Year Wheel

Lughnasadh feast

A warm Lammas loaf with butter and cheese, a blackberry pie from the hedgerow, and a cup of chamomile tea.

Serves 2 — double for 4.

Main

Lammas loaf with butter and cheese

Ingredients

  • 250g strong wholemeal or plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
  • 150ml warm water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • To serve: butter and a wedge of cheese (e.g. cheddar)

Method

  1. 01

    Mix the flour, salt and yeast in a bowl. Add the water and oil, and bring together into a dough.

  2. 02

    Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  3. 03

    Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

  4. 04

    Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan / gas mark 7).

  5. 05

    Knock back the dough, shape into a round loaf, and place on a baking tray. Leave to rise for 20 minutes.

  6. 06

    Slash the top and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped underneath.

  7. 07

    Cool slightly, then serve warm with butter and cheese.

Dessert

Blackberry pie

Ingredients

  • 300g blackberries
  • 50g sugar
  • 1 tsp cornflour
  • 1 sheet ready-made shortcrust pastry (about 200g), or homemade
  • 1 egg, beaten (to glaze)

Method

  1. 01

    Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan / gas mark 6).

  2. 02

    Toss the blackberries with the sugar and cornflour, and spoon into a small pie dish.

  3. 03

    Roll out the pastry to cover the dish, trimming and crimping the edges. Cut a small slit in the top.

  4. 04

    Brush with the beaten egg and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.

  5. 05

    Serve warm.

Drink

Chamomile tea

Ingredients

  • 2 chamomile tea bags (or 2 tsp dried chamomile flowers)
  • Hot water
  • Honey, to taste (optional)

Method

  1. 01

    Pour boiling water over the chamomile in a cup or teapot.

  2. 02

    Steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags or strain.

  3. 03

    Sweeten with honey if you like, and serve.