Refreshing Orange Lemonade

Nothing beats an ice cold refreshing glass of this. Although it's slightly lemony aftertaste makes it more of a grownup drink than one for the children.

• 6 oranges, juiced
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 quarter of a bottle of plain tonic water

Lemon salty chicken

Following on with the theme of simplicity, I love this recipe. It hardly takes any time at all, its easy to make and it tastes delicious.

Half a lemon (use the other half to make an icy cold gin and tonic)

Two pinches of sea salt

2 chicken breasts

Olive Oil 

Green Salad

Chop the chicken into a smallish chunks, add to a hot pan with the olive oil. As it cooks, squeeze the lemon juice all over the chicken. Then add the salt.

In the meantime, make a quick plain salad, I like a combination of lettuce, rocket and basil personally. Once the chicken is cooked, add to the salad and enjoy with a nice cold drink.

Tomato Salad

This is simplicity itself and a taste of pure heaven as well.

Tomato Salad

• 2-3 large ripe tomatos
• 1 lemon
• salt and pepper to taste

Slice the tomatoes, sprinkle liberally with the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and leave for at least 10 minutes. I love this on its own, served with at most some crusty bread.
If you want something more substantial you can add:

• slices of mozzarella
• cubes of feta cheese
• crispy bacon bits

Or a combination there of.

I also use this as part of an antipasta plate, adding cold meats, usually salami and bresaola, a handful of olives and some crusty bread smeared with pesto or tapenade.

In the Larder

When I was a little girl, my Grandmother's pantry used to fascinate me. So many mysterious things lurked within its shelves. She had everything you could ever need, and if by chance unexpected guests showed up, she could prepare a tasty meal in minutes. Perhaps by genetics, I too am a hoarder and there are somethings I just cant live without in my kitchen.

Lemons and Limes: Not only do they look lovely sat in a big bowl on the worktop, but they are so useful in so many ways.

• You can slice them into your Gin and Tonic.


• If you take water to bed and find its gone a bit stale tasting by morning, lemon juice helps it stay fresh and tasty.


• Lemon chicken is a huge favourite in our house, just a simple roasted chicken cooked with lots of lemons and served with a big salad.


• I also use fresh lemon or lime juice to dress salads, squeezing the juice and then leaving the salad for 10 minutes or so before serving.


• Warm water and lemon juice is a great way to start the day.


• Squeeze them over plain crisps for a more exotic taste (One of my favourite Mexico City streetfoods is crisps with lime or lemon juice and a sprinkling of chili power).

In short, my kitchen feels naked without them.