Delicious Spring Recipes from The Waterwheel Café: A Cozy Mystery Setting in the Cotswolds

In Inheritance and Intrigue in the Cotswolds, Georgina and her Aunt Beanie visit The Waterwheel Café, which serves up fresh homemade fare and vibrant dishes perfect for a spring day in the Cotswolds.

The Specials at The Waterwheel Café:

• Carrot and Ginger Soup – A warming soup with a gentle heat from the ginger and the natural sweetness of carrots.
• Leek, Ricotta, and Gruyère Tart – A light, savoury tart with a delicate balance of flavours and a crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry.
• Pea and Ham Risotto – Creamy, comforting risotto with the sweetness of peas and the rich, savoury flavour of ham.

If these dishes have made your mouth water, here’s how you can recreate them in your own kitchen.

Carrot and Ginger Soup

A warming, slightly spicy soup with the natural sweetness of carrots and the zing of fresh ginger.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 750ml vegetable stock (3 cups)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, for extra flavour)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the carrots and grated ginger. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
4. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches in a regular blender.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin (if using) to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Leek, Ricotta, and Gruyère Tart

This light, savoury tart uses homemade shortcrust pastry and a custard-style filling, making it a variation of a quiche that’s perfect for lunch or a spring gathering.

Shortcrust Pastry:

• 200g plain flour (7 oz)
• 100g cold unsalted butter, cubed (3.5 oz)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons cold water (more if needed)
• Pinch of salt

Filling:

• 2 medium leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 200g ricotta cheese (7 oz)
• 100g Gruyère cheese, grated (about 3.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs
• 200ml double cream (about ¾ cup) or heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Make the Shortcrust Pastry:
   • In a large bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
   • Add the egg yolk, a pinch of salt, and a few tablespoons of cold water. Mix until a dough forms.
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead briefly, then wrap it in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling:
   • Heat the butter in a pan over medium heat and cook the leeks for 5-7 minutes until soft, but not browned.
   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F. Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface to fit your tart tin.
   • Line the tin with the pastry and blind bake for 10 minutes. Then remove the baking beans and bake for a further 5 minutes to crisp up the base.
3. Assemble the Tart:
   • In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper. Add the ricotta and Gruyère cheese, and mix until smooth.
   • Stir in the cooked leeks and pour the custard mixture into the pre-baked pastry shell.
   • Bake the tart in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and lightly golden.
   • Garnish with fresh thyme (if desired) and serve hot or warm.

Pea and Ham Risotto

A creamy, comforting risotto with the sweetness of peas and the savoury flavour of ham. It’s the perfect dish for a spring meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 300g (10.5 oz) Arborio rice
• 750ml chicken stock (3 cups) – you can use vegetable stock for a lighter version
• 200g (7 oz) cooked ham, diced
• 200g (7 oz) frozen peas
• 50g (1.5 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A squeeze of lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.
2. Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for another 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
3. Gradually add the stock, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously. Allow the liquid to be absorbed before adding more stock.
4. After about 15 minutes, add the ham and peas, continuing to cook for another 5-7 minutes until the rice is tender and creamy.
5. Stir in the grated Parmesan and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
6. Serve hot, with extra Parmesan on top if desired.

Find out More…

If you enjoyed these recipes and would like to meet the characters who savour them and other delicious dishes in my cozy mysteries, set in the charming Cotswolds and beyond, here are the books:

Inheritance and Intrigue in the Cotswolds – Read for Free

When renowned antiques expert Georgina Carey finds a sapphire ring in her disgraced late husband’s safe, she sets out to return it—only to face two women, each claiming it as their own.

As tensions rise and betrayals surface, she unearths secrets tied to an unsolved death. Can she expose the truth before the past tears a family apart?

Click Here to Read for Free

The Treasured Journey Mystery Series

Join renowned antiques expert, Georgina Carey, as she embarks on a journey of rediscovery, travelling to enchanting locations and unravelling long-hidden secrets.

Grappling with self-doubt after personal loss, Georgina begins to rebuild her life—one mystery at a time—proving that even the most broken beginnings can lead to second chances.

From family betrayals to decades-old deaths, Georgina’s keen eye for detail and determination to uncover the truth take her deep into the heart of local traditions and mysteries. For fans of intelligent sleuths, captivating settings, and stories of resilience, The Treasured Journey Mystery series is your next must-read.

Click Here to Read

The Waterwheel Cafe Mystery Series

Book 1: Earl Grey and Shallow Graves

A 30-year-old skeleton. A missing girl. Can a community police officer read the tea leaves or will a deadly secret remain buried forever? Sergeant Keya Varma is fulfilling her dream of opening a Cotswold’s café.  But she’s in a stew when builders unearth a young girl’s remains. Worried that justice won’t be served, can Keya dish up the culprit?

Click Here to Read