English cherries, Nicaraguan stew, barbecued chicken

“AFTER A MONTH OF RICE AND BEANS, INDIO VIEJO SEEMED LIKE ONE OF THE MOST DELICIOUS THINGS I’D EVER EATEN”

Behind the scenes at Borough is a small team of dedicated professionals whose job it is to keep the wheels of this historic market turning. Most of them are completely obsessed with food, thanks in part to their daily exposure to exceptional produce and expert traders. We’ve asked them to share their thoughts on the ingredients and dishes that spark their excitement when summer rolls around.   

Eden Connelly is Borough’s Administrative Assistant, responsible for a wide range of back office tasks essential to the efficient running of the market.

What item of summer produce do you most look forward to when the season rolls around?

I love cherries – they’re so versatile and work in all kinds of summer dishes and drinks. There’s a Moroccan-inspired recipe I like to make, with heavily spiced slow-cooked chicken, rice and dried cherries, which I swap for fresh cherries when they’re in season. In terms of desserts, I love a cherry version of my mum’s strawberry cheesecake. It’s a simple white chocolate fresh cheesecake with a cherry and amaretto sauce poured over the top. Delicious.

Tell us about the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten on a summer holiday. Where was it and what was it?

I discovered a dish in Nicaragua while I was volunteering for World Challenge, which was very tasty but seemed like one of the most delicious things I’d ever eaten after spending an entire month eating gallo pinto (rice and beans) with every meal. It’s called indio viejo and it’s a beef stew made with maize and shredded meats. It’s so filling and fairly cheap to make, and while not traditionally summery, it reminds me of that trip and all the great memories we made.

It’s a perfect barbecue day. Are you the one firing up the barbecue or part of the crowd sitting with a cold drink while someone else sweats over the coals?

I tend to be in charge of desserts and drinks (and the occasional salad!) at barbecues. I like to make pitchers of cocktails for ease at bigger gatherings. My signature drink is very pink – I love the flavour of berries, so I mix pink lemonade (my favourite for this is the cranberry lime lemonade from The French Comte) with fresh raspberries, lots of ice and either cherry or raspberry gin for the adults. And my go-to salad – because I love Middle Eastern flavours – is halloumi drizzled in hot honey (ideally raw chilli honey from From Field and Flower) on a pile of grains, pomegranate, cucumber and tomatoes, finished with coriander.

What’s your ultimate barbecue dish, either for cooking or eating?

My cousin’s husband is a chef and he makes an amazing marinated chicken for family barbecues. I don’t know the exact recipe, but he sections the whole bird before marinating it in a spicy, sweet combination of tomato and hot honey / chilli sauce (either the mango chilli sauce or naga chilli sauce from Wiltshire Chilli Farm would probably work well, dependent on the flavours of the rest of barbecue) and lots of spices.

If you were planning your perfect picnic, what foods from Borough Market would you add to your basket?

I love picky bits that don’t need any cutlery. Berries are always a winner and we have so much choice at the market. I love bread and tend to pick up a jar of really good pesto or salsa, like the green herb salsa from La Pepia, which you can dip or spread, negating the need for butter.

Where in London would you take your Borough Market picnic basket for an afternoon in the sun?

I have a few favourite places. One close by the market is Leathermarket Gardens. It’s a good spot for a picnic with some lovely greenery and flowers. Two of my other favourites are a bit further out but are well worth the journey. One is Richmond Park, which I love because of the potential to see the deer. I really enjoy being surrounding by wildlife. The other is Chiswick House and Gardens, which is stunning. The ambience is lovely and it’s perfect for a post-picnic walk. 

What’s your summer sundown tipple of choice? In an ideal world, where would you be sitting to enjoy it?

Something citrussy is perfect for a really hot day. I like to mix limoncello and lemonade with a dash of bitters and blend with ice – super refreshing and cooling. I’d drink it sat in the garden with friends around the firepit with my dog Theo by our sides, blankets (if needed) and plenty of nibbles within easy reach.