Summer time and the livin' is easy

We are enjoying a wonderful warm summer here in Southern England: as soon as the sun comes out we head out to make the most of it. The beaches are busy, but the garden is quiet the balmy sun warming and browning my pale skin while a lazy breeze rustles the Roses in full bloom their delicate sent drifting along in waves while the dog rolls blissfully in the grass. 

The riper the tomatoes the deeper the colour

There is so much to treasure at this time of the year but in particular the appearance of seasonal fruits and vegetables; their freshness and piquancy is at its height.  I received some delicious vine ripened tomatoes and a flavoursome cucumber this week - just perfect for gazpacho soup.

To enjoy your own all you need is:

6 large ripe tomatoes

1/2 cucumber peeled

I large red pepper

1 large red onion

1 clove of garlic 

100ml olive oil

A splash of Red wine vinegar

A couple of teaspoons of sun dried tomato puree

A large handful of mint fresh from the garden 

(I have some sensual lemon mint that just adds a delicate note to the soup)

Just blitz it all up in a liquidiser or blender until you have a smooth consistency

Pass through the sieve to remove the seeds and skin of the peppers and tomatoes

Leave to cool in the fridge for at least an hour or if you don't want to wait add ice and blitz again

Best enjoyed out in the garden - relaxing with a good book or the Sunday papers, 

 a nice cool glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or a pitcher of Pimms at your side.

Oh yes....summer time and the living is easy!  

Lovely lazy Saturday

Saturday mornings are a pleasure all of their own, it is waking up with that feeling you don't have to rush anywhere. Weekend breakfasts are lengthy, tea in a tea pot, tea cups and the Guardian Quiz. (Only three correct this week!) I love scotch pancakes (or dropped scones if you prefer), these are extra good for you because they are from my low GI cookbook, I also make them with a little fruit sugar rather than normal sugar. They are filling and mean I can often last out to lunch. 

You simply put two heaped tablespoons of SR flour, Wholemeal Flour and one table spoon of porridge oats and Fruit sugar into a bowl. Add half a teaspoon of baking powder and mix well. Then add two large eggs to the centre, gradually bringing in the dry ingredients, add milk gradually until you have a thick batter. 

Heat a griddle or frying pan, and brush with  a mixture of oil and butter. (Butter creates a lovely buttery flavour to the pancakes, but you have to turn the heat down a little otherwise it smokes). Put a tablespoons of the mixture on the griddle - keeping them slightly apart. Watch the mixture turn from glossy to dull, then turn over to cook the other side. Leave on a kitchen towel to soak any excess oil, delicious to eat while warm. 

I have almost finished curtain wrestling, - I can't call it sewing there was simply too much material! Double width, 90" drop and lined with black out lining! I had to sew on the dining room table in order to have support for all the fabric! I shall let them hang for a while and then finish the bottoms. As you can see my beloved Bernina is back in action! 

One tip I learned from Maria from Clothkits is that she keeps a little pin cushion on her machine, it is an ideal place! This little lovely was bought at a craft fair quite a few years ago, it sits perfectly on that spot! It might be my imagination but I did not have quite so many pins on the floor afterwards! 

Cake is also the perfect pick me up - the rain might have been pounding on the windows, but you can't beat a nice home made Victoria Sponge, cuddled up on the sofa, yet another pot of tea close at hand, watching a good film. 

I used cocktail sticks to create a little design on the top. 

It looks like a firework! I used the plum jam I made a few weeks ago, it was nice and tart and a great contrast to the sweet icing. 

The weather outside might be frightful, but home is so delightful! 

Happy Autumn