cherry corer

universal jar upcycler

spice grinder

skewers

fiande tin

silver rings

This is an

incredibly

 powerful

 herb and

 should be

used sparingly

 due to its

content of eugenol.

Lemon Balm as the name would suggest is more commonly used in creams, balms and medicines, however it is possible to utilise its qualities in the kitchen.

The reasons to include this leaf in your culinary activities are numerous, it boasts high anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which are particularly effective against yeasts, streptococcus and staphylococcus.

Its essential oils include, citronella and is high in anti-oxidants whilst providing anti-inflammatory properties.

Pictured above to garnish a mango cheesecake, it is well worth inclusion in your herbal tea and I have created a recipe for biscotti using the herb... this recipe available in my 'Super-foods through the seasons' calendar 2017... LINK

The month where most of us are detoxed and a bit tired of the dull winter, here are some quick, feel-good fixes for extra energy and vitality.

to achieve this

successfully

the macro and

micro nutrient

content needs to

 be analysed

and more often

than not tailored to each individual, often you need to train your body to do and use nutrients in a certain manner, for example metabolising energy or fighting infection.

Booja Booja, a wonderful organic, gluten, soya and dairy free company, based in Norfolk and with a range of products from chocolates, truffles and the (newly stocked in my local store) booja-booja dairy free ice-cream ...and all was well with the world! www.boojabooja.com

Kiwi Berries a new item to Waitrose and part of the Waitrose 1 collection was a good find last month.

These little berries are perfect miniature kiwis, packed with super-food levels of the

 kiwi nutrients and

without the fury skin.

I was having a play in

the kitchen, they are of

course excellent in

fruit salads, I would

recommend something

along the lines of mango,

kiwi berries, blueberries and melon and perhaps a cointreau and ginger sauce.

I also made a ‘lux’ key-wi lime cheesecake using crushed hazelnuts for the base and then in true GBBO style opted for ‘lairs’ making a lime and mango creme, topped with the mascarpone and cream, slightly sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with kiwi berries... delicious!

The other company I wanted to put the spotlight on was one I found a couple of years back... Atlantic Kitchen. With a range of absolutely delicious super-food soups and seaweeds a recommended... must find and taste! www.atlantickitchen.co.uk

Whether making a really light Thai dish with spring onions and chilli or going for a comforting stew with lamb, garlic and squash, or as pictured above a warming soup, Ginger has the ability to be able to combine and fuse the ingredients whilst adding a satisfying and warming spice and depth of flavour. Excellent addition to much baking and essential for autumn fruits recipes, combining well with apples,

rhubarb and berries.

I always buy my herbs and

spice whole or fresh, and

whilst Ginger cannot boast

a huge vitamin content, the

nutritional value is increased

and also has improved flavour quality. Ginger contains essential oils that are beneficial to the intestines and also combative against ecoli. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is traditionally used in defense against colds and the maintenance of a healthy digestive system.

Fenugreek, much underused, this spice is excellent with beef and duck recipes, also working well with rice dishes. I particularly recommend buying the seeds and grinding fresh, pair with fennel, mustard and cumin to add depth of flavour.

The spice is of significance nutritionally, having a high B vitamin content and exceptional levels of the minerals iron and copper.

The health benefits of this spice are also considerable, useful in the control of cholesterol and recommended for inclusion within a diabetic diet it also provides a source of saponin, tannin and pectin and is generally good for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

every so often I find products that I feel compelled to share with you.

 Some of these are discovered at the main food fairs and others in very sleepy, leafy foodie festivals or every so often it will be one of our faves launching a new product in the supermarket.

The first link that I must urge you to visit is www.dulcibella-marshmallows.co.uk these exquisite little mouthfuls are the softest and tastiest marshmallows ever created with just the smallest of additions of fruit to the centre. They are not available through retail largely due to the shelf-life but are available to buy online. I found them at a local food festival and bought a little pack of six flavours, hand-selected. Often the occasion of finding something new can make you get a bit carried away, however a couple of weeks on and I can say each and every one was a little mouthful of joy by everyone that was lucky enough to be offered a taste!

The next is a product that I know we all have had availability to for some time.. pip and nut butters, I found them a few years back, when they were just starting out. Great product, great packaging and great team, no palm oil and pure nut butters, with a range of cashew, almond and peanut butters, they have also launched individual squeeze packs... of which some are available at Sainsbury :)  www.pipandnut.com

The other must visit link is teahuggers... they again have been around for a while, however they are not yet available at the supermarket, or at least not mine, order online for a range of calming, energising and one named skinny fit ... which is a great re-balancer. All their teas are made from unique blends of leaves and spices and well worth a try! www.teahuggers.co.uk

Read up

sirt food

Kews Global kitchen cookbook

River Cottage Garden

Waitrose magazine

Nopi the cookbook

Places

Kew Gardens

Sheepdrove Organic farm and conference centre

River Cottage

Organic places to Stay

Daylesford Farm

Restaurants

Gravetye Manor Restaurant and Kitchen Garden

Bordeaux Quay

Rosewood Hotels and Holborn delicatessen

Ottolenghi

106 Baker Street

Lucy's of Ambleside

Tanya's

Gidleigh Park and kitchen garden

shop local

www.clearspring.co.uk

www.hubbub.co.uk

www.wedeliverlocal.co.uk