EAT FOR BETTER SKIN

“I LOVE TO EAT FOOD THAT IS NUTRITIOUS, HYDRATING AND, MOST OF ALL, MADE FROM FRESH INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD ON THE INSIDE AND OUT,” SAYS FOOD STYLIST ALISON ATTENBOROUGH. BECAUSE SKIN IS THE LARGEST ORGAN, WHAT YOU EAT GREATLY AFFECTS ITS APPEARANCE. ESPECIALLY FOR LOVE LETTERS, ATTENBOROUGH CREATED A BEVY OF DELECTABLE TREATS AND—TOGETHER WITH PHOTOGRAPHER JASON PIETRA—BROUGHT THEM TO LIFE IN THESE WHIMSICAL STILL-LIFE TABLEAUX. REGARDING AESTHETICS, ATTENBOROUGH EXPLAINS, “I LOVE TO MAKE MY FOOD NOT ONLY DELICIOUS BUT VISUALLY BEAUTIFUL.” AND WHERE ON EARTH DOES SHE FIND THE MOST PERFECT SPECIMEN OF RHUBARB? “I’M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL FARMS. I ENCOURAGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME, IF IT IS AFFORDABLE.” WELL, WE’RE FEELING HUNGRY ALREADY. 

MERCI, MON CHERRY

Want a natural aid for beauty sleep? Cherries contain melatonin, which helps to regulate sleep, a habit that we all know gives skin a healthy glow. This Cherry Granita recipe is also an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin A, antioxidant-rich vitamin B, free-radical-zapping vitamin C, moisturizing vitamin E and bruise-healing vitamin K. 

CHERRY GRANITA

This granita is so easy. You serve it with ice cream or yogurt. I sometimes add a spoonful to my water or cocktails.

• 1½ lb cherries, pitted or 2 bags frozen cherries

• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup, dissolved in a half cup water

• Juice and zest of a lemon

Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Place in an 8-inch-square baking tin or tupperware. Freeze for about 5 hours, scraping with a fork every hour (the mixture should be icy and fluffy). Cover to stop freezer burn. 

ROASTED TO PERFECTION 

Tomatoes are filled with lycopene, an antioxidant with the ability to help our skin defend itself from UV radiation. Tomatoes can be seen as a sort of natural form of skin protection, ideal for keeping skin looking youthful. The anti-inflammatory properties of this Roasted Tomato, Peach, and Nasturtium Salad help fight puffiness in your skin. 

ROASTED TOMATOES, PEACH, AND NASTURTIUM SALAD

Use about a pound of cherry tomatoes, which can be halved or whole or a combo. If you use larger tomatoes, slice them.

• 2 peaches, sliced about half an inch thick

• Large drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

• A few sprigs of thyme 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

• Handful nasturtium leaves and flowers

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

• Tiny sprinkle of apple cider vinegar

• 1 sheet of parchment paper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay parchment on a rimmed baking sheet. Add tomatoes, peach slices, thyme, and a large drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Roast until softened and slightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool and add leaves and flowers, then sprinkle in a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar. Serve with burrata or vegan cheese, or as a side to grilled fish or chicken. 

RHUBARB FOR RADIANCE 

Give skin an easy glow-up. Rhubarb is a rich source of vitamins A, K, and C. Those vitamins, when combined, create a powerful antioxidant cocktail that helps boost radiance. Rhubarb is also a good source of collagen, which helps the skin look plump. This Rhubarb Compote contains lots of fiber, which helps the body eliminate pimple-inducing toxins. 

RHUBARB COMPOTE

• 1½ lb rhubarb

• Juice of one lemon

• 1 vanilla bean, scraped

• ¼ cup raw honey

• A few drops of rose water

• 1 star anise

• 4 cardamom pods

• 1 cup of water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a baking pan with a cup of water and roast 15 to 20 minutes, until the rhubarb is soft and tender. Cool. Serve with yogurt or ice cream. 

ON THE MONEY, HONEY

Raw buckwheat honey is particularly rich in antioxidants, and it’s better for you than some of the other types of sweeter honey. Honey’s antibacterial properties help to speed up your healing processes, reducing skin outbreaks, and countering inflammation. Anti-inflammatory turmeric and immune-boosting ginger make this Queen Bee Tonic your skin cure-all. 

QUEEN BEE TONIC

Drink this delicious tonic in the morning or evenings. I make big batches to keep in my fridge. I’ve also used it as a base for a cocktail by adding in mezcal, gin, or vodka. It’s my take on a cocktail called the Bees Knees.

• 1½ inch piece of ginger, washed but not peeled

• 3 thinly sliced pieces of fresh turmeric cut into thin rings—–

• ––Or ½ tsp powdered turmeric

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tsp honey (or sweeten to taste)

• 3 cups water

Put water, ginger and turmeric in a large pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 10 minutes. (You can keep adding more water and boil for longer too; I sometimes drink this all day long, particularly when I’m feeling sick or run-down). Strain and drink hot or cold, with honey and lemon to your taste. 

NETTLE: NATURE’S COMFORT HERB

A natural beautifier for hair and skin, nettles help to clear acne and eczema and encourage thicker, shinier hair growth. They are also known to ease puffy eyes. 

NETTLE TEA

Make a batch of this Nettle Tea to keep in the fridge in a large pitcher and drink throughout the day. 

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup of nettles

Bring the water to a boil. Add in the nettles. Let steep for about 5 minutes. Strain. You can add more or less water depending on the strength of tea that you’d like.

Tip: Once the leaves are strained, you can squeeze them out and sauté them in extra virgin olive oil with a little garlic, salt, and pepper. Then add them to grains, eggs, or soups.