Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Salt Bar in Macclesfield, Cheshire is small but perfectly formed. Offering Scandinavian inspired food, on my first visit I enjoyed light, fresh yet satisfying dishes including a great value smörgåsbord and simple, traditional desserts. Only a 30-minute drive from home, I already knew I …Read more
Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Salad with Mint Pesto is one of my current favourite dishes. Aromatic cumin seeds, fruity and warm Aleppo pepper plus refreshing mint, transform earthy root veg and pulses into a great summer salad. The Mint Pesto that’s the star of the …Read more
Turkish Eggs with Chickpeas and Flatbread is my idea of heaven on a plate. Chewy, satisfying bread topped with minty, garlicky yogurt, a runny poached egg plus nutty chickpeas in a cloak of spicy butter. I’ve flavoured the yogurt with vibrant homemade Mint Pesto but, …Read more
Mint Pesto is a lively condiment that takes little more than ten minutes to make. Without the cheese included in the classic Italian basil version, vibrant Mint Pesto is hugely versatile. All you need are: almonds (or substitute your favourite nuts), garlic, a lemon, salt, …Read more
Pea & Mint Baked Falafel make a great change from regular chickpea-only falafel. Replacing half the chickpeas with frozen peas gives a slightly sweeter edge. Mint leaves bring freshness that lifts the coriander and cumin spices. Brushing with oil and baking instead of deep frying …Read more
The Square in Stafford, newly opened just a few weeks ago, is already turning out memorable, superb quality dining. I went along and enjoyed three expertly cooked plates plus the homemade breads and fantastic amuse bouche we’ve come to expect at this level. Also open …Read more
The Butcher’s Arms in Forsbrook recently invited me to sample its food. My only regret is that I hadn’t eaten there sooner. Set in the Staffordshire Moorlands, this taphouse from Joule’s brewery is no gastropub. But what you will get is food like steak and …Read more
Bang Bang Chicken Noodle Salad is full of bold spicy, nutty, salty, sweet and savoury flavour. Based on a Chinese classic, my version takes tender shredded chicken, a knock-out 5-minute sauce, and combines them with noodles and lots of fresh vegetables to create an easy, …Read more
Strawberry & Cucumber Salad with Mint is light and refreshing. So quick to make, it’s perfect for hot summer days. Lovely as a side with fish, meat or barbecued foods. Or try it as a main meal salad topped with feta or goat’s cheese. …Read more
Quick Roasted Pepper Pasta is a super-speedy dish for when you need something filling and tasty, but fast. Whizzing together a roasted pepper from a jar, garlic, a little cream, olive oil and seasoning is done in seconds. The rich, creamy sauce is then heated …Read more
Cucumber, Apple & Mint Smoothie is a wonderfully refreshing drink on a hot day. Cooling cucumber and naturally sweet apple are a perfect combination with the tang of fresh mint and zingy lime juice. Blend in some ice cubes, plus a little sweetener if you …Read more
Rough Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls are surprisingly easy to make at home. Once you’ve tried them, I think you’ll agree that the homemade version of this popular British savoury snack is miles better than any mass produced offering. If you’ve never made rough puff pastry before, …Read more
Rhubarb Orange Compote, sweet with a tangy edge, makes a delicious breakfast served over porridge, yogurt or pancakes. So good, you can even use it in desserts. Try it over ice cream, cheesecakes, or whipped with double cream into a traditional fruit fool. Easily made in …Read more
Mushrooms with Miso Butter are intense little flavour bombs! Stuffed with an umami-rich, savoury butter then quickly roasted until golden and bubbling, I think you’re going to love them. Great as a side with steak, chicken or fish, but so good they can be the …Read more
Miso Butter adds an intense, salty-savoury taste to so many dishes. From all manner of vegetables, meat and fish, to rice, noodles and eggs, this rich condiment will bring a new dimension to your meals. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to make at home: just beat …Read more
Roasted Pepper, Salami & Cheese Scones are my latest take on the classic cheese scone. Inspired by the flavours of Italy, these savoury scones are studded with roasted red and yellow peppers, nuggets of sun-dried tomato, garlicky salami, fresh basil and, of course, plenty of …Read more
Zesty Oat Biscuits are crispy, crunchy, and perfect with a cuppa. With a nutritious base of wholemeal flour and oats, they’re a cousin of digestive biscuits, but with the zesty flavours of orange, lemon and lime. Buttery and sweet, I like to add plumped dried fruit …Read more
Tamagoyaki Japanese Omelette, with its layers of folded egg, may look difficult. But it’s actually easy once you know how. Great for packed lunches and bento boxes, picnics, breakfast, or main meals, they make a tasty change from European-style omelettes. Okay, you may not be …Read more
Chocolate Peanut Cauliflower Smoothie may sound bizarre. But trust me: frozen cauliflower makes a fantastic neutral base for all sorts of smoothies. Besides adding a portion of vegetables, it will help thicken your smoothie and give it a wonderful silky texture. And I guarantee you …Read more
Carrot, Turmeric & Black Pepper Crackers have a mildly spicy warmth combined with a little sweetness from carrots. Satisfying crunchy, I think you’ll love them with cheese, dips and spreads, soups, or just enjoy as a snack. The crackers can be made with either ground …Read more
Berry Smoothie with Oats & Chia is a nutritious, quick and filling breakfast or snack at any time. As well as your choice of berries like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, there’s yogurt and milk, plus oats and chia seeds for extra fibre and protein. …Read more
Sardine Dog Biscuits are easily made at home with just 2 ingredients. All you need are tinned sardines plus your choice of flour: wheat-free, gluten-free or grain-free if necessary. Without the additives of many shop bought dog treats, you’ll know exactly what’s in these biscuits. …Read more
Smacked Cucumber with Chilli Oil is a refreshing, flavour-packed salad based on a Chinese classic. Smacking or smashing the cucumber gives more surface area to be cloaked in the salty, sweet, hot and sour dressing. Flavoured with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and a final …Read more
Potato Salad with Smoked Mackerel takes a classic side dish and makes it extra special. Creamy, smoky and with a hint of horseradish, hard-boiled eggs add to the interest along with flakes of mackerel. Pair with a green salad to enjoy as a main meal …Read more
Aubergine with Pork & Chilli-Garlic Sauce is an utterly delicious but easy Chinese-inspired stir-fry. Chunks of aubergine are first fried until golden. Next, they’re quickly braised in a heady sauce including juicy minced pork, ginger, garlic, spring onions, soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and chilli …Read more