FOOD FILES

by Melissa Blease

In the summertime when the weather is fine, throw together your favourite salad and give it that special je ne sais quoi with a handmade dressing. Here are three of our favourites.

Bath Pizza Co have launched a new Bottomless Prosecco menu. The £29 offer includes any of their famous pizzas along with unlimited fizz for 90 minutes –and it’s available seven days a week.

The casual dining pizzeria based at Green Park Brasserie has two stunning terraces, perfect for watching the world go by in the sunshine. There are no bookings so swing by whenever you want and make the most of their chilled alfresco vibes and award winning pizza. Bath Pizza Co placed in the top three at the National Pizza Awards recently and are known for their buzzing terraces as one of Bath’s favourite local hotspots. A popular £12.50 Pint/Prosecco offer is also available Monday to Friday.

Shake 6 tbsp peppery, extra virgin olive oil with 2 tbsp red or white wine vinegar, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 small garlic clove (peeled and grated) and a pinch of caster sugar in a large, clean jam jar. Season to taste and serve with all classic salad combinations, drizzled over warm griddled leeks or asparagus, or use as a base for quick dips, mixed with plain yoghurt, soured cream or cottage cheese. Store sealed and refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.

Blue Cheese Dressing

In a small tub, mash 2 heaped tbsp strongly-flavoured soft blue cheese (eg. Roquefort or Gorgonzola) with 2 tbsp mayonnaise (low fat is fine) and 2 tbsp thick, Greek-style natural yogurt. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and serve with robust salad leaves such as endive or chicory, celery sticks, sliced apples and/or pears and walnuts... or with fried chicken for a classic American combo. Store sealed and refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Balsamic Dressing

Shake 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt and a smattering of freshly ground black pepper in a large, clean jam jar. Add dried basil or/and dried oregano to taste and drizzle liberally over Italian-style salads or roasted Mediterranean vegetables, or serve with warm Focaccia or Ciabatta, for dipping. Store sealed and refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.

Read more about the Bottomless offer here: bathpizzaco.com/bottomless-prosecco-pizza

Our local Indian food restaurant Bandook has developed a new collaboration. Every Friday Bandook chefs take over to serve Babington House’s members-only guests a selection of its signature tandoor-grilled items with a twist. These flavoursome dishes are marinated by the specialist tandoori chef and cooked off to perfection under the wood-fire grill in the garden of Babington House from 12pm onwards. Expect to see dishes such as Lasooni Lamb Chops, Basil Chicken Tikka, Grilled Aubergine Masala and Alleppey Salmon Tikka on the menu. This collaboration is only applicable to members of Babington House, but the dishes are also available at Bandook in Bath. bandookkitchen.com