Twelfth Night, Apples and Wassailing: A Traditional English Wassail Recipe Twelfth Night is just a day away as I write, and I am minded to share an old English recipe with you today, a recipe that will be just the ticket for a night of feasting and revelry, as well as being perfect to serenade any apple trees you may…
Pre-preparable
Perfect for Christmas Sandwiches: Garlic and Shallot Country Style Bread (Breadmaker)
Perfect for Christmas Sandwiches: Garlic and Shallot Country Style Bread (Breadmaker) Today is the last Sunday in Advent, which means that Christmas day is very close……I’ve been cleaning, polishing, decorating, making beds, setting tables, writing cards, baking and cooking, with many of my bakes and meals making their way into the freezer. And, with…
Christmas Party Canapés! Cheese and Celery Pinwheels (Whirls)
Christmas Party Canapés Cheese and Celery Pinwheels (Whirls) I have fallen in love with canapés and small bites this year, and I am convinced that all you need is a table filled with tasty canapés, both savoury and sweet, and then a “sit-down” meal is not required. It all started with my special Thrifty and Organic…
Lussekatter – St Lucia Saffron and Cardamom Sweet Buns for St Lucy’s Day
Lussekatter – St Lucia Saffron and Cardamom Sweet Buns for St Lucy’s Day Tomorrow, December the 13th, is St Lucy’s Day as well as my daughter Hannah’s birthday…….so a double celebration. And in readiness for these double celebrations, today’s recipe has been especially posted a day early so that any aspiring bakers can make my recipe for…
Countdown to Christmas: Mincemeat Scones for the Christmas Tea Time Table
Countdown to Christmas: Mincemeat Scones for the Christmas Tea Time Table Now don’t get me wrong, I DO love a warm mince pie or four, and they are always on my Christmas baking menu every year – in fact, I am already thinking of baking them in November, such is my love or should I…
It’s Party Time! A Fabulous Collection of Canapés & Party Food Recipes
Thrifty & Organic December: It’s Party Time! A Fabulous Collection of Canapés & Party Food Recipes Core Ingredients for December: Ham or Gammon; Stilton Cheese; Red Cabbage; Salmon; Brussels Sprouts; Oranges Menu Plan and Recipes for DECEMBER: Verrines of Brussels Sprout Velouté (Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup) Mini Yorkshire Puddings with Spiced Red Cabbage and Ham…
Edible Gifts for Giving: Spiced Brandy Soused Clementines
Edible Gifts for Giving: Spiced Brandy Soused Clementines Now is the time to start thinking about making special gifts for giving…….for Christmas hampers, the tea time table as well as hostess gifts for the impending party season; it’s a time for preserving, baking and making special recipes that will be served throughout the festive…
Thrifty & Organic November: Pear & Walnut Cake, Sausage Cabbage Rolls and Celeriac Gratin
Thrifty & Organic November: Pear & Walnut Cake, Sausage Cabbage Rolls and Celeriac Gratin Core ingredients for NOVEMBER: Sausages, Cabbage, Potatoes, Celeriac, Pears, Walnuts Menu Plan and Recipes for NOVEMBER: Sausage stuffed Cabbage Rolls Celeriac, Cheese & Potato Gratin Pear, Walnut & Brown Sugar Cake Welcome to a new Thrifty and Organic recipe planner for…
“Smorgastarta” (Swedish Savoury Sandwich Gateau) for National Sandwich Day
“Smorgastarta” (Swedish Savoury Sandwich Gateau) for National Sandwich Day November seems a funny time of the year to be celebrating National Sandwich Day, but as an avid sandwich lover I am keen to participate in this day of crusty bread and enticing fillings! We, in the UK, have already marked British Sandwich Week in May,…
The Walnut Tree and Spiced Runner Bean Pickle
The Walnut Tree and Spiced Runner Bean Pickle At the bottom of the garden at our holiday home in France, nearly touching the old stone wall, is a walnut tree; I’d like to say it was the “old walnut tree”, in the manner of the Old Quince Tree that we also have in the same…
Loaded Potato Crustless Quiche with Bacon, Cheese & Onions
Loaded Potato Crustless Quiche with Bacon, Cheese & Onions By the time you read this, I will be snoozing on the TGV on my way up to Lille to catch the Eurostar back to the UK……..but, all is well, as I will still be benefiting from an extra hour in bed, as the clocks went…
Pie, Pie, Pie…..Chocolate Chilli Pie with a Cornbread Crust
Pie, Pie, Pie…….. Chocolate Chilli Pie with a Cornbread Crust I am a PIE LOVER – pies are the ultimate comfort food for me, whether they be the light, fragrant pies of summer, or the rustic, rich pies of winter, anything with a crust gets my vote of approval. The crust can be flaky, hot water,…
5:2 Diet Curried Autumn Allotment Soup: 90 Calories a Bowl
5:2 Diet Curried Autumn Allotment Soup: 90 Calories a Bowl I am still following the 5:2 diet, albeit not when I am away, and I have been away a lot lately…….but, last week saw me managing two fast days of 500 calories a day and as the weather moves ever closer to winter, I find home-made soups…
A Show-Stopping Chocolate Cherry Cake for Chocolate Week!
A Show-Stopping Chocolate Cherry Cake for Chocolate Week! There is nothing as nice as a BIG home-made chocolate cake on the tea time-table and although I am primarily a savoury person (cheese, bread and pies are my downfall) I do love a slice of chocolate cake now and then. And, as it is Chocolate Week…
British Egg Week & Egg-Cellent Recipes: 5:2 Diet Egg, Artichoke and Salmon Salad
British Egg Week & Egg-Cellent Recipes: 5:2 Diet Egg, Artichoke and Salmon Salad This weeks marks British Egg Week, and as a “chicken mother”, I am a bit of an egg addict! I have three hens, Mavis who is a Black Rock, Gertie is a Bluebell and Blanche is a Sussex Light; they lay three eggs…
