Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Rustic Bread Rolls, freshly baked, have a wonderfully crispy crust and chewy, substantial interior. Made with a fuss-free method, the simple no-knead dough is fermented overnight for great flavour. With next to no shaping required, the rolls have an attractive rustic appearance. Wonderful with jam …Read more
Venison, Mushroom and Bacon Pies are the perfect comfort food. Slow-cooked, fork-tender venison and earthy mushrooms in rich gravy with smoked bacon, baked in crisp golden pastry. Delicious served with mashed potato or chips, plus veg and extra gravy reserved from the filling. Don’t have …Read more
Sunflower, Honey and Oat Bread is a beautiful yet simple no-knead loaf. Inside you’ll find a moist, soft crumb lightly sweet with hints of honey, a generous amount of crunchy and earthy sunflower seeds plus optional flax seeds. The crust is baked with an attractive …Read more
Cheesy Scottish Oatcakes are easy to make with simple ingredients. But they’re wickedly good! Adding mature Cheddar cheese to the traditional savoury biscuit or cracker takes them to whole new level. Enjoy as part of a cheeseboard, with spreads and dips or even instead of bread …Read more
Cheese & Chive Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Soured Cream looks impressive and tastes luxurious. But it’s surprisingly easy. Fluffy, cheesy and herby pancakes topped with lemon and chive soured cream plus thin slices of smoky salmon. Try it as a wonderful weekend breakfast, special …Read more
Coconut Meringue Slices look impressive and taste delicious. The buttery sponge base topped with coconut-flavoured delicate crispy meringue makes a wonderful teatime treat. Adapted from a Mary Berry recipe, my version is more coconutty and has extra tips for beginner bakers. Disclosure: this post may …Read more
Chicken and Bacon Crispy Pancakes are a tasty homemade version of a retro classic. Folded pancakes filled with diced chicken and bacon in a creamy sauce, sealed in a crumb coating, fried until crispy. Adults and kids will love this teatime treat, especially on Pancake …Read more
Crumbed Baked Fish with Parmesan, Lemon & Garlic is so simple and quick (it can be on the table in less than 30 minutes), you won’t believe just how delicious it is! Fillets of fish such as haddock or cod are baked with a coating …Read more
Homemade Croutons are incredibly easy and economical. Traditionally a way to use up stale bread, they’re a wonderfully moreish and crunchy addition to soups and salads. Containing just bread and oil plus any flavourings you want, the only difficulty is not nibbling them all before …Read more
This selection of more than 30 meatless dinner recipes will satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores alike. From comforting, creamy risottos, stews, veggie curries, to main meal salads, hearty bakes and pies, I think you’ll find lots to tempt you. Click on the heading or …Read more
Leek, Potato & Ham Soup takes a classic and adds extra protein and flavour with cooked ham. This lighter but still wonderfully tasty version finished with chives is made with equal parts milk and stock, the usual cream being entirely optional. Don’t like ham? Use …Read more
Apricot, Nut & Seed Oat Slice is an easy but lovely, sweet treat. With nutritious oats, fruity dried apricots plus chewy coconut, crunchy peanuts and toasted pumpkin seeds, you make it with an all-in-one method similar to flapjacks. But it’s lighter and less sticky thanks …Read more
Vegetable Masala Omelette is inspired by the masala omelettes of India, often eaten for breakfast at home or on the go. But it can be a tasty, quick and nutritious meal at any time of day. Packed with veggies plus spices like garam masala, turmeric …Read more
Bean and Pulse Soups can be tasty, nutritious and economical. Whether you’re looking for a hearty bowlful like minestrone, a simple delicate lentil soup, or something special like creamy bean and pancetta, you’ll find lots to tempt you in this round-up of my favourite bean …Read more
Christmas Chocolate Tiffin combines a favourite no-bake sweet treat with traditional festive flavours. Added to the familiar crushed biscuit, fruit, and chocolate goodie are mixed spice, cinnamon, orange zest, cherries, ginger, and dried peel. Topped with a layer of melted chocolate and edible decorations, everyone will …Read more
Christmas baking recipes are some of the most enjoyable treats to cook over the festive season. So I’ve brought together more than 40 of my favourites. From sweet favourites like mince pies and fruit cakes, to savoury sausage rolls and pies with melt-in-the-mouth pastry, homemade …Read more
Sausage, Potato, Bean and Kale Soup is hearty and warming, a complete simple meal in a bowl. Protein, carbs and veggies are cooked in a soothing, garlicky broth that tastes lightly creamy thanks to a combination of chicken stock and milk. Unusually, the recipe …Read more
Homemade Food Christmas Gifts are the most thoughtful presents you can give. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but friends and family will appreciate the time and love you put in to make something delicious just for them. So, in this post …Read more
Sausage Star Bread with Onions and Cheese looks impressive, tastes wonderful, but is surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for entertaining, especially at Christmas, this tear and share treat is inspired by Italian stuffed sausage breads flavoured with fennel seeds, garlic and herbs. Finished with a …Read more
Savoury biscuits and crackers for cheese or other tasty toppings are surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you want to avoid nasties like palm oil found in shop-bought, or have artisan-style crackers at a fraction of the cost, it’s wonderful to be able to …Read more
Parmesan and Rosemary Shortbreads are light, melt-in-the-mouth but richly flavoured cheesy biscuits with a hint of fresh herbs. So simple to make, the buttery shortbread rounds are a delicious savoury snack that work brilliantly with cheeseboards, as a nibble with drinks, or as a foodie …Read more
Potato, Cheese and Onion Plate Pie is budget-friendly and so tasty. Made with a classic combination of simple, everyday ingredients, enjoy it as an economical dinner with veg or salad, chips or coleslaw and baked beans. Just as good cold for packed lunches and picnics …Read more
Beef and Vegetable Soup is one of those dishes you’ll want to make again and again. Warming, hearty and satisfying, it’s packed with chunks of tender meat, potatoes, plus loads of vegetables bathed in a delicious broth. With deep, rich and savoury flavour, you’ll be …Read more
Mince Pie Biscotti are deliciously light and crunchy sweet biscuits, full of Christmas fruit, spice, and nuts. Flavoured with the same mincemeat used to fill traditional mince pies, you won’t believe how easy it is to make these artisan-style biscuits. Perfect eaten alongside a tipple …Read more
Sweetcorn and Bacon Chowder is my lighter take on a classic, made with milk and stock instead of lots of cream. The golden coloured, thick soup is still full of flavour from corn and smoky bacon plus the freshness of chives. Tender cubes of potato …Read more