For centuries, Britain has relied on imported spices and fruits to enhance flavours, but many native plants offer similar aromas and tastes and are easily found foraged alternatives! Tantalised and seduced by the colours of fruit and vegetables we don’t grow here naturally, our ancestors brought cloves and cardamom from Southeast Asia and India in …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2025/03/26/10-foraged-alternatives-to-imported-herbs-and-spices/
Magonolia flowers are firm favourites in our house and when my daughter turns up with pockets full of magnolia flowers, I know spring has truly sprung. We use them for magnolia pickles, magnolia cakes and to dip in chocolate. The trees we have access to all have a distinct ginger-flavour, and sometimes we’ll find the …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2025/03/22/crystallised-magnolia-flowers/
“Only kiss when Gorse is in flower!” Fortunately for lovers everywhere, there are twenty species of gorse out there, so there’s always one in flower! They are sort-of sweet (unless you pick them along the coast) and sort of coconutty or pineapple-ish. The flavour you get from them depends a lot on your taste buds. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2025/03/18/gorse-shortbread/
Pine tea is a great addition to your seasonal hot drinks, but when the weather begins to change, a refreshing glass of Scots pine needles soda goes down a treat as a cooling, immune-enriching tipple. Whenever anyone tastes it for the first time, their eyes widen in surprise. The quality of the honey you choose …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2025/03/15/scots-pine-needle-soda/
I love Alexanders – smyrnium olusatrum. They are one of my favourite spring foragables. Driving around the countryside here on the Isle of Wight they suddenly pop up, lining the streets of parts of the Island from early March. We use the thin stems for a sautéed snack or side, the thicker stems for candying, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2023/04/24/candied-alexander-stems/
Magnolia flowers…. we’ve been eating a lot of them lately, between Magnolia Flower Pickle and Chocolate Dipped Magnolia Flowers and this amazing Magnolia Flower Drizzle. We’re two weeks into official spring and we’ve already finished off two of these beauties!
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2023/03/23/magnolia-flower-drizzle/
I’m on a bit of a Magnolia Flower binge at the moment – it’s understandable, they’re only buds for a short time and our weather is so changeable right now, you’ve got to ‘gather your rosebuds magnolias while you may’! Today’s foodie choice is magnolia flower pickle, which means we can enjoy them well into …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2023/03/13/magnolia-flower-pickle/
In our part of the world, Magnolia flowers are among the first signs of spring. Tightly wrapped in their ‘blankets’ – the sepal – they’re just waiting for the warmer weather to open up and show their cheery faces to the sun. There are many different types of magnolia trees, and while all magnolias are …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2023/03/10/chocolate-dipped-magnolia-flowers/
We’ve all seen the jokes and heard the warnings about buying kitchen goodies for Christmas presents and yet here I am, suggesting kitchen gadgets for Christmas presents! These aren’t irons and toasters though – we’re talking technology that makes life a little bit easier, while also making cooking fun! Herb shredder bowl – £25 First …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2022/12/05/christmas-gifts-for-foodies/
Despite being someone who has never been a huge fan of Indian food, I’m a total convert to this biriyani. Just sitting here writing up this recipe, my mouth is watering and I’m wondering where I could pick up more fresh beetroot on my travels today. I’m sure the family won’t mind eating the same …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2022/09/19/brilliant-beetroot-biriyani/
