Vietnamese Lime Soda with Strawberries

Lime Soda with Strawberries

This refreshing lime soda with strawberries is a perfect summer drink featuring fresh strawberries, lime juice, brown sugar or maple syrup, and an unexpected pinch of black pepper. It’s from food writer and photographer Uyen Luu’s latest book, Vietnamese: Simple Vietnamese Food to Cook at Home In the recipe’s introduction Luu remembers her first taste ... Read more »

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 »

Norman Musa’s Kalio Chicken Curry

Kalio Chicken Curry

This fragrant and flavoursome Indonesian chicken curry is a must for anyone who loves the flavours of a rendang but favours a wetter version. It’s quick to cook too, as the liquid ingredients don’t need to be reduced as much as they do in a traditional dry rendang. The recipe comes from Bowlful by Norman Musa. ... Read more »

Microwaved Mabo Aubergine

Microwaved Mabo Aubergine

Mabo Aubergine is a popular Japanese variation of the Sichuan Chinese Mapo Tofu (also known as pockmarked grandma’s beancurd). Here, aubergine takes the place of tofu – it’s soft, silky texture and ability to absorb flavours partners perfectly with punchy pork. But this clever recipe from Tim Anderson’s JapanEasy Bowls & Bento is even better, ... Read more »

Pork Shoulder Vindaloo

Pork Shoulder Vindaloo

This is a classic pork vindaloo from Eleanor Ford’s The Nutmeg Trail and she describes it as “an assertive, almost pickle-sour braise“. Made from pork shoulder, this recipe brings together ingredients and ideas from three continents. Its roots are in a Portuguese pickled pork dish called carne de vinho e alhos, which melded with the ... Read more »

Gluten-Free Cheese and Jalapeño Cornbread

GF Cheese and Jalapeño Cornbread

This Cheese and Jalapeño Cornbread recipe is from How to Bake Anything Gluten Free by Becky Excell, an indispensable resource for gluten-free bakers. It’s quick and easy to make, keeps well to the next day and also freezes well in portions. Serve alongside soup or chilli, or enjoy on its own with a little butter. ... Read more »

Gluten-Free Fruit Scones

GF Fruit Scones

A recipe recommended by Nigella herself, this is a reliable recipe for delicious gluten-free fruit scones from How to Bake Anything Gluten Free by Becky Excell. Best eaten on the day of baking, these are excellent served with butter or cream and a heap of jam. They also freeze well. Read our full review of ... Read more »

Onion, Chilli & Mint Marmalade (Muraba-e-Murch-e-Surkh wa Piaz)

Onion, chilli and mint marmalade

This Onion, Chilli and Mint Marmalade features a hefty kick of chilli that adds extra punch to its rich sweet and savoury flavours. The recipe is from Sally Butcher’s Veggiestan cookbook, now republished as a new edition for its 10th anniversary. It pairs equally well with soft and salty cheeses such as feta or goats cheese, ... Read more »

The Best French Toast Ever

The Best French Toast Ever

French toast is always a breakfast treat but if you’re cooking for more than two or three people, it can take quite a bit of time to dip and fry each slice of bread in turn. That’s where this ultimate french toast recipe from Rosie Reynolds’ The Shortcut Cook comes in, with its transformation into ... Read more »