We are having a double whammy of Bank Holidays, with street parties and festivities. Even if you’re a staunch republican, surely a double long weekend is not to be sniffed at? We are hoping the weather favours the celebrations but The Weather Man is being cautious: warmer now, colder again later. So it might, or it might not be the opening of the barbecue season.
But either way, it’s an excellent time to cook some special dishes, just for the family or for friends and neighbours too. If you’re having a street party, look back at my last year’s suggestions for the Jubilee dishes – little did we know then… I am planning on making a huge bowl of bang bang chicken for my own street party and perhaps bake a big, fat, coronation Battenberg cake. Fitting, eh?
If good weather turns up, we might start the barbecue season. Burgers off the grill, with new potato salad would be just the ticket. And (hell, yes!) ice cream for dessert.
But if it’s not dry or warm enough for al fresco-ing, we could still cook up some gorgeous dishes. Korean barbecue style meatballs are baked in the oven, and you could make crispy tomato rice to go with them.
Or how about exquisite cote de boeuf with green salad and crushed new potatoes? Or a tray of bacon and sweetcorn enchiladas? Finally, how about pizza?
We must have a celebration cake, too. If not Battenberg, it could be devil’s food cake with hazelnut praline though it’s a whole project, that cake. Flavoured meringues will be an easier dessert, or delightful lemon and almond teacakes copied from Ottolenghi’s deli. And a batch of scones for cream tea! Happy Bank Holidays!