A bit about...
Curry powder is a phenomenon that has spread to every corner of the globe – except India. Tom Norrington-Davies explains why he sometimes prefers it to freshly ground spices.
Anchovies are small in size but big in taste, adding an intense flavour to dishes. Tom Norrington Davies ponders this salty fruit de la mer.
Smoked fish, sourced from good suppliers, is the perfect summer fare. It’s great in salads, and if the sun fails, nothing’s more comforting than fish pie – especially his granny’s time-honoured recipe, says Tom Norrington-Davies.
From peaches and apricots to plums and cherries, seasonal stone fruits are given a silky, sophisticated edge when cooked, says Tom Norrington-Davies.
The credit crunch and a desire to cut down on waste has seen frozen food come in from the cold. See our tips and recipes that freeze well.
There can be few fridges that don’t contain a jar of mayonnaise – but the creamy stuff can do far more than just perk up a salad.
Bees
You may have heard some alarming news about the decline of the honeybee. Here’s the (sweet and) lowdown.
What’s going on? Honeybees are under worldwide threat due to the strange phenomenon of colony collapse disorder, when bees abandon their hives, never to return. Scientists are still trying to pinpoint the culprit (possibilities include mites, viruses and the effect of new pesticides on the bees’ navigation systems), but billions have already disappeared and, without action, they could be wiped out within a few years.
How does this affect the food chain? Honeybees play a vital role in our food chain as they’re necessary for the pollination of many crops, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. According to Albert Einstein: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left.”
Why is it important to support beekeepers? Bees live in hives maintained by beekeepers. There are 270,000 hives in the UK run by 44,000 keepers, more than 90% of them are amateurs.
How can I help? Bees with a varied diet are better able to fend off disease, so add bee-friendly plants to your garden, such as flowering herbs, sunflowers and hollyhocks. Buy local honey, and never leave jars of foreign honey outside as they may contain bugs that will infect local bees. Always wash out honey jars before disposing of them. Write to your local MP in support of research into bee health. Visit the
British Bee website.
delicious. recipes with honey