Monthly Archives: February 2017

Pineapple and Star Anise Tarte Tatin

I love tarte tatin   it’s quick, easy,  totally delicious and looks impressive.  I make it with apples (preferably cox or Braeburn) I make it with plums, apricots, greengages and now  I make it with pineapple

On Sunday I couldn’t think what I was going to make for pudding  Then my eye fell upon a lone pineapple sitting in the fruit bowl. I had ready made butter puff pastry in the fridge and I had star anise in the spice rack. I even had stem ginger ice cream in the freezer – things were looking good. Continue reading

Snowdrops – February’s Flower of the Month

It’s difficult to find flowers from the garden to decorate the house at this time of year.  But if you look they are there.  Close to the ground, their heads hanging down almost shyly.  Snowdrops.  “February’s Fair Maids” or “Candlemas Bells” – with Candlemas being the 2nd February – link snowdrops to this month.  My mood always lightens at the first sight of them because it means spring is well and truly on its way.  There are also yellow aconites and early hellebores.  Then there are the first catkins (which is what my French family mistakenly used to  think the English called kittens!!) Continue reading