Eating outside is one of the great gifts of summer. The smell of wood smoke and a BBQ, brightly coloured salads and slow cooked local meats. Friends and family gathered in the sunshine (or perhaps sheltering under an umbrella from the rain) to enjoy time together as the meat slowly sizzles.
Whilst BBQ grills have always been the traditional option, pizza ovens are increasingly popular. After all, they’re easy to use, compact, they cook pizzas quickly and you can also use them for baking bread and cooking meat. And what better way to celebrate all things Sussex and summer than with your very own Sussex al fresco feast with a BBQ grilled starter and Sussex inspired pizzas.
Why use Sussex produce?
Well, if Kent is the fruit basket of England, then Sussex is the larder. There is so much great quality local produce in Sussex which is packed with flavour but is low on carbon footprint, and when you buy local, you’re supporting a local business. What’s more, if you buy in a local market, the chances are you’ll get to meet the producer and find out more about their story.
So what Sussex ingredients might work well on a pizza or BBQ?
There are a number of heritage vegetable producers in Sussex growing the likes of tomatoes, leeks, beans, asparagus, courgette and lettuce.
The county also has a large number of first rate cheese producers from the large range at High Weald, to the “not too goaty” goats’ cheese from Nut Knowle Farm and the well known (and much loved) Sussex Charmer. There are also plenty of butchers selling locally reared meat from spring South Downs lamb to fantastic beef for steaks and burgers.
Where to source your Sussex ingredients?
A great place to start is a local farmers market. Good ones in East Sussex include markets held at Lewes, Battle, Bexhill, Rye, Heathfield and Crowborough. In West Sussex, farmers markets are held at Shoreham, Petworth, Chichester and Steyning. If you can’t wait until market day, head to your local farm shop or even go straight to the farm, for example Tablehurst Farm in Forest Row, Coopers Farm at Hadlow Down or Garlic Wood Farm near Billingshurst.
A Sussex garden menu
Grab your chefs’ whites and head outside. You don’t need to be a Michelin star chef to cook up these sizzlingly delicious Sussex dishes.
Starter: grilled courgettes with lemon and Sussex blue cheese
Slice your courgettes length ways into thinnish strips and coat them lightly in a mix of olive oil, crushed garlic, the zest of a lemon, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Then grill them on the BBQ for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Then serve with crumbled blue cheese, like Aslop and Walker’s Sussex Blue or Pevensey Blue Cheese.
Main: DIY pizzas with seasonal toppings
These days, unless you want to make your own dough, it’s pretty easy to buy ready made pizza dough and then all you have to do is have a choice of toppings for guests to choose. Local hams and meats, combine well with Nutbourne tomatoes, local cheese, peppers, mushrooms, rocket, spinach, basil, sausage and red onions – making for some colourful and flavoursome combos.
Dessert: summer fruits from your local PYO farm with local ice cream
From June strawberries, to raspberries and currants and the first of the late summer plums and blackberries, summer fruits are such an easy dessert choice. Serve with local cream, local ice cream and local honey, and if you’re feeling adventurous, bake some meringue and crush it in with summer berries, cream and a few small chunks of Sussex chocolate for a Sussex take on Eton Mess.
Sussex drinks pairings
If you are celebrating a special occasion, then a bottle of Sussex sparkling wine is a must. There are plenty of local vineyards where you can stock up, or just head to your local supplier, like Sarah’s Wine in Battle, The Horsham Cellar, the South Downs Cellars in Lindfield, Fine Wines of Mayfield or Hennings of Petworth.
While there, pick up a bottle of Sussex gin (there are dozens to choose from) or some local Sussex beer. Al fresco dining doesn’t get much more Sussex than that.
Making the most of your outside dining
Of course, you need a BBQ, table and chairs as your basic set up and maybe some fairy lights for a little extra evening ambience. The next most important thing is a BBQ table or pizza oven table. This is your culinary hub where you can put everything you need from fresh herbs, dips and sauces to bowls bursting with salads, plates and napkins.
If you have a pizza oven, a pizza oven table is a safe and sturdy place to put your pizza oven making it also quick and easy to add toppings and cook, and just as easy to serve when done. Having a dedicated space allows you to prep and prepare, store and serve and means the whole meal runs like a well-oiled grill pan, and it also often creates a gathering place where people chat and join in.
Beautiful handmade work benches
Greenfields Wood Store make beautiful outdoor pizza oven tables and BBQ tables in a variety of widths and in either a plain pine finish or painted in a colour of your choice. They are handmade in Sussex from sustainably sourced wood, portable and easy to put together. Made with heavy duty, solid pine with excellent workmanship that will stand the test of time. They are stylish, practical and long lasting.
To find out more or to order visit: Beautiful tables.
For more al fresco inspiration and places to buy look produce:
