Asparagus and wild garlic mayonnaise starter
I use wild garlic in so many ways — batch-cooked pesto (which the kids love) and soup are particular favourites. We're fortunate to have a few great patches of wild garlic nearby.
When spring is in full swing, asparagus, radishes and wild garlic are at their best. These seasonal ingredients are not only abundant but also incredibly versatile. Paired with a glass of wine, they offer the promise of something even more delicious to come.
One of my favorite culinary rituals is pre-dinner nibbles. It's like the opening act of a play, setting the stage for the delicious journey ahead. For this recipe, I've used a pestle and mortar to bring everything together, but if you don't have one, a blender will do the trick
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
The best fire pits of 2025 for summer nights in the garden, tried and tested
There's no better way to cap off a fine summer's day than cosying up with family and friends around a fire pit. From the earthy aroma of the fire to the crackling sound of burning wood and the drift of the smoke, the best fire pits engage all the senses and provide a relaxing focal point for evenings in the garden. Although they have been around for a while, their popularity is now rocketing along with that of solar garden lights and garden chairs as we spend more time outdoors, notes Martyn Wilson, an award-winning garden design expert. 'Perhaps it is something deep within us and the primeval need to create fire,' he says. 'It can be relaxing staring into the flames and just zoning out for a short while. Fire pits can extend the use of the garden later into the evening and offer a more ambient feel than patio heaters. They are also great for socialising – and you can cook marshmallows with the children.' Many people take small fire pits with them when they go camping, especially ones designed not to scorch the ground. I've tested this year's best designs in my own garden and you can read my reviews below, followed by some advice on how to use and care for fire pits. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at our top five: The best fire pits: At a glance How to choose the best fire pit The first thing to consider when buying a fire pit is size. Larger fire pits can usually deliver heat to a wider area, which is ideal for larger groups, whereas smaller models require less fuel. Portable models should be lightweight and easy to disassemble, so they can be taken with you on your travels. If a firepit is heavy or can't be taken apart quickly, it's probably supposed to stay in pride of place at home. Also consider which extra features you might like. Some fire pits come with a grill accessory for barbecuing, and certain models reduce smoke via a secondary combustion design. How we test fire pits I judged the fire pits from the moment they arrived on my doorstep. How heavy were the boxes? How easy were they to unpack and assemble? Were the fire pits stylish? Did they have extra capabilities like grilling? I tested a variety of sizes and styles. Once I lit them, I noted how much heat and smoke they gave off and how quickly they cooled down. Other factors included how much wood they needed, how safe they were, how energy efficient and how easy they were to clean: you should never leave ashes in the bottom of a fire pit to get wet. If you want to spend more time enjoying your garden, you might also be interested in our guides to the best rattan furniture and inflatable hot tubs. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best fire pits of 2025 1. Best Buy Fire Pit: Recycled Kadai Score: 9/10 We like: Family-made from recycled oil drums in India A kadai is a traditional Indian cooking vessel designed for curries, with curved sides and a deep, flat base. The company Kadai has taken inspiration from the silhouette and transformed it into an authentic fire bowl. This one is made from recycled oil drums by family workshops in India. The result is a rustic-looking fire pit made from metal plates welded together, with drop handles at the side. The handles don't get hot, so you can move the fire bowl without burning yourself. The kit also comes with Kadai beads, which makes it unique. They're tiny clay beads which lie at the bottom of the bowl to help with rainwater drainage and to stop any ash falling through to the ground. My only complaint is that the tiny drainage hole does frequently get clogged. The fire bowl comes with a removable grill so you can barbecue on top. I grilled some thick pork chops, which cooked through within half an hour. You also get some tongs and a wire brush to help with upkeep and fire-building. I'd recommend using kiln-dried logs with this excellent fire pit; otherwise you risk smoking out your companions. Key specifications 2. Best Value Fire Pit: BillyOh Astral 2-in-1 Fire Pit with BBQ Garden design firm BillyOh, possibly better known for their sheds and log cabins, have excelled with this 2-in-1 BBQ model, complete with laser cut moon and stars. It comes with a removable cooking grill, so you can easily cook over firewood or charcoal. There are drawbacks. The log capacity is not huge and there's no easy way to