

Small beer
Small beer - "something that does not seem important when compared to something else" Cambridge English Dictionary Apologies for being so...
Aug 13, 2023


A new word - gastrique
"The best thing about learning how to make a gastrique is that it's extremely easy for the clueless chef to do. It makes a simple dish...
Aug 10, 2023


The London Particular
"a fog named after the soup eventually became a soup named after the fog." Londonist David suggested a new 'series' of blogs the other...
Aug 7, 2023


Cheating with tandoori chicken
"To be truly authentic it should, of course, be cooked in an earthen oven called a tandoor" Charmaine Solomon I chose those particular...
Aug 4, 2023


Ottolenghi fish - a lucky dip
"One of my favourite recipes. Serve at room temperature with a chunk of bread." Yotam Ottolenghi Well possibly - here are a couple of...
Aug 2, 2023


The charm of England - Eccles cakes
"there is almost nothing in this country for which a cake hasn't been named." Nigel Slater Somewhere or other on the television recently...
Aug 1, 2023


Chinese-American - kung pao
"just because it's a Chinese-American standard, complete with slightly-gloppy-sauce and mild spicing doesn't make diced chicken with...
Jul 29, 2023


An ancient Roman dish recreated
"the food depicted was focaccia, fruit and a goblet of wine, collectively known as xenia, hospitable offerings to guests – a Greek...
Jul 28, 2023


Coconut rice - so many ways
"Truly fluffy coconut rice eluded me for years. I felt like I tried every variation possible, but when I lifted the lid, I’d stare at...
Jul 27, 2023


Wee drams
Dram "a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink, especially whisky" Cambridge English Dictionary "A pour of alcohol. The amount is...
Jul 24, 2023


Biryani extremes
"Essentially, it’s your favourite chicken curry (or vegetable or other protein of choice) buried under a mound of delicately spiced...
Jul 22, 2023


A dish to make if you have a spare bottle of Crème de Cassis
"A thick rich taste that is felt as much as tasted. Deep jammy currants roll over and coat the tongue in a wave of black currants. Like...
Jul 18, 2023


A French lunch on Bastille Day
"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?" A. A....
Jul 15, 2023


Anchovies and breadcrumbs
"Parmesan of the poor" Sicilian saying Anchovies are one of those foods that people either love or hate. In this household we have one...
Jul 13, 2023


Welsh cakes
"Unforgettably flaky, tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s punctuated with sweet currants and laced with a wonderful hint of...
Jul 12, 2023


An oldie but a goodie
"There was this woman tossing French omelettes, splashing eggs about the place, brandishing big knives, panting heavily as she careened...
Jul 11, 2023


Frittata - a dustbin for leftovers or a gourmet treat?
"the tastiest way to clean out your fridge at the end of the week ... Frittatas aren't just good for using up leftovers, though—they...
Jul 7, 2023


Meatloaf - or terrine - or... ?
"meatloaf is just the American name for a very old idea, a way of stretching those expensive scraps of meat a little further by binding...
Jul 6, 2023


Mishmash
Mishmash "untidy or confused mixture of different things" Macmillan Dictionary "a random bunch of odds and ends" Vocabulary.com...
Jul 5, 2023


Peas, tahini and za'atar - leftovers
"How can you take a few ingredients and turn them into magic?" Oksana Richie/Instagram This was going to be just one item in one of those...
Jul 4, 2023

