Hello there my friend!

With our Lag B'Omer barbecues still cooling, it's now time to look ahead to the next festival in the Jewish calendar - Shavuot. It's just a couple of weeks away, so I guess it's about time to start thinking and planning, maybe, just a little bit.

Included below are some of my family's favourite Shavuot recipes, that come back year after year (to avoid a riot). These tend to form the backbone of my Shavuot menus, accompanied by a variety of different things that change from year to year.

In the next couple of weeks I'll also be sharing recipes and ideas for fresh Summery dishes that are perfect for your Shavuot table. Keep an eye on your inbox so you don't miss out!

If you just can't wait, you can find all my Shavuot recipes here.

Wondering what Shavuot's all about? I've compiled a guide to the festival and its many customs, celebrations and traditional foods, here.

Shavuot family favourite recipes

These are some of my family's favourite Shavuot foods, including both milky and non-dairy dishes. While Shavuot has a strong association with dairy foods, they aren't for everyone, and it's always good to have some vegan and/or dairy-free options to suit all requirements. (There are actually loads of plant-based Shavuot traditions - read about them here!)

• ​Caramelised onion and feta tart​
  ​An easy, tasty savoury tart that's wonderful warm or cold, and perfect for a YomTov lunch or dinner.
• ​Cheese and onion quiche with fennel seeds​
  ​The fennel seeds take this beautiful quiche from ordinary to exceptional! A great make-ahead option with a tasty twist.
• ​Easy roasted asparagus​
  Bring out the flavour of delicious seasonal asparagus by quickly roasting in olive oil. It's our favourite way to enjoy it!
• ​Grilled peach salad with pecans and feta​
  A recent addition to our Shavuot menus, but definitely a keeper! You'll love its sweet-salty-tangy flavours and contrasting textures.
• ​Inside-out cheesecake cookies​
  ​Creamy, tangy cheesecake filling, surrounded by a crumbly, tender cookie crust. One bite and you'll be hooked!
• ​Cheese blintz crepe cake​
  Give your cheese blintzes a makeover and assemble them into a gorgeous showstopper 'mille-crepe' cake. Just slice & serve!
• ​Vegan Victoria sponge with berries and 'cream'​
  This British teatime classic gets a Summery transformation! Tender vegan sponge, sandwiched with fruity jam, whipped dairy-free cream and bursting with ripe and juicy berries.

Shabbat recipe of the week!

A new newsletter feature! Each week I'll share a tasty and seasonal recipe that's perfect for Shabbat. This week, why not try Challah panzanella salad? If, like me, you still have some challah left from last week (oops!) then this is a really delicious way to use it up. And if you don't, then you can make this tasty salad with this Shabbat's leftovers, on Sunday or later this week. Enjoy!

Shabbat Shalom

Last weekend I went for a lovely walk at a local nature reserve. The trees were blossoming, the dragonflies and butterflies were flitting around, and the air was full of birdsong. It was great to breathe some fresh air, listen to the sounds of the natural world, and generally absorb the positive energy of Spring!

Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope you too will be able to take a moment to enjoy the season, and soak up some positive energy. Here's wishing you and yours a very Good Shabbos - Shabbat Shalom! May it bring positivity, peace, health, happiness, and many blessings to everyone.

With love, Helen x.

TEA FUND!

Whatever the season, all my cooking, recipe-writing, photography, research - even this newsletter! - is fuelled by TEA! So every cuppa you provide is very much appreciated! 🙏

​You can buy me a cuppa here ☕️ Thank you!