remove the ashes, except by waiting until they're cold and scooping them out. As a barbecue, there's no form of ventilation control, so you are basically cooking caveman-style over the embers. But the price is reasonable, the build quality is decent and you can bolt it together in 20 minutes. The perfect family fire pit on a bargain budget. Key specifications 3. Best Smokeless Firepit: Winnerwell Secondary Combustion Portable Grill Minimal smoke and convenient heating are top priorities for a firepit at home or on the campsite. This portable model from Winnerwell delivers on both. Its legs fold out, bringing the top up to camping chair height. You can also purchase some extension legs (£65.98, Amazon). All of the components feel robust and nicely finished. Speaking as someone who's not much good at lighting fires, this makes it easy work. The tall walls provide good protection against strong breezes, while the bottom vents let helpful airflow feed the fire. It burns brilliantly, providing plenty of warmth at a distance of several meters. I cooked a classic: Flump Minis, which toasted quickly over the flames. This model burns cleaner than most and produced relatively little smoke, even when I used scrap wood with a high moisture content (although performance was best when I burned seasoned firewood). This is all thanks to its secondary combustion. The effect, common to most 'smokeless' fire pits, is produced by a two-walled design which directs airflow to both the bottom and the top of the firepit. So, it burns your wood fuel inside the firepit and also combusts escaping smoke and ashes. It kicks in when the firepit gets hot, after around 10 to 20 minutes of heating. The extra flames are visible around the top edge of the firepit. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this firepit. It's highly convenient, lights easily and looks great on the paving. As with other firepits, it's important to wear heat-resistant gloves during use. Save the toasting for your marshmallows (or Flumps). Key specifications 4. Best Fire Pit and BBQ: BioLite FirePit+ Score: 7/10 We like: The excellent hibachi grill function We don't like: The noise of the fan £187.93, Amazon The BioLite is a compact and portable fire-pit-and-cooking grill combination that can burn either firewood or charcoal. It arrived beautifully packaged and was simple to assemble – just two handles to screw in. The instructions on how to get it working are detailed, but very user friendly. It's small, so you wouldn't want many more than two or three people sitting around it. It would be ideal for small spaces like an urban back yard or a balcony. It's not as pretty as some others, but it has a unique selling point: a rechargeable battery that powers 51 air jets inside the chamber. These jets create a more uniform temperature and improve combustion. That means more reliable heat, but also less smoke – a common issue with fire pits – so your neighbours might be pleased if you choose this one. The fan is fairly noisy, so this model is better for a lively urban environment, rather than quiet spots. It really comes into its own if you fill the unit with charcoal instead of wood and use it as a hibachi-style grill. It cooks well and it was fun to bring grub to the fire pit experience. By combining the functions of fire pit and BBQ, the BioLite cuts down on expense and space. Those who love to have technology connected with everything in life will enjoy controlling it remotely from their phones. However, others might find that the design – a bit like a robotic dog – and the technology run against the spirit of the fire pit, which is communing with nature. Key specifications 5. Best Luxury Fire Pit: English Country Fireball (800mm) This is a very pricey fire pit and I was curious to see if it had the x-factor to justify the cost. The makers have hand-crafted beautiful countryside scenes into into a 6mm-walled steel ball, forming silhouettes of foxes, stags and trees that seem to move against the flames. The way the smoke swirled around the art evoked a late summer/early autumn woodland evening, making an enchanting focal point for the garden. In short, it is both of use and an ornament. The first downside you'll discover is that it's very heavy – my lower back was crying out the moment I began to lift it. It also needs a lot of wood, so the expense continues after you've forked out for the pit itself. However, the sculpture is so stunning that you're getting value out of this one even when it's not lit and it would be the perfect centrepiece to a large garden. You can buy an LED lighting kit so that it glows at night. The company also offers comfortable matching stools so you can look the part as you while away the evenings and dozens of other Fireball designs, including bespoke creations. (One wag commissioned a Death Star.) Key specifications Fire pit FAQs Are fire pits legal in the UK? Yes, fire pits are legal in the UK. 'But you do need to be respectful of your neighbours and be sure that you are not causing a nuisance with smoke,' says garden designer Martyn Wilson. He also recommends checking local legislation to see if you are in a smoke free zone. What is the best fuel to use in a fire pit? 