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43 Articles

Editor Lisa Sykes Associate Editor Clare Gogerty Commissioning Editor Rebecca Frank Contributing Editor Frances Ambler Chief Sub-Editor Kate Pettifer Sub Editors Iona Bower Catherine Smith Art Editor Cathy McKinnon Associate Art Editor Anneliese Klos Picture Editor Jackie Swanson Designers Vanessa Grzywacz Lesley Straw Digital Editor Lottie Storey Reprographics Editor James Wootton Wishlist Editor Louise Gorrod Books Editor Eithne Farry Commercial Director Guy Foreman Subscription Manager Terri-Jane Dow Publisher David Parker…

THINGS TO WANT AND WISH FOR

THINGS TO WANT AND WISH FOR

MAKER OF THE MONTH

Textile designer Claire Vine-Pearce’s blend of bright layers, textures and patterns runs through her debut range of cushions. Her designs are inspired by childhood memories and her collection of vintage homewares, along with a love of things mid-century. The Peggy cushion, above, £68, an abstract design printed on Scottish linen and finished with fluro velvet piping is, unsurprisingly, her most popular. Claire is also working on a collection of bespoke furnishings with the brand Self who restore and re-design classic vintage furniture. clairevine.co.uk…

MAKER OF THE MONTH

Plants and nature have been an intrinsic part of Alys Fowler’s life, providing a sense of wellbeing, and a steadfast anchor in an uncertain world. But, at the age of 37, she felt curiously unmoored, questioning the mainstays of her life. She decided to set herself adrift on Birmingham’s canals in an inflatable boat, with her bike stashed in the prow. She discovered birches and willows beside the crumbling facades of glassworks, and walls alive with lichens and moss. She found “lost wilderness in hidden parts of the city”, as she reconciled herself to the end of a long marriage and the beginnings of a new love. This candid book is as much about mapping the heart as it is about mapping the paths of waterways. Lovely. (Hodder & Stoughton)…

Sally Coulthard is very clear about why making physical room for the things you love is the key to creativity: “A studio isn’t just a building or a room, it’s an acknowledgement that what you’re doing is important enough to deserve its own space.” Not doing so is “a kind of self-sabotage”. Here are all kinds of inspiring studios, from the bright and breezy to the coolly uncluttered, to rooms which are green with plant life – and where printing, writing and upcycling take place. She explains how to make the most of what you have with storage ideas, lighting suggestions, screens and dividers, so that even a corner of a room, or a cupboard under the stairs can be a creative haven. (Jacqui Small)…

SHOP OF THE MONTH

Housed in a restored Edwardian building in Hastings Old Town, A G Hendy & Co Home Store sells new and vintage equipment for the kitchen, scullery, pantry and broom cupboard. Proprietor Alastair Hendy, also a food stylist, writer, photographer and chef, spent three years restoring the building. A warren of rooms displays items such as enamelware, aluminium pans, Duralex glasses and an extensive range of brushes and scissors. There are also vintage oddities such as Victorian glass domes, science lab wall charts, crystal decanters and butterfly cases. At weekends, bag a table in the restaurant tucked away at the back, where Alastair serves plates of fresh-off-the-boat seafood. aghendy.com…

SHOP OF THE MONTH

SHORT AND SWEET

Traditionally the haiku is a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven and five, and elegantly describes the natural world – flowing streams, floating leaves and budding flowers, that sort of thing. In this book, however, poet Gordon Gordon cheekily subverts the form to create funny little snippets of modern life – the hell of the daily commute, celebrity deaths, giant scones judged by Mary Berry. His haikus range from the rude to the raucous, all of them are funny and they appear so simple to create: “I’m in here!” yelled Mum. Hide and seek was spoilt again. We never found Dad.” Read these and you’ll be inspired to write your own. (Square Peg)…

SHORT AND SWEET

THINGS TO PLAN AND DO

PROUDLY HOMEMADE HOT CROSS BUN CAKES Make Good Friday the best Friday ever with these Makes 12 2 duck eggs or 3 large chicken eggs 90ml buttermilk 185g butter Zest of 1 orange 185g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 70g ground almonds 185g light brown sugar 2 tsp mixed spice 120g sultanas 1 tbsp apricot jam or marmalade FOR THE ICING 60g cream cheese 40g butter 60g icing sugar Zest of ½ an orange EQUIPMENT Cupcake tin 12 cupcake cases Piping bag and nozzle 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Fan160C/350F. Beat the eggs in a bowl and then add the buttermilk. Melt the butter, add it to the bowl and mix well. Stir in the orange zest. 2 In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice, and stir in the ground almonds. Then fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Stir in the sultanas. 3 Spoon the…

