New recipes from my brain to the internet. Can be anything from soups, pasta, puddings, cake, bread, vegetarian dishes and anything else.
Sunday, 22 April 2018
Garlic Potato Salad (V)
Serves 4
600g Charlotte Potatoes, cut in half
Bunch of Spring Onions, chopped
Bunch of Chives, Chopped
2tbsp Half Fat Creme Fraiche
2 tbsp Mayonnaise
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
Splash of White Wine Vinegar
Splash of Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper
1. Boil the Potaotes for 5 - 10 minutes until soft. Drain and to cool.
2. Make the sauce, mix the mayonnaise, creme fraiche, Garlic, white wine vinegar, lemon juice and garlic cloves with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl add the potaotes, chives and spring onion with the sauce. Give a good mix until the potatoes are covered. Serve
Summer Roast Chicken

Serves 4-6 People
1 Whole Chicken
1 Lemon, cut into wedges
Handful of Rosemary Sprigs
Handful of Thyme Sprigs
200ml White Wine
Olive Oil
4/6 Strips of Streaky Bacon
Salt and Pepper
6 Garlic Cloves
1.Preheat the oven to 190c/170c Fan Assisted (If the packaging has different times follow those)
2. Begin by taking the chicken out of the packet and cutting the string. Prepare the chicken by putting lemon wedges around the chicken (between the legs and the wins) and any remaining in the chicken. Do the same with the garlic cloves. Pour the wine over the chicken. Scatter the herbs around the chicken and a few in the chicken. Layer the bacon the strips over the breasts. Rub olive oil over the chicken and grind salt and pepper over the chicken. Cover with foil
3. General rule of thumb for roasting a whole chicken is 45 minutes per kg, plus 20 minutes. For my chicken it was in the oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes. (do the math and comment what the weight of my chicken was). Remove foil 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
4. Leave to rest for 10 minutes. Test the chicken is cooked thoroughly by sticking a skewer through the thickest part, if the juices are clear then it has cooked thoroughly. If they don't then put back in the oven. Cut up and serve.
Sunday, 15 April 2018
Lemon Drizzle Cake with Candied Peels
Makes 1 Cake
You will need 20cm Square Cake Tin
Cake Batter
225g Butter cybed at room temperature
225g Caster Sugar
2 Zests of Lemon
250g Self Raising Flour
2 tbsp Lemon Curd
25g Poppy Seeds
1 tsp Baking Powder
3 Large Eggs
Drizzle
100g Granulated Sugar
3 tbsp Lemon Juice (Use the juice of the lemons)
Candied Peels
40g Caster Sugar
100ml Water,
Sliced Rinds of Lemons
1. Grease a 20cm cake tin with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan assisted.
2. In a bowl cream the butter and sugar together. Then add the eggs and mix. Add the lemon zest, lemon curd, poppy seeds, baking powder & self raising flour and give a good mix.
3. Tip the mixture in the greased cake tin and put in the centre of the oven for 30-40 minutes.
4. To make the candied peels, in a pan add the ingredients and allow to boil. Once the sugar has dissolved allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Get some greaseproof paper and place the candied peels on the paper. Allow to cool. They should begin to harden.
5. To make the drizzle, mix the ingredients. Once the cake has baked, allow to cool and remove from tin. Top with drizzle and place the candied peels on top. Enjoy!
Sunday, 1 April 2018
Easter Milkshakes
Serves 2
Creme Egg Milkshake
3 Creme Eggs, chopped
4 Scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream
500ml Whole Milk
Topping
Whipped Cream
Chocolate Sauce
1 Creme Egg cut in quarter (optional)
1. In a blender, blend the creme eggs, ice cream and whole milk. Should be combined.
2. Around a glass squirt chocolate around the rim of the glass so it drips round the glass. Pour in the milkshake, then squirt the whipped cream, top with 2 quarters of creme egg and squirt a bit of chocolate sauce.
Malteaster Bunny Milkshake
3 Malteaser Bunnies, chopped
4 Scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream
500ml Whole Milk
Topping
Whipped Cream
Chocolate Sauce
2 Mini Malteser Bunnies (optional)
1. In a blender, blend the malteaser bunnies, ice cream and whole milk. Should be combined.
2. Around a glass squirt chocolate around the rim of the glass so it drips round the glass. Pour in the milkshake, then squirt the whipped cream, top with a mini malteaser bunny and squirt a bit of chocolate sauce.
Sunday, 18 March 2018
Beast from the East Stew
Sunday, 11 March 2018
Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake
Sunday, 25 February 2018
Quick and Simple Strawberry Cheesecake
Serves 4
4/5 Shortbread Fingers (You can use homemade ones)
Punnet of Strawberries
300g Cream Cheese
2 ½ tbsp Icing Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
You will need 4 Ramekins
1. Put the shortbread in a freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Put these in the base of the ramekin
2. In a bowl add the cream cheese. 1½ tbsp Icing Sugar and optional vanilla. Give a good mix til combined, Put on top of the crushed shortbread.
