Author: Susan Williamson

  • Start with a Courgette…

    I have fallen behind with the allotment this summer but, thanks to Mandy and Kevin, it is still in control. Mostly I have been cooking just for me but that has made it all the more fun, hunting around to see what I can put into a tray roast (never a bake) – one easy…

  • Broad Bean Dip with Mint and Almond Butter

    Fresh, raw broad beans with pecorino cheese are the treat for the start of the broad bean season and this dip is the final flourish. I love it not only as a dip but served on toast or mixed in with a salad after it has been loosened with more olive oil and lemon juice.…

  • Coriander Salad Dressing

    I had too much coriander for what I had planned to cook over the Platinum Jubilee holiday but, waste not, it has been turned into the most delicious salad dressing. This is so good; it can also be used by itself, on toast or as a dip and has a whole new life with the…

  • Potato, Chicory and Blue Cheese salad

    This is a wonderful combination of flavours. The herbs can be varied, mint or sage could be used in place of the rosemary and raclette makes an exciting substitution for blue cheese. 400g new potatoes, preferably Jersey Royals, scrubbed 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp tender rosemary leaves, finely chopped 120g blue cheese, coarsely crumbled 4-5…

  • Broad Beans with Pecorino

    Late May and here for one week only! Shell small broad beans and serve with pieces of pecorino. The Somerset pecorino is especially delicious. The perfect accompaniment to an aperitif but, don’t wait, as the beans will soon be too large and no longer sweet and tender enough to serve raw.

  • Burrata with Blood Oranges

    I was invited to a joyous meal at The Beckford Bottle Shop with old friends Chris and Inge. A generous bottle of St Véran 2020 was especially appreciated. The dish of burrata was our overall food favourite. It was served with sobrasada (a spicy chorizo type paste) and mojo sauce. My memory of burrata is…

  • Mayonnaise and more

    What better way to enjoy a late spring evening than by sharing an al fresco meal with friends. Asparagus and spinach were picked from the allotment and quails’ eggs were a gift from Julie, my egg lady. I remembered a tip about shelling quails’ eggs. After boiling them for four minutes and plunging them into…

  • Breakfast Rhubarb with Pomegranate Juice

    One of my favourite recipes in The Allotment Kitchen has to be the Mark Hix inspired rhubarb with spices. For breakfast I have started to indulge in an early morning version. 5 long stalks forced rhubarb, cut into 2cm cubes120g granulated sugarJuice of 1 pomegranate (or a splash of grenadine)A few chilli flakes (optional)A small…

  • Roasted Sweet Potato, Cauliflower and Courgettes with Tahini and Egg

    After a hard day office clearing, supper was an ‘invention test’ to use up what was left in the fridge. It turned out to be a delicious, one pan feast more than enough for one – or two or more if used as an accompaniment. Merguez sausages with rice or lentils would be ideal. By…

  • Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin

    I cook this so often that it was a surprise when I realised I had never added it to the website. It is my most favourite way to cook cauliflower. 1 cauliflower2-3 tbsps olive oil2 tsp turmeric1tsp ground cumin½-1 tsp paprika or Aleppo chilliesPinch of salt Oven at 180°C Take a whole cauliflower and separate…