Sunday 26 April 2009

What glorious weather we've had recently, though I'm writing this looking out into a rain-soaked garden as all changed overnight - such is English weather!   But as for last week - when it's that good early in Spring one can't help but be lulled into a false sense of security that summer is actually here.  We've had perfect deep blue skies, hot sun, cool breezes, fluffy clouds, the temperature hovering around 70 degrees on a good day, blossom in abundance, the smell of freshly-mown grass and the breathtaking sight of shady glades dancing with millions of bluebells in dappled sunlight - what could be better?  It puts one in mind of strolling, picnics, barbecues and general life al fresco. 

And at last the asparagus is here which is just cause in itself for joy and rapture.  Yesterday, after a surprisingly energetic bout of spring-cleaning, we had friends for supper and dunked our lovely slim English stems, wrapped in parma ham and griddled, in soft-boiled eggs from our hens, the huge, deep orange yolks providing the perfect sauce.  Then, fresh crab stirred into crushed new potatoes with lime, creme fraiche and chives to accompany seared tuna and a salad of pea shoots - mmmm.    The evening was a little chilly to risk eating outside - you suddenly remember it's not yet summer when the sun goes down - but we wandered round the garden with our drinks before decamping to the cosy lounge, lighting a fire and tucking into our tasty morsels.  Dark chocolate and orange tarts with sharp raspberries and sweet blueberries balancing on top slightly haphazardly to finish before collapsing into bed well after midnight - way past our usual bedtime!  Today it was a long lie-in, a bacon butty, home-made lemon drizzle cake and papers in the garden, the distant mosquito-like hum of the Grand Prix emanating from the house in proper Sunday fashion.

Last week, the "post-operative" and slightly wimpy week, meant an abundance of comfort food zone and also involved an important job interview, so all the more reason to be comforted!   We had lunch out after the scary event at a super gastro pub in Mark Cross.  Husb had a big pot of steaming fresh moules and I had huge prawns in lemon, garlic and parsley and we sipped chilled, dry rose in the sun - it did a good job of calming the nerves!  So now we have to plan suitable menus for the two possible scenarios of getting the job or not getting the job.  Actually, if it's time to celebrate I'd like to go out for dinner somewhere special, either to Thackeray's or to the Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells.  If commiserations are in order then I'd still like to go out!   But probably somewhere a little less snazzy or pricey - the little pub that does fantastic Malaysian and Thai food perhaps.  Looks like nothing much from the outside, or even from the inside really, but the food is superb and there's a beautiful garden.

Outings aside, and especially if the weather continues to be good, we'll be having food for the grill - lamb chops marinated in garlic and mint with salsa verde and Jersey Royals, juicy chicken thighs rubbed in cumin and coriander seed with a spicy pilaf, homemade beef burgers with chilli.    Lots of easy, quick, tasty possibilities that don't mean slaving over a hot stove while everyone else is enjoying the sunshine.    Next week it will be May already - my absolute favourite month - when everything is bursting with greenness and promise, the evenings are lengthening further and the vegetable garden is sprouting almost visibly - fantastic.

Meanwhile we have another few days of April to enjoy so why not spend them dusting off garden furniture, scrubbing decks and balconies, cutting the grass and planting some geranium pots to decorate the patio?  Then you can be totally ready to shift into the next gear of outdoor living.

Happy cooking!

AMT