THINGS TO PLAN AND DO

“You are that person who remembered not only to buy it but to bring it with you” Alongside the collapsible umbrella, the waterproof coat, stowed away in a bag, is the most useful of items at this time of year. Not only does it deliver instant cover when April springs its showers upon you, but it offers the chance to feel really smug. You are that person who remembered not only to buy it, but to pack it and bring it with you as you ventured out that morning. No shivering in shop doorways waiting for clouds to move on for you. No sheltering at bus stops being drenched by passing cars. You can pull up its hood, do up its poppers, and stride purposefully forward, cloaked in an item that…

A CUP OF NATURE’S FINEST

Tea is the world’s second-most-consumed drink – after water – and there are more blends and more styles of drinking to explore than ever before. The key to a great cup of tea (or mug – you won’t find any receptacle-ism here) could be water quality, it could be brewing temperature, and it’s certainly about the ingredients contained in those little bags of flavour. A TREAT FOR THE SENSES Pukka Herbs prides itself on not using any synthetic flavourings in their range of 40 teas, only sustainably sourced, organically grown and fairly traded tea, herbs and fruit, which is of real importance to Sebastian Pole, Pukka’s master herbsmith and co-founder. For Sebastian, creating a Pukka blend is about capturing the vibrancy of the tea, herbs or fruit – an appeal that is reflected…

A CUP OF NATURE’S FINEST

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” Lake District fellwalking legend Alfred Wainwright (originally from a Norwegian adage) Feel the rain on skin your , see it drip through a hazel leaf funnel onto the forest floor. Touch the bark of a gnarled, rough oak or a smooth, grey beech trunk made dark by running water. Run your fingers over a velvety bracket fungus. As the sun comes out from behind a cloud, find a clearing and hold your face to the sky. A free dose of Vitamin D, courtesy of spring. “There’s a distinct difference between the smell of open country and woodland and it can be used to find your way out of woods if you pick it up on the breeze” Tristan Gooley, natural navigator Wake up…

My big fat Greek lunch

Photography & styling: VIVIANE PERENYI Sunday roast – with its wide appeal and sense of occasion – can seem the clear choice for a family gathering. It can also feel a bit wintry. So this month, we’ve taken inspiration from the Greeks, with their love of Easter*, to put together a sprawling springtime banquet. Colourful salads, nods to Easter – including a traditional celebration bread – and a classic Mediterranean main course are food that all generations can enjoy. Yamas! MENU Courgette ribbon salad with feta and black olives Tsoureki bread rolls Lamb kleftiko Hot cross carrot salad Greek yogurt cheesecake tartlets with rosemary & honeycomb Courgette ribbon salad with feta and black olives WAKE YOUR TASTEBUDS WITHOUT SPOILING YOUR APPETITE Serves 6 6 medium courgettes, topped & tailed and cut into 3mm strips, lengthways 2 tsp sea salt 1 large handful parsley,…

My big fat Greek lunch

THREE WINES FOR A SPRING LUNCH

COURGETTE RIBBON SALAD WITH FETA AND BLACK OLIVES Naturalmente Bianco 2013, £17 A smoky, intense and dry white from Northern Italy, this has nutty almond notes and a touch of white blossom on the nose. Crisp, balanced acidity makes it an excellent choice with food – especially tricky-to-match salads and herby dishes. LAMB KLEFTIKO Petit Piaf Rouge 2015, £13 This is characteristic Merlot – rounded and soft, with red fruit notes and cassis. A natural wine, it’s got a hint of wild game, making it an ideal pairing alongside rustic, meaty dishes. This easy-drinking style will also get on well with mild to medium spice. GREEK YOGURT CHEESECAKE TARTLETS Mas Bécha Excellence Rivesaltes Grenat 2014, £20 A deliciously rich sweet red wine from the French Pyrenean foothills, with fruity aromas of blackberry, cherry and prunes, as well as…

