It's February! New month, new flavours...


Hello there my friend,

February already, so soon! While the weather is still wintery, the days are getting longer and Spring is definitely on the horizon. Which means that new fruits and vegetables are coming into season, adding delicious diversity to our diets. Hoorah!

What's in season in February?

You may have already seen blood oranges - my favourite! With a bit of luck their season will last through February and even a little bit beyond. Do get your hands on some if you haven't already. Although they're slightly more expensive than standard oranges, these glorious fruits are sweet and juicy, with a fragrant, complex flavour. Their gorgeous red colour is also a sign of their high polyphenol content. So they're a super-healthy choice as well as being delicious!

Rhubarb, another short-lived favourite is also appearing about now. I like to roast it with a shake of ground ginger and the juice of an orange squeezed over, for a simple and delicious dessert. It's perfect topped with natural yogurt, or use it in a classic crumble, with lots of custard!

Also in season this month are:

🍎 Fruits - apples, pears, grapefruits, satsumas and other citrus fruits.
πŸ₯• Root vegetables - beetroot, carrots, celeriac, parsnips, salsify, swede, turnips and Jerusalem artichokes.
πŸ₯¬ Leafy greens - including cabbages, Brussels sprouts, kale, sprouting broccoli and spring greens.
πŸ§… Alliums - onions, shallots, garlic, spring onions and leeks.
πŸ„β€πŸŸ« Miscellaneous others such as squashes, mushrooms and celery.

Below you'll find some of my favourite ways to use this month's seasonal produce. Eating with the seasons ensures that you always get the freshest, most flavourful - and economical! - produce. It's a great way to keep your diet varied and interesting, as well as packing in the nutrients. So tuck in!

Delicious recipes using February's freshest fruit and veg

Here are some of my favourite recipes to eat in February. I hope you'll join me!

  • ​Blood orange salad with avocado, radish & dill​
    Fresh, tangy, crunchy, creamy - this delicious seasonal salad has it all! Enjoy on its own as a light lunch, or as a tasty starter or side at a larger meal.
  • ​Spring onion (scallion) pancakes​
    These delicious Chinese-style pancakes make a terrific snack, starter or light meal. Why not make some on 17 February in honour of Chinese new year?
  • ​Parsnip, cheese and pasta bake​
    Creamy, oozy, gooey and cheesy, this parsnip pasta bake is a deliciously vegged-up version of your favourite mac and cheese.
  • ​Roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts with EBS and crunchy seeds​
    With the sweetness of seasonal veggies, the savouriness of everything bagel seasoning, and the crunch and nutrition of seeds, this dish is a simple, healthy & hearty addition to any meal.
  • ​Israeli red cabbage salad​
    One of my most popular recipes and for good reason! Quick and simple to make, it's crunchy, tasty, and a terrific side dish for all sorts of different things.
  • ​Spring vegetable pasta with lemon-herb dressing​
    This vibrant pasta dish uses sprouting broccoli, leeks, baby carrots, sprouts, and whatever other veggies you can get your hands on! The zesty dressing is full of fresh flavours.
  • ​Leek and potato kugel​
    Adding sautΓ©ed leeks to your potato kugel not only sneaks in some extra veg, it also boosts the flavour. This twist on traditional kugel is crispy, golden, and absolutely delicious.
  • ​Pear and apple crumble cake (vegan)​
    ​
    Tender vanilla sponge, topped with cinnamon-spiced apples and pears, and a scrumptious topping of oaty crumble. This lovely bake is a delicious warm pudding or perfect with a cuppa.
  • ​Vegan panna cotta with roasted rhubarb​
    This stunning dessert is deceptively simple to make and looks the business! A sensational dish to round off a special meal.

Shabbat Shalom

May February bring only good things for us all. Wishing you blessings of peace, health, happiness and wellbeing all month long, and beyond.

Good Shabbos- Shabbat Shalom! - to everyone.
With love, Helen x.

Tip Jar/Tea Fund!

If you enjoy my emails, recipes, social media posts or comments, please consider leaving a tip, so I can continue to provide them freely for you and others.

​You can buy me a cuppa here β˜•οΈ Thank you so much!

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

If you've ever searched your inbox to find a recipe link, recommendation etc, you can now easily browse the Family-Friends-Food newsletter archive here.

Family Friends Food, Unit 138524, PO Box 7169, Poole, Dorset BH15 9EL
​Unsubscribe Β· Preferences​

Family Friends Food

Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!

Read more from Family Friends Food

Hello there my friend! Apologies for no newsletters for the last couple of weeks. You may remember that I was unwell at the start of the year, and apparently, I'm not as recovered as I thought I was 😞. So this time I'm taking it even easier... if that's possible with just a couple of weeks till Pesach 😲 Fortunately, I have my guide to a stress-free Pesach to remind me that this holiday doesn't have to be overwhelming! If you need a reminder about what's important and what's just 'nice to...

Rich, fruity, spicy & delicious, each of these buns sports a magnificent Magen David on its golden, shiny top. Enjoy them warm, cold or toasted. (Parve)

Hello there my friend, The joyful festival of Purim starts on Monday evening. One of the special mitzvot of Purim is giving mishloach manot - gifts of food and drink - to friends and family. Each person should give one or more gifts containing at least two ready-to-consume items. This means that there's plenty of scope around what to include and how many gifts to give. Giving mishloach manot is probably my favourite Purim activity! Each year I choose a theme and create gift bags with an...

Hello my friend, I hope all is well with you πŸ₯°. In a week and a half it will be Purim! So it's time to start thinking about delicious festive foods, mishloach manot gifts, and all the joy and celebration that this holiday brings. Firstly, if you're wondering what Purim's all about, I've written a guide to the festival that covers the history, traditions, food and customs involved. You can read it here. (Spoiler alert - it's not all hamantaschen!) Secondly, if you're already planning your...