Friends & Entertaining

Golden, fluffy, wonderfully savoury scones with a rather unexpected ingredient hiding inside ... I've been having a little fun finding new ways to use mangelwurzel, that rather overlooked traditional root vegetable. Having experimented with brownies, truffles, jellies and drinks, I thought it was time to see what it could bring to the savoury side of the kitchen ,,, And so, into the scone mixture it went. Finely grated raw mangelwurzel brings moisture and a gentle earthiness

Golden puff pastry, tender quince, rosy pink apples and a buttery brown sugar caramel. A proper autumn pudding that looks rather grand but is surprisingly achievable. There are some recipes that come together exactly as planned. And then there are the ones that take you on a few twists and turns. This Quince & Apple Brown Sugar Tarte Tatin began with a couple of quinces, some apples and an idea. I wanted the floral sweetness of quince, the familiar comfort of apple and a cara

Golden, buttery pastry, savoury roasted mushrooms and a gloriously garlicky, creamy centre. Autumn comfort food, with very little faffing, and without the wait. There is something rather lovely about a galette. It looks as though you've made a huge effort, but really, it's all about a few good ingredients, a little clever preparation and the willingness to embrace pastry that doesn't need to be perfectly behaved. This Wild Mushroom & Creamy Garlic Boursin Galette is all about

This year, my little quince tree finally came up trumps. Sixteen beautifully perfumed quinces, all mine. I was rather pleased with myself, if I'm honest. There's something deeply satisfying about watching a tree you've planted reward you with its own little harvest. And then, just as I was admiring my modest quince collection, a neighbour turned up and offloaded two baskets of the things on my doorstep. Two baskets!! Apparently, I had been promoted from someone with a quince

An autumn pavlova with a little surprise tucked inside ... There are pavlovas, and then there are pavlovas that make you wonder why on earth you've never thought of doing this before ... This one started with a batch of homemade quince cheese and a slightly mischievous idea. What if, instead of keeping quince cheese on the cheeseboard, we tucked it inside a French meringue pavlova? .. Not stirred through completely, not blended into a uniformly pink mixture, but swirled throu

You know when you make something and then start wondering what else you can do with it? That's where we are in my kitchen with quince cheese ... Now, quince cheese is perfectly happy doing its usual job on a cheeseboard. A little square alongside a lovely sharp cheese, a few crackers and some pickles, and everyone's perfectly content. Nothing wrong with that at all ... But where's the fun in leaving well enough alone? Because if you've got a batch of homemade quince cheese si

There are certain things that mark the changing of the seasons for me. The smell in the air of the first fires in the grate. The hedgerows turning from green to gold. The sudden appearance of enormous pumpkins ... And, perhaps my favourite of all, the moment one of the neighbours down the road announces on Facebook that her quinces are ready. There is something wonderfully exciting about that little message appearing. The quinces are ready ... And I'm off! Yesterday, howeve

Honey-roasted quince, nestled into crisp buttery pastry and baked beneath a silky vanilla custard ... There are some things that are worth taking your time over, and quince is very definitely one of them. These little Honey Roasted Quince Custard Tarts started with a handful of quinces and the idea of roasting them slowly with honey and thyme until they became soft, golden and sticky. Once I had them, putting them into a custard tart seemed almost inevitable. The quince bring

Now, I know that technically, there is no such thing as blackberry cassis ... Cassis is traditionally made from blackcurrants, and I am perfectly aware that blackberries are not blackcurrants. But I rather like the romance of it. Blackberry liqueur sounds like a perfectly sensible name for Blackberry Vodka, but Blackberry Cassis sounds darker somehow. A little more mysterious. Like something you might find in an old Somerset kitchen, written in faded ink in the back of a rec

Nature's Larder It's about this time of year in Somerset that Bramley apples have a habit of appearing on doorsteps .. less cherry knocking, more apple knocking. You certainly can't walk through a Somerset village at this time of year without tripping over a box of Bramley apples. Left hopefully outside a gate with a little handwritten note inviting you to take a few, they're one of my favourite signs that the seasons are beginning to shift. This hearty potato salad is my wa

