Local Lynx No.151 August/September 2023

for the kale or broccoli
100g kale (stalks removed/shredded) or
150g tenderstem broccoli
1 lemon (juiced)
2 teaspoons of olive oil
to serve
a handful of parsley (chopped)
a handful of fresh mint leaves (chopped)
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 190 celcius (fan).
For the pickled onions, place the sliced red onion, lemon
juice and optional white balsamic vinegar into a bowl and
toss to combine. Set aside; the longer the onions macerate
the brighter they will be.
Place the pieces of butternut squash into a large bowl,
drizzle over the oil and sprinkle over the sugar, salt and
pepper. Toss to coat, then lay on a banking tray, spreading
the pieces apart as much as possible. Bake in the oven for 30
minutes until darkened and caramelised. Give the bowl a
quick rinse and dry; you will now use it for the lentils.
Drain the lentils and spread out onto a baking tray lined
with kitchen paper. Place another piece of kitchen paper on
top and lightly press down; the drier the lentils the crispier
they will be. When dry, pour the lentils into your large bowl,
discarding the kitchen paper, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle
over the hot smoked paprika, salt and petter and toss to coat.
Spread out onto a separate baking tray and place in the oven
with the butternut squash for the final 20 minutes of cooking
time, stirring after 10 minutes.
While the butternut squash, and lentils are roasting make
the garlic yoghurt. Place the yoghurt, garlic and salt into a
bowl and grind over the black pepper and stir to combine.
Place the kale/broccoli in a large bowl, pour over the
lemon juice and drizzle over the oil and a pinch of salt.
Using clean hands massage this dressing into the leaves/
stems. Place in the oven for the final ten minutes of cooking
of the butternut squash and lentils. When everything has
finished cooking, layer over the garlic yoghurt with the kale/
broccoli, followed by the roasted squash, lentils and then the
pickled onions. Scatter over the parsley and mint before
serving.
Sophia’s suggested sommelier pairing is a white wine
from Argentina by Susana Balbo, Crios, made with the
fragrant, fruity, creamy and bright, Torrontes grape, which
you can also indulge in at Morston Hall or purchase from
Adnams.
Sophia Williams
TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK
Since my last column summer arrived with a sustained
hot and dry spell, although balanced with some periods of
cool wind. We’ve had a pair of gadwall ducks on our lawn,
a first sighting for me. The male was in eclipse – a transition
plumage after a moult – and I must confess I had to reach
for my trusty RSPB guide to accurately identify the pair.
Nice to see yet another species using the river.
We have had numerous water vole sightings, but it is
hard to say if this is one busy vole or several animals
because we only ever see one at once. They/it have been
feeding in the reed beds alongside our property and
particularly outside a near neighbour who regularly hears
them munching. It’s great to see them back, and hopefully
they will breed and expand their local population. They
often swim across the river, and clamber around on the
banks looking for food. They seem to have adapted to our
presence and don’t immediately hide when spotted.
The voles are always under threat however, because in
early June I had my first otter sighting for some while. It
was a tantalising brief encounter, just a swim past, but it is
always exciting to see them. I do feel for the vulnerable prey
creatures – like the voles and ducklings – however. An otter
must seem extremely fierce to them.
In mid-June temperatures got very high and several trout
took to sheltering under the ash and alder trees across the
bank. Pleasingly these varied in size quite a bit, implying a
slight recovery in population. I did contact the Rivers Trust
about nutrient levels and they confirmed that was the likely
reason for the algae bloom earlier this year. As other plants
grow these levels fall, and the algae has largely cleared now.
Nutrient levels can be tested, but it very difficult to pinpoint
an exact cause as there could be multiple reasons including
sewage works, farming or septic tanks. Re-introducing
natural meanders like the one between Stiffkey and Warham
will help improve water quality long-term.
The banded damoiselle damselflies have appeared which
is good news because aside from being spectacular they are
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