de495e_de02bee63eee427085e12d5b673d7135~mv2.jpg

BE OUR GUEST

Something Fancy to Eat ...

Whether you're laying the table for friends, cooking for someone special or simply deciding that Tuesday deserves a little more ceremony, this is where you will find recipes made for occasions - big, small and completely invented.

Something a little bit special ...

Whether you're planning a dinner party, looking for something impressive to serve friends, or simply want to turn an ordinary meal into something memorable, you'll find plenty here to tempt you.

Take your time, pour yourself something nice and make a little occasion of it.

After all, you don't need an excuse to cook something fancy,

Something Fancy

Crispy breadcrumb coated ravioli on a wooden boards with an orange dip

White-meringue topped berry tart with red filling and edible flower garnish on a floral plate, with two blackberries nearby.

Blackberry Cloud Pie | A Blackberry Curd & Swiss Meringue Tart

When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd

Sticky nut brittle with seeds and nuts spread on parchment paper on a wooden table, warm caramel tones.

Easy Kitchen Cupboard Nut Brittle

Green drink in an ornate glass beside bottles and a bowl of gooseberries on a blue-pink garden bench.

Enchanting Flavours of the Fig Leaf and Gooseberry Spritz

Hearty Beef and Red Wine Stew with Horseradish Dill Dumplings

Heavenly Parmesan and Truffle Oil Fries to Elevate Your Christmas Feasts

Blackberry Cloud Pie | A Blackberry Curd & Swiss Meringue Tart

Some recipes begin with a shopping list ...This one began with a bucket of blackberries. The sort that arrive in a neighbour's hand with a smile and the words, "I thought you might like these." The sort that stain your fingertips purple before you've even reached the kitchen .. and those very blackberries became a delicious homemade curd, rich with a gentle sharpness and gloriously jewel coloured ( When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd.) Generously spooned

Summer

4 min read

When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd

They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade ... But every now and then, life has other plans ... Not long ago, I mentioned to my husband that we really ought to go blackberry picking. I had a craving to make a blackberry curd and imagined an afternoon spent wandering the hedgerows, returning home with purple-stained fingers and enough berries to fill a basket. About twenty minutes later, there was a quiet knock at the door, and on the doorstep sat a generous

Summer

3 min read

Easy Kitchen Cupboard Nut Brittle

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

Autumn

2 min read

Enchanting Flavours of the Fig Leaf and Gooseberry Spritz

A Somerset Fairy Tale (With a Cocktail at the End) Are you sitting comfortably? Then we shall begin... Every fairy tale contains an element of truth. As with all stories handed down through the years, however, they have a habit of acquiring a little extra sparkle in the retelling. Such is the tale of the Fig Leaf & Gooseberry Spritz. And like every good story ... Every recipe has a beginning. Sometimes it's a scribbled idea in a notebook. Sometimes it's inspired by a memora

Nature's Larder

5 min read

Hearty Beef and Red Wine Stew with Horseradish Dill Dumplings

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

Winter

3 min read

Heavenly Parmesan and Truffle Oil Fries to Elevate Your Christmas Feasts

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

Christmas

3 min read

Elegant Christmas Dinner for Two: Prosecco & Tomato Spaghetti with Langoustine and Scallops

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

Seafood Recipes

3 min read

Autumn Sips: How to Craft the Perfect Pear and Rosemary Gin Fizz

As autumn arrives and the leaves change colour, it’s the ideal time to embrace the season's flavours. Every month I like to showcase a trending flavour in the cocktail world in my monthly newsletter. As we slip into Autumn, the flavour on the tip of everyone's tongue for 2025, are elegant Pear and the warming, spicy herbaceous notes of rosemary. I decided to waste no time in trying this gorgeous sounding combination in a Pear and Rosemary Gin Fizz, to bring a refreshing and

Cocktail

3 min read

Elevate Your Lunch with This Gorgeous Middle Eastern Vibe Pea and Feta Salad

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

Autumn

3 min read

Indulge in Summer's Bounty with this Irresistible Blackberry & Whiskey Lemonade Recipe

There's something absolutely delightful about blackberry season that brings a smile to my face. As the summer sun shines bright, the arrival of fresh, juicy blackberries means it's time to enjoy the sweet and tangy flavours these berries offer. Pair them with a robust whiskey and zesty lemonade, and you have a cocktail that captures the essence of warm, sunny days. In this article, we're going to explore how to make a vibrant Blackberry & Whiskey Lemonade cocktail that will b

Cocktail

3 min read

Unwind with a Fig & Pear Cider Prosecco: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic!

Thoughts of Summer, take me back to a season filled with happy gatherings, sunny picnics, and refreshing drinks. If you want to elevate your casual entertaining this season, you need to try a Fig & Pear Cider Prosecco or two ... No judgments here! This delightful beverage blends the gentle sweetness of figs, the sparkling zing of pear cider, and the bubbly essence of prosecco, making it the ideal drink to help you unwind and slip in to Summer. Imagine lounging in your backyar

Cocktail

2 min read

________________________________________________________________________

A Little Something to Know ...

The secret to making food feel special isn't always complicated cooking. Sometimes it's one really good ingredient, a beautiful sauce, an unexpected combination or simply taking a little extra time with how you serve it.

A scattering of fresh herbs, a drizzle of something glossy, a few edible flowers or a lovely serving dish can turn something wonderfully simple into something that feels like an occasion.

So don't save these recipes for a special occasion.

Sometimes the occasion can simply be dinner.

Jo's Kitchen Note ...

I'm rather fond of recipes that look as though you've gone to far more trouble than you actually have.

Give me something I can prepare ahead, a little bit of kitchen theatre and a plate that looks beautiful when it reaches the table, and I'm happy.

And if everyone thinks I've been slaving away in the kitchen for hours?

I'll probably just smile mysteriously and let them think it.

BE OUR GUEST

Something Fancy to Eat ...

​

Whether you're laying the table for friends, cooking for someone special or simply deciding that Tuesday deserves a little more ceremony, this is where you will find recipes made for occasions - big, small and completely invented.

​

​

​

Something a little bit special ...

​

Blackberry Cloud Pie | A Blackberry Curd & Swiss Meringue Tart

When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd

Easy Kitchen Cupboard Nut Brittle

Enchanting Flavours of the Fig Leaf and Gooseberry Spritz

Hearty Beef and Red Wine Stew with Horseradish Dill Dumplings

Heavenly Parmesan and Truffle Oil Fries to Elevate Your Christmas Feasts

Blackberry Cloud Pie | A Blackberry Curd & Swiss Meringue Tart

When Life Gives You Blackberries ... Make Blackberry Curd

Easy Kitchen Cupboard Nut Brittle

Enchanting Flavours of the Fig Leaf and Gooseberry Spritz

Hearty Beef and Red Wine Stew with Horseradish Dill Dumplings

Heavenly Parmesan and Truffle Oil Fries to Elevate Your Christmas Feasts

Elegant Christmas Dinner for Two: Prosecco & Tomato Spaghetti with Langoustine and Scallops

Autumn Sips: How to Craft the Perfect Pear and Rosemary Gin Fizz

Elevate Your Lunch with This Gorgeous Middle Eastern Vibe Pea and Feta Salad

Indulge in Summer's Bounty with this Irresistible Blackberry & Whiskey Lemonade Recipe

Unwind with a Fig & Pear Cider Prosecco: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic!

________________________________________________________________________

A Little Something to Know ...

Jo's Kitchen Note ...