dinner in a flash

Nothing sings spring like strawberries, so Annabel is keen to get her hands on the first berries of the new season.

She ventures north to a Hawkes Bay strawberry farm bearing a gift of Buttery Shortbread to share with the farmer.

On this page you'll find recipes and bonus videos from this episode. All the rest of the recipes from the series are in the accompanying book, Annabel Langbein: The Free Range Cook - Through the Seasons, Sorry – this book is out of print

Avocado Salsa

Crispy Shallots

Pistachio Praline

Spicy Seafood Fritters

Buttery Shortbread Cookies

Avocado Salsa Timbales

Gluten-Free Corn Fritters

behind-the-scenes photo gallery

It's harvest time at Billy Scott's strawberry farm in Hawke's Bay. He has about 120,000 plants, each capable of producing about a kilo of fruit.

It's harvest time at Billy Scott's strawberry farm in Hawke's Bay. He has about 120,000 plants, each capable of producing about a kilo of fruit.
When I was a kid "one for the basket, one for the mouth" was our pick-your-own mantra.

When I was a kid "one for the basket, one for the mouth" was our pick-your-own mantra.
Who knew strawberry varieties taste so distinctly different? About 60 percent of Billy's strawberries are Camarosa, a quarter are Pajaro and the rest are Albion, a new variety with an intense, incredibly sweet flavour.

Who knew strawberry varieties taste so distinctly different? About 60 percent of Billy's strawberries are Camarosa, a quarter are Pajaro and the rest are Albion, a new variety with an intense, incredibly sweet flavour.
You know you've got easy recipes when you can put them together out in the garden without any kitchen facilities.

You know you've got easy recipes when you can put them together out in the garden without any kitchen facilities.
Soundcheck for the camera crew before my guests arrive.

Soundcheck for the camera crew before my guests arrive.
Everyone is on their best behaviour at the start of the dinner parties we shoot for the series – but they get a little looser as time goes by...

Everyone is on their best behaviour at the start of the dinner parties we shoot for the series – but they get a little looser as time goes by...
I love to set up a table among the bees and the blossoms in the garden. If the salad needs a few more herbs I can just reach out and pick some!

I love to set up a table among the bees and the blossoms in the garden. If the salad needs a few more herbs I can just reach out and pick some!

find out more

Want to find out more about this episode? Check out my blog inspired by my experiences while filming the show.
Find out more about Season One of The Free Range Cook
Find out more about Season Two of The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures

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