Food Findings (+recipes)

Having a large and varying veg garden, as well as a variety of fruit and nut trees in and around the area, means we are lucky enough to be harvesting and foraging to add to what we eat. Add in French markets and our local produce artisans – butcher, baker, cheese maker – and our kitchen knows no bounds. Come and join in our food findings as we explore, harvest, forage, create, repurpose and simply enjoy cooking here in France (recipes included).

What to make with celery seeds at PumpjackPiddlewick

So I am thinking about what to do with celery seeds. It will make sense why in a long minute. As you enter my duck enclosure on the immediate left, in the corner, after the honeysuckle, is the lettuce patch. Except the lettuce was eaten by the ducks. (Intentionally.) ItRead More →

life is a basket of cherries and then you eat them at PumpjackPiddlewick

Life is a basket of cherries, and then you eat them. And make stuff out of them. Eat a few more, and make something more. Can you tell, it is cherry season here in France? Well, at least where we live. Our neighbours on either side have cherry trees. TheyRead More →

Why is French cheese fabulous we ask at PumpjackPiddlewick

France is known for many things, beautiful language, wonderful wine, and stinky cheeses to simply mention a few. But considering the latter, what is that makes French cheese special? It’s not just it’s odour. Honestly. Variety France makes around 1400 to 1600 different cheeses. No one can quite agree onRead More →

WIld Violets foraged for tea and syrup at PumpjackPiddlewick

I know spring is on its way when the yellows and purples start to show up in the garden. Daffodils start to show their sunny faces and purple wild violets peek up at me from the ground. Make Me Smile Flowers Violets are my favourite flower. Each year when IRead More →