Jessica Jessie Due to the size of The Cottage it does make entertaining more than 6 people quite difficult, so in the week run up to Christmas it is tradition for us to throw drinks & nibbles party as there is no room to host a sit-down meal. With the Christmas tree decked, mistletoe hanging from the beams and … Read more
Croissants have been on my Want To Make list for a long time, but I just hadn’t had the nerve to make them so I was glad when I saw that Corrie from Hot Potato had decided to these being April’s Fresh from the Oven challenge. To make it even better the recipe was from my bread bible … Read more
I know for a fact Jules has mentioned many time on both the blog and on Twitter about my sometimes eccentric projects. From the cheese press to the hanging meat safe ever since I came up with the idea of making a tandoor oven I knew I had to make it. I’m an Engineer, what do you … Read more
Today has been “come and visit the chicks” Day. The kids loved to stroke and hold them. To go with the countless cups of tea being made today I made a malt loaf. This was partially inspired by the jar of malt extract I found at the back of my baking cupboard. It only comes out … Read more
Part 1 – How to make your cake Part 2 – How to marzipan your cake This project started a couple of months ago when I promised one of my evening classes I would teach them how to decorate Christmas cakes. Today I finally finished decorating them. I really enjoyed this project and plan to given them … Read more
Before I get chastised for writing a C*&^%$£~s post in October the organized amongst you will be beginning to prep for festive baking time. While Stir-up Sunday, when you traditionally make Christmas Pudding, isn’t until 20thNovember, now is the time to start on the cake to give it sufficient feeding time. A Christmas Cake that hasn’t … Read more
Don’t be too shocked. This is the first baking recipe I’ve featured on the blog for a while. I thought I owed you one. It took me until I was an adult to appreciate vegetables in cake. Pre 2001 I thought carrot cake was evil stuff. It’s now on the top list of cakes I … Read more
I have an addiction. Some people have addiction to shopping, others to gambling, me?…. it’s cooking. Everyday this week I’ve had an overwhelming desire to cook. I get really fidgety until I’ve cooked something! Yesterday I had made my granola by 8am and today a boiled fruit cake was out of the oven by 9.30am. However making … Read more
I like lunches that can be thrown together using some store cupboard ingredients and leftovers. I do plan our lunches over the week, but allow flexibility as we sometimes eat out or have leftovers from the night before.This is one of our current favourites and uses our top three store cupboard lunch essentials. Ideal for when … Read more
These simple buttery biscuits remind me of being a child. Easy to make and so delicious. I can remember making them in school and then scoffing a few before delivering the rest home. They are perfect with a cup of tea and I challenge you to eat just one though. Some recipes put spice in these … Read more