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    I had baked a delicious spiced apple and pear cake today to share with you, but the day got away from me and before I knew it, it was too dark to take photographs.   I like taking my food photographs in natural light if I can, which means I will have to wait until tomorrow.  In the meantime I am moving a few scrummy bits over from my other blog.  I think it would be nice to have all my recipes in one place.  The photography on these is not that great as it was eons ago and I was not that practiced at using my camera or taking photos!  They're all good solid recipes however.  There isn't a clanger in the bunch!  Tasty tasty!  I'll be back tomorrow with the apple cake!    *Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies* Makes about 36 Printable Recipe Oh my but these are delicious fresh out of the oven with a tall glass of cold milk.  Each bite brings you the sweet crunch on the outside with the chewiness of the inside, and full oaty ...

       There is something just so wonderfully warm  and comforting about a steamed pudding (dessert).  They are so homey, just like a warm hug from a much beloved Gran. I don't know what it is about them . . . stodgy, yes . . . filling, yes . . . simple, yes . . . there is nothing complicated or fancy about them, but somehow they always come across really well.  They are a bit like the country cousin at a city ball . . . you can't help but really warm to them and want to spend time with them, even though there are much fancier puds to be had.     Somehow I ended up with an outrageous amount of marmalade in my larder.  The Toddster LOVES marmalade on his toast.  I like it too, but not as much as he does.  If I see it on offer I will pick up a jar.  I have yet to make my own, but perhaps this winter I will give it a go.  We'll see.   Sooooo  . . . anyways, I have ended up with something li...

    As most of you know I recently spent some time in Liverpool, the cultural centre of the North West here in the UK. Founded as a borough in 1207 and granted city status in 1880, it is a city of great diversity and  culture.  Chances are, if your ancestors immigrated to North America from Northern Europe, they left from the Liverpool Docks.  It is a city with amazing history and talent, having spawned the British Invasion of Pop Music, with the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, and Billy Fury amongst others. Inhabitants of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians but are also colloquially known as "Scousers", in reference to the local dish known as "scouse", a form of stew.  I think it is a term of affection really.  Our small community we live in here at the outskirts of Chester is filled with "Scousers."  I just love their accent!  At first I found it a bit hard to understand or make out what they were saying if they were ...

  I have never made any secret of my love for cookery books.  In fact it probably verges on obsession.  Well, that's what the Toddster thinks at any rate.  Most evenings I crawl into bed with a good one or two and I get so much pleasure and inspiration from perusing their pages . . .  But what you probably don't know is I am also vastly interested and intrigued in the history of food and the chemistry behind it.  Yes, I am one of those sad people who can sit and ponder for hours on such questions as who was it decided that eggs were good enough for human consumption and just how the miraclulous wonder of cake baking came to pass!   Recently I was sent a beautiful book to read and review entitled "At the King's Table, Royal Dining Through the Ages, by Susanne Groom.  I have been enjoying it so very much, especially since I recently discovered my own ancestral Royal Connections!  This delightful book is an exploration, both visual and writ...

With Halloween just around the corner I wanted to tell you about this new muffin mold I was sent.  This is the latest  Silikomart  Halloween silicone mold.   Silikomart was established in 2002 as a product of the experience and belief of its founder Dario Martellato. Silikomart offers a wide range of refined and innovative products, with a functionality, practicality and beauty which meet the needs of all those who love to cook. The company has continuously strived to offer its customers a superior product. For this reason, the whole production process is “MADE IN ITALY” and uses the highest quality commercial silicone (made from 100-percent platinum liquid silicone), which complies with FDA and CE food standards. Silikomart silicone products are completely non-toxic, odorless and tasteless and the liquid silicone injection process allows for incredibly detailed forms for baking pans and molds. This combination of quality, safety and performance, along with their uni...

I have always despaired of being able to make really good bread and rolls from scratch.  I did manage to do a really easy loaf not to long ago, that was very rustic and that didn't require much in the way of effort and it was really good . . . but my heart has always longed to be able to make really good bread and rolls.  My ex husband was the bread baker in our family, and he made beautiful bread.  I am sure it was down to his power and strength when it came to kneading.   His bread always turned out beautifully light and fluffy.  I have despaired of being able to do that for years . . . trying and trying, but only ever with very few exceptions, turning out much more than yeasted door stops. Recently I won a recipe contest on Gourmandize UK and Ireland and this was my prize!  I was so excited when there was a knock on our door last evening and there was the delivery man with my new Kenwood Stand Mixer!  I have always wanted a stand mixer . . . my...

I can still remember the first time I tasted Buttermilk. It was way back in the mid 1970's.  I think I bought some to make a cake with or something.  Buttermilk in Canada, comes in one litre containers, so it wasn't long before I was scrambling to find something else I could make with it.  Back in those days it was a lot harder. There was no internet to seek advice from!    You had to rely on word of mouth, friends and family. Over here in the UK, you only get Buttermilk in small 284ml containers, each holding about 1 1/2 cups, which is good in a way, as  you are only opening about as much as you need at any given time, but it is a pain in another way as you end up having to buy more containers and store them when you want to make something as delicious as this chicken here today. This is an old favourite of ours from those early days.   The chicken always turns out amazingly tender.  A good soaking in buttermilk is the secret to that. ...