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/
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/
Deliciously summery shorbread with lavender sugar, quick to make, quick to bake and beautiful enough to be a foodie-gift
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2017/06/22/delicious-summery-lavender-shortbread/
We love dandelions, and this time of year, they are plentiful. We pick them to make Dandelion Pesto and Dandelion Fritters, and I’m currently brewing my first batch of dandelion wine too. But our favourite thing to do with dandelions is to tempura them, or as my children call it ‘Dandelion Popcorn’ – little balls of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2016/05/08/dandelion-pops/
While I use frozen fruit, it’s not a favourite as I don’t always like the consistency once it defrosts. A great way to save fruit for the winter months is by freezing it though, so rather than just saving as is, I’ve made strawberries to freeze in a syrup, so that when they are defrosted, …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2014/06/19/strawberries-in-cardamom-or-vanilla-syrup/
I do so love Dandelions. Not only do they bring with them the promise of spring, of sunshine and of warmer weather, but they also provide a wonderful opportunity for getting outdoor with little people. My daughters love picking dandelions and ask if we can as soon as the sun peeks out in spring. We …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.keeperofthekitchen.com/2013/05/03/dandelion-fritters/
