This year we didn’t have to wonder which season we are in. It is definitely summer! People think that as we lived for many months on the French Riviera I must be used to heat, but as we always bought flats overlooking the Mediterranean we had sea breezes.
Life was one long holiday. Our favourite month being August when our family came to stay. It was also the month when we celebrated my husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversaries, ours and our son and daughter-in-law's. Both of our children were married in France.
Before moving to France we sold our flat in Clifton to Keith Floyd (the chefs’ chef as James Martin calls him). I’m a great fan and often follow some of his ideas. I don’t use kitchen scales, but in case you do, I’ll give you some quantities of ingredients. I don’t like cheese in meat or fish dishes but it is so useful in other meals.
For instance, why not (for about four people) slice three large aubergines thinly and brown in butter. You make several layers of them in a greased baking dish with a bottle (400ml) of passata (liquid tomatoes) and 100grs of your favourite grated cheese. How many layers depends on the size of your dish! Cover with breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
This goes into a medium oven for about 20 minutes. You will of course have seasoned to taste. Instead of salt and pepper, I use plenty of crushed garlic. My daughter has just bought me a huge “elephant garlic” from Prince Charles shop in Tetbury. If your family enjoy this quick and easy meal you can use your imagination and create plenty of variations such as chicken, mushrooms and potatoes. You’ll need a small tin of condensed soup to provide the sauce.
To drink with these dishes I would choose a light red wine. Chilean Merlot from Downend Co-op is very affordable and drinkable, or if you prefer you could try Elderflower or tomato juice instead.
I wish you “HAPPY SUMMER MEALS”
Esmé
Life was one long holiday. Our favourite month being August when our family came to stay. It was also the month when we celebrated my husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversaries, ours and our son and daughter-in-law's. Both of our children were married in France.
Before moving to France we sold our flat in Clifton to Keith Floyd (the chefs’ chef as James Martin calls him). I’m a great fan and often follow some of his ideas. I don’t use kitchen scales, but in case you do, I’ll give you some quantities of ingredients. I don’t like cheese in meat or fish dishes but it is so useful in other meals.
For instance, why not (for about four people) slice three large aubergines thinly and brown in butter. You make several layers of them in a greased baking dish with a bottle (400ml) of passata (liquid tomatoes) and 100grs of your favourite grated cheese. How many layers depends on the size of your dish! Cover with breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
This goes into a medium oven for about 20 minutes. You will of course have seasoned to taste. Instead of salt and pepper, I use plenty of crushed garlic. My daughter has just bought me a huge “elephant garlic” from Prince Charles shop in Tetbury. If your family enjoy this quick and easy meal you can use your imagination and create plenty of variations such as chicken, mushrooms and potatoes. You’ll need a small tin of condensed soup to provide the sauce.
To drink with these dishes I would choose a light red wine. Chilean Merlot from Downend Co-op is very affordable and drinkable, or if you prefer you could try Elderflower or tomato juice instead.
I wish you “HAPPY SUMMER MEALS”
Esmé
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