My father told me that his first experience of actually cooking- growing up in the textile industry in the North of England- was when he helped his father cook a family breakfast on Sunday mornings. My Gran did all the cooking six days a week so Grandad liked to treat her to a big breakfast on his day off. Just learning to cook eggs and bacon gave my father a love of cooking that has stayed with him all his life. I'm fairly sure that one of … [Read more...]
How to make Baklava
I found myself in the kitchen recently- despite my New Year's determination to bake a little less- because I have a Greek Friend. I'm sure I'm not unique in having a Greek Friend. There's no doubt that, if I checked, I will find I have more than one. But I am having the Greek Friend over for coffee next week, along with other parents, and I wanted to make Baklava for her. Baklava is something I grew up with: a delicious morsel of sweet … [Read more...]
John Lewis Snowman cake
I am quite taken with this year's John Lewis Christmas Ad. I even watched a film about how they made it, taking a snowman across New Zealand when it was summer back in the UK. So today I decoded to pay homage to the John Lewis Snowman with my very own snowman cake. About 18 months ago on a warm summer's day I parted with £1.50 and came back from a local Charity Shop with a snowman cake tin. Very much like the team who made the Christmas ad in … [Read more...]
Spiced Apple Breakfast Buns
I am so excited about these Spiced Apple Breakfast Buns, that were made up on the spot this morning when I needed to make a sick husband and daughter feel just a little better. They do say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It's a take on my classic Chocolate Cinnabun recipe which is a favourite weekend breakfast in our house. I substited all the chocolate for something a little more festive and a little healthier. And the kitchen smelled … [Read more...]
Pomegranate, Moroccan-style
Christmas is not Christmas without DH cooking Moroccan Tagine, from Nigella's recipe. The key ingredient is pomegranate juice and the addition of pomegranate seeds just before serving. It has a rich ruby colour that I love and tastes sublime. And it is the reason that our Girls love Pomegranate seeds, or jewels- as they are known in our house. All of which takes me back to my childhood in Cyprus and eating pomegranates, freshly picked, … [Read more...]
{Recipe} Reindeer Nose Cookies
If I'm honest, these are just vamped-up Snickerdoodles, but the name has stuck. So in honour of Dimples, who was an excellent Reindeer in her first Christmas Show, I would like to share a very easy recipe for Reindeer Nose Cookies with you. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda pinch salt 115g unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1/2 tsp vanilla … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Tree Decorating
This is a lovely activity which brings Christmas into our home on the 1st December every year. The smell of the gingerbread is divine, and the children love decorating, eating and hanging their trees. Ingredients: 350g plain flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp Mixed Spice 100g butter 175g light brown sugar 1 large egg 4 tbsp Golden Syrup Method: Blend all the ingredients in … [Read more...]
