March 2012

It’s March and we’re starting to come out of hibernation! It’s too early for raw salads but stews and root veg are getting a little tedious and rather heavy for springtime. It’s still wintery enough to eat comfort food on the sofa and we’ve got it covered. Southern fried chicken and smoky Boston baked beans screams soul food; warming paprika laden goulash and creamy spiced rice pudding is easy, old fashioned comfort; or for all who crave an quick and familiar curry: balti and Bombay potatoes. There's something for everyone!

If fixing up a lighter meal is your springtime craving, take a tip from the Med. A warm salad, green leaves, toasted nuts, grilled chicken or fish, braised whole chicory, steamed tender stem broccoli, artichokes and orange segments, you can go to town on simply cooked salads tossed with raw leaves. A dressing of oil, sherry or balsamic vinegar and za’atar, sumac, toasted cumin, Urfa chilli flakes, thyme and paprika in any combination that takes you will bring Mediterranean veg to life beautifully. Mother’s day is coming soon and I’ve been doing my research into natural beauty products to pamper all those hard working mums. We’ve come up trumps with a floral facial steam, a quick fix DIY facemask packed with skin brightening and soothing flowers and spices; and ‘beauteaful’ a hibiscus flower and liquorice infusion that is super high in vitamin C and antioxidants, not to mention liquorice hydrates the skin and lightens dark spots (a secret ingredient used in Estee lauder and Chanel products). It’s almost spice changeover time for us here, when we call time on winter packs and recipe kits. Some old favourites such as warm to the core, frisky whisky, lamb baharat and Goan chicken xacutti are sadly on the way out to be be replaced with summery stuff such as Cajun jambalaya, Memphis bbq ribs, spring chicken and Tanzania banana bread. Grab them while you still can! Have a look at the Spicery kitchen blog for more on what we’ve been concocting, recipes, tips and ideas.