Post lockdown spring lunch

Last week ended up being quite the social one as restrictions were open. We had dinner at the pub with some friends Tuesday, then Wednesday night we headed away for a night. Thursday afternoon was a baby shower for a friend, dinner out Friday night and then Sunday a long lunch with the family. We had missed birthdays and Father’s Day during lockdown so this was chance to get together, sit around a table and enjoy some good food and wine together. A picture perfect spring day with a garden in full bloom was a gorgeous backdrop.

I chose a menu all from Ottolenghi making two salads and a roast chicken all laden with nuts and spices which was delicious. We drank waaaay too much icy cold wine and sat and listened to music in the sunshine…it was actual heaven. Lucy made some nibbles and Mum a Basque cheesecake for dessert.

The first salad was green beans with Hazlenuts and orange zest. There were some baby asparagus cheap at the fruit shop so I added those in too. You can find the recipe here.

I also made a potato salad/mash with greek yoghurt and horseradish dressing with was so yum! I added some rocket for a peppery lunch too. You can find the recipe here.

The chicken was roasted in za’tar, lemon, sumac, cinnamon, onion and topped with buttery roasted pinenuts which was so yum! You can find that recipe here.

The lunch was really so good – made the salads in the morning and then just served the chicken when it was hot out of the oven. I really have to tap into my cookbooks more often and try new and delicious food!

We packed up everything and collapsed in front of the fire with happy hearts…these are my favourite kind of days…a Sunday long lunch with people I love. It feeds my soul that’s for sure.

Comments

  1. Thanks for this post Beth – going to try those recipes this weekend. Looks like a happy family catch-up – and your garden is glorious, it’s stunning! Have a great day x

  2. This sounds and looks absolutely amazing. Think I might finally get that Ottolenghi cookbook. So jealous of that garden, and what stunners your girls are. Daisy is whimsical

  3. Linda Jenkins says

    It looks like a wonderful day was had by all. Love the pictures of Sue and the kids. Yummy food on the menu as always- I should try some more of Yotam’s recipes !
    have been working my way through “Every night of the week ” by Lucy Tweed and every dish has been so delicious!

    • That’s such a great book! I really have to use my cookbook collection more…I get in such a rut of the same old especially when entertaining crowds.

  4. What a fabulous and relatively hassle free menu – you are very clever and your springtime garden is glorious 🌸

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