Sting

I used a recipe from stoneheadcroft.com with some small variations when making my nettle ale.  Be aware that you should keep it somewhere that it’s not likely to damage anything - as the high pressure caused during fermentation has been known to lead to explosions!

Here’s a photo of the ensuing party, Sting went down like a summery treat… 

The Clay Oven

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Here’s a time lapse video of my attempt at making a clay oven, which I built over 6 weeks this spring.  It’s great for pizzas but I’m yet to master slow cooking with it..  I certainly don’t claim to be any sort of expert but if you want more details on how I made it, then feel free to get in touch!

Nettles meet the East

 

I used regular stinging nettles to make my Pichchhoo aloo but you could also use White dead nettles or Red Dead nettles - although they are much harder to find.  Archie managed to find one:

White Cliffs

The stunning Sussex coast on a beautiful day.  Just down river from the home of Sea Purslane and Samphire - and so much more to discover!

My First Full Meal with Foraged Sussex Food!

Wood Sorrel from the local woodland to create my Beurre Blanc and sautéed sea purslane from a tidal river- both excellent accompaniments to a lovely fillet of Sea bass.  Oh and mash, never forget the mash.

Purslane aka Sea Blight

One of my first forays in foraging: Oxalis

Welcome to foragesussex

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As I have recently joined the growing ranks of the unemployed I thought I would spend some time (which is something I now have rather a lot of!) doing something I really enjoy and share what I learn along the way in a blog.  Foraging in the Sussex countryside certainly beats my desk job in the city and also means I can eat well on a budget, which is obviously rather important in my current situation...

I have always enjoyed the outdoors, but I have never before appreciated the abundance of wonderful things that grow right on my doorstep.  Even the humble nettle has pushed me to try a whole new raft of recipes – with some very satisfying results.  The High Weald has some great foraging opportunities being ideally located with access to great coastlines and woodlands.  

                                                                                                 

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My girlfriend’s dog, Archie, loves joining me for a good ramble in the countryside.