Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Courgetti in Avocado, Cashew & Basil Sauce with Roasted Tomatoes is a super-quick, plant-based bowl of goodness. Much lighter than traditional pasta sauce, the dressing goes excellently with spaghetti-like courgette strands. Hence the term ‘courgetti’. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this meal contains …Read more
Shortbread is perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. In this post I share an easy, no fuss recipe for sweet and buttery shortbread. I also give a few suggestions for how to vary the flavour of this simple yet always satisfying treat. …Read more
I’ve been going to north and mid wales for almost thirty years, and to Anglesey for the last six. I fell for this fabulous island straight away and, recently returned from our latest stay in Rhosneigr, in this post I share some of the great …Read more
You won’t believe how simple Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder is. Yes, it does take four hours to cook, but you really can just put it in the oven and forget about it. This is a classic roast lamb dish although, with meat this tender, you …Read more
If you’re new to juicing, this Fennel Apple, Orange, Lemon Ginger & Mint combination is a great one to start you off as it’s really light and refreshing. Although I usually try to include lots of vegetables in my homemade juices due to the high …Read more
Rhubarb, Apple & Ginger Jam is so good I hope it’ll encourage beginners to get jam making and become a favourite of old hands too. Great not just on buttered toast or scones, this medium-sweet, tart and slightly spicy homemade jam is perfect over yogurt …Read more
Green Gazpacho? Maybe purists would take exception to me calling this refreshing, raw cold soup gazpacho. That’s because, unlike the Spanish original, it isn’t based on tomatoes. Instead, I’ve used cucumber, avocado and yellow pepper, which I find much less acidic. Perfect for a hot …Read more
In this post, inspired by a favourite picnic food from the past, I create an easy recipe for homemade bread studded with roasted peppers, onions and garlic plus sun-dried tomatoes, salami, cheese and basil. This flavour-packed bread is great to take with you on a …Read more
Classic Sultana Scones are so quick and easy, yet always feel like a treat. Serve with double or clotted cream and jam, or simply spread with a generous amount of butter. I think a recipe for Classic Sultana Scones should be in every cook’s repertoire. …Read more
This post is the third in a series where I show you how meals based around roasted vegetables, accompanied by a range of tasty mix and match dressings, are a great way to help you reach your recommended daily intake of fruit and veg. In …Read more
At this four-star, family-run hotel set in rural Staffordshire, I found solid modern British cooking using local and seasonal ingredients in an impressive, 14th century moated manor house. My first visit to The Moat House Acton Trussell was in 2017 as a guest at a …Read more
I’ve just discovered my new favourite smoothie for hot summer days: blueberry and mint. I love blueberries and I love mint so it was a no-brainer that I would like this one, but I wasn’t quite prepared for just HOW GOOD it was. We’d been …Read more
Carrot Cake Oat Bars have all the spicy flavour and moist richness of carrot cake. But are made in a fraction of the time. Studded with sultanas, nuts and coconut, with the scent of orange and spice, Carrot Cake Oat Bars are so easy. Eat as …Read more
Crusty Homemade Bread with no kneading is perfect for bread making beginners. Perhaps you want to make your own bread but think it’s too difficult? Or maybe you struggle to fit traditional bread making into your day? In this post I show you that getting …Read more
It seems to me that there are two distinct strands of food culture in Britain today. The first is a desire for cheaper food at all costs, whether those costs are reduced animal welfare, mind-boggling food miles, a degraded environment or tougher times for …Read more
Brisket of beef is an economical cut of meat that’s full of flavour. But bringing out the best in it usually requires long, slow cooking over many hours. In this post I show you how to reduce that time to just an hour using an …Read more
I had a cracking meal at Denstone Hall’s Taste of Spring dinner last night. Understandably best known for their award winning farm shop and daytime café, Denstone Hall also opens up for the occasional evening event. Back in September last year, myself and partner ID …Read more
I’d been hearing some very good things about the food served up at this 17th century inn on the border of Staffordshire and Shropshire, reopened under new ownership a little over two years ago. On my first visit to The White Lion one Spring evening …Read more
Handmade chocolates were once a rarity, but there’s been something of a boom in recent years. However, I’ve found none that can top those made by Misco’s and sold from their charming shop in Leek, Staffordshire. In this post I tell you all about this …Read more
Pupcakes are no added sugar, dog friendly cupcakes. With natural ingredients like carrot, courgette and apple they’re a tasty treat for your pooch. In this post I’ll also show you how to make sugar-free toppings based on cream cheese. I’m really not much of …Read more
Who doesn’t love Hot Cross Buns at this time of year? With their roots in Britain’s pagan past and its celebration of the return of Spring, making a batch of these fruity and spicy buns isn’t difficult, even if you’ve never made bread before. THANK …Read more
It’d been a while since I last had dinner at this country inn on the edge of the Staffordshire Peak District. But I was pleased to discover that the kitchen still turns out an excellent standard of cooking, using great local and seasonal ingredients. …Read more
I’ve often holidayed in Northumberland over the years. I love its big, beautiful coastline, huge beaches, famous castles, charming towns, wildlife and, of course, its food. Recently back from a week’s stay, in this post I share some of the food I enjoyed during our …Read more
I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve eaten at The Lazy Trout in the village of Meerbook since moving to the Staffordshire Moorlands in 2013. Whether it’s just for a pint from their fine collection of real ales, a quick lunch after walking …Read more
This post is the second in a series where I want to show you how meals based around roasted vegetables, accompanied by a range of tasty mix and match dressings, are a great way to help you reach your recommended daily intake of fruit and …Read more