Skip to content
United States (USD)
Search

INSPIRE

Explore the latest ideas, inspiration and insider tips

HOW TO HOST A HARVEST LUNCH

Serve up the very best of Fall with tables worthy of any gathering, thanks to rustic stoneware, beautiful glasses and textural touches. Discover our tips for creating the most inviting display – plus, a delicious recipe to delight guests…

Layer with linen

Adding texture is a wonderful way to elevate tables each season. Our minimalist white Camber linen is made from high-quality cotton and washed for a soft finish, giving it a lovely, relaxed feel and beautiful drape. So, whether you want to use a tablecloth, accent place settings with napkins, or introduce a runner (we love our new rustic linen design), tactile textiles are a must-have for any meal.

Create contrast

There’s nothing like a monochrome palette for a modern update. Contemporary and beautifully moulded, our new Barnham stoneware collection comes in a charcoal glaze and looks striking against white. Simply add handmade rattan placemats, vintage-inspired Bruton cutlery and generous tumblers and wine glasses to each setting. Then place the matching carafe filled with water, or wine, in the center ready to pass around.

Go into detail

The secret to a memorable tablescape lies in those thoughtful finishing touches – whether it’s tying little felt acorns around napkins, or positioning a beautiful woven tealight holder at each place setting. It’s all about complementing the theme. All that’s missing is ambient lighting. There’s nothing like dining by candlelight, and our Mango Wood Glass Hurricane Candle Holder makes a stunning centerpiece option, too – perfect for a Harvest-inspired lunch.

Heart-warming recipes

Celebrate the fruits of the season with desserts to delight, such as this delicious Apple & Almond Tart. Our beautiful Porto Heart Oven Dish will earn you points for presentation, too.

Apple & Almond Tart

Serves 6-8
Prep: 45 minutes, plus chilling time
Cook: 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the pastry:
• 9oz plain flour
• A good pinch of salt
• 4oz cold salted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 large egg yolk

For the filling:
• 4oz salted butter, softened
• 4oz golden caster sugar
• 1 ½ tsp almond extract
• 3 medium eggs, beaten
• 4oz ground almonds
• 2 tbsp self-raising flour
• 2 large red apples, thinly sliced through the middle
• A little melted butter for brushing the top
• 2 tbsp apricot jam

Method

  1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, or use a food processor.
  2. Mix the egg yolk with two tablespoons of cold water and add into the flour mixture.
  3. Using a butter knife bring the pastry together, adding a little more water if needed. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
  4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 9 x 1.5 inch loose-bottom flan tin, pressing the pastry into the fluted edge and leaving the overhang. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 374°F/fan 284°F/gas 5.
  6. Prick the pastry base with a fork, line with baking parchment and fill with either rice, or baking beans. Place it on a baking sheet and bake blind for 20 minutes, removing the paper and rice, or beans, five minutes before the end. Trim any excess pastry off with a sharp knife, using the top of the flan tin as a guide.
  7. Turn down the oven to 356°F/fan 320°F /gas 4.
  8. For the filling, cream together the butter, sugar and almond extract either with a wooden spoon, or an electric whisk, until light and fluffy.
  9. Gradually beat in the eggs and fold in the almonds and flour.
  10. Spread the almond mixture out in the cooked pastry case. Top with the sliced apples and brush with melted butter.
  11. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, until the top is golden and feels firm to the touch, and cool on a wire rack.
  12. Warm the apricot jelly, sieve if desired, and brush all over the top of the tart. Serve warm, or cold, with blackberries and cream.
    Tip: Test the middle of the tart with a skewer and, if it comes out clean, it’s cooked!

INSPIRE

Looking for more ideas, inspiration and insider tips? Explore our latest editorials

Image