Delicious UK Aug-18

Summer… What does it mean to you? Are you all about escaping abroad, experiencing new tastes and bringing flavours back home? Or are you a staycation-ophile, relishing the scores of good things here in the UK? Wherever and whatever your happy place, most of us probably agree the feel of sun on your back and soft sand between toes is hard to beat. This month we’ve tried to satisfy as many food yearnings and capture as many vibey relaxation moments as we can, starting with a guide to shellfish from fishmeister Rick Stein (p35). I always thought you weren’t supposed to eat mussels in August (no ‘r’ in the month), but Rick tells me you can, I believe him and I’m going to, inspired by his fine recipes.…

1 It’s all about the vista What’s the best picnic spot in the UK? Drinks company Fentimans recently did a survey to find out, and top of the rankings came Durdle Door in Dorset, followed by Buttermere in the Lake District and Tenby in Pembrokeshire (right). Mine is Gillan Beach in Cornwall, where my uncle lives – one of the last secluded Cornish spots (it’s hard to find). Where’s yours? Tell us at readers@delicious magazine.co.uk and we’ll publish the best next year. Meanwhile, if you need inspiration for the picnic hamper, turn to p60 for treats in store. 2 Bid for life For the first time, Auction Against Hunger is being hosted in Manchester at Upper Campfield Market Hall in Barton Street and it’s guaranteed to be a lot of…

1 The summery cocktail Put 2 ripe peaches, stoned and diced, 2 tsp lemon juice and ½ tsp caster sugar in a food processor or blender and whizz until smooth. Pass the purée through a sieve (discard the solids), then divide among 6 champagne glasses. Top up with chilled prosecco and garnish with fresh basil leaves. 2 Speedy pud Put 600ml water, 350g caster sugar, 1 vanilla pod and the pared zest and juice of 1 lemon in a pan. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring, then add 8 halved and stoned yellow peaches and simmer for 10-15 minutes until soft. Skin them, if you like, then serve with ice cream and crumbled amaretti biscuits. 3 Easy summer tart Unroll a 375g sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry, then score with…

STAR EMAIL SUBJECT: What being healthy really means FROM : Rebecca Mee I’ve never felt compelled to respond to an article in a magazine until I read Anthony Warner’s criticism of dieting [June, p130]. As the parent of a 16-year-old daughter who has struggled with anorexia for the past two years, has only recently been discharged from a five-month admission to an eating disorder unit and is still struggling with her recovery, reading Anthony’s article had a huge emotional impact. Due to the UK’s rising obesity problem, my daughter has been bombarded with ‘healthy eating’ government initiatives since she started school at the age of four and gradually developed an irrational fear of ‘bad’ foods, which is constantly reinforced with ‘you are what you eat’ type programmes. In addressing obesity,…

Although the majority of our overseas subscribers receive their issues on time, we’ve had a few emails from people who’ve had problems with late delivery. What we’ve done: to combat theft, from the September issue all our subscriber copies (UK and abroad) will be wrapped in opaque recyclable packaging and our suppliers guarantee they leave the UK on time. We are however at the mercy of overseas postal systems. Apologies to those who’ve had problems, but we promise your delicious. is worth the wait.…

This month’s prize is a six-bottle case of Pommery Brut Royal NV from Champagne Pommery. Madame Pommery, who launched the first commercial brut champagne in 1874, described it as fresh, elegant and vivacious. Today, Chef du Cave Clément Pierlot ensures that the champagnes stay true to her philosophy. Available from Ocado. champagnepommery.com/en, RRP £41.99 for 75cl *A FULL MAINLAND UK DELIVERY ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER MUST BE SUPPLIED. ENTRANTS MUST BE OVER 18. FOR FULL TS&CS, TURN TO P129…