Couque de Rins (Honey Cake with Sugar)

These delicious soft and chewy honey cakes came about, like so many recipes, because of a mistake when a baker named François Rins made a mistake whilst  cooking the much harder couque de Dinant. This story, and the recipe itself, are from Regula Ysewijn’s Dark Rye & Honey Cake, a cookbook focusing on baking from ... Read more »

Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen on a plate

Lebkuchen are one of my favourite festive biscuits; German Christmas-time cookies redolent with ginger and mixed spices. This recipe from Mark Diacono’s Spice: A Cook’s Companion is a delight, easy to follow and so good it needs to be enjoyed throughout the year! Read our full review of Spice: A Cook’s Companion by Mark Diacono and you ... Read more »

Helim, Sausages, Pickled Shallots and Honey

Helim Sausages Pickled Shallots and Honey

This delicious dish from Hasan Semay’s Big Has Home cookbook makes a wonderful, summery lunch on its own but also works well as part of a more lavish spread. As suggested, we switched out the pastirma for chorizo (as that’s easier to find in our neck of the woods). The combination of flavours and textures ... Read more »

Sicilian Lemon Cream with Stewed Mulberries or Blackberries

Sicilian Lemon Cream with Stewed Mulberries or Blackberries

I adore lemon posset and have been making it for many years, seduced not only be the silky self-indulgence of the rich citrus cream, but also how outrageously simple it is to make. In this similar Sicilian dish, mascarpone joins the double cream, lemon juice and sugar of posset to create the lightly set cream. ... Read more »

Apple, Goat’s Cheese, Honey & Hazelnut Tarts

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 »

Pear and Parsnip Cake with Salted Honey Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache

This delicious recipe is from Veggie Desserts + Cakes by Kate Hackworthy. Read my review of Veggie Desserts + Cakes here, and enter my giveaway to win your own copy. Image from book, used with permission My favourite cake growing up was a pear and chocolate cake that I often requested from my mum for ... Read more »

Moroccan Tagine Of Lamb With Dates And Almonds

Lamb tagine

The tagine is a mainstay of Moroccan food, traditionally cooked in its eponymous special dish with distinctive conical lid, it is a hearty and aromatic meat stew, often featuring dried fruit. It is often served with couscous and vegetables, and an array of simple salads. This recipe comes from a Moroccan cooking class we took recently, ... Read more »