The last couple of weeks I’ve been baking sponge cakes using my favourite recipe, keeping everything the same, except for how long I whisk the batter. When I’ve cooked and cooled the cake, I’ve measured it’s height, cut sections out and put a weight on them to measure compression. Why?
September – season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and all that. The Soil Association have designated the month Organic September and are encouraging us to make one small change to our shopping habits to “go organic”. When I purchase ingredients, it is the taste that is so important. Is it just…
Square. Lorne. Slice. Whatever you call it, until recently I’d have waved my hand at you dismissively and said ‘link’ is the one true sausage. Maybe it’s because I’m English and lorne is rare south of the border; maybe it’s because I find the square’s meaty granular appearance weird; maybe…
Barbecueing is for everyone. Not just those with space outside to set up the barbecue. You can get the heavenly flavours in your kitchen too! There’s far more emphasis on long slow cooking and this is where this dish comes in. You pre-cook the pork then finish it off either…
Was there a time when it was odd to have coffee flavoured foods? When did we have the first coffee cake, or Café Liègeois (a gorgeous ice cream/coffee dessert)? Now no one blinks an eye. Why do we use tea so little in our cooking? After all we drink so much…
It was one of the sunniest days of the year (so far) and I am chatting to Graham Savage co-owner of Cuckoo’s Bakery with Vidya Sarjoo. “It’s been an amazing 4 years.” he explains “Imagine, 4 years ago it was just Vidya and myself and one baker. Now, we have a…
Cheese. Love it. I like mature cheese, and fresh, delicate new cheese. Over the last few months, I’ve seen mentions of cheese making kits on social media and I’ve been curious to try one out. Last weekend, I got my hands on one for making goats cheese. Filled with excitement I…
Pre-ramble I’m a big craft beer enthusiast but I lack the technical curiosity to make my own. My pal Raymond, however, has spent the past three years honing his brewing skills across a range of styles, including a silky oatmeal stout and a Christmas-spiced saison. He’s only ditched one undrinkable…
If you buy a loaf from your local artisan baker or enjoy a pizza cooked in a wood fired oven, what is it that you appreciate the most? I’m guessing a really good crust is high on your list. If you bake bread or pizzas at home, a good crust…
Somehow Pancake day always seems to sneak up on me. This year I am making a big effort to make sure that doesn’t happen. I am going to be ready! In our recent Breakfast Survey, you voted pancakes as your third favourite breakfast food. In almost every case, you suggested…
