Believe it or not, summer finally arrived , although I will qualify that by adding “ a sunny day does not a summer make!” Nonetheless, the weather has warmed up and golfers are finally wearing shorts, and swimmers are swimming….. outdoors!

As such, one does not want to spend hours in the kitchen. Across the road from us is a Gail’s Bakery, which opened its first bakery in 2005 and now has over 130 outlets mostly in London, and actually there are 2 within a stones throw from me. We visit often and maybe even for breakfast on a weekend. This is where I discovered their Overnight Oats. Overnight Oats is basically a modern twist on Bircher Muesli. Very simple, Oats soaked overnight ( or long enough to absorb water).

I make 2 or three days supply at a time. I also make my own yogurt, this isn’t necessary, but again is easy to make.

• To make a double portion
• 60 grams fine Scottish / Irish Oats
• Enough water to cover them
• One standard jar plain Greek full fat yogurt. I say full fat as lower fat yogurts have additives to thicken them.
• Put the Oats into a container or bowl and pour over enough hot or boiling water, just enough to cover them.
• Leave to stand and for them to cool down. At this point it could be covered and refrigerated overnight ( hence overnight Oats)

When cool, mix well with the yogurt, one jar should be enough to make a thickish sloppy mixture. I then put about 6 dessert spoons of mixture into a plastic pot, cover and refrigerate until the next morning.

In the morning I am ready to concoct my breakfast and it takes no time at all. I add, some defrosted red berries, a splash of maple syrup, a splodge of nutty peanut butter and a sprinkle of Super Seeds! And that is it ! Easy Peasy!

On another note, myself and friends were invited to the country ( anything outside of central London is considered country to me) to have lunch. Dessert was very much a summer one, Pavlova, with lemon cream and mixed berries.

Of course, one could be super lazy and buy the meringues and the Lemon Curd, but on the other hand without going the whole hog and doing everything from Scratch, it is easy to take a short cut or two.

Firstly, nothing quite like home made Lemon Curd, but made very quickly in the microwave.

• 4 large unwaxed lemons, finely grated rind and juiced
• 4 large eggs beaten well
• 8 Oz (225 grams caster sugar
• 4 Oz (100 grams) unsalted butter diced

Method

• Put the eggs, rind and juice into a heatproof bowl
• Mix well and add the sugar and butter. Cook on high for ONE minute intervals, whisking after each minute. Do this until thickened ( +/- 5 minutes).
• Remove from the microwave, and continue to whisk until more or less cool. Lemon Curd does thicken upon cooling.
• Sterilise a some jars and pour in the cooled lemon curd. Cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to3 weeks.

Microwave Meringues are much drier and crunch ie than oven cooked meringues, but they are incredibly easy and quick to make, especially if you want to make Eton Mess!

Ingredients and Method

• 150 grams sifted icing sugar
• 1egg white beaten until stiff
• Add the sugar to the beaten egg white and mix well until totally incorporated. Take a small amount and roll into a ball about the size of a golf ball.
• Put 3 balls onto a plate covered with rice paper, or onto a silicon mat.
• Microwave on High for 90 seconds. Watch them rise up, really amazing! Fun to do with kids.

To make the Pavlovas, simply whip up some double cream, add a couple of dessert spoons of lemon curd, put on top of the meringue and top with summer berries.

If you re English, you might already know about Eton Mess, but its origins might be a bit obscure. Apparently, it was created by the cooks at Eton College around 1893. Eton College being just outside of London, and where Princes William and Harry were educated along with several of our Prime ministers including Boris Johnson. Eton Mess is basically crushed meringues, whipped cream and summer berries.

Lancing college on the other hand ( West Sussex) have their own version, which is made with bananas , probably not as old as the Eton version, am not sure bananas were readily available available back then !