Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
In this post I share some of the food and drink highlights from last month, bringing together the best of the blog and from my social media during April 2019. The Old Mill Smokehouse & Craft Ale Bar, Leek I’d heard mixed feedback about …Read more
Socca ia a north Mediterranean flatbread made with a batter of chickpea flour, water and salt, cooked in olive oil. Incredibly simple, you can fry it like a pancake or bake in the oven and make your Socca crispy or soft. Infinitely versatile, you can flavour …Read more
Being a new-ish migrant to Staffordshire, and based in the north of the county, I’ve only recently started to scratch the surface of what Lichfield, an hour’s drive away, has to offer. The city, which I think feels more like a thriving market town (that’s …Read more
This Miso, Ginger & Sesame Vegetable Salad is a real favourite at our house. The sweet and tart, zingy dressing is made in about five minutes. All you need to do then is decide what crunchy veg you want in the salad. I love carrot, …Read more
Sriracha, Soy & Honey Glazed Salmon is one of those dishes I’ve been making for a good few years now. Full of spicy hot, sticky sweet and tangy flavours, who wouldn’t love it? This glazed salmon is really easy to put together and cooks so …Read more
After hearing mixed feedback about newcomer The Old Mill Smokehouse & Craft Ale Bar in Leek, I’d held back a little longer than usual before visiting and writing a review. However, after stopping by for a quick and satisfying lunch recently, I’ll be returning to …Read more
In this, my first round-up, I want to share with you some of the food and drink I enjoyed over the previous month. Most of this won’t have featured elsewhere on the blog. Usually, my posts are detailed recipes, reviews and profiles of producers and …Read more
On a return visit to Yu-Ma-Mi, Stoke-on-Trent’s fine dining Chinese restaurant based in Trent Vale, I once again found top notch cooking. Combining traditional and modern, old favourites and some less familiar, authentic Chinese dishes including dim sum, Yu-Ma-Mi is a great addition to the …Read more
Matar Paneer is one of my favourite vegetarian curries. With browned cubes of Indian paneer cheese plus peas in a thick, spicy tomato sauce freshened with mint, I think this Punjabi dish is utterly delicious. With a good stock of whole and ground spices in your …Read more
After too long away, I recently paid a return visit to Little Seeds Bar & Kitchen in Stone, Staffordshire. Tempted by their New Orleans Tasting Menu, I enjoyed an evening of delicious food. I’m always on the look out for new eating experiences, whether newly …Read more
Oat Bites are a delicious sweet snack or treat made in minutes, with no baking. Sometimes called energy or nutrition balls, I prefer the simpler and more honest Oat Bites. That’s because, although loaded with whole food, nutritious ingredients, they’re still a sweet treat best …Read more
Walnut Bread is a wonderful, tasty loaf. Equally good with cheese or toasted and slathered with butter and honey. With a mix of white, rye and wholemeal flours, the bread has substance without being heavy. Walnut pieces give the loaf a satisfying crunch, while a …Read more
Courgette & Chive Pancakes are incredibly simple but so good. Crispy at the edges, soft inside, and with a subtle taste of chives and Parmesan cheese. Put together in minutes then shallow fried, they make a great breakfast or brunch topped with eggs or a …Read more
The George at Alstonefield, on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire looks like the quintessential country pub. Inside I found top notch modern and creative British cooking featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Highly recommended. THE GEORGE AT ALSTONEFIELD My first attempt eating at The …Read more
These Double Chocolate Muffins are the ultimate sweet treat. Rich, moist chocolate cake, studded with chunks of dark chocolate and topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate. Whipped up and in the oven with just 15 minutes prep, this recipe is fuss-free too. I like …Read more
Roasted Beetroot Hummus is a great variation on the classic Middle Eastern dip. The sweet earthiness brings a new dimension without overwhelming the chickpeas and tahini of the original. Roasting both the beetroot plus a head of garlic (which becomes beautifully mellow) will add even …Read more
Pork Rillettes are a rich treat for unashamed meat lovers. Made with tasty, free-range pork, slowly cooked in home-rendered pork fat, the soft spread is wonderful on toasted bread with homemade, quick-pickled vegetables on the side. FRUIT & VEG ARE NOT MEAT (YES, THAT …Read more
I found this recipe for Homestead Eggs in an old booklet produced by the British Egg Information Service. Onions, apple and bacon are sauteed in butter, then eggs cooked on top. Although egg and apple may sound like a strange combination, I think it’s a …Read more
Opened less than three months ago, Larder is set to be one of Lichfield’s top spots for foodies. On my first visit to this relaxed restaurant, I loved the bold flavours showcased in their imaginative, seven-course tasting menu. LICHFIELD From where I live in …Read more
Thai Peanut Dressing is great to have in your recipe repertoire. Whizzed up in a matter of minutes, in this post I pair it with a big, crunchy vegetable salad that can provide ALL of your five a day. But the creamy, salty, hot, sour …Read more
I’d first visited The Bank House Hixon, near Stafford, at a preview following its refurbishment by new owners. Liking what I saw, and tasted, I recently returned to see how they were doing. In this friendly and traditional country inn I found quality pub food …Read more
Homemade Digestive Biscuits are the latest result of my efforts to replace palm oil-laden, store bought products with delicious, easy homemade versions. Crunchy, crumbly and with a satisfying wholemeal, oaty flavour, I think these are miles ahead of the packet versions. Not too sweet, they’re perfect …Read more
Smoked Salmon Paté can be whizzed up in minutes. Flavoured with lemon and made smooth with cream cheese, it’s an easily made treat. Serve with vegetable crudités, bread sticks or on toast. Impressive as a topping for canapés too. SUPER-FAST SMOKED SALMON PATé Smoked …Read more
Baba Ganoush is the lesser known cousin of hummus, with aubergine replacing the chickpeas. An earthy dip or spread made creamy with tahini sesame paste, it’s vibrantly flavoured with lemon and garlic. In this post, I show you how to add extra depth by roasting …Read more
Easy Homemade Crackers are perfect for those of us wanting to avoid the palm oil found in so many packet crackers. In this post I’ll show you how simple, and good, a homemade cracker is. I’ll also give you ideas for different toppings and flavourings. You …Read more