If I ever get the chance to write a book, I think I’d call it ‘Store Cupboard Staples’, recipes with all the things I keep in the cupboard of a small galley kitchen and they would include smoked paprika, capers, anchovies, chilli flakes, thyme, vanilla pods, muscovado sugar, sherry vinegar, coriander and mustard seeds, and very good olive oil. You may be surprised just how many of these make it into today’s recipe.
Food History
Summer Fruit Pavlova
Summer Fruit Pavlova. It’s peak strawberry season; tennis rackets are in full swing at Wimbledon. But even if the weather isn’t playing ball. Excuse the tennis pun. I thought it would be nice to write about one of my family’s favourite desserts. Pavlova, a big pile of meringue with an icky-sticky marshmallow-like centre. Piled up with whipped cream and topped with fruit. For more birthday celebrations than I can remember a huge Pavlova is always my mum’s go-to show-stopping dessert.

