One of my greatest ambitions – to cook on television – came true when I was chosen to participate in Series 1 of Britain’s Best Home Cook for BBC television. Continue reading “As a contestant on Britain’s Best Home Cook – BBC1”
Recipe posts
Coloured mirror glazes
(Post updated: May 2019). As its name suggests, a mirror glaze is a very shiny covering for a cake or dessert that is so reflective you should be able to see your face quite clearly in it. There are several recipes for mirror glazes but I make what I think is one of the simplest – and it always gives me great results. Continue reading “Coloured mirror glazes”
Rough-puff pastry & other laminated pastries
I love the process of achieving those buttery, light layers that melt in the mouth, especially with rough-puff pastry, a much simpler cousin to puff pastry. In this post I give the recipe for a fool-proof rough-puff pastry, along with recipe ideas for using the pastry. Continue reading “Rough-puff pastry & other laminated pastries”
Shortcrust pastry & fool-proof blind-baking
It might be easy to feel daunted when it comes to making pastry, but I hope this post will go some way towards facing any doubts you might have when it comes to shortcrust pastry. I have also included what I think is the most fool-proof way to blind-bake the pastry, giving perfectly cooked pastry and a neat finish. Continue reading “Shortcrust pastry & fool-proof blind-baking”
Tips for making & decorating cakes
I’m a firm believer that cake should be enjoyed without any hint of guilt whatsover.
This post gives key tips for making several types of cake successfully, along with recipes for cakes and icings, troubleshooting and general ideas for decorating. I have also given the quantities needed to make a Victoria Sandwich cake for different sized tins. Continue reading “Tips for making & decorating cakes”
Making sourdough bread
A decent sourdough loaf is joy to eat: a crispy crust, a soft but slightly chewy interior and layers of flavour in each bite. Continue reading “Making sourdough bread”
Croissants & pains au chocolat
For me a croissant is one of the greatest pastries to eat. I love those wafer-thin flakes that shatter when you bite into it, revealing an open, honeycombed interior…. Not to mention its deliciously buttery flavour! Continue reading “Croissants & pains au chocolat”
Making macarons – the queen of confections
If you have ever wanted a macaron recipe for what I consider to be “as fool-proof as is possible*”, I hope you find that this is the place to be! Continue reading “Making macarons – the queen of confections”
Tandoori cheese & onion flatbreads
A delicious Indian-style version of cheese on toast. Continue reading “Tandoori cheese & onion flatbreads”
English macaroons
Classic English macaroons: chewy, intensely almondy and with natural cracks and holes along the surface. Rustic but sublime!
Continue reading “English macaroons”
Coronation pork pies
A pork pie is a buffet treat for any time of the year, but I love these around the festive period! Continue reading “Coronation pork pies”
My favourite peanut dipping sauce
This is my take on a lightly spiced peanut dipping sauce: ideal for satays. Continue reading “My favourite peanut dipping sauce”
Crispy aromatic fried chicken
Crispy chicken is always a crowd-pleaser and this dish, with the wonderfully heady flavours of garlic, ginger and white peppercorns, is right up there for me in terms of proper tasty dishes. Continue reading “Crispy aromatic fried chicken”
Moroccan-style cauliflower rice
This is a deliciously light cauliflower dish that it is both easy and quick to make.
Carrot and swede curry
Whether you are attempting veganuary or not, or just fancy a delicious, flavour-packed curry dish, this should fit the bill. Continue reading “Carrot and swede curry”
Flaky almond, yuzu & cranberry whirls
These croissant-based pastries are nutty, sticky and delicious. Continue reading “Flaky almond, yuzu & cranberry whirls”
Apple, jalapeño & smoked cheese sourdough
This is particularly punchy sourdough that is at its best when toasted and slathered with butter! Continue reading “Apple, jalapeño & smoked cheese sourdough”
Mango, spinach & egg dahl
I don’t eat lentils enough but when I do I want them to be packed with flavour – and this, I think, delivers in bucketloads! Continue reading “Mango, spinach & egg dahl”
Blackberry & apple frangipane tarts
A seasonal treat using freshly picked blackberries and apples, but these are also great swapping the apples for pears or using different berries. Continue reading “Blackberry & apple frangipane tarts”
Thai garlic and pepper chicken wings
I’m a big fan of sticky finger food and is this my take on my local Thai restaurant’s Gai Pad Gratiem Prik Thai: sticky chicken wings in a garlicky, peppery sauce. Continue reading “Thai garlic and pepper chicken wings”
Mexican-style cauliflower bites
Crispy pieces of lightly spiced cauliflower served with a smoky, tangy and garlicky dip. Continue reading “Mexican-style cauliflower bites”
Tangy ancho chilli chutney
This is a sharp, slightly punchy chutney that is quick and easy to make and tastes fabulous. Continue reading “Tangy ancho chilli chutney”
Strawberry, passionfruit and white chocolate tart
A real summery delight, this tart is easy to make if you use a commercial tart case and a commercial curd. Continue reading “Strawberry, passionfruit and white chocolate tart”
Roasted cauliflower salad with tahini dressing
This delicous salad is one of my go-to accompaniments for a BBQ, but sometimes I can eat it just by itself! Continue reading “Roasted cauliflower salad with tahini dressing”
Caponata
This is a seriously wonderful Mediterranean dish of vegetables coated in a tangy tomato sauce. Continue reading “Caponata”
Treacle tart crumble
This pudding is simply a classic treacle tart filling but with a crumble topping rather than a pastry base. Continue reading “Treacle tart crumble”
Mojo rojo: spiced red pepper sauce
Mojo rojo is one of my favourite sauces that I have enjoyed on many a holiday in Spain. Continue reading “Mojo rojo: spiced red pepper sauce”
Cheese & marmite buns
This is my tear & share version of the delicious hot cross buns that used to be sold in Marks and Spencer.
