CURED HAM AND REMOULADE TARTINES

SERVES SIX

Ingredients

1 large cucumber
2 fennel bulbs
175g good mayonnaise
1tbsp Dijon mustard
½ lemon, zest and juice
Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1tbsp small capers, drained
400g dark sourdough loaf, sliced
Extra virgin olive oil and a mix of cured ham and salami, to serve
Method

Peel and cut the cucumber in half lengthways, then scoop out seeds with a teaspoon and discard. Slice the flesh into thin half-moons. Toss with ¼ tsp salt and set aside for 30 mins to draw out excess juice.

Shred fennel thinly.

Mix mayo, mustard, lemon zest and juice, parsley, capers and some pepper. Pat cucumber dry, then mix with fennel and dressing. Can be made a few hours ahead, keep chilled.

Toast the bread either on a dry griddle pan or under the grill, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Let everyone build their own tartine, topping the bread with ham or salami and remoulade.

DILL SCONES WITH SMOKED SALMON

MAKES SEVEN OR EIGHT SCONES

Ingredients

200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
200g wholemeal plain flour

1tsp bicarbonate of soda
20g pack dill, half finely chopped
50g unsalted butter, very cold and cut into cubes
300ml milk, warmed, plus extra for brushing
1tsp poppy seeds
200g pack smoked salmon slices and 300g pack soft cheese, to serve
For the pickle:

1tbsp caster sugar
100ml rice wine vinegar
1 large cucumber, peeled
½ red onion, very thinly sliced
1 mild red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (optional)
Method

For the scones, heat oven to 230C/Gas 8 and lightly flour a baking sheet. Mix the flours, bicarb, chopped dill and 1 tsp fine salt in a large bowl, then rub in the butter until it disappears.

Tip in the milk and stir briefly to a sticky dough.

Scrape the dough onto a floured surface, dust the dough and your hands with more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times to smooth a little. Pat into a 4cm-deep round. Use a 7cm cutter to stamp out scones.

Press trimmings together and repeat. Brush with milk, scatter with poppy seeds, then bake for 15-18 mins or until golden and well risen. Cool on a rack. As with all scones, these are best eaten on the day.

For the pickle, stir sugar into vinegar until dissolved. Halve and deseed the cucumber, slice thickly, then toss with the vinegar, onion and chilli. Leave for at least 15 mins in the fridge.

Can be made up to 24 hours ahead. When ready to serve, tear remaining dill over the relish.

Split scones, spread with soft cheese and top with a ribbon of salmon and a little relish.