3. Blitz all the strawberries apart from 1 with a tbsp of icing sugar. Top the cream cheese with the blitz strawberries. Cut the last strawberry into quarters and top the cheesecake. They can be made a few hours before just refrigerate
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Salted Caramel Brownies
Makes 25 Bite size squares397g Carnation Caramel
200g Butter
200g Dark Chocolate
150g Golden Caster Sugar
3 Large Eggs
50g Cocoa Powder
125g Plain Flour
2 tsp Sea Salt
1. Grease a 20cm Square Cake tin. Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan assisted.
2. In a bowl mix 225g of the caramel with 1 tsp Sea Salt. Set a side.
3. In a pan melt the butter over a low heat. Then add the dark chocolate. Stir while melting until all completely melted and combined. Leave to cool on side.
4. In a mixing bowl, add the rest of the caramel, golden sugar and eggs. Whisk until combined. Then add the cooled melted chocolate and whisk further. Add the plain flour and cocoa powder. Give another mix. It should thicken.
5. Layer with half the brownie mixture. Then two thirds the salted caramel in tsp drops and spread evenly without disturbing the brownie mixture. Then tip the other half of the brownie mixture on top. Then spoon on the rest of the salted caramel on top. With a toothpick make a pattern on top, going from top to bottom.
6. Put in the oven for 35 minutes. Leave to cool and cut into squares.
Sunday, 4 February 2018
Carrot and Coriander Soup (V)
Serves 4
Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 small potato, peeled and chopped
1 tsp Ground Coriander
800g Carrots, peeled and chopped
1.2l Vegetable Stock
Handful of Fresh Coriander
Salt and Pepper
1. Put a large pan over a medium low heat. Add the oil and onions and cook until softened. Then add the ground coriander and potato. Cook for a couple of minutes
2. Add the carrots and stock to the pan and increase the heat until it begins to boil then reduce to a simmer. Allow to cook for about 20 minutes. Take off heat
3. Add the fresh coriander to the carrots. Either use a hand blender or food processor and blitz until smooth. Serve immediately or allow to cool for a work lunch.
Sunday, 28 January 2018
Mini Egg Tiffin
Makes 12 Pieces of Tiffin
100g Unsalted Butter
3 tbsp Golden Syrup
175g Milk Chocolate
180g Mini Eggs, smashed up into pieces
200g Chocolate Digestives, lightly crushed
Topping
200g Milk Chocolate
90g Mini Eggs, lightly smashed (so a few pieces have some big chunks)
1. Grease a 20cm Square cake tin.
2. Melt butter, golden syrup and chocolate over a low heat. Mix until combined and all melted. Then add the biscuits and smashed mini eggs to the mixture, give a good stir and remove off the heat. Tip in the tin and press down. Leave ti chill for about half an hour.
3. Just before the biscuit base has cooled, melt the milk chocolate over a bain marie. Once melted tip over the biscuit base and spread over evenly. Then sprinkle over with the mini eggs evenly then leave to cool. Once cooled, cut into squares.
Sunday, 21 January 2018
Infused Apple and Cinnamon Gin (V)
Equipment
1 x 750ml Bottle
1x Kilner Jar (Need a big one as you are putting pieces of apple in it)
Ingredients
750ml Gin (doesn't matter about the quality, choose which ever is on offer)
75g Caster Sugar
2 Braeburn Apples, cored, cut into wedges
1 Cinnamon Stick
1. Sterilise your kilner jar (You do this by cleaning your jars with warm soapy water and putting them in the oven at 200c/180c fan assisted for 5 minutes).
2. Put in the Sugar and Apples. Then pour in the gin. Put the lid on the jar and give a shake. Allow to infuse for about 3 weeks. Give a shake throughout the 3 weeks. Store in a cool and dry place.
3. After 3 weeks add the cinnamon stick and once again shake. Leave this for a week.
4. After the final week, take the infused gin and pour into a measuring jug with a sieve to get the bits out. Sterilise the bottle. Remove the cap and give a clean with warm soapy water and dry. Then put in the oven at 200c/180c for 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Then carefully pour in the liquid. Cap on. Label up. Gift or Drink Up!
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Moroccan Root Vegetable Stew (V)
- Low - 7 - 8 Hours
- Medium - 5 - 6 Hours
- High - 3 - 4 Hours
Sunday, 7 January 2018
Glamorgan Sausages (V)
Saturday, 23 December 2017
Lumberjack's Yule Log
Makes 1 Festive Yule Log
Log Recipe
6 Egg Whites
55 Caster Sugar
6 Egg Yolks
100g Caster Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
50g Cocoa Powder, shifted
Icing/Filling
200g Good Quality Dark Chocolate, in pieces
275g Icing Sugar, plus extra for dusting (optional)
250g Butter, cubed at room temperature, cubed
1. Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan assisted. Grease a Swiss roll tray or baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. In a large bowl whisk the egg whites until begin to turn white and begin to stiffen. Then gradually add the 55g caster sugar and continue to whisk. It should be a thick white consistency which leaves peaks.
