Each year it seems that the blackberries are starting earlier and earlier. I picked my first blackberries here in Oxford at the end of July, and the hedgerows are completely laden with them - the only frustrating thing is that it’s so hard to get to the ones that aren’t right at the front, and there are so many that are out of reach. I'm still managing to find plenty at the moment so I come back from my dog walks with my hands stained purple! This is this morning's haul.
I have always had a love of sweet and savoury together (I used to love ham & pineapple pizza although I haven't had one for years!) so a salad with the addition of fruit and with some lovely salty cheese is a great flavour combo for me. To be able to pick and eat from the hedgerows is an added bonus. This Blackberry and Blue Cheese Salad ticks both boxes. The sweet wild blackberries, the creamy blue cheese, the zing of the balsamic and the crunch of the seeds and nuts makes the perfect plate on a hot day which we seem to be having quite a lot of at the moment. As always, like most of the best things in life it's unbelievably simple.
WILD BLACKBERRY, BLUE CHEESE, ROCKET AND BASIL SALAD ...
I have been head down in Global HQ for what seems like ages building up stocks towards the start of the fair season which is now just a month away. As always fairs are listed on my website so do take a look, but for starters in September I am at the RDA Newbury Fair in Yattendon on 16th September, the Eat Nourish Love Autumn Fairat Tedworth House on 23rd/24th September, followed by a Charity House Sale near Farnham on 25th September which is a real favourite .. and where there is sensational Maltese cake! Here are a couple of the flyers with info. All are welcome and I will certainly be there with a big smile for any of you who are able to come along.
The Eat Nourish Love Autumn Fair is a fab fair with masses on offer all under one roof - food, shopping, and there's loads of parking. This year there are some really great speakers – I would quite like to dip out of selling for a couple of them! Instead of using the link on the ENL Autumn Fair website, use this special “Fino link” to pre-purchase tickets and you will get 10% off
I am heading off to beautiful West Cork for a few days at the end of next week which I am so looking forward to so please do place any orders so that I can get them out to you before I go. Use code FRUITSALAD to get 10% off this weekend (excludes tins).
Keep enjoying this amazing summer!
Susie x