'Try to use woods with a low moisture content, such as kiln-dried woods or well seasoned hardwoods,' says Wilson. Bio-ethanols formed from plant-based materials such as fermented sugar and plant based starches are also used for some more contemporary fire pits. 'They will tend to burn with less smoke,' Wilson says. Other units use gas or coal. How should I look after my fire pit? The good news is that most fire pits can be left outside. 'If you have a fire bowl, try leaving on its side or upside down in the winter to prevent rainwater building up inside,' says Wilson. He also notes that a layer of sand in the bottom of a fire pit can help radiate heat and prevent burn of the metal. However, he suggests that we avoid leaving ash or embers in the bottom. Once fully cooled, the ashes should be removed and disposed of safely. 'Wood ash can be good for the garden!' he said. With that said, some fire pit models will benefit from indoor storage, especially if their materials are prone to rusting. What safety precautions are needed when using a fire pit? Never leave a lit fire pit unattended. Wilson suggests keeping a bucket of sand nearby, in case you need to extinguish the fire in a hurry. 'In light of the recent record temperatures, it is really important to be mindful of the weather and make sure there isn't any dry grass or foliage nearby that could ignite from embers,' he says, 'particularly so if it is windy and there hasn't been any rain.' It is also important to consider the space around the fire pit and allow plenty of room to move around. Keep children and pets away, and always read and follow safety instructions. Are gas fire pits better than wood-burning ones? Gas fire pits have some advantages over wood-burning fire pits; they tend to be easy to use, with an in-built ignition that should light the propane/butane fuel from your connected gas canister (which will be sold separately) at the flick of a switch. Gas produces a 'clean burn' with little smoke or airborne ash, so you and your guests can enjoy the fire without worrying about singed clothing, eye irritation or smoky smells. With that said, for some users, there's no replacing the rustic experience of using real wood on a wood-burning fire pit. If you like the idea of building your own fire and you enjoy a smoky atmosphere, a wood-burning model is the way to go. How do 'smokeless' fire pits work? Smokeless fire pits burn a hard fuel such as wood pellets while producing low volumes of smoke relative to traditional wood-burning models. This type of fire pit reduces smoke by burning at two levels: primary combustion of the hard fuel at the bottom, and secondary combustion of remaining smoke and ashes (material which is not properly burned at the first pass) at the top. The two levels of combustion are facilitated by airflow through the fire pit. Some smoke is still produced, but much of the visible smoke and ash from primary combustion is incinerated. Using a low-smoke wood fuel or well seasoned firewood will provide the lowest attainable levels of smoke. Gas-fuelled fire pits also produce little smoke relative to a traditional wood-fuelled fire pit, so they can be considered as an alternative 'smokeless' option. How long will a cast iron or steel fire pit last? The lifespan of a cast iron or steel fire pit can vary depending on the thickness and quality of the material, as well as on your usage habits, storage and maintenance. Retailers' estimates on the longevity of high-quality models range from around seven years to 25 years and longer. Steel and cast iron are both susceptible to oxidation, and the level of rusting often greatly influences the lifespan of a fire pit. The material will be likelier to rust if it is left in wet conditions or filled with moisture, or if the surface is scratched, dented or otherwise damaged. Try to find out the warranty terms via the manufacturer or retailer. This will guarantee a minimum lifespan, although many cast iron and steel fire pits can comfortably outlast the warranty period given proper care. Should I cover my fire pit when I'm not using it? Water and detritus can easily accumulate inside and on top of an uncovered fire pit, leading to rusting and uncleanliness. So, most models will benefit from being covered while not in use. To ensure effective coverage, choose a suitably sized waterproof cover that can be secured tightly over the fire pit. Many fire pit manufacturers offer purpose-made covers as an additional purchase, while generic covers are available via retailers such as Amazon. Allow your fire pit to cool down completely before you handle or cover it.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'She won't stop posting private photos of me on social media - and laughs when I ask her to stop': This is such a common problem, says CAROLINE WEST-MEADS... and my answer may surprise you
