I'm joining in the Big Fair Bake, which is working this year with Tots100. This idea is that you bake something using Fairtrade ingredients and use it to spread the Fairtrade message. It's about getting a fair price for goods at source, rather than exploiting farmers and growers so that we can get things cheaply here in the UK. I was inspired a while ago by the incredible coffee-based recipes that Utterly Mummy came up with, and … [Read more...]
Around the World in 12 Dishes: French Polynesia
The journey around the world in food has moved on from Australia to French Polynesia. Very exotic! I had to do some proper research to find something to cook this month. Unsurprisingly, for an area of islands, it involves fish. And vanilla. Trust me, though, it's good. … [Read more...]
Slow cooker Boston Baked Beans
I discovered More Than Toast last year when I was on the hunt for a Boston Baked Beans recipe. I was not disappointed. These beans, though I tinkered a little with the recipe, were scrumptious, and have cemented themselves as my Boston Beans recipe now whenever I have the need. And yet, I have tinkered a little further because I have gained in the interim a slow-cooker. And now I put them on first thing in the morning and forget about them. … [Read more...]
Around the World in 12 Dishes: Australia
Pavlova, Anzac biscuits, Lamingtons, BBQ shrimp : these are the foods I associate with Oz, based primarily on my former love of the hit soap opera Home and Away. I thought about making one of these for the latest leg of the 12 Dishes tour, but we're away from home, in someone else's home, so I thought should keep it simple. And Damper bread really is simple to make. Originally made with flour and water, this bread was made by the Jackaroos on … [Read more...]
Reinventing Tuna Pasta with Princes Wild Alaskan Salmon
Tuna pasta. I can remember eating it quite regularly when growing up: we always had the ingredients in the tins cupboard. And taking my parents example, I have always had the ingredients in my cupboard. But I've probably made it once since we got married. Every time I suggest it, DH looks at me like I've suggested we eat raw marrow. But I have at last come up with an alternative that meets with his approval, for days when I don't feel like … [Read more...]
Around the World in 12 Dishes: Teriyaki Salmon Nuggets
Around the World in 12 Dishes is currently touring Japan. We made some cute little Japanese dolls from pegs last week, but it's time to delve into the world of Japanese food. There are plenty of great things to come out of Japan, Bento boxes in particular. I've bought a whole box full of bits to make cute food with after reading Jill DuBien's amazing site, which is filled with dozens of absolutely brilliant ideas for bite-sized fun finger … [Read more...]
Easy carrot salad for summer
My mum used to make this salad when we lived overseas. The pace of life as an expat is slightly different from the UK. People are much more likely to have a 'door-always-open' policy, and a 'Potluck Supper' policy. They also have a 'bring-a-salad' policy, which can be very tricky to negotiate. Salad on the face of it is all about the green stuff, and if you are not careful, you end up with twelves bowls of identical salad (ready-made not an … [Read more...]
