Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews of all my eating out recommendations. But, timewise, it’s not possible. So, here’s the latest of my occasional round-up posts featuring some of the independent cafes, pubs, takeaways, and restaurants I’ve enjoyed recently. Among the highlights …Read more
Soupe au Pistou is a simple vegetable, bean, and pasta soup from the south of France. Traditionally based on seasonal summer vegetables like courgette, beans, and tomatoes, the highlight is the punchy basil and garlic pistou from which the soup gets its name. A stripped-down version of …Read more
Smoked Salmon Smørrebrød or Scandinavian-style open sandwich has a perfect combination of flavours and textures. Nutritious, wholesome rye bread, cream cheese with lemon, chives and/or dill, topped with crunchy fresh cucumber and rich smoked salmon. Embellish with a garnish of tangy quick-pickled onion, piquant capers, …Read more
Italian Tuna Loaf or polpettone di tonno is a light and delicious seafood variation on the classic meatloaf. With the everyday staples of canned tuna, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, plus a little garlic and parsley, the result is a subtle savoury flavour. Wrapped then gently simmered …Read more
Green Bean, Tomato and Potato Salad with Aioli contains simple ingredients. But eaten in season when beans, tomatoes and new potatoes are at their best it feels like a real treat. The light dressing is based on cheat’s aioli or jarred mayonnaise flavoured with garlic, …Read more
Multigrain Seeded Bread Rolls, with a flavoursome combination of different grains and seeds, are both tasty and nutritious. With a substantial but not heavy crumb plus a crispy crust with nutty toasted seeds and oats, they’re perfect with your favourite fillings or to eat alongside …Read more
I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews of all my eating out recommendations. But, timewise, it’s not possible. So, here’s the latest of my occasional round-up posts featuring some of the independent cafes, pubs, takeaways, and restaurants I’ve enjoyed recently. Among the highlights …Read more
Jam and Cream Biscuits are a homemade version of the British favourite. Two buttery biscuits sandwiched together with vanilla buttercream and fruity jam, finished with a sprinkle of sugar. Simple but delicious biscuits and perfect with a cuppa – whether you’re a dunker or not! …Read more
Chickpea and Spinach Pasta uses tinned chickpeas, frozen spinach and dried pasta to create an economical but tasty dish. Flavoured with garlic, lemon, parsley, hot chilli or mild red pepper flakes, the sauce ingredients can be prepped and cooked in the time it takes the …Read more
Mokissos restaurant, meze, grill and bar recently opened on the outskirts of Leek. Serving tasty traditional Greek and Turkish dishes, both familiar favourites and lesser-known delights, after my first visit I think this great addition to the Staffordshire Moorlands food scene deserves to do well. …Read more
Rice and Vegetable Salad is a versatile dish you can adapt to whatever veg and herbs you have. Perfect as a side to a range of different foods and ideal for your buffets, picnics, and barbecues. Following this easy recipe, the salad will keep in …Read more
Picnic food doesn’t have to be all about sandwiches. In this post I share some 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 with your picnic …Read more
Dog Friendly Eating & Drinking in Staffordshire is a personal guide to my favourite independent dog friendly pubs, restaurants and cafes in the county. Besides enjoying the outdoors with my cocker spaniel Larkin, eating and drinking is how I spend a lot of my leisure …Read more
Egg and Ham Pies are perfect as a snack, part of a salad meal, or for your lunch boxes, picnics, parties and buffets. Individual cold pies of crisp shortcrust pastry are filled with ham (you could swap in cooked bacon), sweetish onion, and fresh parsley, all …Read more
The Restaurant at Hotel Rudyard, like the rest of the business, has recently undergone a major refurbishment inside and out, with its food offering now including quality local suppliers. Returning after many years away, I was pleased to discover that the current management seem set …Read more
Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes & Mint has been described as both exquisite and simple. And I have to agree. Cherry tomatoes and chilli flakes are briefly cooked in olive oil subtly flavoured with garlic, then tossed with capers and mint. Light but full of flavour, …Read more
Courgette, Cheese & Basil Quick Bread is a simple but delicious savoury loaf. Instead of yeast, it’s made with self-raising flour and eggs, so there’s no kneading and no proofing. Just mix up the ingredients and bake straight away. With a moist and soft, cake-like …Read more
I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews of all my eating out recommendations. But, timewise, it’s not possible. So, here’s the latest of my occasional round-up posts featuring some of the independent cafes, pubs, and restaurants I’ve enjoyed recently. Among these highlights from …Read more
Jam & Coconut Traybake, featuring soft and fluffy coconut sponge topped with jam and more coconut, is a simple but delicious treat. Whether you remember it as an old school favourite or you’re looking for a quick and easy sweet bake, I think you’ll love …Read more
Elaf Lebanese & Syrian Restaurant in Macclesfield is perfect for both fans of Middle Eastern food and those looking for an introduction to authentic dishes. On my first visit, I found a great range of small plates to create a mezze feast, tender and juicy …Read more
Cheat’s Saffron Aioli, mayonnaise flavoured with garlic and saffron, is a superfast way to add flavour and richness to all kinds of foods. Vegetables, meat, seafood, potatoes, and rice dishes. Starting with jarred mayonnaise, you need just five to ten minutes to transform it into something …Read more
Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Bread has an intense tomato flavour with background notes of cheese, herbs, and garlic. Perfect for tearing into chunks to dip into olive oil and Balsamic vinegar, equally good alongside soups, salads, or made into sandwiches. After a couple of days, …Read more
Genoa Cake Muffins have all the dried fruit, almond, and lemon flavours found in one of Britain’s favourite cakes. But they can be ready in a fraction of the time. Just like a good homemade Genoa cake, these muffins are light with a delicate flavour. …Read more
The Grosvenor Restaurant in the Staffordshire Moorlands offers a winning combination of popular favourites plus imaginative dishes in a modern British fine dining style. Located in Hales Hall, a restored Grade II listed country house, rather unusually it sits in the grounds of a caravan …Read more
Roasted Apricot & Almond Ice Cream has a sophisticated flavour, but this egg-free recipe is so easy. The ice cream base of milk, double cream, and sugar is flavoured with almond extract and crunchy pieces of toasted almond. Swirled through is a fruity and tangy …Read more