Delicious UK April 2019

PHOTOGRAPHS: TOBY SCOTT, SUE LACEY PHOTOGRAPHY The smell of good things to come I’ve just been discussing with Jen, our food editor, what we love about the Easter weekend, and we decided a key element is that sense of anticipation as you walk into a house suffused with enticing aromas – whether there are brunch eggs being rustled up in the kitchen (p24), a chocolatey or spicy cake baking (p56) or the big roast slow-cooking its way to perfection in the oven (p42).  Getting people in the mood for happy times is as significant as it is important. A stretch of time off also gives moments for reflection, and on p20 we look back to a year that changed food in this country forever. Who were the catalysts? It was…

SERVES 1. HANDS-ON TIME 15 MIN Put 120ml whole milk in a small pan with 80g sustainable smoked haddock fillet. Cover with a lid and poach over a low heat for 5 minutes until just cooked through. While the fish poaches, whisk 1 tbsp plain flour with 2 large free-range eggs, 2 tbsp crème fraîche and 2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan until smooth. Scoop the fish out of the pan and set aside, then whisk the poaching liquid into the egg mixture until smooth. Heat a knob of butter in a non-stick, heavy-based frying pan (about 25cm) and, once foaming, pour in the egg mixture. Cook for 8 minutes, swirling the pan to cook evenly. Once the omelette is almost cooked, scatter over chopped chives, then flake in the haddock.…

Spring on the farm Tick off your dream Easter Sunday activity in the idyllic surrounds of Daylesford farm in Gloucestershire, whether it’s decorating eggs, making floral crowns and Easter bonnets or meeting lambs. There are other events during the month to welcome spring, including a lambing tour on 13 April and a beginner’s floristry workshop on 25 April. Easter Sunday at Daylesford Farm, 21 April, £5 (with proceeds to a local children’s charity), other events vary; see daylesford.com/events Unmissable adventure RECIPE AND FOOD STYLING: SOPHIE AUSTEN-SMITH. RECIPE PHOTOGRAPH: TOBY SCOTT. STYLING: OLIVIA WARDLE.ADDITIONAL WORDS: PHOEBE STONE. PHOTOGRAPHS: ANDREW MONTGOMERY, ROB GREIG, MAJA SMEND, ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES The phrase ‘immersive experience’ is overused and often inaccurate, but dining theatre company Gingerline has concocted a spectacular one called The Grand Expedition. It takes…

SUBJECT: It’s not all about us! FROM: Jessie Stanbrook I was disappointed to read The Sane View dairy article [February, p100], which didn’t consider the implications of dairy on anything other than ourselves. I’m not vegan, but I try to make informed decisions about my diet, and I believe the dairy industry has questionable animal welfare policies. It would have been good to educate readers that cutting down on dairy (and meat) is a good way to reduce climate change. It’s so easy to make simple swaps for dairy, with so many alternative milks, yogurts and cheeses available. Writer Sue Quinn replies: Thanks for raising some excellent points about the dairy industry and the associated issues of animal welfare and sustainability. The Sane View series focuses on personal nutrition, otherwise…

A FEAST FOR THE MIND The British Library’s second annual Food Season kicks off this month, with talks and workshops led by leading food writers, historians and chefs. What’s on the menu? Yotam Ottolenghi will discuss the impact of our upbringing and genes on enjoyment of food with writer Bee Wilson and Professor of Genetics Tim Spector; Niki Segnit, author of The Flavour Thesaurus, and food writer Felicity Cloake reveal the secrets to writing a winning recipe; Nigella Lawson muses on the importance of storytelling in cookery books; and Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat, considers the sensual role of food in fiction. There’s also the chance to listen in on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet, presented by Jay Rayner, and take part in a Wikipedia editing marathon to improve…

1452 Leonardo da Vinci was born on 15 April. Few people know that 1850 San Francisco was incorporated as a city on 15 April. Many of the 35,000 population were immigrants who had come for the Gold Rush – all bringing different cuisines to this melting pot of a metropolis. 1948 The World Health Organization was established on 7 April. The global body helped eradicate smallpox and continues to work to improve nutrition and food security worldwide. 1988 McDonald’s revealed it would open 20 restaurants across Moscow on 29 April. The signature burger, the Big Mac, was rebranded the Bolshoi Mak (bolshoi meaning ‘big’ in Russian). he was a keen nutritionist, writing: “Do not eat when you have no appetite and dine lightly. Chew well, and whatever you take into…