Fireside Feasts: A slow morning in the wild

For the third instalment, Connor heads to Hornbeam Hideaway in Herefordshire, an off-grid Sioux-style tipi tucked among rewilded land, wildlife habitats, and peaceful countryside. With an alfresco kitchen and dining area at his fingertips, he embraces the slower pace of a solo escape with a simple breakfast of pan con tomate, made with ripe heirloom tomatoes, crusty sourdough, garlic and a golden fried egg. Best enjoyed outside, with a view and nowhere else to be.

Pan con Tomate

“Breakfast at sunrise holds a very special place in my heart, mind, and stomach. If you, like myself, are a morning person, sitting with a view and little to do really hits the spot. Add a little breakfast cocktail or a funky coffee to the mix, and you're in for a real treat.

All you need for this one are the best ingredients you can possibly find and a little love. Especially the tomatoes. Some great, varied heirloom tomatoes go a long way in this dish.”

Serves 1

• Heirloom tomatoes, varied
• Flakey salt
• Good quality olive oil
• Fresh basil
• Black pepper
• Crusty sourdough, thickly sliced
• 1 garlic clove
• Eggs, for frying

Method

Grate the tomatoes into a bowl, season with flaky salt, black pepper, fresh herbs and a generous glug of olive oil.

Drizzle the sourdough with olive oil and toast in a pan until golden and lightly charred, then rub generously with the cut side of the garlic clove.

Spoon the tomatoes over the toast and finish with another shake of olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt.

Fry the eggs in a little oil until the whites are crisp, and the yolks remain runny. Place on top of the tomato-covered sourdough, scatter with fresh herbs, and enjoy.

Field notes: One of my favourite things to do when I travel to new places is to explore their local farm shops and artisans. If you're visiting Hereford, Oakchurch Farmshop is an absolute gem, packed full of amazing local produce, which often inspires what I want to cook as a means to get a taste of the place I'm in.

Pairing suggestion: I love a citrusy and zingy morning spritz alongside breakfast, especially in the golden light of daybreak. Try this pickle spritz if you want the perfect pairing:

• 30ml pickle juice
• 125ml ginger ale
• Squeeze of lime juice
• Fresh mint
• Ice to serve 

Follow along for more fire pit recipes.