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, restaurants, and takeaways I’ve enjoyed recently. Among this …Read more
Tuna Pâté is delicate and light, blending tinned tuna and butter enhanced with a hint of lemon and black pepper. The simple but delicious pâté is perfect for spreading on crisp toast or crunchy crackers or dipping into with vegetable crudité. Easy for a quick …Read more
The Hammersley Restaurant at Stoke-on-Trent College is staffed by hospitality and catering students gaining experience in a real work environment. But even if it wasn’t such a fantastic project, I’d still urge you to eat there. Because there aren’t many restaurants where you can eat …Read more
Homemade Rye Crackers are thin, crunchy, and full of flavour. Inspired by Nordic knäckebröd, you can eat them as an open sandwich piled with tasty toppings, or enjoy as a simple cracker with cheese, pâté, dips, and savoury or sweet spreads. EASY HOMEMADE …Read more
Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream brings together two favourites: sweet but tangy rhubarb crumble and vanilla ice cream. Cooked and pureed rhubarb is rippled through an easy, egg-free ice cream along with nuggets of crunchy, oaty crumble. Delicious whether you eat scoops from a bowl or enjoy in …Read more
STOCK by Feasted, Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s newest bar and restaurant, takes traditional local dishes in a modern but accessible direction with competitively priced broths and small plates of outstanding flavour. FEASTED Feasted was created in 2017 when Cris Cohen, a former teacher and head chef, was …Read more
Homemade Italian-Style Seasoning is made in just a few minutes. But it will add flavour to so many of your dishes, and not just Italian. Try it in burger mixes, meatloaf, vegetarian bakes, soups, stews, marinades, and more. Buying dried herbs in bulk and making …Read more
Cinnamon Raisin Oat Bread is delicious sliced and spread with butter for breakfast, at teatime, or as a snack. A few days after baking, try it toasted to bring out even more flavour. Soaking the raisins before adding to the dough ensures they’re plump and juicy. …Read more
Hummus Soup is a delicious, easy way of using up leftovers of the ever-popular chickpea and tahini dip. Light and refreshing, but so tasty, it can be ready in just five minutes. Perfect for a quick lunch or unusual first course, I like to top …Read more
The set menu at the 2 AA rosette and Michelin recommended Flintlock at Cheddleton offers affordable modern British fine dining. At £35 a head for three courses with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce, plus fantastic homemade bread, it’s not to be missed. THE …Read more
Simple White Bread or Split Tin Loaf is a classic that’s perfect for sandwiches and toast. In this recipe, the dough is enriched with a little butter to add flavour and aroma to this tasty bread with a soft crumb and lightly chewy exterior. With …Read more
Filipino street food has come to north Staffordshire. Popular country inn and spa The Three Horseshoes is currently serving up a range of tasty plates created by their team of Filipino chefs. Choose one of six dishes to enjoy as a starter, three as a …Read more
Wild garlic, in season from March to June, is a wonderful (and free!) ingredient. Found in most of Britain, it’s probably the most easily recognisable foraged food, making it perfect for beginners. In this post I’ll tell you where to look for wild garlic, how to identify …Read more
Savoury Oat Bake makes an easy and satisfying vegetarian main course, packed with vegetables, nutritious oats, nuts, seeds, plus cheese and eggs. Serve with salad or cooked veggies, plus a baked potato if you like, for a healthy and surprisingly delicious dinner. Leftovers are great …Read more
Hash Brown Waffles are golden brown on the outside, soft, and tender within. So easy, but so delicious, enjoy them for breakfast or brunch with eggs, bacon or sausage, or as a side to your favourite meals. I use my mini waffle maker to cook …Read more
This Chilli Bean Cheese Toastie is inspired by the flavours of a Tex-Mex chilli but is put together in minutes. The warmly spicy bean, corn, onion, and melting cheese filling is a great contrast to the buttery, crunchy and crispy golden bread. Perfect on its …Read more
This selection of meatless dinner recipes will satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores alike. From comforting, creamy risottos and stews, veggie curries, main meal salads, to spicy delights and hearty bakes, you’ll find lots to enjoy. CREAMY MUSHROOM RISOTTO Risotto is classic comfort food, but …Read more
Soft White Baps with an attractive floury top are a British favourite. Whether you call them rolls, buns, or baps, these fluffy breads are perfect for simple, traditional fillings like egg, ham, cheese, burgers, or breakfast goodies like bacon or sausage. Enriched with a little …Read more
Chickpea, Chorizo & Kale Soup, simple but hearty and delicious, is inspired by the cocidos and caldos of central and northern Spain. Smoked paprika intensifies the chorizo flavour of a garlicky broth that’s subtly spiced with cumin and chilli. Add in chickpeas, potatoes, kale, or …Read more
White Bean Puree with Rosemary & Garlic makes a simple yet utterly delicious accompaniment to grilled or roasted meats (lamb, pork, chicken, sausages, meatballs – you name it), seafood, or vegetables. Best served warm, you’ll find so many uses for this versatile puree rich with …Read more
Bean & Pulse Soups are great winter warmers that can be tasty, nutritious and comforting. Whether you’re looking for something chunky and hearty like minestrone or more delicate like simple lentil soup, you’ll find lots to enjoy in this round-up featuring some of my favourite …Read more
Ham & Cheese Puff Pastries are warm pockets of flaky, buttery pastry, filled with a deliciously savoury filling of cooked ham and cheese flavoured with mustard, a little onion, plus fresh herbs. I love larger ones as a main meal with salad or veggies. But they’re …Read more
Minestrone Soup is a tasty and hearty one pot meal. Packed with vegetables and beans plus pasta, you can adapt the ingredients according to the seasons and whatever you have in your fridge and cupboards. This winter version includes carrots, potatoes, kale (you can swap …Read more
Sausage, Sage & Onion Cheese Scones just might be the ultimate savoury scone. Inspired by the flavours of sausage stuffing, there’s temptingly browned sausage meat, softly sauteed red onion plus a subtle herbiness. Put those in a classic cheese scone with a generous amount of …Read more
Venison Sausage Casserole is a rich and comforting, hearty dish that’s full of flavour. Meaty sausages and whole mushrooms are cooked with bacon, vegetables, garlic, chestnuts, red wine, beef stock, and sage. The result is a special but easy and delicious stew that’s perfect for …Read more