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Well wouldn’t you know it, we are slap bang in the middle of National Vegetarian Week and what better way to celebrate by indulging in a favorite vegetable of mine; the aubergine. No, let’s correct that. The grilled aubergine. Fried aubergine just doesn’t taste the same! Stick it under the grill until the skin gets [...]
This to me is an ideal dish for those evenings when you are short of time, only have a few ingredients to hand or when you just don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen cooking. Please reassure me that you all go through those days too…. Yes? Hooray for Fiery Spaghetti Puttanesca! [...]
A few years ago, I had a bash at soufflé making. If memory serves me well, it was a goat’s cheese with spinach recipe outlined on a reputable supermarket’s recipe card. There is something dreamy about sinking your teeth into a big cheesy puff, isn’t there? I used a large ramekin dish to bake the [...]
I thoroughly enjoyed Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking series that aired on the BBC recently. I think my favourite episode was the Surf and Turf theme. Wonderful recipes of Lamb and Anchovy and the classic combination of Scallops and Chorizo, but the dish that spoke to me the most was the Mackerel and Bacon Salad. I [...]
An edited version of this post appears on Great British Chefs Blog. Songkran or Thai New Year falls on April 13 and symbolises new beginnings for the people of Thailand. It plays host to what is sometimes known as the world’s biggest water fight. Whether a person is sprinkled with or soaked by a bucket [...]
While the world and and his wife are having a crack at baking Hot Cross Buns or sponges adorned with Easter eggs and the ominipresent Easter Bunny, I’ve been baking something completely different for Easter. That’s right, I did say baking. The problem, however was finding something that if made, would be easily consumed. I’m [...]
Last week saw the opening of the Hong Kong Flower Show 2013. In an attempt to make good use of what remained of last weekend, I dragged my OH down to the show which lasts for just over 1 week. What I didn’t realise was that half of Hong Kong would be joining us! Despite [...]
Before I took the name of my husband, my maiden name was Duffy so you can imagine Irish blood runs through my veins. I have only visited Ireland on a few occasions but each time, the welcome has been very warm and genuine. With this great nation, comes big hearts and it is a country [...]
There is something so pleasing about the smell of toasted hazelnuts permeating every room of the home, don’t you think? I knew I was onto a winner when hazelnuts were included in my Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Biscotti. I’m still on a quest to reduce the amount of butter used in my baking recipes and [...]
Raw! Red raw! My body has been suffering of late from the cold. It’s just the type of weather that will force you to hibernate for days. Things that require urgent attention, suddenly can wait another day as I find an excuse not to venture out into the blast chiller of the great outdoors. I [...]
Well, The Year of the Snake is finally upon us and Chinese New Year will officially be celebrated until Wednesday 13 February. Last year we were fortunate enough to be in Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year. One of my fondest memories was visiting the flower market at Victoria Park. It was a beautiful [...]
Those of you following Great British Chefs will know tonight sees the final for the Scottish category. I have to say (even if I am a little biased, being Scottish) that there has been great humour factored into many of the dishes showcased this week. ..wouldn’t you agree? Ah…Tony Singh, how you will be missed! [...]
Apologies for the lack of posts recently. I had a recent impromptu trip to Tokyo which although absolutely fabulous, has made me lose track of time and already it has been 3 weeks since my last post. Yikes! I won’t even mention the number of blog posts that are in my Google Reader at the [...]
I’m going through a bit of a phase at the moment where meals at night are being replaced by thick, nourishing and hearty soups. I’m still thinking about my overindulgence at Christmas and having done some damage to my knee, my exercise is very limited at the moment! This soup ticks all the right boxes [...]
Well after a short break at Christmas and New Year and a few pounds heavier, I have returned to the world of Blogging. Hooray! Mind you, it’s with no thanks to WordPress and their release of 3.5. Am I being completely naive when I say should compatibility with the WP Themes not be tested before [...]
I always find this time of year arrives far too quickly. Even though the shops stock their Christmas goodies well in advance and give you ample notice, I still find myself running about last minute trying to organise Christmas gifts. As I sit writing this on 23rd December, I still haven’t decided what we are [...]
I was sitting there with cold extremities; nose, hands and and icicle-like toes . It hadn’t stopped raining for the past 2 weeks and I was trying to find ways of keeping warm. Hot savoury dishes had been served and wolfed down in minutes. I had even found ways of adding more spice and chilies [...]
Friday 30 November marks St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland. As feast days go, it passes relatively quietly in comparison to Hogmany or Burns Night. As well as being the patron saint of Scotland, Saint Andrew symbolises fishmongers, gout (!) spinsters and sore throats. Poor old Saint Andrew! How was I going to celebrate this special day? [...]
Ever get the feeling when a cookbook resonates so strongly with you that you can’t wait to turn the page to see what delights are up next? Allow me to introduce you to the cookbook “Lemongrass and Ginger – Vibrant Asian Recipes” by the very talented Leemei Tan from My Cooking Hut. I was introduced [...]
Yesterday marked the beginning of Diwali, the celebration commonly known as the “Festival of Lights”. It involves lighting small oil lamps (called diyas) and placing them around the home, in courtyards, gardens and on the walls built around the home. The word Diwali is derived from Deepavali meaning “a row of lights”. Diwali is celebrated [...]
Those of you who are familiar with my blog will know that last year I attended the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival set on West Kowloon Promenade. You can read more about it here. The festival forms part of Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month. Since I have just returned from London to be [...]
I had always taken a rather dubious approach to making risotto. I think I had been put off with the countless horror stories about the finished article, and I avoided making it for some time. I mean if you are going to stand over a stove endlessly stirring, you want to reap the rewards….don’t you? [...]
I came across this little gem of a recipe several years ago when I was preparing for our wedding. I was on a mission to lose weight and coupled with regular gym sessions, I followed the Weightwatchers Points system. Believe it or not, this recipe is inspired from Weightwatchers. I have adapted for my own [...]
Whenever hubby and I dine out, dessert is probably our least preferred course. We tend to err on the savoury side and given the choice we would much rather eat starter and main, than main and dessert. This encroaches on cooking at home too. You will very seldom see any baking or sweet dishes on [...]
Crikey! How did we manage to reach October already? Apologies for the radio silence over the past few weeks but other projects have kept me occupied so to speak. In the past few mornings I have awoken with a plan of what has to be done within the next 12 hours only for any agenda [...]
What springs to my mind when you think of London? Big Ben, the famous “Mind the Gap” phrase or the iconic red buses? How about food? Well in terms of restaurants, London can rival any city when it comes to top food destinations but how about the more traditional fare? Can I tempt you with [...]
Josceline Dimbley wrote the first cookery books ever to be sold in Sainsbury’s stores way back in the late 70′s. She was a food columnist for The Sunday Telegraph and is a very successful and creative cookery writer. To be honest, I am more familiar with her son, Henry’s culinary creations so when there was [...]
I have a small confession to make. I am a lover of cheese. Not just any cheese but ripe, pongy cheese. In fact, the stinkier the better! An overripe Camembert may send people running but I will gladly lap it up with some crusty bread. Give me a strong Stinking Bishop, entice me with a [...]
