Category Archives: Recipes

Spaghetti Bolowhatta? The Real Bolognese Revealed (Great British Chefs)

Let’s get to the meat of the matter. There’s no such thing as spaghetti Bolognese. Or, at least, there isn’t in the actual city of Bologna. You would do well to seek Bolognese inspiration for its rich tradition in pasta making. It’s a deliciously saucy city too and one which rightly lays claim as the original home of a large variety of food products – just not spag bol. Bologna and the region of Emilia-Romagna have as prominent a cuisine and as celebrated a food culture as anywhere in the world. Even among Italians from other parts of the country, the gastronomic sensibilities of the Bolognese are held in the highest esteem. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Chefs, Italy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Gorgonzola Meatball Sub with Creamy Dill Sauce and Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette

Here’s a recipe for a Gorgonzola meatball sub guaranteed to leave a mess and satisfy appetites of any proportion. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review of The Recipe Kit by @urbanpixxels

The Recipe Kit is not the first food delivery service. But founder George Kazarian wanted to add ‘a layer of awesomeness’. It might take you a few minutes extra in the kitchen, but as a result you get to learn new techniques, discover ingredients that you won’t find in every supermarket, and explore new cuisines. I mean, how good does ‘candy beetroot salad with lamb lettuce and goats cheese’, ‘sweet potato salad with barberries and tamarind dressing’, or ‘poussin stuffed with couscous’ sound? Continue reading

Posted in Food, London, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Get 15% Off the Ticket Price for This Weekend’s BBC Good Food Show

Sponsored by BBC Heading to this weekend’s BBC Good Food Show at Olympia Exhibition Centre this weekend? Be sure to watch this video for 15% off your ticket price!

Posted in Celebrities, Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Food, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Deck the Halls with Post-it Index This Christmas

Hoping to avoid a fa-la-la-la-fail this Christmas? Post-it Index is an excellent and versatile resource to help you stay organised and on top of your game over the festive season. Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Food, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Chilli con and non Carne

Autumn is here and there’s a chill in the air. That means it’s a great time to cook some chilli on the hob! Here’s my recipe for chilli con carne – or non carne if you prefer the vegetarian option and even some tips for making a chilli Quorn carne if you’d like to go veggie but still get some meaty flavour and good dose of healthy protein. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Chocolate, Drink, Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Good Stuff

Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought was worth sharing with you. Enjoy! Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Good Stuff, Hotels, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Recipe: Rachel Green’s Peas on Toast

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious.Here’s the recipe for a basic but really inspired dish, peas on toast. Read more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes, Seasoning and Flavouring with Chef Rachel Green, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Free Signed Copy of Camilla Stephens’ The Higgidy Cookbook: 100 Recipes for Pies and More!

Last week I had a delectable pleasure of getting to meet Camilla Stephens, founder of Higgidy, a “little company of piemakers creating pies, quiches, tarts and slices in the seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea”. Camilla was in London to meet with a small crew of food writers and get our opinions about a few upcoming pies (I loved her sweet potato offering!) and to give us a sneak peek at her new book. Keep reading for your chance to get hold of a copy of The Higgidy Cookbook: 100 Recipes for Pies and More! Continue reading

Posted in Books, Competition, Food, Freebies, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Recipe: Rachel Green’s Salsa Verde

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for a very tasty salsa verde. Check back soon for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes, Seasoning and Flavouring with Chef Rachel Green, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Rachel Green’s Aioli

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for a simple yet satisfying aioli. Check back soon for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes, Seasoning and Flavouring with Chef Rachel Green, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Rachel Green’s Guacamole

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for one of my favourite dishes, guacamole. Check back tomorrow and later in the week for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes, Seasoning and Flavouring with Chef Rachel Green, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Popular Cake & Bake Show Returns to London (OneTravel)

The Cake & Bake Show – Britain’s biggest baking show, returns to London next month for a three day weekend filled with celebrity demos, live bake offs, skills classes, competitions and lots of opportunities to sample breads, cakes and other treats along with the chance to check out the latest and greatest baking and sugarcraft supplies. Who’s the 2013 Cake & Bake Show for? Pretty much anybody from the casual home nibbler to the fanciful pastry chef pro. Continue reading

Posted in Food, London, OneTravel, Recipes, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Free Signed Copy of Chef Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill Cookbook

Neil Perry is one of the world’s top chefs. When he’s not in the kitchen at one of his seven Australian restaurants, cooking up a storm on TV or working as lead consultant to Qantas Airways, Neil somehow manages to find the time to be an author. Keep reading for your chance to win a signed copy of his Rockpool Bar & Grill book. Continue reading

Posted in Books, Competition, Food, Freebies, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Free Copy of Omar Allibhoy’s New Book: Tapas Revolution

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Spanish chef Omar Allibhoy’s cookbook, Tapas Revolution. It’s a great read and to be sure I headed home with book in hand. Keep reading to find out how you too can get a free copy of this practical and fun-to-read cookbook. Continue reading

Posted in Books, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Modern Design Measuring Cup Set and Spoon

I’ve got a Cuppa set of measuring cups and a Dash 4-in-1 measuring spoon to give to one lucky reader. Both are BPA free silicone, very attractive and dishwasher free and are excellent examples of the practical and modern designs available from Umbra.com. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Design, Food, Freebies, Recipes, Shopping, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Recipe: Chipotle Cherry Honey Jam