THREE WINES FOR A SPRING LUNCH

“One of my rules for writers is ‘Tell the truth through whichever veil comes to hand – but tell it’ ”

“Iwanted to know what it’s like to be a Jewish Chinese guy or an old black woman or a white professor or whatever.” Zadie Smith is explaining that it was her curiosity about others that started her writing. Two decades later, what she describes as her “absolute intention to get under the skin” is the thread running through all her work. Whether describing ridiculous characters or real-life people, Zadie is like a wise friend who prompts us to step out of our bubbles and reach out, to – using the phrase that inspired her 2005 novel On Beauty – “only connect”. She grew up in north-west London, born to an English father and Jamaican mother. A real bookworm (aged 14, she changed the spelling of her name from ‘S’ to a ‘Z’…

“One of my rules for writers is ‘Tell the truth through whichever veil comes to hand – but tell it’ ”

1975 .Born as Sadie Smith in Brent, London 1989 Changes the spelling of her name to ‘Zadie’ 1994 .Goes to King’s College, Cambridge, to study English Literature 1996 Contributions to student publication The Mays Anthology attract the attention of publishers 2000 Publication of White Teeth; later named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Best English-language Novels 2003 Named as one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists 2004 .Marries novelist Nick Laird, whom she met at university 2005 Publication of On Beauty, winner of the Orange Prize in 2006 2010 Publishes her ten rules for writing fiction in the Guardian, including “When still a child, make sure you read a lot of books. Spend more time doing this than everything else”; becomes a professor in the Creative Writing department of New York University 2012 .A huge fan of…

“Because this is the other thing about immigrants (’fugees, émigrés, travellers): they cannot escape their history any more than you yourself can lose your shadow.” White Teeth “People talk about the happy quiet that can exist between two lovers, but this too was great; sitting between his sister and his brother, saying nothing, eating.” On Beauty It is on journeys like this – where one is so horribly misunderstood – that you find yourself longing for home, that place where you are entirely understood, for better or for worse.” On Beauty “People don’t settle for people. They resolve to be with them. It takes faith. You draw a circle in the sand and agree to stand in it and believe in it.” The Autograph Man “I am the sole author of the dictionary that…

THE HERBERY ROSEMARY

Rosemary is a savoury and strident herb that can also work in sweet dishes. Its Latin name, Rosmarinus, means ‘dew of the sea’, perhaps because its wild Mediterranean habitat is often on craggy sea cliffs. An alternative story for the origin of the name is that the Virgin Mary spread her blue cloak over a white flowered bush, turning all of the flowers blue, and from then on it was known as ‘the rose of Mary’. It has long been associated with weddings and woven into bridal wreaths, but is also known as a herb of remembrance. In winter it produces blue-lilac flowers, which taste like a gentler and sweeter version of the leaf, and a smattering of these hang on into early spring: sprinkle them over ice-cream and other desserts. The…

THE HERBERY ROSEMARY

ONE-TIN WONDERS

Versatile and forgiving, these one-tin roasts require little in terms of attention, leaving you free to do something else while dinner looks after itself and meaning you end up with minimal washing up. Once you get used to the principle (stick everything in a roasting tin, pop the tin in the oven, eat), you can adapt the recipes, swapping in ingredients depending on what’s in season – or is staring at you reproachfully from the fridge. While some roast in less than half an hour, others are designed for lazy weekend lunches and will happily sit in the oven while you go out for a walk, do some gardening, etc. This is no-fuss, flexible cooking at its very best. Sea bass & asparagus with jasmine rice & ginger lime dressing A light,…

ONE-TIN WONDERS

HOW TO MAKE FLAVOURS HAPPEN

Sharp Keep small pots of strong Dijon mustard, olive tapenade, fresh or jarred harissa to dress even the simplest roast. Sweet Root vegetables, chicken and sausages all benefit from the judicious use of sweetness – try honey, maple syrup or agave (all combine well with mustard or spices). Crunch Texture is important – whole almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts make a quick topping for fish or vegetable dishes. Spice Keep a mix of the classics – ground cumin, coriander, fennel seeds and smoked paprika alongside sumac, ras el hanout and za’atar. Oils The key to a successful roasting tray – olive oil will do for almost anything; try toasted sesame for Asian dishes or even coconut. Fresh Keep red and white onions, garlic and ginger. Lemons and limes are an essential standby for sharpness,…

