The plum – along with the blackberry – is something of a transitional fruit, midway between the sweet juiciness of summer peaches and the deep richness of autumn flavours. As such, it lends itself to well to both seasons, moving seamlessly from light summer dishes to heartier spiced crumbles and cobblers. We can almost taste the delicious nip stealing into the air and the first leaves beginning to turn russet and golden.

Overnight Plum And Almond Oats


Olive Magazine
Overnight Plum And Almond Oats

Overnight oats are one of our staple easy and healthy breakfasts – but never more so than when made with whole almonds, almond milk and ripe plums. Good for you, filling and utterly delicious, what possible better way could there be to start the day? Find the recipe here.


Plum, Lime and Peanut Salad


Anna Jones
Plum, Lime And Peanut Salad

You can rely on Anna Jones for surprising ways with familiar fruit and veg, and we can think of few more sensational dishes on a summer table than her salad of plum, lime and peanut. The plum packs in the juicy, sweet flavour; the peanut brings the crunch and balancing fat; while the lime lends a zingy lift to the whole affair. One to make on repeat – and then return to all autumn as well. Find the recipe here.


French Mild Goat’s Cheese With Plums In Lavender Syrup


Delicious Magazine
Tasty Ways With A Plum

We do love a pudding that looks impressive, tastes delicious and yet is simplicity itself to make. But then who doesn’t? This dessert ticks all the boxes – and offsets the sweet with the savoury to absolute perfection. The floral note of lavender lends a delicate flavour, the cheese delivers a luxurious creaminess, the brioche brings a comforting softness and the plums are pure juicy joy. Genius. Find the recipe here.


Plum Tarte Tartin


Jamie Oliver
Plum Tarte Tartin Copy

There’s nothing like a plum tarte tartin for delivering all the big flavours and taking us merrily into early autumn. Jamie’s rendition is easy to make, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with maple syrup. We recommend laying hands on the best quality ice cream you can find to go with it (clotted cream is ideal). Find the recipe here.


Chipotle-Roasted Chicken With Plum And Tarragon Salad


Yotam Ottolenghi/ The Guardian
Chipotle-Roasted Chicken With Plum And Tarragon Salad Copy

Ottolenghi is a master of delicately balanced flavour and texture. And so it proves once again with his chipotle-roasted chicken with plum and tarragon salad. As he writes, ‘For this rich summer roast, make sure your plums are ripe and sweet, but still firm, to balance the heat and acidity in the chicken. There’s very little work involved, but the chicken will definitely benefit from marinating overnight.’ Find the recipe here.


Plum Upside Down Cake


Olive Magazine
Plum Upside Down Cake Copy

Even a staunch loather of plums (and there cannot be many of those about) could argue with this dish for sheer arresting aesthetics. Serving this beauty up at the end of the meal is guaranteed to round things off with a flourish. We like the unusual addition of cous cous for a nutty texture, as well as the serving suggestion of yogurt (we’ll take ours Greek style – and full fat at that). Find the recipe here.


Plum And Almond Tart


Good Housekeeping
Plum And Almond Tart

Another summer’s day, another plum, another tart. But how can we possibly resist when the recipe is this earth-shatteringly good? The recipe suggests that you could use apricots too – a strong alternative, but for us, this one will always be about the humble plum for the glorious time they are in season. Find the recipe here.


By Nancy Alsop
August 2022