Moussaka

Moussaka is a bit like a Greek version of lasagne but instead of pasta layers and beef mince, you use aubergine layers and lamb mince. I had always imagined that moussaka was really difficult to make and had been putting off doing it for quite some time. But after looking through various different recipes I [...]

Parma Ham Risotto

Risotto is much easier than you might think. I was initially put off by reports of having to stir it for an hour or some such myth – most arborio rice these days simply takes 20 minutes of stirring and makes a cheap and easy meals if you just have it with onion, peas and [...]

Spiced Pear Tatin

Pears make a lovely summer dessert and are best served with cream and tea outside on a warm day. This recipe was handed to me at the Taste of Edinburgh Festival by the “Discover the Origin” stand – a campaign which aims to increase awareness of unique, area-specific foods such as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Parma [...]

Fudge Cookies

Thorntons have sent another handy recipe and they say “These are so easy to make that you can enlist the help of the kids. Be careful that they don’t eat the Thorntons Fudge Cubes whilst your back is turned! We love today’s recipe… it’s a yummy, scrummy picnic box treat! This recipe makes approximately 30 [...]

White Chocolate Mousse

Another recipe courtesy of Thorntons.
Ingredients

100ml single cream
1 vanilla pod split length ways and seeds scraped
250g White Belgian Chocolate
284ml double cream
3 medium egg whites
1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

Put the single cream, vanilla pod and seeds in a pan over a medium heat.
Bring to just below boiling, then set aside for 15 minutes to infuse.
Discard the vanilla pod.
Meanwhile, [...]

Chocolate Cupcakes

I got this chocolate cupcakes recipe from Thorntons. Chocolate cupcakes are great for children’s parties and for bringing as presents for hosts.

Ingredients for Cupcakes

40g of Thorntons Dark Chocolate Block
55g salted butter
110g light muscavado sugar
100g self-raising flour
1 medium egg
70ml evaporated milk
70ml warm water

Ingredients for Icing

100g of Thorntons Dark Chocolate Block
100g soft butter
125g icing sugar

Method for Cupcakes

Pre-heat [...]

Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is relatively easy to make, but it does involve a long time spent stirring to stop the rice sticking. However, it is filling, tasty and a great alternative once the usual old recipe get boring.

Ingredients

Arborio rice
Stock (I just used a stock cube)
Handful of chopped mushrooms (any sort will do)
Seasoning

Method

Following the instructions on the packet, [...]

Summer Pudding

This is a very fresh and healthy dessert made with British fruits which are only available for a short period in the year. Use good quality white bread and avoid using too many blackberries as the pudding should turn out a bright pink colour.

Ingredients

1kg mixture of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
125g caster sugar
8 thin slices [...]

Basic Pizza Base (no yeast)

This is one of the most basic pizza base recipes I could find. It doesn’t contain yeast, which can be fiddly – especially when helping children to cook.
It is quite biscuity, and not that much like a “real” pizza base, but for those of us with little time, and no yeast, it makes for a [...]

Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns are traditional fare for Easter. The white crosses represent the cross on which Jesus was executed, the dried fruit represents the crown of thorns which was placed upon his head and the spices represent the embalming oils which the two Marys used when burying him. On a more positive note, they are [...]