Summer is coming and we are spending more of the evening outside, in my case, removing slugs from the vegetable patch, In Eva’s perfecting her skipping.

This simple supper is quick and easy to prepare. Smoked Mackerel is one of my fridge standbys and this pate is full of protein, loaded with essential fatty acids and vitamins. A great quick starter or a simple supper. I have to have it with cornichons and some Guinness and treacle bread….

400gr smoked mackerel – skin off
150gr cream cheese
zest and juice of a lemon
1 tbsp grated horseradish

tip everything into a blender and blend according to your preference – slightly rough and it is a pate – smooth and it is more like a dip.

Guinness & Treacle Bread

1lb Wholemeal flour
2 level teaspoons Bread Soda
2oz butter
2 tablespoons Treacle
400ml Guinness

Oven at 180C
Lightly grease a flour a 2lb loaf tin.
Melt the butter and treacle into a saucepan over a low heat.
When melted, add the Guinness and mix well.
Add flour to a bowl.
Sieve in the bread soda and mix well.
Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix well. Transfer mixture to prepared tin and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes until risen and when tapped underneath has a hollow sound
Wrap in a clean tea towel and allow to cool.