Cocktail Hour: Pimm’s Jug

In what I suspect will be a regular feature this Summer, I couldn’t help but put a cocktail on the menu when we had friends around for a BBQ recently. And while I was tempted to serve another Santorini Sunrise, the warmer temperatures had me craving Pimm’s.  The bonus being that I could make a jug before our guests arrived, ready to be poured with little delay once they had settled in. I can’t remember when I first tried Pimm’s, although I have a feeling it was when we travelled to London. Given that Pimm’s is a rather iconic English drink, well it wouldn’t surprise me at all.

On this occasion I went with a mixture of both lemonade and dry ginger ale, making sure to also fill the jug with oranges, strawberries, limes, mint and, of course, cucumber.

And, as one jug soon turned into two, well it proved to be the perfect cocktail for a summery afternoon with friends.


Print Recipe
 Pimm's Jug
Course Cocktail
Cuisine Drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
glasses
Ingredients
Course Cocktail
Cuisine Drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
glasses
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Grab a large jug and half fill it with ice. Add half of the fruit and mint to the jug (and divide the remaining fruit and mint between 4 serving glasses).
  2. Add the Pimm's, lemonade and dry ginger ale to the jug, and stir gently to combine.
  3. When ready to serve, add ice to the glasses, and pour over the Pimm's mixture.
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Poached chicken and orange salad

I have, over the years, accumulated a few kitchen ‘gadgets’ that I would now not be without. My food processor and blender get a decent workout on a weekly (if not, daily, basis) and I am in love with my garlic press and citrus zester.

Recently I added a new gadget to my collection – a spiraliser! A gadget that is in no way ‘necessary’, as such, but one that is proving to be a great and interesting addition to the pantry. I’ve spiralised zucchini for pasta, carrots and sweet potatoes for salads, and on this particular occasion – pumpkin.

On the menu? A poached chicken salad with roasted carrots and broccoli, and spiralised pumpkin. Finished with orange slices, almonds and an orange / ginger dressing.

The recipe was inspired by one I found in a Donna Hay magazine, from memory. The chicken was poached in almond milk, garlic and ginger, which was interesting in itself (and reminded me just how simple yet delicious freshly poached chicken can be). I loved the addition of fruit to the salad too, which gave the dish a wonderfully light Summer feel.

Stay tuned for more spiralised salads I suspect!

Print Recipe
 Poached chicken and orange salad
Course Salad
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Salad
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the broccoli and carrot on the tray, and spray lightly with oil. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  2. Place the chicken, almond milk, garlic and 1 tbs ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly, then transfer the chicken to a board and shred.
  3. Heat 1 tbs oil in a frypan over a medium heat. Cook the pumpkin for a few minutes, stirring, until just softened. Meanwhile, combine the orange juice, 1 tsp ginger and 1 tbs olive oil in a small bowl to make a dressing.
  4. Divide the baby spinach, roasted vegetables, chicken and orange among serving bowls. Top with flaked almonds, and drizzle with the orange ginger dressing, to taste.
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