OPERATION RECOOP

Every hen has a personality. You can build a relationship with her, just as you can with a cat, dog or any other pet. I adopted my first chickens in 1995 when my husband and I left the ‘rat race’ and moved to Devon. One of them had to be separated from the rest of the flock due to illness. She would waddle into my kitchen and snuggle on the rug while I was doing the ironing, or potter over to the dog’s bed and climb in. The friendship I developed with that bird made me see chickens in a new light. Life events can help you focus. Losing my parents when I was 40 made me ask myself what I wanted to do with my life. They'd always encouraged me…

OPERATION RECOOP

JUST AS RUNNING on the treadmill isn’t the same as doing it outdoors, using a rowing machine differs hugely from being out on the water. If the Boat Race (taking place on the afternoon of Sunday 2 April) inspires you to push the boat out outdoors, start by finding a club and water. British Rowing’s website (britishrowing.org) lists clubs that offer Learn to Row courses. You don’t need specific kit to begin with, nor do you need to be especially fit to start, although you will build up strength, endurance and a bit of flexibility as you do more rowing. The biggest challenge for beginners is the technique. Basically, when the rowing oar is in the water, it’s mainly pushing with your legs (although the back and arms play a part).…

CAKE IN THE HOUSE

UNBELIEVABLY DARK AND DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR THE CAKE 380g butter 380g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped 380g caster sugar 2 small pinches ground cinnamon Several large pinches of salt 200g plain flour 6 eggs FOR A CRAZY CELEBRATION TOPPING 4 Mars bars 100ml whole milk 3 tbsp golden syrup 90g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped 500ml double cream 3 Flakes, chopped into 2cm lengths 2 packets of Rolos 1 large packet of peanut M&Ms (optional) Edible glitter, as many colours as possible 1 Preheat oven to 190C/Fan 170C/375F and butter and line the base of two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment. 2 Melt the butter in a medium pan over a low heat, then stir in the chocolate, being careful not to burn it. When the mixture becomes a smooth, velvety consistency, add the sugar, cinnamon and salt. 3 Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then remove…

CAKE IN THE HOUSE

My day in cups of tea

Morning! When’s time for the first daily cuppa? It’s always at 6am, before my husband leaves for work. Then it’s breakfast at home with the kids and always another cup of tea. Tell us a bit about your work. I coordinate a programme for Garden Organic, recruiting, training and supporting more than 60 volunteers who mentor new food growers across Leicestershire. If I’m having a 9 to 5 computer-based day, I’ll be in my attic home office. I enjoy sipping on a cuppa while looking out at the fields. Lovely. Where else does your job take you? I work everywhere I’m needed across Leicestershire. I find myself in meetings anywhere: the middle of a muddy allotment, a community café, garden shed or a formal meeting with council officials. My favourite days involve meeting the volunteers…

My day in cups of tea

MY CITY*: ATHENS

*There’s no better way to get to the heart of a city than through the people who live there. Every month, we ask someone, clearly in love with their city, to take us on a personal tour and tell us what makes it so special. You may feel inspired to visit one day or to rediscover the charms of a city closer to you, but for now just sit back, relax and enjoy some armchair travel. How long have you lived in the city? I’ve been visiting Athens regularly over the past 20 years before permanently calling it home in 2015. Tell us what makes your city unique? Apart from its rugged beauty and historical heritage, the past five years has seen a social transformation. In the midst of change, Athens is one of…

MY CITY*: ATHENS

ANASTASIA’S PERSONAL TOUR

FAVOURITE SHOPS The Attic Black Shop For authentic handmade Athenian ceramics using ancient ‘black glazing’ techniques.atticblack.com Zama The best haberdashery store in Athens, Zama was the first to import zips to Greece in the 1950s. Brimming with gorgeous adornments from ruffled cuffs to vintage buttons and lace collars. zama.com.gr FAVOURITE GALLERY The Gagosian gallery Part of a network of galleries established by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles in 1980, the Gagosian attracts some of the biggest names in contemporary art. gagosian.com FAVOURITE CAFÉS/BARS Balux For a relaxed drink by the beach, Balux is an all day café and bar that resembles an oversized beach house. baluxcafe.com Couleur Locale A buzzing rooftop café and bar with a superb view of the Acropolis. couleurlocaleathens.com Mokka Brews coffee the traditional way and is located opposite the biggest farmers’ market in the city. mokka.gr/en/ FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS Diporto Rustic simplicity, no menus,…

