7 good things | October

A favourite condiment, good TV, day trips from London... And, of course, quince!

A look back at 7 good things I encountered this month. A retroactive mood board of sorts, that captures some of the best that October brought my way.

1 QUINCE is the inevitable number one thing in October. I managed to replenish our stash of quince jelly just in time as we raided the last jar, and filled a few squat Le Parfait pots with quince paste. Sterilized and sealed, it is the best method I’ve found for it to last all year.

I had some extra quince purée to bake Anja Dunk’s Spiced Rye and Applesauce Cake and Henrietta Inman’s Oaty Cookie Cakes. Using some of the quince purée left over from making jelly in cakes or cookies that call for applesauce is a great idea, pointed my way by Ken Noakes on Instagram.

2 A meal of LEFTOVERS that transcends the sum of its parts.

Method: Heat up yesterday’s rice in a little olive oil until crisp, add Tuesday’s lentils in a corner of the pan to reheat, move everything to the side to make way for a (drained and rinsed) tin of chickpeas, tossed generously with cumin, coriander, turmeric, and a little more olive oil. When the chickpeas, in turn, become crispy, mix everything together. Serve with the few remaining tablespoons of lamb curry made by Louise, and a cucumber/yogurt salad from earlier in the week. Best of meals.

3 It was inconsiderate of me last month to mention an exhibition that had just closed. I hereby make amends, as this extraordinary show is on view until January! CLAUDETTE JOHNSON at The Courtauld. Stunning.

4 In the tyrannical world of credit-card—backed restaurant bookings, there is a special place for a tiny sliver of a wine bar that does not take reservations. CADET on Newington Green serves great wine and excellent food, by lovely staff, on lovely plates. It’s pretty perfect.

And now that CROSSROADS BAR has opened a few doors away, waiting an hour or two for a table is at least half the pleasure. Should hunger strike early, their small plates are really good too!

5 PLANET EARTH III for the precious pleasure of watching something together that will leave a 7-year old, a young teenager, and a just about adult all equally amazed. The first episode was astonishing.

6 I am the happy owner of several bottles of PUMPKIN SEED OIL, thanks to overlapping gifts by thoughtful family and friends who noticed my love of this condiment, which isn’t as easy to find here in England as it is in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. It is excellent in salads and no squash or pumpkin soup is complete without it.

7 LEAVING LONDON FOR THE DAY is always a good idea. Wimpole Estate just south of Cambridge, even under the lashing rain, was grand.

One very last thing! I’m already breaking my rules… It’s my favourite scene from Schitt’s Creek and I think of it often when I write recipes. It is just so good, and so true.

Welcome, November!