3. In a second bowl, whisk the 6 egg yolks and 100g caster sugar. Should give you a pale colour and be of a thick consistency. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla bean paste. Should be a really thick consistency.
4. Incorporate the cocoa egg yolk to the the egg whites and fold in until you have used up the egg yolk cocoa. Until you get a smooth brown mixture. Pour onto tray and spread evenly. Put in the oven for 20 minutes.
5. To make the filling/icing. Melt the chocolate in a Bain Marie or microwave until completely melted. Allow to cool slightly. Mix the icing sugar in food processor and then add the butter until combined. Then add the cooled dark chocolate and mix.
6. After the sponge has baked, leave to cool slightly then flip onto another sheet of greaseproof paper. Trim the edges. Then spread about a third of the icing on the cake. Lengthways, roll the cake towards you. Use the greaseproof to help roll. Make sure its tightly rolled otherwise it flop out. Transfer to a plate, board etc to ice.
7. You can cut the ends of the cake in an angle and add these pieces to the side of the log to make it look more of authentic log. Cover with leftover chocolate icing. Spread using a spatula or palette knife. Allow to cool. Then sprinkle with icing sugar to give it a snow effect.
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Chocolate and Hazelnut Cheesecake
Sunday, 3 December 2017
Nut Roast (V)
Makes 1 Loaf1 Onion, diced
2 Celery Sticks, diced
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
200g Chestnuts, cooked and ready to use
200g Mixed Nuts
100g Breadcrumbs
100g Stilton, Smoked Cheese OR cheese with a strong flavour, grated or crumbled
1 Egg, beaten
2 tsp Sage
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Small savouy Cabbage, 6-8 leaves
1 Small Potato
1. Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan assisted. Line a loaf tin with tin foil. Grease with butter.
2. In a frying pan add a knob of butter, fry the celery, onion and garlic until softened. Allow to cool slight and add to a large mixing bowl.3. Blanch the cabbage in a pan of boiling water for about 2 minutes, take out the leaves should still have some firmness. Line the leaves. Leave some over hang. Add the potato to the pan and boil until you can mash it. Add this to the mixing bowl.
4. Blitz the chestnuts and mixed nuts in a blender or with a hand blender until you get small pieces. Doesn't matter if there are a few bigger pieces. Then in the mixing bowl add the nuts, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, sage and plenty of salt and pepper. Give a good mix until combined. Add this to the loaf tin. Cover with the savoy cabbage.
5. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil then cook for a further 5 minutes. Slice and serve with vegetables.
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Reverse Advent Calendar
Sunday, 12 November 2017
Garlic Flatbread (V)
Makes 1 (Can serve 2)
100g Plain Flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp Dried Yeast
1 tsp Salt
75ml Lukewarm Water
Olive Oil
25g Salted Butter, at room temperature
1/2 a Bulb of Garlic
A few Parsley Leaves, roughly chopped
1. Put the oven on 200c/180c fan assisted. Wrap the garlic bulb in tin foil and put in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
2. Mix the plain flour, dried yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre. Then add the lukewarm in the centre and mix, You should be able to form a ball shape. If too dry add more water, if too wet add more flour. Knead for 10 minutes. Then in a bowl rub olive oil around the bowl and add the dough and cling film. Leave to prove for 45 minutes - 1 hour. It should double in size.
3. While the dough is proving make the garlic butter. The garlic will be soft and can be pushed out of the cloves into a bowl. Mix with the butter and parsley. Season.
4. Once proved knead a bit to push out the air. Then roll thinly but don't let the dough rip. Then spread the garlic butter on top. But on a tray in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes. Serve as a side dish.
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Bake (V)
250g Chestnut Mushrooms, quartered
Friday, 3 November 2017
Apple and Cherry Pie
Who wants a bit of my pie? Fruity, sweet and delicious and the pie is good too. A lovely end to any meal. Serve with ice cream and/or cream.
Makes 1 pie (serves roughly 6-8 people)
500g Shortcrust Pastry
Flour for dusting
3 Braeburn Apples, peeled and cut into thin, medium wedges
200g Morello Cherries (I used frozen, so defrost before)
100g Caster Sugar, extra for sprinkling
3 tbsp Cornflour
Lemon Juice
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
2-3 tbsp Milk
1. Preheat oven to 180c/160c fan assisted oven.
2. Cut the pastry into two pieces. Roll one of the pieces so it covers a standard pyrex plate. Lay the rolled piece over the plate and cut the excess.
3. In a mixing bowl, mix the apples, cherries, caster sugar, lemon juice, cornflour and spices. Give it a good stir. Pour onto the pastry on the pyrex plate.
4.Roll out the other piece of pastry to cover the fruit. Trim the excess. Make a couple of slits in the top. Go around the edge with the a teaspoon to seal it.
5. Use a pastry brush and dip in the milk and brush the top on the top of the pie. Sprinkle with a bit of caster sugar.
6. Put the pie in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes. The crust should be a golden brown colour.


