THE NEW SEEKERS

YOU MAY HAVE been on a pilgrimage without even knowing it. All it takes is to walk purposefully towards a place that means something to you. I realised this one spring on Iona in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. I heard that there was a Well of Eternal Youth on the island’s highest point. The trek up the hill to the spring wasn’t particularly long or arduous. As I ascended, the island with its white, sandy shores and turquoise sea revealed itself beneath me. It was a crisp, sunny spring day and I walked slowly and carefully among the flowers that had just begun to open. I found the well on the side of a hill – a deep pool surrounded by rocks, its surface rippled by the wind. Sitting beside it,…

THE NEW SEEKERS

A window on wildlife

GO & STAY We crossed the Skye Bridge as the sun set and drove south on to Skye, towards a small (‘handful of houses’ sort of small) village called Drumfearn. Stonechat Bothy came into view as we pulled up a steep hill and rounded a corner. Sitting quietly in the textured grasses of the hillside, it was a vision of weathered grey larch cladding and big glass windows that watched over the valley we had just driven through. Stepping inside, we felt instantly at home. Its clean lines and spacious living area were only interrupted by a log-burner – something we are always happy to see, whatever the season. Arriving at sunset meant we had to wait for the next morning to appreciate the full effect of the floor-to-ceiling windows but it…

A window on wildlife

CALM IN A JIFFY

Wouldn’t it be great to be more patient, unruffled and at ease? To be able to hold onto that sense of contentment and serenity that comes over you when you experience a gorgeous sunset, a walk in the woods or a restful soak in a bath. Yet those moments of peace tend to quickly evaporate and anxiety, ever present in the background, finds a way to creep back to the surface. The good news is that becoming more serene doesn’t have to mean changing your lifestyle completely or hours of meditation or yoga. It can be as simple as practising some easy calming techniques that you can call upon in stressful circumstances or when you’re just feeling a bit ruffled. Have a go at the following micro-practices, find out what…

CALM IN A JIFFY

WHAT I TREASURE

Some people think I’m a bit of a nerd but I’ve never understood how anyone can live somewhere or go on holiday without an OS map of the area. It’s the first thing I do – paper always, despite the potential hazard of folding it in high wind. I do use maps on my phone but there’s something about spreading the map out on a kitchen table for getting a sense of place. As someone who walks a dog and rides a bike, the orange Explorers are my map scale of choice (1:25,000). I highlight all the bridleways and footpaths (told you I was nerdy) and plan routes that will persuade my family to come with. But a smaller scale road map of Northern England has served us well, too, and…

WHAT I TREASURE

HERE BE DRAGONS

“Over 70 small towns and villages in Britain still have a tradition about a local dragon” They say you’re never more than six feet away from a rat in Britain. But have you ever considered how closely you might reside to a dragon? Wherever you are, you can be sure a dragon has, at some point, shared your particular corner of the country. They’re at the heart of our culture – from Merlin to the red beast on the Welsh flag to him of St George fame, a central part of religious plays in the late Middle Ages and stars of folk tales at fêtes and pageants up and down the land, particularly in spring, for May Day and St George’s celebrations. Despite the species having a wide geographical and cultural history (see…

HERE BE DRAGONS

DRAGONS WE HAVE KNOWN AND LOVED

SMAUG, THE HOBBIT A combination of the non-flying wyrm and a wyvern, Smaug must be the dragoniest of fictional dragons and guards an enormous hoard of treasure in The Lonely Mountain, which Bilbo Baggins steals from. ELLIOT, PETE’S DRAGON Recently remade, but there’s nothing like the 1977 live-action animated version of this film in which Elliot helps an orphan, Pete, find a loving family away from the clutches of his evil foster parents. Get ready with the Kleenex as Pete tells his dragon bezzie he’s done his job and must find another little boy to help now. THE HUNGARIAN HORNTAIL, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE A mean, lean fire-breathing machine, this is the meanest of all the Potter universe dragons and the very picture of dragonish evil. DROGON, RHAEGAL AND VISERION, GAME OF THRONES As…

