This week Kieron has taken the reins on the blog writing front - here goes!

‘The long summer days are upon us and they are what I’m enjoying the most. The sort where you can sit outside after a day at work, and catch up on the news, or better still, with friends around the fire pit eating and drinking.

I thought that it maybe fun to share a little more about ourselves going forward. So that you can see what goes on behind the scenes, and if there is ever something that makes team Brocante tick it’s food. We all enjoy our grub. Normally it’s a discussion on what we plan to have for lunch, but quite often it’s a chat about dinner plans. We thought it maybe fun to occasionally share our favourite recipes.

Seeing as I’m getting to write this blog I thought I would give you my failsafe crowd pleasing summer meal. The sort we would choose to eat with friends and family, that you don’t have to overthink or prepare for ages and fiddle with whilst you really want to be chewing the cud. The sort of meal that looks and tastes far more impressive than it should !

Kieron’s Summer Salmon for Four
A large side of salmon
150g unsalted butter softened
100g sundried tomatoes
2 tbsp capers
2 cloves of garlic
1 lemon zested and then sliced
Small bunch of basil and also dill
3 tbsp pitted black olives
100g artichoke hearts

- Blend the butter in a food processor along with half the herbs, 1 tbsp of the capers, tomatoes and lemon zest. Set aside.
- Lay down a large sheet of foil, with a large sheet of baking parchment on top of it and put the salmon on top of it. Slice the salmon into four portions without cutting through the skin.
- Spread the butter over the salmon with the remaining capers, lemon slices, artichokes and olives. Wrap the foil and parchment over the salmon creating a loose parcel.
- Cook the salmon for 30 mins at 180C in a fan oven, then serve on a platter along with the remaining herbs and all that lovely buttery juice.

I always make a delicious salad to go with the salmon. In summer I love one with orzo, which can of course be made well in advance so no faffing about at the last minute. If I really wanted to bring a touch of elegance to the dining table I would turn to the incredible platters we sell from Wonki Ware The unique serving bowls, plates and platters, available in our Fowey and St Ives shops would be the perfect accompaniment to this dish. All individually hand crafted in South Africa, no two products are the same. Needless to say it all tastes so much better with a crisp dry wine, perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc ?

Food aside, we have been working hard in the shops and behind the scenes. We had an overnight stop in Surrey very recently, so we could visit one of our suppliers. What was meant to be a very ordinary night away turned into a proper treat, where we got to have drinks with friends at Beaverbrook in Leatherhead. As interior lovers we were blown away with the property and grounds. I particularly fell in love with the spa. None of your ordinary beige and white, but zingy and exciting green, blue and red. So refreshing.

As well as the striking interiors, I have never seen any restaurant setting quite as fabulous as the hot air balloon baskets set up around the large pond. As a sybarite it was a complete treat to visit.

I hope that gives you a little flavour of what we have been up to this summer, in addition to working in our favourite seaside towns. Perhaps you now have a new summer recipe up your sleeve? If you do fancy trying this at home we would love to see pictures.

Fingers crossed the next few weeks are super busy, with cracking weather and lots of summer fun. Hoping to see as many of you as possible in the shops as the holiday season kicks off.’

Kieron's Simple Summer Salmon For Four