Archive For April 2010
Well, who would think there were so many? Thus speaketh a child of the 1950s. The era when salad, if you ever saw one, was not a composed salad but a collection of dishes containing salad components which were only ever tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber dressed with malt vinegar, and a grated carrot, all enlivened with…
There can be few of us who are not aware of the changing shape of the younger generation. They are often taller but more of them than ever are overweight, not by just a pound or two but by enough to significantly impair their health. The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization in Australia)…
It’s a trend that is enduring. These little cakes are practical to eat, they are versatile, being enjoyed equally by adults and children, and they are perfect for both casual and smart occasions. Yes, it’s true that the possibilities for producing delightful cupcakes are endless, but it’s often difficult to actually come up with the…
When we from Northern Europe think of Italy it’s always summer. A shimmer of heat haze on quiet country roads. Black-clad grandmothers sitting at shady front doors. Old men gathered in groups, the screech of a motor scooter. All very evocative but it’s also good food that we associate with Italy. Recipes from an Italian…
There are shelves and shelves of amazing cookbooks. All of them have qualities, be they a particular ethnic cuisine, a particular style of cooking, vegetarian, fish-focused or even desserts, but for the most part they are targeting those who want to cook for a family of four. There are more of us than ever who…
The author, Fiona Cairns, began producing cakes on her kitchen table 25 years ago. Her husband, Kishore, now managing director of the company, knew that there was a market for these beautifully decorated and delicious handmade cakes. In 2001 they moved out of the kitchen and into a state-of-the-art bakery in Leicestershire. Fiona is a…
Readers Digest never put a foot wrong. They might, however, not be the first books you reach for when browsing the cookery section of your local and no doubt well-stocked bookshop. Cookery Year is a fine example of a book that could so easily be overlooked. It hasn’t got an associated TV series. The author…
Well, what is a Freggo? It was once a Freddo but changed its name when it opened a branch in London. Its origins are Argentinian and it fair oozes a certain je ne sais quoi …or whatever that is in Spanish. It’s an ice cream parlour, a sandwich bar, a café, a tea shop and…
Over the last three decades Browns has become a familiar name for those looking for an authentic brasserie experience. In 1973 the very first Browns opened its doors and it has been a popular chain ever since. We visited Browns Covent Garden and it had anything but the feel of a chain restaurant. There were…
Mexican food has become more popular over the last five or so years. More of us have travelled to Mexico and even more of us have tried Mexican and Tex-Mex food in the USA. It’s a cuisine that has every reason to be popular. Many dishes contain chilli and it’s easy to become addicted to…
How often have I recommended a cookbook because it is not too cheffy, has no complicated techniques, no special equipment, etc? I have encouraged my dear reader to invest in books with home-cooking-style recipes and those that support the novice. Yes Chef is somewhat different but it does nevertheless fill a long-felt want. British food…
The title might conjure images of cows grazing in Hyde Park or pigs on Richmond Green. But this particular urban farmer is cultivating an allotment in north London and Celia Brooks Brown is the aforementioned ‘farmer’. My reader from beyond the UK might not even know what an allotment is. It’s truly an allotment of…