Sizzling Summer
Date Added: 12/07/2022
As the wonderful Caroline Aherne would proclaim in her weather girl character for The Fast Show … “Scorchio”
If you like your summer to resemble sausages on the Barbie, scorched, it looks like you are in luck this week.
The weather forecasts and the plethora of heatwave news articles all tell us that the UK is going to be basking in record-breaking temperatures for at least the next 10 days.
In fact Meteorologists are warning that there’s a possibility for a level four heatwave to hit the UK for the first time this weekend, as they predict that ‘exceptionally high temperatures are possible for Sunday 17th July.
We live in a nation where summer is often punctuated by unpredictable weather and we never know how long the sunshine will last, so many will be out while we can enjoying BBQs, sunbathing, perhaps even splashing in a pool. For the crops though, we need some rain!
Following such a dry and breezy Spring/ beginning of Summer compared to previous years, fields are looking more arid and desert-like rather than green and lush.
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2021
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2022
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TOTAL (mm)
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April
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May
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June
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July
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April
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May
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June
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July (1st -11th)
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Monthly Total Precipitation (mm)
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9.2
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72.0
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51.2
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100.6
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7.2
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52.8
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46.2
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2.0
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2021 vs 2022 (mm)
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-2.0
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-19.2
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-5.0
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-98.6
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-124.8
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This fantastic photo of the rare phenomenon a Whirlwind (aka ‘Dust Devil’) - was captured this weekend, by chance, in a field (not THC I may add) in Fishtoft near Boston. Lets hope this isn’t heading to a field of ours anytime soon!
Dust Devils which are a strong, well-formed, and quite short-lived whirlwind, normally spotted in the early afternoon when the ground is heating quickly and there is loose dust for it to loft.
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The hot weather may be slowing crops growing affecting yields however UK Broccoli season is in full swing.
Although not exactly meat and two veg dinner weather, with hot dogs, burgers, and salads more in favour, many Brassicas – Sweetheart Cabbage, Broccoli and Cauliflower to name a few - can be grilled and served alongside BBQ’d meats. Both Broccoli and Cauliflower also work well raw in salads.
North African Cauliflower Salad -
Ingredients:
- 1 firm, fresh head of cauliflower
- 2 pomegranates (some supermarkets have the juicy seeds ready to go for ease.)
- 100g fresh, green coriander, or to taste
- 1 preserved lemon (can substitute fresh Lemon juice plus a little zest.)
- 1 tbsp of pomegranate molasses (or honey, if unobtainable.)
- 2 tsp of whole, toasted cumin seeds (black cumin if you can get it.)
- Light sesame oil for dressing (extra-virgin olive oil is acceptable.)
Method:
- Carefully dismantle the cauliflower into large florets, and then work those down to small individual bite-sized florets! (the more delicate leaves and non-fibrous stems can be used as well for a more "artisan" look - or set aside for soup or stock making)
- Peel pomegranates and separate out the seeds
- Deseed and chop the preserved lemon fairly finely
- Chop the coriander coarsely
- Toast the cumin seeds lightly in a dry saucepan
- Add the above to a nice serving bowl, dress with the sesame oil and pomegranate molasses
- Toss together well and serve straight away
- Enjoy!
Don’t forget about the new season White Cabbage (although this time of year it tends to be more green then white!) or Red Cabbage in your coleslaw!
Enjoy the sunshine but remember not everyone can work in an air-condition office in this weather or take a dip in the pool to cool off, especially those in the fields harvesting in challenging hot conditions!