RECIPES

LET’S EAT.

Pumpkin Recipes...

From savoury soups to sweet pies, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this tasty golden squash. Here are two of my favourite pumpkin recipes, which are absolutely great for Autumn time. Pumpkin & Carrot soup is delicious, warming and easy to make. It’s perfect for Autumnas it is hearty and comforting throughout the colder months, and it’s very tasty. Or you can try this Roast Pumpkin with Tomato and Garlic - which is another simple, and tasty way to enjoy pumpkin, or other squash.

THE INGREDIENTS

Serves 6-8

1 large onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves 1 bay leaf 25g/1oz unsalted butter 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium pumpkin (prepared weight about 850g/1lb 14oz) deseeded and roughly chopped 1 medium-sized floury potato, such as Maris Piper, roughly chopped 1 litre/1¾ pint vegetable or chicken stock, a little extra may be needed 100ml/3½fl oz double cream 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds salt and freshly ground black pepper

Interesting Fact In a 100-gram amount, raw pumpkin provides 110 KJ or 26 calories of food energy and is an excellent source of provitamin A beta-carotene and vitamin A. Vitamin C is present in moderate amount. Pumpkin is 92% water, 6.5% carbohydrate, 0.1% fat and 1% protein.

Method...

1) Heat the butter and half the olive oil in a large pan, then fry the onion, carrots, garlic, bay leaf on a low–medium heat for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened. 2) Add the squash and potato and cook for a further 2–3 minutes, then pour in the stock, and season well - bring to the boil. Gently simmer, with the pan lid rested (with a gap) and continue to cook for around 40 minutes until the squash is really tender. 3) Remove the bay leaf and blend the soup until smooth using a blender (stick or tabletop). 4) Add the cream and a little more stock if the soup is too thick. Season to taste, adding more salt and pepper as required. 5) Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add the pumpkin seeds and fry quickly until the seeds start to pop. Remove from the pan. Serve in soup bowls and finish with a swirl of cream and a few toasted pumpkin seeds.

Roasted Pumpkin...

Ingredients 1 pumpkin about 1 Kg 16 cherry tomatoes 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 red onion peeled and chopped into quarters Olive Oil

Sea Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Method: Preheat the oven to 200ºC / 420ºF. Peel the pumpkin and cut into slices. Remove the seeds. Place pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, red onion and garlic into a large & sturdy roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Bake in the oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft and also tinged brown at the edges. Serve as a side dish.

trends...HALLOWEEN It’s that time of year when pumpkin sales go through the roof, horror movies sell out at the cinema, and everyone is seemingly dressed up as spooky characters heading out to play trick or treat with their neighbours. To mark the scariest time of year after last years scaled down festivities why not go big with Halloween this year. Traditionally Halloween is of a Celtic origin, the traditions started with the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain which took place on 1st November, Halloween was known as Hallows Eve which was celebrated the night before on 31st October where people would set bonfires and dress up in scary costumes to ward off ghosts. Halloween has evolved over time and now we celebrate with trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving and parties. Here are some ideas for you to ensure you have the best Halloween ever. is Years Costume Trends This year an expected trend for the little ones is set to be gory superhero or princesses dress up! How gruesome can you make a princess? This is a great trend, and perfect for if you have a few spare dress-ups in the back off your little ones wardrobes. Add a little fake blood and spider webbing or spooky make-up and your little one is ready to cause a scare on your neighbour’s doorstep or at the local Halloween party. Halloween doesn’t have to be costly; upcycling items already within the home can make great savings. 1.

Lights4fun - www.lights4fun.co.uk Halloween home decor From door wreaths to pretty table arrangements, if you’re hosting a Halloween get together this year be sure to wow your guests with seasonal décor around your home. Little touches of Halloween through-out your home can set the mood for the festivities. You do not have to go overboard; keeping in mind less is usually more. Why not DIY your Halloween décor and re-use for years to come? Add little pumpkins in bunches around the home or even paint a few to match your home colour scheme. 2.

