Make the most of seasonal fruits this summer with one of these fruity recipes. If you have raspberries you could make a raspberry frangipane tart or this white chocolate mousse which is layered with raspberries. If you are lucky enough to have blackcurrants you could use some to make this easy no bake blackcurrant cheesecake. Or you could make a fruit crumble tart filled with fresh summer fruits which is delicious either warm or cold. If you have garden fruits such as apples, pears, plums,...
23 days ago • 1 min read
First, if you haven't yet seen my latest post you might like to take a look at this recipe for Mediterranean quiche. It is packed with Mediterranean vegetables and Mozzarella inside a wholemeal crust and makes a tasty lunch or dinner idea. With the arrival of the warmer weather I have switched from winter warmers to more summery meals. This has prompted me to select a few Italian inspired recipes such as bruschetta and stracciatella for you to enjoy a taste of Italy at home. Tomato and olive...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Today I have selected a few recipes using bananas. While they make a great snack on their own they also make a healthy ingredient to use in some recipes. Use mashed banana in place of cream to make these chocolate banana truffles or rum truffles. Or use mashed banana mixed with date paste in this easy flapjack (oat bar) recipe which is made without using refined sugar. Chocolate banana truffles These chocolate truffles are made using chocolate and mashed banana and are perfect as a treat or...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Making your own kitchen staples can be rewarding, can be more economical and is one way to be sure of what you are eating. You can easily cook up a batch of homemade tomato sauce, either using fresh tomatoes or tinned tomatoes ready to to use in your favourite pasta dish. If you make it yourself it will not contain any artificial flavourings, colourings or other unnecessary ingredients. Homemade jams and chutneys are not only a good way to stock up your cupboards, they make a useful homemade...
2 months ago • 1 min read
I always make sure I have a supply of cheese in the fridge as it is such a versatile food which is can be used for main meals, sides, desserts or simply a snack with crackers and chutney. Here are a few cheese based recipes for you to try. Stuffed mushrooms These mushrooms are topped with blue cheese and breadcrumbs to create a quick and easy dish suitable for any occasion. Spinach croquettes Spinach croquettes are filled with a mixture of cooked spinach, potato and Cheddar cheese and are my...
2 months ago • 1 min read
The last week or so has been busy. My latest post is carrot cake traybake, which is one of my favourite cakes. It is topped with mascarpone cream and pistachios and is perfect for sharing with a crowd. Then I made focaccia which I decorated using tomatoes, olives and herbs to create a garden scene. I cut it into portions (it was a shame to cut into it!) and enjoyed some with a salad. I froze the rest ready to pair with some of our weekday dinners. I also prepared another batch of sauerkraut....
3 months ago • 1 min read
I always think that anything is better if it is homemade and hot cross buns are no exception. These hot cross buns have a soft bread dough with dried fruit and spices and are simple to make. My favourite way to enjoy them is toasted and buttered, but they are just as nice served cold or hot straight from the oven. They can be prepared in advance and frozen and are a real treat. Here are a few other ideas for treats to enjoy over the Easter weekend. Cherry cheesecake Cherry cheesecake has a...
3 months ago • 1 min read
I have been planning to make individual portions of a nut based dish suitable for making ahead and freezing. I created these mini nut roasts which are made using a mixture of chopped dried apricots (a favourite of mine for flavour), chopped nuts and other basic ingredients and cooked in a muffin tin. Each one is just the right size for a single serving. They are perfect for freezing and can be defrosted and reheated when needed. They are a perfect "ready meal" but unlike processed foods they...
3 months ago • 1 min read
It may not be summer holiday time yet but you can still enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean. Fortunately many ingredients used around the Med such as tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, aubergines and beans are available in other regions so we can make our own versions of popular Mediterranean dishes. Why not make a pot of ratatouille, minestrone or tomato and bean soup? And if you have a good supply of tomatoes you could make a batch of fresh tomato sauce to add to pasta dishes such as cannelloni...
3 months ago • 1 min read