Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Creamy Mushroom Risotto is classic comfort food. But in this recipe I show you how to make it even more special. Using a combination of fresh, dried and speciality mushrooms, it’s full of earthy flavour. Then, when the risotto’s cooked, I lay slices of rich …Read more
The Slamwich Club in Stoke-on-Trent has a new fan in Moorlands Eater. Not that they need me. Since opening in May this year they’ve quickly become one of Hanley’s favourite bars and restaurants. On my first visit I found out exactly why. THE CULTURAL …Read more
These Banana Chocolate Muffins are so easy to make, yet taste incredible. Light and moist, filled with banana flavour, chunks of milk chocolate and a hint of cinnamon. Best made with very ripe bananas, they’re a great way of using those brown bananas in your …Read more
At The Boat Inn, Lichfield we found a well balanced tasting menu full of interest and with excellent cooking. It was a rather gloomy evening when myself and partner ID (also my photographer for the night) set out for The Boat Inn, near Muckley Corner, …Read more
Simple Lentil Soup must be one of the first soups I ever made. With ingredients I always have to hand – red lentils, onion, garlic, cumin, lemon – it’s easy to make a batch whenever I fancy something warming and comforting. The easy recipe can …Read more
I think you’ll love these homemade crusty bread rolls with a fabulously crunchy outside and a soft, open-textured crumb within. And the really great news is that there isn’t any kneading involved. Mix the dough in the evening and you can have fresh homemade crusty …Read more
Until I picked up a box from The Magnificent Marshmallow Company, I’d never really understood the appeal of marshmallows. Weren’t they just foamy, sugary lumps with no real flavour? But after trying the real thing, I’m hooked. I was at The Stone Food & Drink …Read more
Creamy White Bean Soup is incredibly easy to make but so satisfying. Its creaminess comes largely from beans such as cannellini cooked in stock and milk along with onions, celery and garlic. Pureed with a hand blender, the soup is rich and smooth even if …Read more
Vitamin Rich Salad with Tahini-Soy Dressing is just what’s needed at this time of year. With the onset of the season for coughs, colds and sniffles you’ll want to look after your immune system to help fight those bugs. And this colourful salad just happens …Read more
Smoked Mackerel Fish Fingers are so easy to make yet feel like a real treat. The crunchy breadcrumb coating surrounds a soft, rich mix of potato and smoked mackerel flavoured with lemon and spring onion. Who doesn’t love fish fingers? For me, they’re …Read more
The Bank House Hixon has recently come under new ownership, and I was lucky enough to be invited to a preview before it offically opened to the public. After what I’ve seen, I can’t wait to go back and dine at this comfortable country inn. …Read more
At The Stafford Arms in the pretty Staffordshire Moorlands village of Bagnall, I found solid cooking and a friendly welcome. After a major renovation and extension, diners can choose from cosy traditional pub surroundings or a modern restaurant feel. The Stafford Arms, on Bagnall …Read more
These Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins are the perfect flavour combination. Tart, fruity raspberries studded throughout a buttery cake alongside creamy, sweet white chocolate. I guess it was only with the rise of the big US coffee shops across Britain that ‘muffin’ came to …Read more
Chunky and satisfying, Vegetable Tomato Soup is so easy to make. Infinitely adaptable by using whatever vegetables and herbs you have to hand. Add cooked beans or lentils to make it even heartier. THE SEASON FOR SOUPS & STEWS As I write this, the …Read more
Troutsdale Farm is a family-run farm set in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands Peak District. In this post I want to tell you about their flock of traditional Shropshire Breed sheep and the superb lamb they produce. Slow reared, grass fed and with full traceability this …Read more
I’ve called these tasty squares, packed with vegetables, feta cheese, herbs, nuts and seeds ‘flapjacks’. But they’re so much more than a savoury version of the popular oaty snack. Great hot or cold, I eat Vegetable Feta Flapjacks as a vegetarian main course with lots …Read more
Stuffed Breast of Lamb, filled with feta, red pepper and mint, turns an underused cut of meat into a delicious treat. I think it’s about time economical and tasty breast of lamb starting appearing on more tables. And this magnificent slow roasted dish might just …Read more
On chilly mornings I love this easy, creamy and delicious coconut porridge. Although fabulous on its own I like to top with fruit, seeds, nuts or nut butter for a nutritious, filling breakfast. To ring the changes, I sometimes flavour my Coconut Porridge by cooking …Read more
The Red Lion in Bradley, south west of Stafford, has been beautifully renovated and offers a mix of well made pub classics alongside accomplished modern British cooking. When I visited recently it was clear to see why it’s recently earned a place in the Michelin …Read more
Fiery Harissa Dressing is fabulous drizzled over salads, falafel, roasted vegetables, meat and fish. Mixed with yogurt, hummus, tahini or mayo you can create a whole host of spicy dressings. Harissa Dressing also makes a great marinade for meat. WHAT IS HARISSA? Harissa is …Read more
Whether you consider yourself an old hand dining in British Chinese restaurants, or perhaps you’re looking for something a little different, I think you’ll like Yu-Ma-Mi. With its blend of traditional and modern, the well known and the unfamiliar, there’s lots to enjoy and discover – …Read more
Cauliflower Hash Browns are a lighter, low carb alternative to the traditional potato hash brown. But that doesn’t mean you need to compromise on flavour in this tasty recipe. I’ve recently transformed from someone who could take or leave cauliflower into one who eats it …Read more
Whether you’re new to the spicy North African dish of Shakshuka or already love it, you’ll want to try this incredible version. To the rich pepper and tomato stew with its topping of eggs, I’ve added merguez spiced meatballs to make it extra special. …Read more
An easy recipe for homemade Pitta Bread that will give you soft, delicious pockets every time. Fill with your choice of salad, falafel, meat, fish or vegetables or use to scoop up dips like hummus. HOMEMADE IS BEST I’m a bit of a fanatic …Read more
Deliciously creamy chia pudding makes a fabulous breakfast, snack or dessert and you’ll love this easy, overnight recipe. Great on its own or customize it by adding fruits, nuts, seeds or even a layer of smoothie. I’ve only recently got into chia pudding, …Read more