Wimbledon is back. Having been cancelled last year, it is now one of the pilot events chosen as part of the Government Event Research Programme, with 50 per cent capacity crowds on the main courts at the start rising to full capacity for the semi-finals and finals. What is more, organisers have said Murray Mound will also be open to spectators and the grumpy Scot himself has been given a wildcard qualification for this year’s tournament.
Those attending can look forward to suffocating in their face masks as they move from court to court in the June heat. Thankfully, masks will not be required once seated in the stands and so spectators can swig at their Pimms and scoff their strawberries and cream with abandon.
But what else to munch on when standing patiently in line at the All England Club, or when hosting a viewing party from the comfort of home? Here are some ideas.
Twists on strawberries and cream
A bowl of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon is one of life’s eternal verities. Even the price remains unchanged since 2010, at a very respectable £2.50. Good on them. (Though Wimbledon has of course moved with the times and now offers a ‘plant-based vegan friendly cream alternative’ on request). Consider other ways of enjoying the classic pairing: Eton Mess is always a crowd pleaser and the pink peppercorns in this version from Gordon Ramsey lends a sophisticated touch. Consider trying Jamie’s grilled strawberries with Pimms or a surprisingly-quick strawberry ice cream sundae. Or take inspiration from Wimbledon’s very own head chef, Gary Parsons, and knock up his dessert of roasted strawberries with strawberry mousse, dandelion and burdock jelly, and ice cream.
Shake up the Pimms
It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like Pimms – or, to give it its full name, which of course no-one in this country would ever do, the ‘Pimm’s No. 1 Cup’. Variations on the classic combo tend usually to extend only to the Pimms Royale, which is achieved with the addition of sparkling wine. But Meghan Markle, writing back in 2014 on her luxury blog, The Tig, provided her own special twist – The TIG Cup. As she explained, ‘having a love of all things Brit [yes, really], I wanted to do a twist on their signature Pimm’s Cup’. Her creation features gin, Maraschino cherry liqueur, tonic and soda water and is packed with the ‘fresh picked flavors of the season’. Meghan’s blog was taken off line when she began her brief dalliance with British public life but luckily the archived recipe is still available on fan site Meghan’s Mirror. Perhaps an acquired taste.
Cucumber sandwiches
Perfectly triangular crust-less cucumber sandwiches take some beating. The bread needs to be well buttered and the cucumber dressed with a little Maldon salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If you want something a little different try this version which combines the cucumber with egg mayonnaise and carrot pickle. Soft cheese, avocado, cucumber, rocket and chicken breast is also a winning combination.
Cake
Yes you could make a proper grown-up cake, but there is something very frivolous and fun about these tennis ball cupcakes made ever so moist with tinned peaches. Making them will keep the kids entertained while Sue Barker is interviewing the All England Club head groundsman. You could also of course test them to produce their own immaculate lawn icing with this tennis cake from Mary Berry.
Chilled soup
There are so few occasions in this country when chilled soup is appropriate. The Spanish can sip on their gazpacho all summer long, the Persians can enjoy their chilled yoghurt soup all year round, but in these cold and rainy Isles soup should be the song of the hearth and come piping. But, just occasionally, chilled soup has its place and a cold cucumber version flavoured with a little lovage or dill is all you need to cool yourself down in between sets.
Sparkling wine
Lanson is the “Official Supplier of Champagne to The Championships”, but surely it is time the All England Club embraced our home-grown bubbly? Opt for a glass of the Classic Reserve from Hattingley Valley who have been announced as the official TeamGB English sparkling ahead of the Olympics. Or opt for the Leander Pink Brut NV from Digby. Just remember to get some Robinsons lemon barley water for the kids: invented for Wimbledon in 1935 to quench the thirst of the players, it remains the very taste of an English summer. And a very good idea for adults too, in between glasses of the stronger stuff.
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