We love to learn new skills or find out more about the history and culture of a place. Read on for reviews of cookery classes, food and travel books, plus informative posts about the places we visit.

Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

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Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Kaarage aka Japanese Fried Chicken is one of the under-celebrated dishes of Japanese cuisine overseas – it’s a popular dish in izakayas (pubs) and small casual restaurants across Japan but it’s over-shadowed by dishes such as ramen, sushi, tempura, teriyaki and tonkatsu when it comes to Japanese food available in the UK. This classic kaarage ... Read more »

Japanese Food Made Easy By Aya Nishimura

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Japanese Food Made Easy By Aya Nishimura

There’s a real disconnect between how complex many Brits perceive Japanese cooking to be, and how difficult it actually is. In reality, the majority of every day Japanese food is straightforward to make, especially if you have a clear, easy-to-follow recipe. That’s where Aya Nishimura’s Japanese Food Made Easy comes in, a cookbook to help ... Read more »

Three-Pea Tagine

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Three-Pea Tagine

You’ll know from guest author Jack’s review of review of Meze: Snacks, Small Plates and Street Food from the Middle East, by Sally Butcher that he was a real fan of the Three-Pea Tagine recipe. He described the spicing as beautifully layered, lifted by the bright note of mint. It works well as one dish ... Read more »

Afi’s Lamb Roulade

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Afi's Lamb Roulade

Today we are sharing another recipe from Meze: Snacks, Small Plates and Street Food from the Middle East, by Sally Butcher, one that hails from her mother-in-law Afi. A minced lamb casing is wrapped around two different fillings, one being whole eggs, carrots and herbs, and the other a mix of spinach, walnuts and dried ... Read more »

Aubergine-Wrapped Chicken

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Aubergine-Wrapped Chicken

This aubergine-wrapped chicken hails from Turkey, featuring two ingredients beloved of Turkish cooks – yoghurt and aubergine. Chicken marinaded in a punchy combination of yoghurt, garlic, lemon, turmeric and Aleppo pepper is wrapped in silky sleeves of aubergine and cheese, covered with tomato passata and baked. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Have you already read our ... Read more »

Sally Butcher’s Meze: Snacks, Small Plates and Street Food from the Middle East

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Book cover for Meze: Snacks, Small Plates and Street Food from the Middle East by Sally Butcher

Meze: Snacks, Small Plates and Street Food from the Middle East is my first introduction to the work of Sally Butcher who has had a very successful career in food as a writer of many cookbooks such as Persia in Peckham, Veggiestan and Snackistan and also as the owner and chef of the iconic Peckham-based ... Read more »

Apple, Goat’s Cheese, Honey & Hazelnut Tarts

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In her review of The Botanical Kitchen our guest writer Emma describes this Apple, Goat’s Cheese, Honey & Hazelnut Tarts recipe as one of those “why haven’t I made this before?” recipes. Quick to make but looks like you’ve slaved away for hours, and perfect as canapes or for a light lunch. Elly McCausland is ... Read more »