbook last March.
The
couple’s ethos of using locally sourced ingredients where possible has led to
some unique flavours – including a Peppermint Ganache made with mint from
Claire’s garden.
So
what’s the best thing about running a chocolate business? “Taking it from a
crazy idea to a business that’s thriving,” says Claire. We don’t think having a
supply of incredible chocolates on hand would be too bad either!
Choco
has a fabulous range of Easter gifts this year – for more information, go to
chococo.co.uk
Our favourite…
Easter eggs
Real hens’ eggs filled with hazelnut praline. Either peel these divine eggs and
eat the praline solid, or heat in the microwave to melt the centres, then dip
in biscuit, fruit or a spoon! $13 for an egg with cup, $18.5 for two in a box
or $32.5 for six, rococochocolates.com.
Dark chocolate sculpture egg with mini praline eggs. The praline eggs are
dusted with silver luster, for an extra-special finish, $13, M&S stores.
Easter egg clam. This exquisite clam is filled with hand-painted eggs, which
contain Demarquette’s signature Great British Orchard caramenls, $32.5,
demarquette.com
Easter egg ballotoeuf Always serious stylish, Godiva’s filled Easter eggs cradle a
selection of wrapped eggs, chocolate chicks and chocolates. From $26 for a 40g
egg, Godiva or John Lewis.
Rose & Violet Crème egg. A favourite of The Queen Mother’s Prestat’s Rose
& Violet Crèmes have been packed into a dark chocolate egg and housed in a
gorgeous gift bow – perfect for those who enjoy traditional flavours. $18.5,
prestart.co.uk or in stores.
Kitchen must-have
This
Dualit polishes-silver hand mixer was seriously challenged in our test kitchen,
where we bake enough cakes to open a bakery… it’s one of the most powerful
we’ve ever used, whips meringues in the blink of an eye and has a handy plug
roll-up device for easy storage. The polished finish also gives it a super-sleek
look, so it will fit into the most chic kitchen. $76; for stockists, go to
dualit.com.
