my heart's desire...

I am in love – always will be – with all things British.  Whether it be my ingrained ancestry or the three wonderful rain-filled years I spent living on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in East Anglia, I do not know – nor do I care – only that I can cling to this passion for the rest of my days.  When I saw “The Best of British” June issue of ‘British Easy Living’ I didn’t even have to flip through it before dashing to the checkout – and I was far from disappointed upon arriving home and pouring over the issue.  An A to Z guide of what truly defines British culture – from Ascot and Fish and Chips to Liberty, M&S (or Marks and Sparks!) Knickers and Wellies – it was a captivating visual reminder of all that I long to return to...

Liberty, whose iconic signature floral prints have become synonymous with the department store on London’s Regent Street beg for sunny days and Pimm’s Cups – and when the sky begins to open and drizzle the ever ominous British afternoon rain, they remind you that the sun will most certainly return – even if it is for a few hours…

… and while afternoon tea is a secret pleasure of Americans – it is a national siesta in Britain.  Whether you be a lady of leisure who takes tea at the Ritz or working in the lush landscape of the English country – time stops for tea…

...and wellies - are just - well, the coolest!

… and those who deem British gastronomy lacks flavor may not have experienced the surprisingly eclectic British pub fare of the country or the haute cuisine of some of the cities finest restaurants.  My favorites include Le Boudin Blanc – a French bistro in London’s Mayfair whose tiny, candle-lit interior is as cozy and romantic as their ambitious menu; and I could not write about British food without mentioning my favorite chain – the Slug and Lettuce, whose addictive soups kept us warm while strolling Cambridge’s windy shop-filled alleys in the Fall; and of course our local pub – The Bell Inn, whose fried camembert drizzled in a delightful cranberry jam and a succulent rack of lamb drowning in mint sauce still dance in my mind.  With such desires ringing in my heart, I think I will try the following recipe – and I must serve it in such a delicate teacup!

Passion Fruit Syllabub

8 ripe passion fruit

3T dessert wine

Juice of ¼ lemon

1 ¾ caster sugar

9oz whipping cream

1.  Halve the passion fruit and scoop the pulp into a sieve set over a small bowl.  Press on the pulp with the back of a spoon to extract all the juices.  Reserve the juices and discard all but 1T of the seeds.

2.  Mix the passion fruit juice together with the wine, lemon juice and sugar.  Add the cream and whip the mixture slowly using a whisk until the peaks form.  Fold in reserved seeds.

3.  Spoon into teacups or wine glasses - chill for an hour before serving.

{All images and receipe from 'British Easy Living'}

Comments

[paper lily]

I love the idea of wearing wellies/rubber boots with a dress (or a skirt). The combination was featured in Blueprint as well, and I absolutely adore it.

[style*court]

Great post! Thanks for sharing these highlights from the magazine. I'll be looking for it this weekend.
Courtney
from style*court