Mocha Ă©clairs
Those classic, reliable and delicious flavours of coffee and chocolate in these mini Ă©clairs. Continue reading “Mocha Ă©clairs”
Pheasant with apples in a cider & cream sauce
Pheasants cooked with apples and fresh herbs in a silky, creamy sauce. Deliciously comforting! Continue reading “Pheasant with apples in a cider & cream sauce”
Sausagemeat party ring
This is basically a ring version of my go-to sausage rolls recipe. Continue reading “Sausagemeat party ring”
Chocolate, orange and caramel Yule log
A rich, chocolatey Yule log. Continue reading “Chocolate, orange and caramel Yule log”
Mocha meringue mushrooms
Small edible meringue mushroom decorations, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.
Apple crumble mince pies
A different take on mince pies but very delicous and suitably moreish! Continue reading “Apple crumble mince pies”
Browned butter & chocolate chip cookies
Deliciously moreish biscuity treats!
Upside-down pear, almond & honey cake
A light almond sponge with lightly caramelised honeyed pears. Utterly delicious!
Continue reading “Upside-down pear, almond & honey cake”
Korean chicken (air-fried)
Sticky, fragrant and with a great chilli punch, these easy air-fried chicken bites are so delicious. Continue reading “Korean chicken (air-fried)”
Miso & rum caramel macarons
A fresh batch of macarons to incorporate a filling I enjoyed in some gorgeous chocolates recently.
The “Swiss Roll” method for croissant dough!
The idea with this method is that you can make a batch of croissant dough in an easier and quicker way, without having to do lots of different turns. Continue reading “The “Swiss Roll” method for croissant dough!”
Air-fried “dirty fries” in 15 mins
Proper delicious fast food, taking about 10 minutes for cooking the fries and then a further 5 minutes of cooking to finish off.
Rainbow garden fritters
A great summer dish that makes use of practically any vegetables you have lying around!
Minty yoghurt dip
This refreshing dip, with the toasted cumin seeds adding a gentle warmth of spice, is particularly wonderful with Indian dishes. Continue reading “Minty yoghurt dip”
Punchy anchovy aioli
This very speedy dip, with Caesar salad dressing vibes, packs a lot of flavour. Continue reading “Punchy anchovy aioli”
My ultimate smoky BBQ sauce
Sticky, smoky, spicy and not too sweet, this is my ultimate BBQ sauce. Continue reading “My ultimate smoky BBQ sauce”
Parmesan & spring onion “custard”
This softly set, melt-in-the-mouth mousse, which is essentially a savoury custard, makes a great starter or a quirky element of a cheeseboard.
Halloumi, mint & harissa kebabs
Keripic: caramelised chilli & Makrut lime crisps
I first tried these fabulously addictive crisps at an Indonesian restaurant many decades ago and I still adore making them either for a snack or as an accompaniment to a meal. Continue reading “Keripic: caramelised chilli & Makrut lime crisps”
Baked coconut and lime cheesecake
There are a few piña colada vibes going on with this delicious baked cheesecake!
Chicken curry pasties
Delicate, spiced pastry packed with curried chicken thighs and vegetables. Continue reading “Chicken curry pasties”
Lemongrass & Makrut lime custard tarts
This is a British classic with a twist: sweet, buttery almond and lime pastry with a delicately set flavoured custard filling.
Latkes
This is my oven-baked version of these delicious potato bites. Continue reading “Latkes”
Baked caramel lemon custard
This dessert is a cross between a crème caramel and a baked cheesecake, with a slightly denser texture than a crème caramel while retaining the divine, slightly bitter liquid caramel element. Continue reading “Baked caramel lemon custard”
Curried crab tarts
These delicious tarts are packed with crab flavour and are quite certain to be devoured without any trace! Continue reading “Curried crab tarts”
Apple & cinnamon upside-down cake
This is a real return to comfort food classics and is always a treat to tuck into. Continue reading “Apple & cinnamon upside-down cake”
Seeded onion bread
Simple, delicious bread that is just begging to be toasted and spread liberally – very liberally! – with butter. Continue reading “Seeded onion bread”
Yorkshire curd tarts with a twist
My take on this great British classic is certainly not fully authentic – but in my opinion no recipe should be so precious that it can’t cope with being tinkered with! Continue reading “Yorkshire curd tarts with a twist”
Chilled pea, mint & bacon soup
This is a very refreshing soup using up ingredients in the kitchen. Perfect for hot weather dining! Continue reading “Chilled pea, mint & bacon soup”
Courgette, sweetcorn & mint fritters
These are very simple bites that I am sure will have you diving in for more!
Continue reading “Courgette, sweetcorn & mint fritters”
Phil's Home Kitchen 