Peach and rose sangria

Method

Slice the peaches into thick wedges

Arrange on a griddle pan over a high heat

Cook for 3-4 mins, until lightly charred

Put half the slices in a blender, along with 200ml of the Rosé and blend until smooth

Strain through a sieve, pressing down with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible

Pour the remaining 550ml rosé into a tall jug before adding the peach mixture, along with 100ml white rum, 50ml orange liqueur, the remaining peach wedges, 1 lime, cut into wedges, 3 mint sprigs and plenty of ice

Stir well before serving

*2.1 alcohol units per glass

Ingredients

2 large peaches Shiraz Rosé 100ml white rum 50ml orange liqueur 1 lime, cut into wedges 3 mint sprigs Ice

Monday 17th May 2021, the day when we all got our freedom back. The freedom to leave our homes, hug our mums and enjoy dinner and a pint inside a pub or restaurant. The excitement and anticipation of this event is quite a strange thing to comprehend. It is an activity we’ve all enjoyed at great leisure for many many years. But at the beginning of the year it was taken away from us. Snatched away like a thief in the night, our liberty to go down the local for a swift half was gone! But now happier times are upon us. Once again we can do those things that we enjoyed.

I’m looking forward to getting back into St Nicks Market on Corn Street to taste some of the amazing dishes from around the world they have there. Or walking around the docks and enjoying a glass of West Country Cider and a slice of pizza at The Bristol Stable. Perhaps taking a walk up Gloucester Road and diving into the Caribbean Croft for a cheeky basket of their excellent jerk chicken wings? The possibilities are now endless. I think we now really have to take stock and treasure what we have in Bristol. As we have seen they can be taken away from us so quickly that we have to try and keep them going for as long as we can? The saying is true. “You never know what you’ve got until it has gone?”

Chain restaurants are fine, but on the whole they will survive. They have the capital behind them to whether out the storm. But for the smaller places they haven’t got that luxury. That’s why I think it’s important to support our local pubs, restaurants and other dining venues so that they do not become ghosts in our high streets. We all need to eat, and we should eat well. So if ohh haven’t already, check out your local restaurant, cafe or pub. Pay them a visit and support their efforts to keep us all going. If dining out isn’t your thing seek out your local food producer and get creative in the kitchen.