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Sandwich Speculation

During my edit of the new Dairy Book of Home Cookery, I have come across some unusual sandwiches – combinations that surprised me but had some friends’ mouths watering.

Strange sandwichesIt seems that we have very wide ranging tastes when it comes to that humble of British inventions (introduced by the 4th Earl of Sandwich), the sandwich.

I was most sceptical about the DBoHC’s orange and mackerel, or bacon and banana ensembles but willing to give them a try (the latter, when toasted and drizzled with maple syrup is a bit of a revelation.) However, on browsing the Guardian blogs this morning, I was appalled to see that Tesco have launched a Lasagne Sandwich http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/jun/16/tesco-lasagne-sandwich-lasandwich-why. Initially, I checked the date of the blog assuming it was an April fool, but no, it was published in June. Surely no one with a tastebud would want it? Is it me?!

I would love to know if you have given it (or something equally bizarre) a try. When looking on Tesco’s website, it doesn’t seem to be there so perhaps it has made a rapid disappearance from their shelves – and no wonder!

For an appealing alternative to the ‘lasagndwich’ try this Chicken & Avocado Salad Sandwich from Hearty & Healthy Dairy Cookbook.

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Celebrate Summer

It’s a celebration of summer this week with Midsummer’s Day on Thursday and the Summer Solstice today. Midsummer’s Day is primarily a Celtic fire festival, which represented the middle of summer.

It dates back several millennia, and many stone circles (such as Stone Henge) are aligned to the sunrise on this day.

Midsummer fires would be lit all over the countryside, and it was customary for people to jump through the fires, folklore suggesting that the height reached by the most athletic jumper would be the height of that year’s harvest. After Christianity was adopted in Britain, the festival became known as St John’s Day; the birthday of St John the Baptist. Traditionally St John’s Eve was seen as a time when fairies were thought to be at their most powerful (hence Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Back to reality and modern life, I don’t think too many of us will be jumping fires on Thursday, but we can enjoy today’s Summer Solstice. And what a glorious day for it! The sun is shining, and hedgerows and gardens bursting with flowers.

Why not make the most of the extra daylight and make the Foliage Fountain – it’s an elegant hanging basket and it only takes an hour. And for such minimal effort, what a result! The vivid colours will brighten up any porch or doorway.

Win a Portable Gardening Set with Dairy DiaryTo celebrate summer, we are giving away two portable gardening sets

Each portable set contains a handy pouch with a fork, trowel, dipper and secateurs. It takes just a few seconds to enter online – so why not do it now? Good luck.

Project taken from Seasonal Garden Ideas now available from the Dairy Diary store.

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Make it a happy Father’s Day!

I’m sure I am among many others who don’t always show their love and gratitude for their fathers.

It’s not that I don’t feel it – every day I am thankful for such a wonderful dad (who is a fantastic grandad too), I just don’t say it very often!

So, if like me, you are lucky enough have a fabulous dad (and/or your other half is a wonderful dad) spoil him rotten on Sunday. Why not begin the day with this All-in-one-Brunch, an easy but scrumptious breakfast? Then take him somewhere special or do something he really loves (for me, this may involve a ride on a Harley Davidson, or scavenging for fossils somewhere!) Every dad certainly is different!

Just One Pot Dairy CookbookJust One Pot, Dairy Cookbook sale
For more one pot recipes, try Just One Pot Dairy Cookbook. It’s now only £2.99, for a limited time only at www.dairydiary.co.uk

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Springwatch

Dorset is beckoning us on our annual family jaunt next week and Springwatch has been getting me particularly excited – its countryside and wildlife look just beautiful.

That was until Simon King mentioned the huge spiders – the size of the palm of his hand!! We might have to rethink our holiday destination quick.

Take a look at the Springwatch website. There are great ideas about what to make and do, and where to go in the great outdoors http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces.

Favourite Countryside BirdsOur Favourite Countryside Birds book provides the perfect guide on breeds to look out for. Explore the fascinating facts and charming folklore behind Britain’s best-loved countryside birds, in fields, moorland, woodlands and waterways.

To win a copy visit http://dairydiary.co.uk/mailinglist.html where we have ten to give away. Don’t worry if you have already joined our mailing list – you can still enter every competition!

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30 minute recipes

This morning, I responded to an email from a customer hoping to buy Quick & Easy Dairy Cookbook.

Sadly I’m afraid this book is now out of print.

Good Food, Fast. Dairy CookbookHowever! Launching in a couple of months’ time is our brand new book Good Food, Fast. It has all the same principles as Quick & Easy: recipes can be prepared in 30 minutes or less; all ingredients are readily available; all are easy, everyday food.

Try this sneak preview recipe Pea & Watercress Soup, which also makes the most of this season’s watercress.

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Food Fairs

Sunshine, classic English rolling countryside and a wealth of fabulous food – what better way to spend your weekend?

Kedleston HallYes, last Sunday, we managed to escape the children for a day (don’t worry they weren’t left unattended!) and visit the Derbyshire Food & Drink Festival, held in the grounds of the National Trust’s Kedleston Hall.

For those of you yet to experience the joys of a food fair, I would highly recommend it. There was a huge range of local producers, selling many tempting things. We chose a small selection of finger food for our picnic – beautifully tranquil and warm by the river – and a few treats (we could have bought much more!) to take home. We finished the day with a wander through the scented bluebell woods. Bliss!

Click here for details of food festivals near you.

After sampling all of our purchases, my overall favourite was damson gin, but the small bottle is going down far too fast. So I am going to give our very own Dairy Diary fruity gin a try now I have been inspired by its sweet and subtle taste. Perfect with a splash of cava or tonic; or simply on its own with ice.

Dairy Diary Address BookWin a Dairy Diary Address & Reminder Book
Fancy a treat? For your chance to win visit the Dairy Diary website. Good luck.

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