FOOD AND DRINK

In season

A tasty potato salad to enjoy on bright spring afternoons

CORNISH

Early is the earliest new potato to be lifted in Britain, and is in season for just three weeks from the end of April. It is grown only in Cornwall, where the mild winters enable farmers to plant the crop in late December or early January to ensure an early harvest. We caught up with the team from www.foodfullstop.com, a new virtual farmers’ market based in Cornwall, to get hold of their favourite seasonal recipe.

Potato and caper salad

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

900g Cornish Early potatoes
1 tbsp capers
2 shallots Small handful of flat leaf parsley

For the vinaigrette:

1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ lemon, squeezed
100ml olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper

GIVE the potatoes a light scrub and boil for 10-15 minutes or until tender. The fresher the potato, the less time they take to cook. Meanwhile, slice the shallots finely and chop the parsley roughly.

To make the vinaigrette, mix the mustard with the garlic, lemon juice and vinegar. Slowly add the olive oil, in a stream, whisking all the time to make an emulsified mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

When the potatoes are ready, drain and leave to cool slightly. Cut them into halves or quarters and dress while still warm with the shallots, capers, vinaigrette and finally the chopped parsley.

Taste test: Cider

Experts we’re not, but we’ve still got an opinion

STRONGBOW’S JACQUES FRUIT CIDER €4.08 (750ml) ABV 5.5% What: A fruit cider made in Belgium with cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant flavours. Result: A refreshing flavour and unusual presentation; this was a popular one with the girls, although some found it too sweet. Did you know? The brand was developed after market research suggested women aged 25-34 were looking for a lower-strength alternative to wine.
WESTON’S STRONG ORGANIC CIDER €2.78 (500ml) ABV 6.5% What: The cider is made in the Hertfordshire village of Much Marcle using organically grown apples. Result: This one has a strong, earthy smell and a similar taste. A touch heavy, but distinctive. Did you know? You can visit the Weston’s Cider visitor centre in Much Marcle, which also has an on-site restaurant, The Scrumpy Restaurant & Bar.
SAVANNA DRY €2 (330ml) ABV 6% What: South Africa’s premium bottled cider, recently introduced to the UK and Europe. Result: Light and crisp. A very drinkable cider with a nice, subtle flavour. More please! Did you know? It was originally introduced to the UK five years ago to cater for the growing South African ex-pat community.
BROTHERS PEAR CIDER €2.34 (500ml) ABV 7% What: Festival-strength pear cider from Shepton Mallet in Somerset. Result: A strong, almost chemically taste. Perhaps their lower alcohol version is better? Did you know? In 1995, the four brothers blagged their way into the Glastonbury music festival where they set up the Brothers Bar and made a name for their cider.