Tulips A bunch of spring tulips bought from a pavement flower seller and wrapped in brown paper is one of the most gratifying of purchases. Bring them home, snip a little off the stems, plunge into a tall, upright vase and suddenly spring has arrived in the kitchen. Buy blooms with tight buds and enjoy watching them as they open and even grow a little. If you want to keep stems upright, place in a vase that covers at least half their height, but we can’t help thinking that the sinuous movement of the stems as they twist towards the light is all part of their charm.…

BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX MY NEIGHBOURHOOD

“We wanted a crisp finish, so we’ve used a lot of white. I like the sharp shadows the sun throws on the white walls” “My favourite place to sit,” says home accessories designer Sally Evans of her house in Brighton, “is in the chair in the bay window in the living room, with my feet up and a magazine to flick through. It might be because the rug is so thick, but it feels hushed. It makes me calm and relaxed.” After 29 years in London, Sally and her husband Damian, a product designer, moved to Brighton driven by a desire for more space, the need for a change and an itch to be at the coast. “We wanted to live by the sea,” Sally says, “but still be able to get…

BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX MY NEIGHBOURHOOD

NATURAL, HEALTHY SLEEP

Sleep. Something we all do every night and yet many of us will never put a great deal of thought into it. In fact, we often forget how important sleep is and the effect poor sleep has on our lives. So, when we spend a third of our lives doing something, shouldn’t we ensure that we’re doing it well? Enter: The Wool Room, a company dedicated to transforming sleep by offering a simple solution to the age-old problem of poor slumber. Its bedroom and nursery products help you sleep better naturally by using carefully selected British wools and other natural fibres. Why wool? For centuries, wool has been valued around the world, for its ability to insulate, keeping you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s not. But over time it…

NATURAL, HEALTHY SLEEP

“It is curvaceous, like a screen goddess with a nipped-in waist” How many you give your boiled eggs? Are you a three-minute, slightly-runny sort of person? Or a good-five-minutes-to-ensure-it’s cooked type? Perhaps you are like Heston Blumenthal who simply brings a pan of water to the boil, adds an egg or two, then turns off the heat and leaves for six minutes. Whichever type you are, timing is key, and what better device to measure it than an egg-timer? Unlike its modern digital counterparts, the egg-timer is pure analog, needing only the hand of a human to upend it and get it started. No insistent beeping or flashing lights with this fellow – just a gentle trickle of sand until it comes to a stop. You could even label it ‘mindful’: you have…

A city allotment

Sophie and Ade took on their allotment three years ago to grow more veg. Little did they know that it would change their lives. Sophie used to organise film shoots but now writes about gardening and cooking, and Ade used to work in TV but is now a photographer and horticulturalist. Together they produce a blog Agents of Field,* which won Blog of the Year 2016; agentsoffield.com The story so far Sophie: “We didn’t have much interest in gardening until a few years ago when we bought our house on the outskirts of London and found ourselves with a small garden of our own for the first time. After watching Alys Fowler’s TV series The Edible Garden, I realised that it was possible to grow fruit and vegetables in a tiny urban…

A city allotment

FROM PLOT TO PLATE

Sophie:“When Ade came home from the allotment with some rhubarb, it got me thinking about rhubarb and custard. I decided to do a new twist on this classic flavour combination to create a fruity traybake using a leftover banana. It’s simple to make, so delicious and a welcome change from crumble!” Rhubarb and banana squares Makes 15 squares 200g rhubarb 200g dark muscovado sugar 250g self-raising flour 25g oats 1tsp ground ginger 150g cold butter, cubed 2 medium eggs, beaten 1 banana, peeled and mashed 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ 350F. Grease and line a baking tray with baking parchment. 2 Dice the rhubarb into small cubes and place in a bowl. Pour over the sugar and give everything a good stir. 3 Tip the flour, oats and ginger into a separate bowl and stir well. Add the cubed butter, rubbing it…

FROM PLOT TO PLATE

TRICKS OF THE LIGHT

Sun printing sounds magical and actually the process is about as close to magic as you can get. By applying a light-sensitive dye to a piece of paper or fabric and exposing it to sunlight, you’ll see it change colour before your eyes! Where things get extra interesting is when you start shielding areas from the sunlight to create intricate prints and patterns. As the process requires very little kit or set-up, it’s a simple and satisfying way to make your mark. It’s a method with a proud heritage – it links back to the earliest days of photography and cyanotyping (see below). The very first images made using this method were of botanical specimens and plants and flowers, reeds and grasses offer easy to find and distinctive templates. However, anything…