Here’s a recipe for a no-sugar cherry jam with a mild kick to it. The recipe is perfect if you’ve only got a small batch (even a micro batch) of cherries and not much time. Basically all you need to make this treat is a punnet like you get at any supermarket or from any fruit and veg vendor. You want a big last-through-winter mess of the stuff? Do the math. Continue reading

Posted in England, Food, London, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Recipe: Garlic Prawn Tacos with Peach Salsa and Chipotle Pecan Sour Cream

Ready for taco night? My garlic prawn tacos with peach salsa and chipotle pecan sour cream are excellent. They’re easy to make too – and are perfect for a summer meal. The peach salsa is a nice seasonal twist on an old standard while the chipotle pecan sour cream adds depth of flavour and a bit of heat. Enjoy! Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Pair of Tickets to the 2013 Cake & Bake Show at Earl’s Court in London! It’s a #pieceofcake

Alright cakeheads! Here’s one for you – a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Cake & Bake Show this September at Earl’s Court. Whether you’re a bona fide baking enthusiast or simply a sweet tooth looking for something yummy for the tummy, this show’s for you. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Food, Freebies, London, Recipes, Shopping, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Prawn Dogs (aka Shrimp Puppies) with Creole Cocktail Sauce

Here’s my recipe for the prawn dog (aka shrimp puppy) a lighter version of hushpuppies that combines a seafood dish and its starchy side into one ultimate finger food item. Enjoy! Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cocktail Recipe Video: POM Pimms

Here’s a refreshing pomegranate cocktail recipe from the folks at POM Wonderful. As you can see from the clip, the POM Pimms is based on the classic summer drink, Pimms and lemonade and is super easy to make. Video recorded … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Recipes, Shopping, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win Smokehouse Barbecue Rubs, Mills and Sauces from @BartIngredients

Courtesy of Bart Ingredients, I have a yummy package of the new Smokehouse Barbecue range of rubs, mills and sauces to share with one lucky reader. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Food, Freebies, Recipes, Shopping, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Blueberry Beef Picadillo

Sometimes I get a crazy idea for a recipe in my head and just have to give it a try. Occasionally it turns out to be pretty good. Such is the case with this recipe for blueberry beef picadillo. A picadillo is a meat hash. Blueberry hash? Yeah, it’s a bit weird. But think of the berries as acidic and sweet flavouring along the same lines as tomatoes for a meat sauce or cranberries to be served with roast turkey and maybe then my idea won’t seem quite as bizarre. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Top 5 Summer Sweets

Summer’s here (kind of) with its long daylight hours bringing with it all kinds of new opportunities to enjoy tasty treats. BBQs, picnics, sporting events … you name it! Here’s a list of my five favourite sweets for cooling down, chilling out and making the most of the season … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Recipe: Apple Crumble Crema Catalana by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Tapas Project, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Recipe: Beef and Pimentón Yorkshire Mini Puds by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Tapas Project, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Recipe: Fish and Chips Tostados by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Tapas Project, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie Croquetas by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Great British Tapas Project, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Recipe: Full English Sourdoughs by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Great British Tapas Project with José Pizarro and Codorníu (Blue Tomato)

With his eponymous and popular tapas bar and an equally adored sit-down restaurant (each just a minute’s walk away from the other on the trendy restaurant row that is Bermondsey Street), chef patron José Pizarro knows a thing or two about tapas and the British palate. Now, this master of the London tapa (before opening his own eateries, José was a chef at Eyre Brothers, Gaudi and Brindisa) has teamed up with cava brand, Codorníu, to add a Spanish twist to some of Britain’s most popular dishes – with the launch of the Great British Tapas project. Continue reading

Posted in Blue Tomato, Drink, Food, London, Recipes, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google Hangout with Chef Marcello Tully and Great British Chefs

I had a lot of fun last Saturday “hanging out” with Chef Marcello Tully of the Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye. The Great British Chefs Google Hangout in association with Tesco Real Food offered an up close and … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Great British Chefs, Recipes, Restaurants, Scotland, Shopping, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Avocado Angel Eggs

Devilled eggs are delicious and easy to make. There are all sorts of great recipes for them out there, and I’ve even got a few different ways I like to prepare mine. Here’s one of my healthier versions – rich and creamy Avocado Angel Eggs. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Recipe: Mom’s Tuna Salad

A classic taste of my childhood, I love making this easy and cheap dish for myself. The recipe is based on something my mom often used to make for me when I was a kid. For her, it was a last minute pleaser that required little prep and minimal cleaning up. I always saw it as a special treat though, and from time to time I find I still crave for it. My version’s slightly different than the way Mom would make it, but I think it yields essentially the same level of yumminess at very little cost. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recipe: Buffalo Nut Quesadillas

My vegetarian Buffalo nut quesadillas are quick and easy to make and very tasty. The sort of vegetarianism applied in this recipes comes more from me being a lazy cheapskate than from any ethical or health-related concerns. The aim (which I think I achieved) was maximum flavour through minimum effort. That said, the dish is meat free and features a few superfood ingredients which are very nutritious. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Breakfast Bible | Seb Emina & Malcolm Eggs

If you love breakfast but haven’t read this newly published work of delicious dedication by Seb Emina and Malcolm Eggs (of The London Review of Breakfasts fame), you should. The book is written with dry wit, authority and spread thick with useful knowledge and quirky fact. Continue reading

Posted in Blogs, Books, Food, London, Recipes, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment