Category Archives: Seasonal

More Ways With Radishes: A Radish, Mint and Feta Salad / Roasted Radishes with Garlic and Rosemary

Posted on June 23, 2013 by

In the last few months I’ve posted a couple of blogs about radishes (you can trace them back from here), highlighting their wonderful peppery taste, crisp and crunchy texture, and cheerful blush, which is capable of adding a beautiful shot … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Lunch, Recipes, Salad, Seasonal, Uncategorized, Vegetables | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Cupcakes II: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

Inspired by my visit to Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery in Beverly Hills last week – as well as the anticipation and excitement of Christmas – it seemed like the ideal time to bake these festive treats at the weekend. The cakes … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Recipes, Seasonal, Sweet things | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Warm Figs Baked with Mascarpone and Walnuts

Posted on December 7, 2012 by

Along with the fabulous honey dates that I got from the Farmer’s Market this week, I also bought a small basket of figs. Figs experience their second (main) annual crop from late summer through the autumn, and are – I … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Farmers Market, Food, Fruit, Recipes, Seasonal, Sweet things | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Great Urban Outdoors: Foraging for wild greens in Los Angeles

Posted on November 9, 2012 by

Immediately beside the I-210, mid-way between Santa Clarita and Pasadena there is an extensive area of public land that includes the Hansen Dam Recreation and Aquatic Centre, the Lake View Terrace Recreation Centre, and the smaller Orcas Park. Between them … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Review, Seasonal | 4 Comments

Comfort Food: Brussels sprouts in a rich blue cheese sauce

Posted on November 8, 2012 by

There are many interesting ways to cook Brussels sprouts. And because they have such an intense flavour, both additional ingredients and cooking methods are often minimal. I am not alone in favouring the Brussels sprout when it is par-boiled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes, Seasonal, Vegetables | Leave a comment

Fresh from Santa Monica Farmer’s Market: Brussels Sprouts

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

It’s possible that the Brussels sprout is the world’s most divisive vegetable, which is a truly impressive accolade for what is basically a miniature cabbage. But the reasons for its poor reputation are perhaps understandable, as their small size not … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Seasonal, Vegetables | Leave a comment

Halloween Treats: Pumpkin Cupcakes

Posted on November 2, 2012 by

For the past couple of days, as well as making a note in next year’s diary to buy more candy, I’ve been busy making almost 100 Halloween themed mini-cupcakes for a friend’s costume party tonight. I’ve been basing them on … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Recipes, Seasonal, Sweet things | Tagged | 3 Comments

Lessons for Halloween: Candy is Dandy…

Posted on November 1, 2012 by

The people living on my street take Halloween very seriously. Preparations started at the beginning of the month, so that by yesterday the scene was set for a party. Hedges became home to vast numbers of oversized spiders and their … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Seasonal | Tagged | 1 Comment

For an Autumn Supper: Squash roast with garlic, chilli and chorizo

Posted on October 28, 2012 by

Squash exist in a seemingly endless variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Ranging from the diminutive patty pan to the giant pumpkin, intermediates include the bell-shaped butternut, as well as the appropriately named acorn and turban squash. They can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition, Recipes, Seasonal, Vegetables | 1 Comment

Sun, Sand and Squash: A Southern Californian Autumn

Posted on October 27, 2012 by

Autumn is usually pretty easy to recognise in Britain. Strongly associated with childhood memories, I would define it as coinciding with the start of a new school year. From early September, everything begins to feel different. The days are noticeably … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Seasonal, Vegetables | 1 Comment