Garam Masala, the dry-spice mixture very popular in Indian cuisine, is a warming, aromatic blend of cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and black peppercorns, and it goes well with anything, especially vegetables. I like to add a little nutmeg to my mix. … [Read more...] about How to Make Garam Masala
How to Cook Things
How to Hard Boil an Egg
It's easy enough to boil an egg isn't it? You may be surprised at the number of people who don't know how to. Put your eggs in a saucepan and add enough water to cover the eggs - a couple of centimetres. Bring eggs to a boil over medium heat. Remove from … [Read more...] about How to Hard Boil an Egg
How to Make Curry Powder
As a child I imagined there was a plant, a friendly, bushy sort of plant with little brown berries that were crushed to produce curry powder. I was wrong, of course. Like Chinese 5 Spice, you make your own. Here's a simple curry powder mix which will stay fresh for … [Read more...] about How to Make Curry Powder
Quince Chutney
Chutney, like all jams and preserves, is a labour of love. This delightful quince chutney made from the Queen of Fruit is an afternoon's work..... and the result is well worth it. Chutney is basically jam with vinegar and spices and the quince makes a chutney to die … [Read more...] about Quince Chutney
Quince Curd
All you need are quinces, water, sugar, an orange and a lemon, eggs and butter, plus some sterilised jars for the curd. How to Sterilise Jars Quince Curd 500 g peeled diced quince400 g sugar1 small piece of orange zest1 small piece of lemon … [Read more...] about Quince Curd
Quince Compote with Cointreau
If you don't have cointreau (a vital addition to your pantry in my opinion) you can use any other orange liqueur. This is fabulous on scones, a sponge filling, or on a crostini. It's also really good as a glaze for roast duck. Feed this happy version of duck a … [Read more...] about Quince Compote with Cointreau
Steak and Kidney Casserole
Steak and kidney is an English dish with a filling of diced beef steak and kidneys in a thick sauce. Usually found in a one-crust pie, steak and kidney is easy, filling and delicious when made in a casserole. You get all the flavour and eating experience of a steak and … [Read more...] about Steak and Kidney Casserole
Slow Cook Cannellini Beans
First soak your beans I've used dried cannellini beans here but the recipe is the same for dried kidney beans. Soak beans in enough cold water to cover them by 5-6 centimetres for 6 hours. It's so much easier to soak them overnight. Put them in a bowl, cover with … [Read more...] about Slow Cook Cannellini Beans
Slow Cooker Safety
How to Cook Safely in your Slow Cooker (CrockPot) Slow cookers are enjoying a return of popularity .. for very good reasons. A long cooking time lets you start the evening meal before leaving for work in the morning. Reduce the washing up to save time and water … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Safety
Starting with a Slow Cooker
Where do I start with my slow cooker? So you've got a yourself a Slow Cooker? Congratulations! But now, where do you start? Your new slow cooker will often come with a recipe booklet. That's a good guide to begin with as every make of slow cooker is a little different. … [Read more...] about Starting with a Slow Cooker
Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
Not your mother's lamb shanks Lamb Shanks have changed remarkably since my mother cooked them. The lamb shanks themselves are still the same, it's the ingredients and method of cooking that my mother wouldn't recognise. Shanks were once classed in the frugality … [Read more...] about Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon is a really classy meal to brighten up a chilly evening. Impress your guests, cheer up the family and enjoy a cracking good meal at the same time. Use gravy beef or any beef suitable for Slow Cooking Brown the beef in small batches first, it … [Read more...] about Beef Bourguignon
Mushroom Duxelles
Mushroon Duxelles is a finely chopped (minced) mixture of mushrooms, shallots and herbs sauteed in butter and reduced to a paste. Mushrooms are 90% water; the long, slow cooking of duxelles will evaporate the water and concentrate the mushroom flavor. Keep Mushroom … [Read more...] about Mushroom Duxelles
Beef Wellington for Class
Easy Cook, Classy Look Beef Wellington is simple enough to put together - this recipe is a pushover for the Beginner Cook. It looks amazing on the table, like a restaurant dish Really classy, elegant in its individual serve, with some fresh herbs to garnish and … [Read more...] about Beef Wellington for Class
Sweet Potato Pie
You can do a lot of things with sweet potatoes such as roasting, baking or even making chips but, for a change, try a pie. Sweet Potato Pie 500 gram sweet potatoes320 sheet shortcrust pastry125 gram butter250 gram fine sugar150 mil full cream … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Pie
Terrific Home Made Trifle
Trifle is a lovely dessert that you can whip up without fuss, a dessert to lay on the table that looks scrumptious as well as tasting scrumptious. Here's how to assemble an old- fashioned no-cook sweet dessert trifle almost on autopilot. There's Trifle - and then … [Read more...] about Terrific Home Made Trifle
Scones for Afternoon Tea
The secret to light fluffy scones is to work the dough as little as possible For a delightful afternoon tea, serve up some home made scones and fill your house with the smell of fresh baking. Scones should be enjoyed straight from your oven, with only the briefest … [Read more...] about Scones for Afternoon Tea
How to make Crepes
Crepes are more than just thin pancakes, they're the ultimate in sophisticated desserts and surprisingly simple to make. You can put just about anything in crepes, your family and friends will fight each other for them. Fill them with chocolate sauce, strawberries, … [Read more...] about How to make Crepes
Dances with Pineapples
Pineapples are appearing in the market. Is Summer so close? The pineapples are flown in from Queensland I suppose, a bright splash of colour next to the mushrooms and potatoes. Once upon a time I would try for a tropical look, something reminiscent of Hawaii five-O, … [Read more...] about Dances with Pineapples
Lamb Navarin
Strange how a French name for an ordinary dish sounds better than than it should. Lamb Navarin is lamb stew with turnips (Fr. navet ). I make this with carrots and onions as well as turnips. Or I just leave out the turnips. In the ingredients list, I've included a … [Read more...] about Lamb Navarin