Figura Cook - Eat the Seasons - November

November is awash with hearty root vegetables that love a nip of frost.  

It also turns out that 'National Fig Week' is the first week in November....so we have brought a dessert recipe below to celebrate!

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In the Larder

A beautifully simple dish from Eric Chavot, this rustic cod with lentils recipe is a true Winter Warmer. Pancetta adds salty depth to the puy lentils, and is a good balance for the delicate cod fillets on top.

Matt Weedon's stunning autumnal goat's curd and blackberry dessert recipe is a heady blend of ripe figs, creamy goat's curd and a vibrant blackberry sorbet. Perfect for those who prefer a lighter end to a meal but don't want to compromise on flavour.

Inside the Project

A HOME THAT APPEALS TO ALL THE SENSES. 

Inspired by this client's passion for sights, smells and love of 18th Century Belgian interiors, this incredible London home has astonishing attention to detail, incredible flair and an overwhelming commitment to long-held design concept. 

The client wanted to create something completely different, but with a really homely feel.  She was influenced by many trips to Belgium, but the house also has influences from France and touches of Italy, it is very classical.   The client told us that “a house has to appeal to all the senses. Lighting, sounds and smells are also critical”.  A lot of candle light and chandeliers are used to create this sensual atmosphere.

In the creation of this exceptional living space we worked with the client to a very specific design brief. There is something magical, theatrical, mysterious and incredibly opulent about entering this Victorian London home and being transported to an 18th Century masterpiece.

We were really excited to work closely with the client to design two separate kitchens with different purposes.  The front main kitchen is for entertaining friends and family, it presents a warm and welcoming atmosphere which is perfect for relaxing in the evening with wine, cheese and delicious scented candles.

The main kitchen design included a bespoke La Cornue Château range cooker, sourcing a magnificent Louis XIV mantel from France, creating a beautiful writing desk with aged oak surface, a curved full high cupboard with TV storage and a fabulous island centrepiece with beautiful turned pilaster legs, open cutlery storage and marble surface.

The rear kitchen is the work zone with dishwasher, bi-fold pantry and full height fridge and freezer.

In the Cellar

Our expert Rupert Pritchett from Taurus Wines has given his recommendations to go with our seasonal dishes.

This CVNE Monopole White Rioja (£24.99) would be an excellent match for the cod dish - as just like the lentils it has a dash of sherry added to it! It's a wonderful bone dry white and the addition of just 10% Manzanilla sherry gives it a nutty savouriness that will complement the salty pancetta and bring out the herby flavour in the lentils and cooking juices. 

Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (£10.99 for 37.5cl) can sometimes be an undiscovered treat for dessert wine lovers. It's from the romantically named Casablanca Valley in Chile and has wonderful overtones of honey, apricot and orange zest, making it a great match for fruity desserts like this blackberry sorbet - plus aficionados of late harvest sauvignons will also know it's a great match for cheese, so it will complement that element of the dish perfectly too.

Recipes courtesy of Great British Chefs.  Please visit their site for more Autumn recipes.