food, reviews & life in my kitchen
Just after Christmas and the New Year in the depths of cold January, summer and the homegrown vegetables it brings feel like forever away. But now is actually the perfect time to start planning and preparing the ground for growing, especially if you’re starting from scratch, or like me expanding the range of crops and… Continue reading Kitchen Garden Diary January: planning for the year ahead
An absolute classic, shepherd's pie is one of the ultimate comfort food dinners, and always takes me back to my childhood. Mum used to cook individual pies served in mini ceramic pie dishes, with creamy mash toppings. The edges of the mince filling underneath used to crisp against the sides of the dish, creating this… Continue reading Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Now that the festivities and celebrations of December are over and we face the long, quiet month of January, I turn to food to brighten dark evenings while waiting for spring to arrive. As much as I want excitement in my food, I also want to cook and eat healthy dishes. Having eaten my way… Continue reading How to cook healthy, tasty food & my Chilli Chicken Stew Recipe
It’s a strange thought as we're here on the edge of Christmas, that only a few months ago our garden was full of tasty vegetables waiting to be picked and eaten. Now when I look out of the window it seems empty in comparison. The huge courgette plant that dominated our patio is long gone,… Continue reading December food: A look back at summer, and forward to winter
There are few things more delicious and satisfying to eat in the summer than a slice of warm homemade quiche with a crunchy side salad – and maybe a buttery new potato or two!
Until recently, it had been years since I ate pork. Memories of chewy pork chops and roasts that didn’t really do it for me (sorry Mum!) completely turned me off to pork. It was only when pork escalopes appeared in my Abel and Cole meat delivery box that I was forced to reconsider. Initially very… Continue reading Pork with Apples, Sage and Cider Recipe
Pumpkin and squash soups have always been one of my favourite flavours of soup, and I love the combination of spices with the sweet taste of squash. In autumn, when squash are at their best and in season, this is the perfect recipe to celebrate them! I love a thick, hearty blended soup, but you… Continue reading Fiery Squash Soup Recipe
I don’t often eat desserts at home, so they always feel like a treat. They are reserved for meals out, occasions, dinners at home shared with family and friends. My favourite desserts are generally the ones I associate with nostalgia and home cooking, and it’s a tribute to my Mum’s amazing cooking and baking that… Continue reading Comforting Autumnal Apple Pie Recipe
As the cold nights of October loom ahead, I can’t help but look forward to warming food served hot from the oven in steaming bowls of comfort. When you slow cook food in an oven, the rich scent of dinner wafts from the kitchen as it cooks, filling the house with a familiar scent that… Continue reading Slow-cooked curry sauce recipe
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
