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Sweet & savoury snacks
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
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
Easy cake recipes for all occasions whether you want a sweet treat in a hurry or to impress guests with something simple but delicious. Who doesn’t love a good homemade cake? I certainly do! But I admit I’m not one for time-consuming, elaborate affairs. Luckily, …Read more
Braided Herb Bread, or Plaited Herb Bread, is a deliciously soft no-knead yeasted loaf made with a dough enriched with butter, eggs, and milk. I love it flavoured with chives and rosemary, but you can swap in your favourite aromatic herbs such as thyme or …Read more
Cream of Vegetable Soup is beautifully simple but so tasty. Full of vegetables like carrot, leek, and peas, it’s subtly flavoured with garlic and herbs. Despite the name, like most traditional ‘cream of’ soups, it doesn’t contain cream. Its velvety texture is thanks to a combination …Read more
Spiced Fruit Bread is flavoured with cinnamon, mixed spice, orange zest, and is studded with bursts of juicy, plumped-up dried fruit. Wonderful buttered for breakfast or afternoon tea, I think it’s even better toasted first to bring out the subtle sweetness and rich taste. Made …Read more
Pane Cunzato is usually translated as ‘seasoned’ or ‘dressed’ bread. But this classic Sicilian sandwich with humble roots can be incredibly good. Made using good quality rolls, baguettes, or chunks from a large loaf, the base ingredients are simply olive oil, oregano, and tomatoes. Add …Read more
Semolina Baguettes are inspired by the famous breads of Sicily made with semolina flour. With a flavoursome, chewy crumb and sesame-topped crust, these rolls are perfect with your favourite fillings, or alongside soups and salads. Also excellent filled with the Sicilian classic of tomatoes, oregano, …Read more
Cherry Almond Oat Squares feature a classic flavour pairing in an irresistibly delicious bake with chewy oats and a white chocolate topping. So easy to make with an all-in-one method similar to flapjacks, but with a lighter, non-sticky texture. Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate …Read more
Refried Bean Quesadillas are a crispy, cheesy, melty and delicious delight. And incredibly easy too! Using either canned or made from scratch refried beans (I recommend my quick and spicy homemade version), simply spread some over a tortilla wrap, add plenty of cheese plus vegetable …Read more
Beetroot and Goat Cheese Toasts take a classic combination and turn it into something rather special. Quick to make but delicious and impressive looking, the tangy bubbling grilled cheese is served on toast with rocket, thin slices of earthy beetroot, garlicky Balsamic dressing plus toasted …Read more
Carrot Cake Traybake is a richly flavoured, warmly spicy bake where plenty of grated carrot is joined by coconut, pecans, sultanas, and orange zest. Soft and moist, I love it topped with spiced buttercream (you can swap it for a simple orange icing if preferred) …Read more
Refried Beans or frijoles refritos are so easy to make at home. And super-quick when you start with tinned pinto, borlotti, kidney, or black beans. In this tasty version inspired by the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dish of mashed beans, there’s loads of spicy favour …Read more
Picnic food doesn’t have to be all about sandwiches. In this post I share more than seventy of my favourite recipes for a tasty, varied picnic. From fresh salads, savoury bakes, pies and dips, to sweet treats, you’ll find lots to tempt you outdoors. As …Read more
Chai Masala Loaf Cake is a warmly spicy sweet treat that’s wonderful with a cuppa. This light cake is flavoured with the blend of spices used to brew the Indian tea masala chai, is studded with chopped walnuts, and has a streusel-crumb topping. Finished with …Read more
Simple Wholemeal Bread is a one hundred per cent wholemeal loaf that’s nutritious and full of flavour. Easy enough for beginners, it’s a versatile, everyday bread that’s great for sandwiches, toast, or eaten with soup and salads. Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links. If …Read more
Banana & Chocolate Muffins are light, fluffy, packed with banana flavour, chocolate pieces and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for using up those very ripe bananas in your fruit bowl, these delicious cakes are easy to make and bake in less than 20 minutes. Best …Read more
Rosemary Scottish Oatcakes combine the aromatic Mediterranean herb with the traditional and well-loved savoury biscuit or cracker. Incredibly easy to make at home with just a handful of everyday ingredients, the oatcakes are the perfect partner to cheese, dips and spreads or alongside soups and …Read more
Crusty Potato Bread has a soft and bouncy crumb that stays moist and fresher for longer. Easy to make with my no knead, overnight method, this substantial, tasty loaf is cooked in a covered pot for a great rise and crispy crust. Perfect for sandwiches, …Read more
Triple Chocolate Tiffin is a wonderful indulgent treat with milk, dark, and white chocolate that’s incredibly easy to make. Simply stir up the ingredients for the base (crushed biscuits and juicy raisins bound with melted butter, golden syrup, sugar, and cocoa powder), top with melted …Read more
Savoury Quick Breads include a wide range of bakes, most notably loaves, scones, and muffins. But what they all have in common is that instead of yeast, they’re made using raising agents like baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, or self-raising flour which already has them …Read more
Beetroot Bread is a beautifully coloured loaf with a crusty exterior and open crumb. While the red pigment in beetroot is notoriously fickle when heated and can result in dull coloured bakes in this recipe I use only every day natural ingredients to create a …Read more
Country Slices are cut from a buttery, light and fruity traybake with a hint of spice. A homemade version of the popular British favourite, this moist bake is quick and simple to make with everyday ingredients but tastes so good alongside a cuppa or as …Read more
Easy Homemade Nut Crackers are crispy and crunchy with a subtle nutty flavour. Perfect with cheeses, dips and spreads, these savoury biscuits have a combination of hazelnuts, almonds and pecans, or you can swap in your favourite nuts. With both white and wholemeal flours plus …Read more