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As a contestant on Britain’s Best Home Cook – BBC1

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”

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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”

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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”

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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”

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Tips for making & decorating cakes

Cake should be eaten without any hint of guilt whatsover. Even when wanting another slice…..

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”

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Making sourdough bread

A sourdough loaf is a thing of great beauty: chewy, crusty and with layers of flavour. Heavenly! Continue reading “Making sourdough bread”

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The joys of Afternoon Tea

A marvellous institution in itself, you do not need a reason to justify taking Afternoon Tea: wonderfully indulgent, it is one of the most pleasurable ways to spend what should be several unrushed hours, allowing gasps of excitement to escape out as both sweet and savoury goodies are presented. Continue reading “The joys of Afternoon Tea”

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Croissants

For me, a croissant is one of the greatest baked goods to eat: a crisp outer shell that rains flakes as you bite into it, revealing an open honeycombed interior. And then there’s it’s rich buttery flavour and an almost nutty aroma. Certainly not to eat if you’re counting the calories, but a real joy! Continue reading “Croissants”

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Perfecting 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 “Perfecting macarons – the queen of confections”

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”

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”

Strawberry, cherry & lime macarons

These seriously fruity macarons are inspired by the Exuberantly Fruity chocolates from Hotel Chocolat: my favourite of their chocolates. They give a real flavour explosion as soon as you bite into them! Continue reading “Strawberry, cherry & lime macarons”

Kung po-style prawns

Another sticky, spicy takeaway-style dish: this time, with prawns, but it works brilliantly with chicken pork or vegetables such as cauliflower or broccoli. Continue reading “Kung po-style prawns”

Sticky tamarind and sesame chicken

This is one of my favourite stand-by dishes and always fits the bill when I want something sticky with bags of flavour, take-out style. Continue reading “Sticky tamarind and sesame chicken”

Mango salsa

Fruity, sharp with a light chilli kick, this mango salsa is excellent served with fish, with curries, as a dip or simple rolled up in flatbreads and devoured!

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Continue reading “Mango salsa”

Smoked mushroom & Dolcelatte tarts

With the smoked mushrooms, blue cheese and hint of tarragon sitting on crisp, buttery puff pastry, these easy tarts are full-on comfort food. Continue reading “Smoked mushroom & Dolcelatte tarts”

Bread & butter pickles: spicy, sweet cucumbers

If you have a glut of cucumbers to use up, these tangy and refreshing pickles are sure to hit the spot. Perfect cold from the fridge and great to tuck into during the depths of winter with bread and cheese.

Phil's Home Kitchen

Preserves are terrific partners for good bakes, and these sweet, spiced and crunchy cucumbers are very easy and quick to make. Essentially these sliced cucumbers are bathing happily in a sweetened and spiced vinegar.

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Crispy ginger & soy chicken bao with spiced mayo

Quite simply, this delicious food is perfect eaten in the garden for a street-food vibe or piled onto plates inside for people to assemble themselves! Continue reading “Crispy ginger & soy chicken bao with spiced mayo”

Chorizo, Manchego & caramelised onion tartlets

Packed with flavour, I return to these gutsy mini tarts frequently for simple snacks, as part of an Afternoon Tea spread or even for a picnic in the garden! Continue reading “Chorizo, Manchego & caramelised onion tartlets”

Crispy air-fried harissa chicken

These very simple chicken wings are packed with flavour, take moments to prepare and will have you coming back for more. Continue reading “Crispy air-fried harissa chicken”

Teriyaki cauliflower “popcorn”

The combination of crispy, sticky, spicy and utterly delicious ticks every box for me. Ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli, sesame seeds and panko breadcrumbs combine with the cauliflower to give an exceptional dish. Continue reading “Teriyaki cauliflower “popcorn””

Mushroom and roasted garlic tart

As the summer tentatively approaches, I get so excited about food that can be eaten outdoors: whether at a picnic, a BBQ or even just on the patio if there is the merest teasing of sun, I love to eat al fresco. This tart is one of those I often have outside but, of course, it makes a wonderful starter indoors for a less informal meal!

Continue reading “Mushroom and roasted garlic tart”

Passionfruit and lime drizzle bars

This is an adaptation of my earlier passionfruit and lime drizzle loaf this lily has been gilded somewhat with the addition of a luscious Mascarpone topping and a splash of rum in the drizzle.

Continue reading “Passionfruit and lime drizzle bars”

The best sticky BBQ wings with blue cheese dip

Sticky chicken wings and a punchy blue cheese dip: two very compatible bed-fellows that always guarantee foodie happiness. Not to mention very messy fingers! Continue reading “The best sticky BBQ wings with blue cheese dip”

Kaspressknödel – cheese dumplings

Deliciously simple pan-fried cheese patties, using left-over bread and a few staple ingredients. Continue reading “Kaspressknödel – cheese dumplings”

Rum baba stollen bites

A simple, kind of “throw it all together” bake, this is basically stollen crossed with rum babas and is a popular sweet treat in this house. It is not just for making and eating at Christmas either; I often make it for Easter and at various other times of the year. Continue reading “Rum baba stollen bites”

Fabulous fishcakes: my ultimate store-cupboard standby!

This is what I think is a real store-cupboard winner: they are delicious, take minutes to prepare and taste like you have spent ages making them!

Continue reading “Fabulous fishcakes: my ultimate store-cupboard standby!”

Thai-style stuffed chicken drumsticks

Generously stuffed Thai-style chicken, coated in a sticky soy and honey glaze, these are great eaten for any occasion: my favourite is devouring them in front of the TV! Continue reading “Thai-style stuffed chicken drumsticks”

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