Delicious UK October 2022

What a month it's been… A time of seismic change. First a new PM, then two days later the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - and now the start of a new era with King Charles III ascending the throne. It's a lot to assimilate after three years of pandemic, loss and hardship, coupled with war in Ukraine, broader world instability and warnings of a looming economic crisis. Periods of uncertainty throw into sharp relief the constancy the Queen represented, constancy you appreciate fully only when it's no longer there. One of the Queen's most admirable attributes was her ability to listen, learn and make changes, all the while relying on her faith and integrity to shape her decisions. Imagine taking on all that responsibility aged 25, at…

delicious. moments. What a carve up! Pick-your-own pumpkin patches are becoming evermore popular. At Kilduff Farm near Edinburgh, owners Lucy and Russ Calder don't just put the emphasis on carving, but also encourage visitors to cook with culinary varieties. Find homegrown crown prince, kuri, tractor and festival pumpkins at their annual celebrations from 15-30 October alongside a hay bale maze, dahlia-picking and the chance to buy honey, apple juice and bread flour produced on the farm. Visit kilduff.co.uk soon and buy tickets (from £6 per car) in advance. Not in Scotland? Visit dayoutwiththekids.co.uk and search ‘pumpkin picking' for a location near you. WHAT'S GOOD NOW New in… Celeriac, chicory, jerusalem artichoke, parsnip, pumpkins, salsify, swedeStill wonderful… Beetroot, broccoli, butternut squash, celery, chestnuts, chillies, fennel, garlic, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce…

PUBBY CREDS If you're planning an autumnal ramble around Box Hill's celebrated circuit, the 'King Bill on the Hill' is an essential stop for lunch or a pint en route (though if you're not a walker, it's not a place for easy access). If it's still clement, take in the views over the Mole Valley from the leafy beer garden. If it's not, there's a crackling log fire waiting inside. It's like a pub of old, right down to the patterned carpet. THE BOOZE A friendly, family-run freehouse, the pub is at liberty to serve local beers from the likes of the excellent Surrey Hills and Tillingbourne breweries. A good selection of wines by the glass too. ANY FOOD? The Surrey farms that supply the meat, fruit and veg are…

FANTASY FEAST Pumpkin soup with scallops (p61) Marmalade porchetta (p62) Pear and butterscotch cheesecake (p56) Coconut, saffron and pistachio barfi (p48) • Invitations to this gathering will be like gold dust - luxe scallops, a magnificent roast and a rich cheesecake. Make the pud and soup in advance and stick the pork in the oven before guests arrive. Enjoy the barfi with the coffee. A TASTE OF OOH LA LA! Upside-down French onion soup (p36) Roast chicken with comté mushroom sauce (p102) Dark chocolate parfait with berry sauce (p64) Raspberry and custard mini cakes (p78) • Full of French flavours and techniques, these will let you unleash your inner Escoffier. Slow-cooked onions, fondue sauce, a frozen parfait and featherlight custard sponge cakes are bound to impress. Bon appetit! HELLO AUTUMN…

STAR EMAIL ★ Subject: Budget in mind From: Francesca Brooks I appreciated delicious. looking at how we can still eat well on a budget in these difficult times [Sep issue]. I've recently taken maternity leave and hadn't accounted for how expensive the cost of living would become. I love good food, but the cost of certain ingredients has become prohibitive, I'd never considered adjusting my fridge's temperature but did after I read the food waste article. I also delighted in making the not-quite-past-it veg and harissa fritters and loved the recipes using smaller portions of meat. I've been making mince-based dishes with half lentils for environmental reasons, but this is also now proving budget friendly. We'll all feel the impact of the crisis for some time, so thank you for…

Online fine food producer Dukeshill is renowned for its ham cured the ‘old-fashioned' way, and makes a range of cured meats and charcuterie. Collaborating with other artisan producers, the company provides an array of hampers and gifts. The Fizz & Nibbles gift box contains cocktail nuts, parmesan & chilli sablés, chorizo jam, pork rillettes, Stilton & almond sablés, Cornish sea salt thins and saumur French bubbly. dukeshillham.co.uk FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN… Let us know your thoughts on this month's issue by emailing us at info@deliciousmagazine.co.uk*…