Q My younger sister, who is 30, is much more outgoing and gregarious than me. I'm nine years older and, as the eldest sibling, always felt I had to be more responsible. We were not very close growing up because of the age gap, but since her 20s she has become like a good friend. We often socialise together now, especially recently as I have been feeling lonely after splitting from a long-time partner, which has been devastating. The problem is that she constantly posts our activities on social media, which I hate. So if I'm out with her and friends I have to expect lots of selfies and sometimes photos of me when I'm off-guard. Even if it's just for friends and family, I dislike being in so many pictures and worry about their impact on my job.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tyson Fury horses around with his family as he takes delivery of traditional gypsy caravan - while thousands of travellers arrive at Appleby Horse Fair
Tyson Fury has accepted the delivery of a new traditional gypsy caravan as he shared footage of himself 'horsing around' with his family. The boxing champ posted a clip of the red, green and gold carriage on his Instagram story last night - sparking further excitement he might be on his way to Appleby Horse Fair. It comes after Fury, 36, yesterday posted a video of himself riding a horse and trap. While it was thought he may be travelling to Appleby, Fury later confirmed he had just been taking a ride around Knutsford, Cheshire, for scenes filmed for his Netflix show. Meanwhile in another social media clip, Fury shared footage of him pulling his son along in a beautifully decorated horse trailer. His son can be heard yelling: 'Giddy up horsey!' While Fury growls back: 'You don't need a horse, you've got me.' Up to 10,000 travellers and 30,000 visitors have been arriving in Appleby-in-Westmorland this week for the annual horse fair. The picturesque town has a population of 3,000 for 51 weeks of the year - but this all changes in the first week of June as a result of the event which dates from 1775. One traveller caused controversy by taking her pony to the 'chippy' with her on Thursday evening. The grey and white horse was spotted queuing patiently at the counter of Appleby's Riverside Fish and Chips. One local said: 'It's bad enough that they're galloping up and down the high street, but surely they don't have to go into takeaways with their owners.' Two years ago drinkers watched in bewilderment as a pony was trotted through the Crown and Cushion pub in the town. The pony's visit to the bar, thought to be to show it off for sale, was captured on CCTV. Meanwhile Scarlett Tipton, 17, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was seen putting her pony Duchess through her paces on the streets of the town. She said: 'I love coming to Appleby, I'm here every year with my family. Duchess is loving the flashing lane this year, it's been great fun. I just wish the rain would stop.' MailOnline also spoke to fortune teller Melvina Smith on Thursday, who has been attending Appleby for 30 years. She said: 'The fair has changed so much over the years. It used to be a calm place where you could come to relax. A woman with her horse in The River Eden for the Appleby Horse Fair 'These days it's so much busier and it's sad that there's so much trouble now. You see a lot of bad behaviour, which is mostly down to drink.' Ms Smith, from Blackpool, Lancashire, bills herself as a 'true born gypsy' who reads palms and tells fortunes. She added: 'My mother and her mother before her had the gift and it's been passed down to me.' Travellers have also been washing their horses in the River Eden as part of a long-held tradition to prepare them for sale and to cool them off. However, some have also been accused of smashing up a cricket pavilion, racing carriages along village streets, threatening locals with a penknife and fouling footpaths with human excrement. A special police task force was also dealing with reports of burglary, criminal damage, racist abuse, knife crime. Cumbria Police said last Sunday that almost 30 arrests had been made in the Eden and South Lakes area as part of their pre-fair policing operation. Meanwhile, local sporting venue, Kirkby Lonsdale Cricket club, also saw its wooden pavilion smashed up. Cumbria Police said that three 10-year-old boys were arrested over the attack as part of the wider Appleby Fair policing operation. There were also problems at Woodclose Park caravan site where police investigated reports of criminal damage and the racial abuse of a security guard. It was reported that a group of traveller children had been abusive to staff and when asked to leave the park's reception set off fire extinguishers. In another earlier incident, police detained and handcuffed two traveller children after a penknife was produced in front of a shocked local on a riverside path. One of the biggest concerns for locals is also the welfare of the thousands of horses driven to Appleby to be traded in the streets. Last year two horses died at Appleby with both deaths being put down to exhaustion and overworking. The RSPCA intervened in 438 cases in total. Local campaigners say stricter regulations need to be placed on the event with spot checks on animal passports. The Appleby Fair Communities Group said: 'There are no checks on horse passports, we know horses are traded but the authorities never spot check passports. We know horses are moved, but with no check on passports ever. '
