Essential tools for a foraging trip: scissors, rucksack, a hat (to shield you from sunshine or rain…or to be used as a spare container for when your bag is full) and a “foraging caddy” to carry everything for you when a bank of sorrel is discovered and you need to dive in!

What we found…

White Dead Nettle (also known as “Bee Nettle” as bees love the sweet nectar from the white flowers) is a long, green stemmed plant which looks very similar to a stinging nettle. It’s all a  game of trickery to stop rabbits and other wildlife from eating its leaves – there is no sting at all.  This edible plant is actually a member of the mint family and its leaves can either be eaten raw or cooked like spinach.

If you’re new to foraging, Wood Sorrel is easily identifiable by its three heart shaped leaves and citric, sharp lemon taste.  It is a common plant – in fact there are around 900 species of sorrel! Rich in Vitamin C, this delicious leaf can be mixed in salads or used as an alternative to lemon in dishes.

Fancy yourself to be a forager?  Please tweet us your foraging pictures – @theshed_resto

…and remember – “IF IN DOUBT, CHUCK IT OUT!” Forage responsibly.

St. George’s day marks the start of this delicious green stemmed plant (which not many people realise is a part of the lily family) and of what we hope will be sunshine filled days in England.

Those who have sown asparagus will need to wait 3-5 years before yielding results but it will be so worth the wait – once these guys get going they shoot up, growing as much as 10 inches in 24 hours!

Sadly the asparagus season is short lived and officially stops on Midsummer’s day. Not a lot of  time left to enjoy these vitamin – packed glorious green spears so we haven’t wasted anytime creating a fabulous dish with them at The Shed in Notting Hill.  Pop in and try our chargrilled asparagus with home-made chorizo mayo and almonds.

Now…someone pass the garlic butter please…

Step 1, Tie Silverside with butchers string

Step 2, Rub with Garlic

Step 3, Add Red wine, Water, Salt and Herbs to make a Brine

Step 4, Cover Silverside and store cold for 1 – 3 weeks depending on size turn daily

Step 5, Once the Silverside has taken colour and absorbed the Brine its time to hang

Step 6, Hang to Dry our large one will be 6 months

Step 7, Slice thinly and enjoy!

A lot of popping and a lot of fun – we managed to get 500 bottles of Nutty disgourged.  A perfect way to relax and unwind on a Sunday…we highly recommend it!

Oliver has also found a gem this weekend…he’s keeping the 3 year old yeast from the Nutty to make a special edition “Champagne”  sour dough.  Watch this space!

Win tickets for two to see the first production in ‘The Shed’ as well as dinner for two at our ‘Shed’.

http://theshed.nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Shed is a new venue on the South Bank hosting some of theatre’s most exciting artists. And our Shed is serving up some of the most exciting cold April produce we can get our hands on.

Brixham Dorset Hake

 For your chance to win this brilliant prize sign up here http://theshed-restaurant.com/contact/

P.S. – if we were around in London we would be queuing up for tickets to this – GOAT RACING!  Looks absolutely hilarious and those are some pretty impressive goats.

HAVE A GOOD EASTER!

Join us all day for Good Friday & Saturday and you will be buzzing like our brother’s sheep…

Youngest Gladwin brother Gregory has been up to his elbows (literally!) with the lambing season.  You could say we have our very own season of “Lambing Live” happening in the works…

Spring is a time for new beginnings. In an effort to get The Shed restaurant visitors to experiment with growing, we hand out seed packs with our bills.  Not everyone is green – fingered so we’re also handing out sprouts to make it super easy for your own growing.

This season we’ve got…

Chamomile Seeds

Not only for soothing tea to de stress after work, these seeds produce a lovely white sweet – scented flower for your garden too.

Rocket Seeds

Sow these seeds in an old container (wooden tray, tyre or pot) filled with compost.  Sow every two weeks to maintain your rocket supply.

Beetroot Sprouts

Similar to Mung Bean.  Soak these in a bowl of cold water then sprinkle on a dish covered with cotton wool or kitchen towel.  Leave on your kitchen window, sprinkle everyday & expect them to sprout within the week.  Use in a stir fry or sprinkle on your salad! 

Chives

Plant in a sunny spot during the start of Spring (about an inch deep).  Once grown, cut when needed & leave to grow back.