Sophie Grigson’s Country Kitchen.
In addition to a regular delve into the monthly magazines Sophie Grigson’s Country Kitchen (Amazon UK/Amazon USA)has also given much regular enjoyment and foodie pleasure. This is another seasonal recipe book, recipes split according to the seasons, numbering 120 in total.
Perhaps I haven’t made quite as many recipes from this as from Nigel Slater’s but that doesn’t diminish the appeal of the book. In addition to the recipes there are a series of articles covering the specific seasons highlights. Spring has details on Samphire, Rhubarb and Celeriac amongst others, Summer has Jam essentials, red currants, cream and raspberries.
I must take Sophie to task over buttermilk however. “These days real buttermilk is almost extinct”, she writes “Certainly I don’t recall ever seeing it for sale”. She obviously doesn’t shop in Waitrose or Tesco’s, two places I see it every week or even my local deli where they occasionally have a rather rich version in the chill cabinet, from a local dairy.
I must stock up to try her Buttermilk Scones although soured cream could be substituted; the Gooseberry Sauce Cake is also due for a test (an excuse really to make another cake for Foodography 9) and the Côtes de Porc a L’Estragon (pork chops with a tarragon sauce) was delicious back in the spring.
As we slip ever so imperceptibly into Autumn I am looking forward to trying the Roast Partridge with Grapes and Walnut recipe. So much in fact that I have selected this dish for the next Combinations wine challenge.
