Strawberries in red wine
Soaking strawberries in wine and orange liqueur will lift their flavour to new heights, says Simon Hopkinson.

When I made this dish for the photograph, I used a bottle of Fleurie (a cru Beaujolais). At La Normandie, we usually made it with the Birtle bottled standard Beaujolais, which was very good. Choose carefully, however, as I have been disappointed by some supermarket Beaujolais of late. If you happen to come across a fresh and fruity Chiroubles (another cru Beaujolais), this may be the best of all in which to soak the strawberries
Strawberries in red wine (serves 4)
Ingredients 4 level tbspn caster sugar 400ml light and fruity red wine 500g ripe strawberries, hulled (halved, if large fruit) 1tbspn Grand Marnier or Cointreau
Method Whisk together the sugar and wine in a roomy bowl. Tip in the strawberries and mix in the chosen orange liqueur. Leave to macerate, covered with clingfilm, in the fridge for a minimum of one hour, but no longer than three.
Strawberries with rosewater ice cream
Ripe strawberries are the perfect accompaniment to this gelato-like rosewater ice cream, says Simon Hopkinson.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
-
If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future too
It's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
By James Fisher Published
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villa
Ignore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
By James Fisher Published
-
How to make raspberry-and-pistachio choux Paris-Brest, perfect with a glass of rosé
Melanie Johnson makes the most of juicy British berries with these sweet recipes.
By Melanie Johnson Published
-
How to make elderflower cordial and wine
The English summer is thought to start when the elder blossoms and ends when the berries ripen. Country Life recommends some recipes for this versatile plant.
By Country Life Published
-
Turning the humble potato salad into a thing of beauty, with a touch of salmon and pomegranate
Potato salad is turned into something with a real dash of panache by our kitchen garden cook Melanie Johnson.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Pan-fried sea bass with caper-and-anchovy potato cakes, samphire and cream
Our kitchen garden cook reveals a delicious recipe that makes good use of seasonal samphire.
By Melanie Johnson Published
-
Summer pudding recipe: buttery pistachio tarts
The very best pistachios might be costly, but they make a suitably sumptuous pudding.
By Simon Hopkinson Published
-
Recipe: Roast-chicken with fennel and lemon, served with red Camargue rice
A delicious summer supper dish from our kitchen garden cook.
By Melanie Johnson Published
-
Recipe: Blueberry-and-lemon tart with Italian meringue and confit lemons
Our kitchen cook reveals a showstopper of a pudding, perfect for summer.
By Melanie Johnson Published
-
How to prepare a posh picnic
A picnic spread should consist of delicate tarragon chicken, linen napkins and chilled rosé, rather than sandy sandwiches and boiled eggs.
By Simon Hopkinson Published