These cheese straws are rather moody looking. Kind of designer straws. But they’re not in any way moody to eat. I can’t stress enough how much joy these bring. They take very little time to knock up, deliver lots of flavour and are a perfect snack for younger members of the family as well as being loved by the older red wine drinkers of the family. READ MORE
I always feel going out on Valentine’s is a bit strange. I remember as a teen venturing out with my much older boyfriend (erm, me just 17 and him, ahem, 27… how to give your parents minor heart palpitations) and sitting in a restaurant marvelling at how all the couples looked like they hated each other. They sat in silence. Staring into the abyss. Of course now I realise they were probably just tired parents, relieved of their kids of the night. READ MORE
Puff pastry is not something I make regularly. In fact, I last made it for my own personal ‘joy’ in 2010/11. I am not ‘that’ woman who scoffs at buying pastry. I don’t judge. I’m too easy a victim of other’s judgement. I mean, I have three sons for a start. READ MORE
Ah! Baklava! How I love you so. But with brazil nuts? A brazil nut baklava? Surely not. Well, actually yes. It is delightful. READ MORE
This is a version of a frangipane tart or Bakewell tart for all those readers who are allergic to nuts. This uses coconut instead of almonds and I promise does not suffer for it whatsoever. You may find the coconut sponge cooks a little unevenly. I certainly found this the second time (out of three) I made it, but worry not, it’s still a winner. READ MORE
Well January is done and, dare I say it, I am sure it felt a little warmer this week. Maybe just wishful thinking?
One of the things I look forward to most about the summer is all of us sitting outside together and eating with our hands. Sausage rolls, pasties, chips, crudités, fresh fruit, dips… anything that’s easy to eat and quick to prepare. READ MORE
Happy Boxing Day! I am on The Saturday Show on Channel 5 today at 9am making this recipe along with a few others. Mince pie brownies require no hard sell. They’re the festive cousin of the classic brownie with no need for a cronut style hybrid name. READ MORE
Happy Boxing Day! I am on The Saturday Show on Channel 5 today at 9am making this recipe along with a few others to help with leftovers. This is a light, crunchy morsel to serve with coffee at the end of a meal. Add whatever extra nuts you have to hand and be sure to serve with the brandy and clementine dipping cream. It helpfully uses up leftover Christmas pud and custard! READ MORE
I can’t stop for long. This is a quick one as we’re decorating the sitting room. Yes! I know, how stupid do two adults have to be to decorate in the week before Christmas? Very, is the answer. Anyway, it’ll all look beautiful on the big day for the 10 people we are catering for. I of course will be crying from exhaustion and chipping pollyfilla from my nails. What can I say… I am not Deliciously Ella. READ MORE
I know at this time of year people are firmly divided into two camps. There are those who do partake in mincemeat and those who jolly well don’t. They react to it in an Arthur Miller style protestation of there being witchcraft at play. READ MORE
Holly Bell 