Caesar salad with chicken is one of my all-time favourite salads. It reminds of the summer I lived on Martha’s Vineyard and I love to order it when eating out during the warmer months. I’m under no illusions that it is a healthy option, but it tends to be one of the few carb-light meals on pub menus.

I’ve recently started making it at home too and now both Gav and I are totally hooked. The secret is in a punchy homemade dressing. None of that goopy nonsense from a jar, oh no. A simple mix of finely chopped anchovies, minced garlic, lemon juice, zest and olive oil, and you’re good to go. I love this kale version (where my dressing is adapted from), but more often use romaine lettuce. A whole head provides plenty of crispy goodness for two people.

Croutons are made from sour dough, torn or cut into bite sized pieces, tossed with a little olive oil and baked in a 200°c pre-heated oven for 10-15 minutes. Chicken tastes best griddled I think, with the smoky charred stripes contrasting nicely with the sharp and creamy dressing. I look forward to making this lots over the summer (if we get one!), enjoying it in the garden with a chilled glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Bliss. I hope you'll give it a go.

Amazing Caesar salad dressing

1 garlic clove

3 olive oil-packed anchovy fillets

1 tsp lemon zest

1 large egg yolk

Salt

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

*Blitz all the ingredients except salt in a blender. Taste and season with salt if needed. If the dressing is too thick, thin with a little water. Toss with torn romaine lettuce, croutons and grated Parmesan. Serve griddled chicken on top or on the side.*

 

Martha's Vineyard is one of my favourite places in the world. Located to the south of Cape Cod in New England, Mass, USA, it's an unspoilt island that has managed to maintain a wonderful laid back vibe despite its popularity with the rich and famous.

I spent a summer season working in a hotel on the Vineyard with my friend Jane after university, and Luke lived there for 10 years working as an decorator on the stunning properties. The outsides of many of the houses are just as beautiful as the interiors, and in the town of Oak Bluffs there are cute doll-like homes painted in all kinds of colours from candy shades to vibrant brights, which inspire many of our designs for Ruby Rhino.

 

What I love most about the Vineyard is the super casual feel - if you've ever read Judy Blume's Summer Sisters, you'll know just what I mean. It's the dream location for a summer house, spending lazy days on the beach and returning home windswept and sun-kissed to throw some fresh lobsters and corn on the BBQ, before heading our for a chilled martini at one of the relaxed harbourside bars. Bliss. Hmmm... not quite sure why we came back!

 

So Martha's Vineyard is the inspiration behind the first post in the new Get the look series on the blog, with a collection of goodies to achieve that delicious easy-going beach house feel at home. I hope you like it.

one; two; three; four; five; six; seven; eight

Good morning, what did you get up to over the weekend? We spent a couple of hours in a pub beer garden yesterday, which really signals the start of summer for me, so I thought I'd ease us into the week with these inspiring images of outside spaces. Our garden is like some big wild forest that the landlord arranges a gardener to sort out, but I'd like to set up a nice seating area ready for when it's warm enough to have friends over for BBQs, and for the music festival we're planning to throw this summer. I like to think of the garden as an extra room, and love the idea of built-in seating strewn with colourful cushions, as well as an outside cooking area with prep area, grill and wood-fired pizza oven. Basically, all the things that allow us to make the most of the short British summer and spend as much time outside as possible.

All images