Chalking up to scallops, radish, peanut, chilli and lime

Our 19th wedding anniversary was supposed to be spent overlooking the blue waters of the Indian Ocean on the beautiful south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – miles of white sands, the scent of fynbos, warm sunshine, Swartland bush-vine Chenin and a plenitude of fresh seafood.

Lockdown necessitated a new plan. British rather than South African. Instead of the Indian Ocean, our kitchen. Instead of white sands, a table full of white flowers. Instead of fynbos, Jo Malone. Instead of warm sunshine, central heating. Instead of South African Chenin, English...