Halloween Bakes Everyone loves baking and this is another great idea for the kids, why not get creative in the kitchen and bake your Halloween goodies for yourselves and any trick or treaters that may knock your door. Use a gingerbread man cutter to create spooky skeletons. From pumpkin cakes to spooky biscuits, you are in for a treat. 3.

Pumpkin Picking and Carving

Pumpkin Carving originates from Ireland, many years ago people started to carve demonic faces into turnips or other vegetables to scare away Jack’s wondering soul. An American trend that has slowly made its way to the UK is the pumpkin patch; the kids will love a visit to the local pumpkin patch. Whilst your there why not spend some welldeserved family time carving your hand picked pumpkins. We are very lucky to have a number of local establishments that hold annual pumpkin picking events giving you a great day out. 5.

Sticky toffee apples Now it would not be Halloween without a few Sticky Toffee Apples, this tradition originates from the Northern Hemisphere to mark the apple harvest, this is definitely not a new trend but it’s certainly not a dying one either! The best thing about sticky toffee apples, they are not just for children! 4. Why not mix it up with treat apples and trick apples? Add glitter and a bit off jazz to the treat apples and maybe a hidden layer of tomato ketchup or mustard under that sweet layer of toffee for a sneaky trick on your friends or family. Either way they will look fab on a platter if you are hosting this Halloween.

Celebrate with Cotas

Mix up a treat...

With restrictions no longer there’s a lot of catching up to do, nearly two years’ worth of celebrations missed with family and friends. If you have a celebration coming up there will be no doubt that you and your loved ones will really want to push the boat out.

Cocktails are a fantastic way to celebrate any celebration and making them can be so much fun too. Why not get the girls round for an evening of cocktail making and catching up. The more the merrier.

STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI

Probably one of the nation’s favourites, the strawberry Daiquiri is refreshing, typically served frozen. You can pick to add alcohol or opt alcohol free making it a great choice for the non-drinkers in your party also. 1. Start by blending the strawberries and straining through a sieve to reduce the amount of seeds.

2. Add your blended strawberries back into the blender with the ice and blend until smooth

3. Add the lime and juice and sugar syrup into the blender and blend for 30 seconds.

4. Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with a strawberry and slice of lime.

Serves 4

THE INGREDIENTS

1000g fresh strawberries 400g ice 200ml rum 1 juiced lime 3 tbsp sugar syrup

How to store: If you pre make strawberry daiquiri be sure to store it in the freezer to keep fresh for up to 7 days. To serve after freezing bring to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving and garnishing.

MOJITO

The Mojito is a cocktail consisting of sweet, citrus and minty flavours and best served on the rocks, Mojito is probably the most well-known rum based cocktail. Although there are many different methods to creating a fantastic Mojito we just love this one.

THE INGREDIENTS

6-7 fresh lime 5 mint sprigs Ice 4 tbsp sugar 375ml rum 600ml sparkling water

1. Slice each lime into six equal chunks and add them to a pitcher, crush the lime with the back of a spoon until all of the juices are out then add the sugar. 2. Take your mint leaves and gently roll them along a chopping board to slightly bruise them (this will bring out the flavour) then add them to the pitcher. 3. Add ice and rum and stir, then add the sparkling water and continue to stir as you serve. 4. Garnish with some crushed ice and a slice of lime.

MARTINI

The Martini is a classic cocktail, although it does not look fancy it is a famous favourite; paired with a few olives or twist of lemon and you are onto a winner with any cocktail evening. THE INGREDIENTS

Ice 60ml vodka or gin 1-2 tbsp of dry vermouth Olives or lemon peel (or both if you prefer!) to garnish your Martini

1. Stir the Ice, chosen spirit and vermouth in a glass or if you prefer shake in a cocktail shaker. 2. Prepare your Martini glass and add an olive or two for garnish and pour your Martini mix into the glass. Don’t forget your lemon twist.