I make nearly all the bread we eat but recently I have tended to make the same basic recipe each time: flour, yeast, salt and water. No fat, no sugar. The only things that vary are the types and proportions… Read More ›
baking
Homemade Ciabatta and Olive Oil
It’s no secret that I love to use homegrown or foraged produce whenever possible. So when my friend Vana hand-delivered some olive oil direct from her friend’s olive oil farm outside Cape Town in South Africa, I couldn’t wait to… Read More ›
Olaf on The Beach Cake and Cupcakes
It’s been a while since I posted a “party” cake on the blog. I have been making cakes for friends and family for a while now, and a year working as a dessert chef has given me the confidence to… Read More ›
Rosemary and Lemon Polenta Cake
I have spent a lot of time this past week out in the garden and it is really starting to look like a different place. Now when I look out of the kitchen window I see a pretty, restful space… Read More ›
Chocolate and Ginger Cake
While I love dark chocolate, I possibly love it even more when it is combined with certain flavours: ginger is one of those flavours that works particularly well. So rather than a ginger cake with a touch of chocolate, this… Read More ›
Jamie Oliver’s Cappuccino Cake
Cakes don’t always turn out the way they should, even if you are an “experienced” baker. There is always room for human error! I struggled with this cake from the outset because I didn’t put my faith in the recipe… Read More ›
Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Buns – hot cross optional!
I always tell my kids that just saying something doesn’t make it true: it’s important to use your own judgement as to whether or not something is as it claims. It’s a good rule that can be applied to most… Read More ›
Apricot and Pecan Puddings with Caramel Sauce
These are very versatile little puddings. They are essentially a variation on a sticky toffee pudding with apricots instead of dates and the addition of crunchy pecans. They are just as good as a dinner party dessert as a midweek… Read More ›
Blackberry, Lemon and Yogurt Cake
I always try to make sure I have extra foraged or pick-your-own fruit to put in the freezer so we can enjoy it throughout the winter in baking. Then I either forget to use it or “save” it for a… Read More ›
Coconut and Chia Seed Oat Bars – and healthy eating
The other day I found myself buying two books at the same time: “I Quit Sugar” by Sarah Wilson and “Saved by Cake” by Marian Keyes. I am aware of the irony. Unfortunately both appeal to me equally. For at… Read More ›