Meera Sodha's recipe for spring greens and cheddar picnic focaccia
Last month, while on a book tour in New York, I ate a sandwich that moved me to utter profanities. It was unusual behaviour from me, and more so because the sandwich in question was packed with an excessive amount of spring greens, but then, that is the genius of Brooks Headley, chef/owner of Superiority Burger: like Midas, he has an ability to turn the ordinary into gold. Here, I've tried to recreate it by cooking down a kilo of spring greens until they are melting, soft, collapsed and buttery, before tossing them with sharp cheddar. It's pure picnic gold.
You don't have to have this on a picnic, but it really does work well, plus you can make the greens in advance and refrigerate them, provided you give them time to come up to room temperature afterwards. Buy the best focaccia you can find, or make your own – I make a 20cm x 30cm one like this (minus the garlic).
Prep 10 minCook 30 minServes 6
1kg baby spring greens
80g unsalted dairy butter
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp fine sea salt
100g mature cheddar, grated – I like TicklerFocaccia, to serve (homemade or bought in)
Wash the greens, shake off the excess water, then cut off the ends and compost them or save for soup – as a general guide, I cut away any stalks that are thicker than the base of my little finger. Shred the leaves into 3cm- to 4cm-wide strips.
Put half the butter and half the oil in each of two large, deep frying pans and put them on a medium heat. When the butter has melted and started to foam, distribute the leaves and salt between the two pans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, until the greens have given up all hope of freshness and turned forest-black, glossy and soft. Tip all the leaves into one of the pans, toss through the grated cheese, then take off the heat.
Slice open the focaccia horizontally, then evenly pile the greens on the bottom half. Slap the lid on top and compress. If you like a bit of theatre, tightly wrap the focaccia in foil, pop it in a bread tin and pack with a large bread knife; once on location, turn out and slice with panache. Or, more sensibly, slice into portions before you leave and wrap individually.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Which sign will get a chance to refresh their relationships?
CANCER 22 June-23 July You don't have to reinvent yourself, but the cosmos is asking you to return to who you truly are. That means letting yourself be both strong and soft at the same time, as you allow for a sacred beginning. This marks an era of empowerment. CALL 0905 789 0404* LEO 24 July-23 Aug You're about regain your voice, as messenger Mercury enters your sign and a New Moon in Cancer aligns you to your innermost truth this week. You are wiser than many people may realise and leading with gentle truth will help you find success. CALL 0905 789 0405* VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept You are getting a chance to really understand what is right for you, but that doesn't come through overthinking things. Are you walking with people who see and love the real you? A quiet feeling could shift your perspective in the right way. CALL 0905 789 0406* LIBRA 24 Sept-23 Oct You know the difference between pleasing people and real peace. The New Moon this week is powerful – it is redirecting your future and ensuring you are working for your own best interests. A generous offer lands in your lap. Don't be afraid to take it. CALL 0905 789 0407* SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov What's calling to you from the horizon? The New Moon in Cancer brings a subtle shift in how you view your future. You're allowed to see the potential – and to want more. The cosmos is helping you understand how you can get it. CALL 0905 789 0408* SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec The Cancer New Moon is stirring deeper waters for you. Your emotional life, your intimate bonds and your personal truths are shifting. There is no need to lose faith. Now comes a time to build the future you want, based on what you believe in. CALL 0905 789 0409* CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan You've done the hard work, but are you letting yourself enjoy the fruits? The New Moon in your opposite sign of Cancer brings a chance to refresh your relationships. There's a softness available now and Jupiter helps you receive more joy than you expect. CALL 0905 789 0410* AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb There is great satisfaction to be found in finally fixing something that's been off. The New Moon in Cancer opens up space to set yourself a new, healing routine. Don't worry about what makes sense now – just focus on how you really feel. CALL 0905 789 0411* PISCES 20 Feb-20 March Some stories are so good they write themselves. This week finds you living a positive outcome you had only dreamt of previously. The Cancer New Moon lights up your joy and creativity and Jupiter adds abundance to the mix. You are in your element – enjoy it!. CALL 0905 789 0412* ARIES 21 March-20 April Can you balance speaking up with softness? This week's Cancer New Moon helps you see that strength doesn't mean charging ahead. Be wise enough to be gentle. You're reminded of what matters most, especially when it comes to feeling at home. CALL 0905 789 0401* TAURUS 21 April-21 May Feelings are supposed to be felt, not analysed! Opening up doesn't always have to make you feel exposed. This week, honesty could build the exact bridge someone else has been waiting to cross – allow for an important and healing conversation to be held. CALL 0905 789 0402* GEMINI 22 May-21 June Is it worth it? That's a question you might find yourself asking this week, as the New Moon in Cancer highlights your values and money matters. You are now realising that it is less about what's in the bank and more about what's in your heart. CALL 0905 789 0403*
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
WW2 shooting of black US soldier in Lancashire taught in school
The fatal shooting of a black US soldier when trouble escalated between US troops stationed in Lancashire during World War Two has become a "cornerstone" lesson to local primary school William Crossland was shot dead on 24 June 1943 during racial violence between US troops stationed in Bamber Bridge, story of troops on the same side fighting a gun battle on the street is known as the Battle of Bamber Bridge and is now being taught at Clayton Brook Primary School."It's messages are still relevant today," head teacher Paul Farina said. Trouble had begun when white US military police officers tried to arrest a black soldier, Pte Eugene Nunn, in Ye Olde Hob Inn for wearing the wrong had sided with the soldier and his group, saying they had done nothing wrong, they were welcome in the pub, and they did not approve of racial segregation at the base. Events then escalated into a gun battle on the street and also back at the fight resulted in several injuries on both sides and the death of Pte Crossland. Mr Farina said after learning about the story, he contacted Clinton Smith of Preston Black History Group "and that's where the ball started rolling"."We now teach it to all of our children, it's one of the cornerstones of what we teach at Clayton Brook," he said. Mr Smith said: "I think the world's full of bad news and here's a story about solidarity."The US military had tried to enforce their segregation rules in the UK but he said the stance the people of Bamber Bridge took against it "was remarkable"."Bearing in mind this was a small, northern village and, as far as we can work out, it was a spontaneous act," he said."I didn't like going to school, but now I turn up with a smile on my face and excitement coursing through my veins," he said."What's really rewarding about it is the interaction with the youngsters and the knowledge that they have that's feeding back to me. "The reception I get is the encouragement I use to carry on doing it." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a proud gold digger who bagged a billionaire a decade my senior. Here are my secrets to hooking the biggest fish
Are you a woman working long hours for a company that doesn't value your contributions? Still investing time and emotion into romantic relationships that go nowhere?
