Last week I was dining on wild garlic and poaches eggs, a delicacy. A reader recommended wild garlic and mushroom risotto so off I went to collect more in the woods. I had to be content with bought mushrooms, there aren’t many wild edible ones at this time of the year as far as I know. A successful recipe and I had garlic leaves to spare, so froze a bag of them.
Wild Garlic and Mushroom Risotto.
This week I turned my attention to the garden which has become a little, maybe a lot, neglected in the last two years. I didn’t have to worry about the lawn as it is ‘No mow May’. But the borders needed weeding, I donned my thick gloves and started with the nettles and brambles. Before long I had a barrow load of nettles. I set to and stripped off the youngest, freshest leaves for cooking. I have often made nettle soup before and checking a few recipes found one with wild garlic – how convenient. I washed the nettle leaves and defrosted the frozen garlic. Cooked an onion and added the all the leaves whilst boiling a few potatoes. The latter were added, along with seasonings and left to simmer. I still use a pressure cooker for soups. Add a little cream and I had the most satisfying tea. I use ‘tea’ as in the Northern style – a substantial meal early evening. ‘Dinner’ is at lunchtime and ‘Supper’ a snack before bed. ‘Lunch’ doesn’t figure.
From garden to table. It must be full of goodness.
Whilst in the garden I managed to capture a shot of an Orange Tip enjoying my geraniums. These early butterflies are everywhere at the moment but had eluded my lens the other day. 
Nice foraging
Very satisfying – the soup was delicious.
Your explanation of dinner, tea and supper made me smile. I’ve long had this argument with a ‘posh’ friend in Belmont who originates from somewhere near London and insists that dinner is eaten in the evening. And who dishes out school meals at mid day? – dinner ladies, there’s no such thing as ‘lunch ladies’ 😀 I like the butterfly by the way, it’s a lovely photo.
I always use the expression ‘dinner ladies’ to prove my point.
Glad you enjoyed the risotto. I’ve never ventured into the nettles, I understand that they don’t hurt on the dinner plate but your blue gloves don’t fill me with confidence.
The risotto was excellent, thanks.
Once the nettles are cooked they losse all their sting. Taste like strong spinach.
My father used to make wine and tea with them – good for cleaning you blood he would say/
I should try nettle tea next.
Hmm, no shortage of nettles in my garden at the moment. I like the sound of nettle tea as well. I’m off to look up some recipes. Got to try these things.
My manager owns a little wood. I go every year to pick wild garlic. I made soup, pesto, tart with it.
Full of goodness.