what’s hot in the kitchen

Our round-up of foodie news, products and events

Fishy on a dishy

Did you know it’s the start of the Scottish North Sea herring season now? So we should think about including this tasty and nutritious fish in our shopping baskets. Known as the “silver darlings”, North Sea herring is one of the most sustainable types of fish around. What’s more, it’s an incredibly nutritious fish, packed full of minerals, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids that are so important for heart health. Simplicity is the key when it comes to cooking herring: try panfrying it in oatmeal with a mustard sauce, or marinade it and serve with salads and pulses. www.msc.org

Berry tasty

It goes without saying that a berry ice cream counts as one of your five a day so you’ll be pleased to hear that tayberries, a cross between a raspberry and a bramble, grown on Pittormie Fruit Farm in Dairsie, are being transformed into a summery ice-cream by Jannettas Gelateria in St Andrews. Available from Pittormie Fruit Farm’s shop and Jannettas itself, a cone costs around £1.60. www.janettas.co.uk

Meat feast

Calling all meat lovers: head to Balgove Larder by St Andrews on August 10 for their latest night market. The theme is Fire & Meat and the Steak Barn will be serving up burgers, steaks, and serving out sliders and seasonal brews. 5pm-9pm. www. balgovelarder.com

Date for your diary

Take a trip back in time at the Crannog Centre on August 11 at their Lughnasa Harvest Festival. Try ancient ploughing, sow seeds, learn about prehistoric farming, make herb garlands and bake your own harvest rolls in Iron Age clay ovens. All events include museum exhibits, talks around a log-fire in the Crannog roundhouse, demonstrations and hands-on experience of ancient crafts and technologies. One of the four traditional Celtic Festivals, Lughnasa has many possible origins but is most often associated with the sun god Lughand, marks the end of summer when the fruits have been collected and when the grains are ripening but not harvested yet. 10.30am-4.30pm, normal entry fee applies. www. crannog.co.uk