Of all the foods I enjoy, all the things I like to cook. There’s something about a pie that sets it above. If I’m running my eyes down a menu, they won’t seem to move on if I reach a pie. If I open a new cookbook or food magazine, it’s always the pie recipes …
Category Archives: baking
Tomato, cheese and polenta cake.
In my last post, I was extolling the virtues of the wonderful types of tomatoes on offer at this time of year. Multiple sizes, multiple colours, it’s hard to know which ones to go for when you have such an array in front of you. What I didn’t mention is that raw tomato is one …
Time for some summer baking.
We’ve reached that rather wonderful time of year when there’s more fresh produce on the shelves than you know what to do with. Summer fruits are in abundance and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to tomatoes. Good news if you’re looking for inspiration on what to make at home. Over the last few …
Miso and spinach pastries
Every so often I come across a flavour that seems to strike an instant note with my palate. Something I’ve never tried before but suddenly want to be using at every opportunity. Over the last year Nduja, the spicy, spreadable pork sausage from Southern Italy and Gochujang, the deep red Korean chilli paste have both …
Asparagus, goat’s cheese & bacon tart
Some bakes happen as the result of lengthy cookbook trawling and a great deal of planning. Others are down to the fact there are things in the fridge to use up and you want to turn them into something quick and tasty for dinner. This recipe sits in the latter category. We’d been to the …
Suddenly I’m a coffeecake fan
Anyone who’s ever looked at my Twitter feed will know I’m a coffee addict. Always ready to share a photo of my cup, preferably with an enticing slice of something sweet beside it. At home, it’s the taste, aroma and inevitable caffeine buzz which draws me to it. When I’m out there are the additional …
Raisin and cinnamon scones.
Last time around I shared my thoughts on the humble scone and how it has become a staple bake in my house over the last twelve months, this time as promised I’m sharing the recipe I use most often. The beauty of a recipe like this is that it can form the base of virtually …
Never alone with a scone
There was a time when I would quite happily refer to myself as a weekend baker. Before these last twelve months, I would bake at a weekend and once the fruits of my labours were eaten that was it. No more until the weekend rolled around again. One of the few upsides of the last …
Harissa, feta and olive buns
Adaptability has been the keyword for me in the kitchen these last 12 months. As much as I love pouring over cookery books before embarking on a new project, this has been a time for recipes that act as a loose starter but then leave you to go your own way. Recipes that make use …
Alfresco tables
We seem to be on a mad roller coaster of weather at the moment. No two days the same, as it switches from balmy early summer-like sunshine to snow showers with a distinctly January feel to them. Today is a prime example, I have curtains slightly pulled to keep the sun off the screen as …
David in the kitchen. 