Flossie

Candyflosslife September Kitchens: Full of Fruit, Full of Plans Mid-September already - can you believe it? My cherry tomatoes (yes, they’re fruit!) are still hanging on, plums are abundant in farm shops, and I'm sure preserves are bubbling away in kitchens everywhere. Spot the black-and-white cat in my parents' tomato patch My parents’ garden is overflowing, and next weekend we’re heading over (likely roped into helping with the jars!) before sneaking off for a few days in Transylvania....

Candyflosslife Balmy Days & Fermentation Station This weekend’s announcing itself warm and golden, but I know summer’s slipping away. I wanted to give it a proper send-off with three things: a fresh jar of fermented cucumbers, a cozy chowder, and one last watermelon salad before the season disappears for good. Dill Pickles Naturally Fermented Fermented Cucumbers 🥒 If you’ve got a glut of cucumbers, now’s the moment. A simple brine, garlic, dill, and a little time - and you’ve got crisp, tangy...

Candyflosslife Is It Just Me, or Do Onions Make Everything Better? End of August always feels like a funny in-between. I can already hear that first whisper of autumn. Summer’s still hanging on, but routines are creeping back in. If you're already dreading packed lunches or meal planning, you're not alone. This week’s been a mix of recipe planning and decluttering my home office ahead of the new season (I am not even going to name it until September 😁), actively relaxing (think lots of walks...

Candyflosslife What does life balance have in common with jam jars? The end of summer always makes me a little nostalgic — fruit everywhere, messy kitchens, and the creeping thought that autumn’s just around the corner. Between work travel, family bits, and dog walks, life’s been feeling like a jumble. Chicken with plums & hoisin sauce with broccoli This week I plan to press pause, tidy the chaos, and try to savor the season - in food, and in life. Foraged Blackberries 🫐 I don’t think...

Candyflosslife Summer plates, sweet treats & a question for you It’s been one of those weeks where the kitchen feels extra full - with baking far too much sourdough, celebrations, and even a basket of apples from my French neighbor (perks of our dog walking group!). Apple Crumble Tarts (Streusel Topping) Here’s what’s been happening and a few ideas for your table too that will keep your gut happy without trying. 🌮Smashed Burger Tacos This is my summer's favorite recipe and is finally live on...

Candyflosslife Cool Plates & The Memories We Made After a few cooler and windier weeks, summer’s back in England — and my tomatoes are… well, fashionably late. Two have finally ripened, and I’m saving them for the world’s tiniest tomato salad (😂). The first cherry tomatoes have finally ripened! Even if I won't be self-sufficient any time soon, my plate’s still bursting with plants — because gut health and that 30-plants-a-week goal don’t take a holiday. Bernina Express Highlights 🚂 Finally, I...

Candyflosslife Who is your celebrity chef alter ego? I am mostly a bit of a haphazard cook like Nigella, but many times I channel Ina Garten, especially because I also share a love for flowers (that's my other passion). And I was thrilled to find these lush cascading begonias for my hanging baskets, just in time for our summer BBQ with friends and our grown up kids. Hanging baskets at our house We had a BBQ last weekend and while the sausages and chicken burgers were great (local butcher and...

Candyflosslife Three Summer Dishes I Can’t Stop Making We’re in the thick of summer now: the garden’s bursting (we had a little rain), the evenings are long, and I’m leaning hard into meals that feel a bit indulgent but still squeeze in more plants for your gut. Roasted pepper pasta salad served on my garden patio It's not easy to decide what to make for dinner in the summer, but don't overthink it! Here are three dishes I’ve been making (and remaking) lately — all taste-tested, tweaked, and...

Candyflosslife Breathless but gutsy School’s out, holidays are in full swing, and I’ve been feeling all the summer nostalgia — think climbing apricot trees at my grandparents’ farmhouse and big salad lunches with sun-warmed tomatoes and cucumbers straight from the garden. It made me think… summer can be such a joyful time to eat well without really trying. Blushing apricots - loving summer! This week's picks: I finally went for a swim (first in months!) and wow… my lungs were not ready 😅. If...

Candyflosslife Lazy But Lush: Summer Eating That Still Feeds Your Gut It’s July, it’s hot, and I’ve just returned from a work trip to Turkey where it was well over 40°C. I know you’ve been thinking about how to keep meals light and easy, but still feel like they’re doing your body — and your gut — some good. Chickpea Halloumi Salad Between trips, I’m still baking sourdough (yes, even now — I know, I know). Summer Breakfast, Two Ways: You know I love a cottage cheese and avocado toast. But on...