food, reviews & life in my kitchen
From outside, Antica isn’t all that different from the other shops and restaurants lining Argyll St in Bath. It’s also next door to another Italian restaurant. But step inside, and Antica is a warm, welcoming little restaurant with gentle lighting and simple décor. It feels like being invited into the heart of an Italian family… Continue reading Birthday Meal at Antica, Bath
As the start of meteorological autumn, September heralds the beginning of the new season in all its golden glory, and as soon as my birthday is over (3rd September), I can’t help but start planning for Christmas! (However early that may seem…) But, looking out into my garden, the seasons seem to have a different… Continue reading September Kitchen Garden Diary
I was lucky enough to win a box of The Spice Tailor sauce kits in a Twitter competition this summer, and having worked my way through most of varieties now, I have been seriously impressed with the results! Disclaimer – this is not a sponsored post, I just really love the product! Those who know… Continue reading The Spice Tailor Review
This pasta bake, with ricotta filled conchiglioni (giant pasta shells) in spicy, tangy tomato sauce, is one of my favourite pasta recipes. It is simple to make, yet feels luxurious and special thanks to the creamy cheesy filling in each shell, which goes oh-so well with the spicy tomato sauce. Just a little bit of… Continue reading Baked ricotta stuffed conchiglioni recipe
Butter Chicken (or Makhani) is one of the more popular Indian style dishes on curry takeaway menus, but it’s rare to see a veggie version of this classic. ‘Butter Veg’ doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but grilled crispy vegetable skewers dunked in a creamy butter style sauce definitely appeals to me. This… Continue reading Tandoori vegetable skewers with chickpea Makhani sauce recipe
We’re finally tucking into courgettes from the garden, I haven’t bought carrots since June, and I have more beetroots than I really know what to do with! There are also little cucumbers and tomatoes finally forming on the plants, and as our chilli seeds didn’t sprout in the end, we bought a couple of chilli… Continue reading August Kitchen Garden Diary
Last weekend, I had a day out with my sister courtesy of Taste of the South festival, and we definitely made the most of the sunny Bournemouth weather! The festival was based in a large field, with plenty of space for over 100 exhibitors, some chef demonstrations and some live music. We had a slow… Continue reading Taste of the South Food Festival & an interview with MasterChef 2012 winner Shelina Permalloo
What says home cooked comfort food quite like a freshly baked cheesy lasagne straight from the oven? This recipe is like a hug on a plate, with rich hearty ragù sauce layered with creamy, indulgent béchamel sauce and soft pasta sheets, all topped off with a generous covering of gooey melted cheese. If your mouth… Continue reading Comforting homemade lasagne recipe
It feels like such a long time since I wrote my last update, even though it’s only been a month! But what a month – with hot weather, a homemade irrigation system, our first taste of garden carrots and beetroots, and a delicious summary recipe to enjoy them too! If you’re just here for the… Continue reading July Kitchen Garden update & my Easy Root Veg Salad Recipe
I look forward to eating strawberries every year, and with Wimbledon just around the corner, the British strawberry is ripe and ready to take centre stage! As these are one of my favourites, I try to make sure I not only make the most of them, but also don’t waste any, and with these easy… Continue reading 3 easy ways you’ll love, to make the most of seasonal strawberries
