Food

Easter is on the horizon, and for many of us, this means getting together with friends and family to celebrate traditional spring dishes and delicacies. If you’re entertaining this Easter, or you’re looking to take an offering to a family dinner, have you thought about choosing organic produce?

What exactly does organic mean?

When you’re doing your food shop, you’ll probably come across labels that are marked with the word organic. Organic food is more popular than ever before, but what exactly does organic mean, and how is it different from other products? Organic farming is a very straightforward concept, which is designed to preserve the purity of vegetables, fruit, and meat and minimise exposure to chemicals.

If you buy organic meat, for example, organic lamb from Graig Farm, you can be sure that you’re purchasing a piece of meat that has been traced and tracked from the farm to the plate. Organic farming focuses on high standards of animal welfare and processes that optimise taste and enjoyment and reduce contact with chemicals.

The benefits of buying organic food this Easter

Easter is a wonderful time of year to delve into the depths of organic food and buy produce that is packed with flavour to celebrate spring and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Spring is traditionally associated with fresh vegetables and succulent meats that are perfectly suited to a sumptuous roast dinner.

Buying organic offers multiple benefits. When you add items to your basket in a supermarket, you might not be entirely sure where that product has been, but with organic fayre, you have access to information about the origins of the produce, and you can enjoy peace of mind that the animal has been well looked after.

Organic produce tends to be tastier and healthier, and you don’t have to worry about the potential effects of being exposed to chemicals like pesticides. Organic foods are also fresher, as they don’t contain preservatives that are added to prolong shelf-life.

Tips for your Easter roast dinner

If you’ve been charged with the mantle of providing a hearty roast dinner this Easter, don’t panic. If you’re opting for organic meat, you can’t go wrong, as long as you get the cooking time right.

You can use a temperature probe to see how you’re getting on or go by touch. Suggested cooking times are around 20 minutes per pound for rare beef and 25 minutes per lb for lamb. Add 20-25 minutes for resting. Give yourself time to heat the oven, cook the meat until pink, and then rest the meat before serving. If you’re cooking lamb, add fresh sprigs of rosemary to the roasting dish and serve with mint sauce. If you’ve got a beef joint, horseradish is a perfect accompaniment. Drain the juices from the tray to make a delicious, flavourful, rich gravy.

If you have friends or relatives coming for dinner or Sunday lunch over Easter, why not explore the concept of organic farming and treat your nearest and dearest to a tasty, fresh feast?

There’s still some summer evenings left, and I’m not ready to be defeated and put away my flip flops just yet. I’ve gone to chase the sun in the Alps where the days are scorching and the nights drop below 0ºC. It’s beautiful, and because we’re traveling in a van, al-fresco dining is becoming the norm. As soon as the sun goes down though, you can feel the temperature drop so we’re currently mastering the art of cosy al-fresco dining so we can still enjoy the mountains views on the lake before retreating to our comfy van.

You don’t have to be abroad to enjoy a bit of al-fresco dining though. There is still some summer left to squeeze out of the British weather, and although it might be a little chilly, it’s still there for the taking (Com’on, we can see snow from where we’re sitting, and even we’re out on our bums!). Here are some tips to enjoy the last of the lighter evenings before it’s officially one of my FAVOURITE times of the year, pumpkin season. 🎃

Flowers

What better way to brighten up your BBQ than with a bunch of fresh seasonal blooms? Some of my favourites – including peonies and freesias – are in season at the moment, and I can’t host an outdoor soiree without them!

I like to cut mine to various different lengths and place them in mismatched vintage bottles or vases for a haphazard effect that keeps things feeling really relaxed and casual. Trusty Ikea has some great vintage-style glasses and bowls, perfect for all those fresh peonies.

Cosy Blankets and Throws

We all know how unpredictable the British weather can be, so it makes sense to always have a collection of cosy blankets and throws at hand for when night falls or if those cold breezes suddenly come to call. I love soft woollen styles in summery sorbet colours for my al-fresco evenings, but I also think it looks beautifully chaotic to have a basket of mismatched blankets to give to guests whenever it gets chilly – the less organised the better!

Fairy Lights

Nothing adds warmth and homeliness like a string (or five) of fairy lights. Whether you hang them over your balcony rail or place them in large glass jars as a quirky centrepiece, these simple coloured lights really do add instant charm to al-fresco gatherings.

Enamel Dishes

With a few guests vying for room on one outdoor table set, it makes sense to introduce tableware that can’t be smashed should a plate or two happen to fall on the floor (especially after a few jugs of sangria!) My favourite is Falcon enamelware – it has a contemporary feel but appeals to my vintage-loving side with its classic white and blue-rimmed design. Often used for camping, it won’t smash if it’s dropped or tipped and only seems to get better with age.

A Fire Pit

Due to the aforementioned chilly summer nights here in the UK, it makes sense to invest in a fire pit or chimnea to light as the sun goes down. Not only can they be used to toast marshmallows on for a cosy camp-side feel, but there’s something undeniably hypnotic about just sitting and watching the flames sizzle and pop on a warm summer’s evening.

A Super-sized Ice Box

If your summer soirees are anything like mine, then the drinks will be flowing! Investing in a supersized ice box to keep those beers and wines cool is a savvy idea – not only will it keep your guests happy but it makes a great investment for summers to come. I like this stylish design from Argos.

Solar Lamps

These cool creations store the sun’s energy during the day, then light up at night to create an atmospheric glow that’s perfect for any summer soiree. I like cute coloured versions as they add a rainbow effect to outdoor entertaining. And don’t worry if you don’t have a big garden – these can be sunk into plant pots dotted around your outdoor space to bring a gorgeous glow to your evening.