SUMMER IS HERE!

Happy Monday everyone!

How was your weekend?  Happy, fun, sunny and relaxing I hope?  Ours was all four of these.....perhaps not so relaxing on Saturday, as we had a busy day helping our daughter and youngest son and a friend move in to their new flat in London....but fun all the same, and an exciting day for all of them.  Saturday night and Sunday were super relaxing, with drinks and meals outside in the garden.....such a treat, and something I aim to do at every available opportunity while the sun is shining and temperatures are this warm.  Sunday afternoon was all about the excitement of the tennis of course.....we did it! Well done Murray!

All photos: Sophia Home

To start our Sunday lunch yesterday, I tested out a new salad recipe, which I would love to 

share with you! 

Lemon and Thyme marinated Artichoke, Tiger Prawn and Strawberry salad.......so quick, fresh and delicious.......perhaps may seem a strange combination, but trust me it works!

Lemon and Thyme marinated Artichoke, Tiger Prawn and Strawberry salad (serves 6)

1 tin of prepared artichoke hearts, or prepared and cooked from fresh
30 tiger prawns
punnet of fresh strawberries
lettuce or rocket leaves
Lemon and Thyme Vinaigrette (see below)
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Marinade mix.
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
6-8 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh Thyme leaves
1 crushed clove of garlic
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
salt and pepper

***

Mix all the marinade ingredients and pour over prepared artichoke hearts and leave to marinade for between 3 - 24 hrs depending on time.  When you are ready to serve,  drain off 1/3 of the marinade mix from the artichokes, and use to fry the prawns for a minute each side over a medium to high heat until pink, and then set aside to cool.  Toss the salad leaves, in with the artichokes and remaining marinade and arrange on plates.  Scatter with prawns and strawberries.

Bon appétit!

****

Have a lovely week, whatever it holds for you!
Tomorrow I am looking forward to meeting up with green fingered girlfriends for a Garden Club get together at my friend Amanda's beautiful garden in Sussex,  and on Wednesday I have a very exciting day as a production company from Channel 4 will be visiting me here at home to film the house for a new inspirational tv property show.....I look forward to sharing all this with you during the week!

Sophia xx