TRICKS OF THE LIGHT

MAYBE IT’S OUR LOVE for all things Scandi that kickstarted the houseplant revival. The Danes and Swedes have always appreciated the power of plants in the home, whereas we lost sight of it in the 80s when too many parched spider plants expired on windowsills. Or perhaps it’s because we now spend between 80–90% of our time indoors, and hanker for a link to nature, however slender. Whatever the reason, a potted plant does us good both mentally and physically, and is a cheap way of enlivening a room. This time around there are numerous ways to display them, from terrariums to concrete planters, and plenty of plants to choose from, from tiny succulents to monster aloes. Most hail from tropical climates, and their preferences for warm, dry environments, out of…

MISCELLANY APRIL

CAPTION COMPETITION OVER TO YOU… Make us giggle with a caption for this flamboyant flamingo. We’ll send a lovely book to the writer of our favourite. Post your best efforts at facebook.com/thesimplethingsmag HOW TO… FIND AND PREPARE YOUR OWN CLAY Can you dig it? Yes you can with some know-how and patience Where to look: waterways, calm waterside edges (be careful!) and dry river beds. Or look for builders who’ve cleared away topsoil. What to look for: clay can be white, grey, brown or orange. When dry, it may resemble rocks. Scrape with a penknife. If the particles that come off dissolve in water, it’s clay. When wet, try working a lump into shapes. If it stays together and feels smooth, you’ve got clay. How to prepare: spread it out and let dry (up to a week). Break up…

MISCELLANY APRIL

HERITAGE POTATOES

Mr Little’s Yetholm Gypsy, about 1899 Developed in Yetholm, Scotland, those pro union might want to claim this potato: it’s the only variety to show red, white and blue colour on the skin. Shetland Black, 1923 This purple, probably Victorian, beauty became neglected in modern times. Now registered with Slow Food UK, more will enjoy its buttery flavour. Mayan Gold Along with Paddington Bear, we have Peru to thank for this spud, with its rich golden flesh. Not quite so compatible with marmalade though. Highland Burgundy, 1936 One savvy Savoy Hotel chef, spotting this spud’s burgundy skin, served it to the Duke of Burgundy. Nobly suited to colourful mash and chips. Pink Fir Apple, 1850 Neither a fir, nor an apple, these misnamed tubers are at least partly pink. Not so pretty, though – they’re long, narrow and famously…

HERITAGE POTATOES

WHERE WAS THAT?

COOK Fresh Wild garlic soup 7 Proudly homemade Hot cross bun cakes 16 Gathering: My big fat Greek lunch Courgette ribbon salad with feta and black olives 36 Tsoureki bread rolls 37 Hot cross carrot salad 38 Lamb kleftiko 38 Greek yogurt cheesecake tartlets with rosemary 40 The Herbery Rosemary orangeade 49 Rosemary & parmesan polenta chips 50 Pear & rosemary tarte tatin 52 One-tin wonders Sea bass and asparagus with jasmine rice 54 Roast chicken with fennel, lemon and shallots 56 Ras el hanout slow roasted mushrooms 56 Spelt with chorizo, sweet potato, red onion and spinach 58 Cake in the house Dark and delicious chocolate cake 63 Tasty trend Teff 124 Tipple of the month Påskebryg 125 THINK Wisdom Novelist Zadie Smith 42 A job well done Friend to retired hens, Jane Howorth 60 My day in cups of tea Gardening guru Alison McGrath 64 A poetic pause ‘April Rain Song’ by Langston…

Glenda wandered along the aisles, her brain numbed by the bewildering array of choices. She fumbled in her bag for the list she made that morning. Too often she got home only to realise she had forgotten something important like toothpaste or that chunky pickle Harry liked. He would tut and roll his eyes in silent judgment. No coincidence then, that Glenda found herself loitering by the supplements that promised to restore her youthful vitality, her skin, her bones, her failing memory. Were such miracles possible? It seemed unlikely but she slipped a few packets in her trolley just in case. Breakfast cereal was last on the list. Glenda stood on tiptoes and extended her arm as far as she could, which wasn’t far enough. “Allow me,” said a velvet smooth…

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