A refreshing taste of summer beneath the apple trees ... There are some places that quietly become part of your story. For us, Wady's Cider Orchard and Taproom is one of them. On warm summer afternoons, it's one of our favourite places to escape for an hour or two. Sitting beneath the apple trees with a chilled drink in hand, watching the light filter through the orchard, you can't help but slow down. There's something wonderfully simple about it all ... the scent of apples

A crisp caramel brittle for scattering over ice cream, cakes and puddings. There always seems to be a handful of nuts left in the cupboard. Half a packet of hazelnuts, a few lonely walnuts, the last spoonful of pumpkin seeds. Not quite enough of anything to make a recipe ... but together? They're perfect for nut brittle. This is one of those wonderfully forgiving recipes that changes every time you make it. Use whatever nuts and seeds need using up, provided they roughly fil

A rich no-churn ice cream with toasted brown butter, a splash of bourbon, maple syrup and homemade brittle. There are recipes you set out to make ... and then there are recipes that simply appear because your curiosity gets the better of you. This one began with a pan of butter, not for toast, not for baking. Just because I wanted to watch it transform. As it melted, the butter slowly turned from pale yellow to liquid gold. Tiny milk solids settled on the bottom of the pan

The Black Nebula Spritz ... An elegant aperitif inspired by a heritage carrot, an old family recipe and a neighbour's garden. Some recipes begin with a carefully planned shopping list, The Black Nebula Spritz begin with a message from a neighbour ... Whenever Beverley invites me round to try something from her garden, I know I'm in for something a little out of the ordinary. This week, she shared a photograph of freshly pulled Black Nebula carrots on Facebook and casually ann

When the weather turns chilly, nothing beats a warm, comforting meal that fills the kitchen with rich aromas and satisfies the soul. This beef and red wine stew with horseradish dill dumplings is exactly that kind of dish. It’s a hearty, rib-sticking stew that combines tender beef shin, robust red wine, and a whole head of garlic cooked slowly to bring out deep, mellow flavours. The addition of horseradish and dill in the dumplings adds a fresh, slightly spicy twist that lift

Christmas gatherings call for desserts that impress with both flavour and presentation. This festive clementine curd pavlova combines the light, airy texture of meringue with the bright, tangy sweetness of homemade clementine curd. It’s a perfect centrepiece for any celebration, offering a refreshing twist on traditional citrus desserts. This recipe is straightforward, reliable, and sure to become a favourite for your holiday table. Why This Clementine Curd Pavlova Recipe Wor

When it comes to holiday meals, the side dishes often steal the show. Among them, theses fries hold a special place in our house, especially when they are crispy, flavourful, and a little bit indulgent. These skin-on fries topped with parmesan and truffle oil bring a luxurious twist to a classic favourite. They pair beautifully with rich mains like my Christmas Ginger & Mustard Ham, adding texture and a burst of savoury goodness to your festive table. This recipe focuses on a

A special dinner for two deserves a dish that feels both intimate and elegant. This recipe for Prosecco & Tomato Spaghetti with Langoustine and Scallops brings a festive touch to your Christmas table. It combines the delicate sweetness of shellfish with the light sparkle of Prosecco, creating a meal that feels luxurious without being complicated. The secret to deep flavour lies in cooking the langoustine heads and claws in butter, which forms a rich base for the sauce. This d

Perhaps you will permit me a petite pause on your post perusals ... Presently I am prone to ponder pourquoi the unpretentious pea is perpetually passed over rather than promoted as the prevailing performer in our principal meal, when perhaps precociously on my part, I perceive the plain pea can pack the perfect palate punch ... Particularly in this Pea & Feta Salad! But in all seriousness, there's something captivating about discovering a dish that delights both your eyes and

I'm not going to lie, it's the vivid purple-ness of this cheesecake recipe that drew me in at first, but also when it comes to desserts, few options are as satisfying as a rich and creamy cheesecake. This no bake blueberry cheesecake recipe is a true standout, blending the luscious flavour of fresh blueberries with the delightful crunch of a gingernut biscuit base. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is not only simple to make but also delivers indulgence in every bite. No