Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Ginger Christmas Mincemeat is a warmly spicy variation on the classic British fruit preserve. With stem ginger as well as ground, plus optional ginger wine and whisky, this incredibly easy fruity delight makes wonderful mince pies as well as biscuits and other Christmas bakes. So …Read more
Chicken with Olives, Lemon and Chickpeas is a twist on a classic Moroccan tagine. Browned chicken pieces slowly braised in a tangy spiced sauce with olives and preserved (or fresh) lemon plus chickpeas makes a satisfying, delicious stew. Serve with bread or rice and salad …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
Apple recipes, both sweet and savoury, are a great way to make the most of homegrown bounty or even just a few languishing in the fruit bowl. In this post I bring together my favourite apple recipes including scones, tarts, salads, preserves, soups, healthy juices, …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
Dog Friendly Eating & Drinking in Staffordshire is a personal guide to my favourite independent dog friendly pubs, restaurants and cafés in the county. Besides enjoying the outdoors with my cocker spaniel Larkin, eating and drinking is how I spend a lot of my leisure time. …Read more
I’m most definitely not one of those people who say that lunch is for wimps. For me, a decent meal in the middle of the day is vital. Not only does it physically revive you after a morning’s work and sustain you for whatever you’ve …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
White Flatbread Pizza with Ham and Mushrooms, rich and tasty, can be made with any cooked flatbread, bought or homemade, thick or thin. Topped with a simple white sauce, garlicky mushrooms, ham, and cheese, these easy individual pizzas are quick to make and perfect for …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
Blackberry Brandy is a satisfying, easy project made with seasonal, foraged fruit. The spirit is flavoured with blackberries and sweetened with sugar to make a delicious, liqueur-like drink. Swap the brandy for gin, vodka, whisky, or dark rum if you prefer. Made using fresh or frozen …Read more
Green Bean and Roasted Pepper Salad is subtly flavoured with garlic, parsley, and olive oil. It’s lovely served on its own with bread, served as a side, or eaten as one of several little dishes to enjoy together mezze or tapas style. This simple salad …Read more
Sicilian Semolina Bread is a flavoursome, beautifully golden-coloured loaf with a chewy crumb and crispy, sesame-topped crust. It’s made with the hard durum wheat used for pasta which is also excellent for baking bread once it’s double-milled. In this post I offer a choice of …Read more
Cucumber & Sesame Noodle Salad is quick, refreshing and utterly delicious. The only cooking required is your choice of noodles, making this salad especially good during hot weather. The noodles are tossed with shreds of cooling cucumber plus spring onions, whole coriander leaves and a punchy …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
Looking for great places to eat this Summer? In this post you’ll find some of the independent restaurants and pubs I’ve enjoyed recently and highly recommend. Focussed on my patch of north Staffordshire, but with forays into Buxton and northeast Wales, highlights include an imaginative …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
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is healthy and delicious. With nutritious chickpeas, crunchy and juicy veg like red pepper and tomatoes, plus herbs, feta cheese, and a garlicky-lemon dressing, it’s perfect for an easy lunch or light warm weather dinner. This so-simple salad also works well as a …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