Food and Drink
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How to eat seasonally in August, by Tom Parker Bowles
'August may mark the end of summer,' says Tom Parker Bowles, 'but it’s a time to revel in the moment.' Especially when it comes to enjoying the best foods of the height of summer.
By Tom Parker-Bowles Published
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Tom Parker-Bowles on the BBQ: 'Cooking over coals is both empirical science and blessed art, as well as mastery, albeit temporary, of that naughty Titan’s greatest gift'
Sausages are all well and good (unless simultaneously raw and burnt to a crisp), but the primitive art of barbecuing over charcoal lends itself to far grander fare.
By Tom Parker-Bowles Published
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The Legacy: Thomas Twining, the man who made such good tea, not even the Boston rebels would toss it in the harbour
Arriving in London as a young boy, Thomas Twining saw a gap in the market, and made his name as one of Britain's first tea sellers.
By Amie-Elizabeth White Published
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Victoria sponge: The ultimate test of every baker and a favourite of the nation
Thanks to the Women's Institute and wartime rationing, this sweet spongecake is now the bedrock of tea-time treats.
By Flora Watkins Published
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Curious Questions: What is mock turtle soup? And did it come before or after 'Alice in Wonderland'?
Martin Fone delves into the curious tale of an iconic Victorian delicacy: mock turtle soup.
By Martin Fone Published
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The sacred, the profane, the chaste and the lascivious: The secrets of the best strawberries according to Tom Parker-Bowles
Sack off the chocolate and savour them pure and unblemished, save for a 'slick of cream and sprinkling of sugar'.
By Tom Parker-Bowles Published
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'The Swiss Army Knife of foods': Untangling the truth and lies around milk
Milk's reputation has seen plenty of ups and downs in recent years, but the farmer, chef and writer Matthew Evans is trying to put the record straight. Scottish farmer — and regular Country Life columnist — Jamie Blackett takes a look at Evans's new book, 'Milk: The truth, the lies and the unbelievable story of the original superfood'.
By Jamie Blackett Published
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How to make gooseberry and ginger custard tart
Melanie Johnson shares her recipe.
By Melanie Johnson Published
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A summer scone recipe with apricot, chamomile and honey, as imagined by the creator of a royal wedding cake
Claire Ptak shares a deliciously summery summer scone recipe.
By Country Life Published
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A taste of The Season: How to make Pimm's Pavlova
It's the time of the year where strawberries take centre stage — use this 'thoroughly British' recipe to celebrate this succulent red fruit with our favourite summertime drink.
By Melanie Johnson Published
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A game of two halves — how the sandwich went from humble fare to a country-wide lunchtime obsession
What started life as a way to eat and play cards at the same time (so the story goes) is now the lunch of choice for the working world.
By Emma Hughes Published
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Recipe: Creamy tarragon prawns and asparagus with spinach gnocchi
Melanie Johnson's recipe takes the 'subtle yet perceivable' taste of tarragon and uses it to elevate this hearty seafood pasta.
By Melanie Johnson Published
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A perfect summer lunch recipe for the long weekend: Spicy udon noodles with tofu and watercress
Melanie Johnson shares a dish which makes the most of cress's peppery punch.
By Melanie Johnson Published
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This is how we brew it: The cafés of the Cotswolds
Having lived in the shadow of its Antipodean counterpart, British coffee-shop culture is finally thriving. Ben Lerwill visits the Cotswolds, where it all began
By Ben Lerwill Published
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Where to find the world's best club sandwich — and the story of this triple-layered paean to poolside delight
The club sandwich, arguably the most famous of all sarnies, is a poolside staple, but its origins are tricky to trace, says Tom Parker Bowles.
By Tom Parker-Bowles Published
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Chocolate hobnobs, mascarpone and mint — the perfect cheesecake for summer
Melanie Johnson has crafted a delicious mint mojito cheesecake that will impress everyone.
By Melanie Johnson Published
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The wicker weavers who can make a picnic hamper with such skill that you can choose whether it's silent or squeaky
Lifting the lid on a sturdy hamper to find cold ham and ginger beer is a summer joy. Here are some of the wicker weavers who make the dream come true.
By Julie Harding Published