Along with the cooling autumnal like temperatures comes the desire to eat more comfort types of foods. I don't know why that is, but whereas in the Summer, I want salads and BBQ, once the thermometer begins to drop my heart screams out for meat and potatoes, soups and stews! As a consumer, I really want to buy my meat from someone who can assure me of the quality of the meat I am purchasing as well as offering me complete transparency as to where it has come from and how it has been produced etc. Animal welfare is a really big deal for me. I also don't want to have to pay an arm and a leg for it, especially with my budgetary concerns and belt tightening economy of today's financial climate.
Westin Gourmet is an online butchers srvice who offers great gourmet meats, often at supermarket beating prices. You can buy meat online at Westin Gourmet with the Farm Tractor standard and at a price which is the equivalent of, if not better than the standard you could expect from most supermarkets. Westin Gourmet source the majority of their meat from the UK. They will only work with farmers who treat their livestock ethically, and all their meat is labelled and code marked so they can retrace its entire history. Animal Welfare is high on their list of priorities when it comes to sourcing their meat. To me that is one of the most important factors I look for when buying meat for consumption.
All of their incoming packaging is recycled off site and their boxes and liners are made from recycled materials. With a reputation for excellent service and a quality guarantee, plus award winning meats and poultry (Great Taste Award 2015 for Maple Cured Bacon, Corn fed Chicken, Wild Venison Haunch Steaks plus more, and England's Best Sirloin Steak Award 2015) and production transparency you really can't go wrong with this service!
I do so love the autumn when it rolls around. The air is filled with the smell of the harvest . . . blackberries, apples, pears. When we lived down south our cottage was surrounded by orchards and so the air was also filled with the sounds of the laughter and conversation of the apple pickers as they went about their work. It's one of my favourite times of year. And this is one of my favourite salads that I love to make at this time of year. I call it Apple Harvest Salad and it is chock full of apples, celery, lettuce, cheese, toasted walnuts, and a punchy honey mustard dressing!
It's been positively frigid here today in the North West, which is a shame really as it seems as if we have had no summer at all this year. A few days which we could call warm, but that was it.
The fiddliest bits are grating the cheese and peeling the potatoes.
There's nothing too out of the ordinary here . . . bacon, cabbage, onions . . . Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses . . . dried herbs, and some chicken stock and that's basically it!
The end result is a simple, yet hearty soup that is deeply satisfying and quite filling, and very,very delicious! My husband likes his with buttered bread . . . myself . . . I'm a cracker girl. ☺
Today was definitely soup weather and what a soup this is! Cabbage Soup with Cheese! This is one of my favourite soups, and I don't make it near often enough. I say that to myself every time I make it!
Not only is it delicious but it's really quick to make as well. Once you have all of the vegetables chopped, it goes together lickety split.
And none of the veg has to be precisely cut either, so that makes it even quick.
The fiddliest bits are grating the cheese and peeling the potatoes.
I always buy little tubs of already chopped bacon/pancetta/lardons which I keep in the freezer so that if I am ever in a real hurry, I can just throw them in as they are.
There's nothing too out of the ordinary here . . . bacon, cabbage, onions . . . Gruyere and Cheddar cheeses . . . dried herbs, and some chicken stock and that's basically it!
The end result is a simple, yet hearty soup that is deeply satisfying and quite filling, and very,very delicious! My husband likes his with buttered bread . . . myself . . . I'm a cracker girl. ☺
Who would have thought that at the beginning of September you would be wanting to tuck into a nice hot bowl of soup.
The weather is just crazy . . .
This soup recipe is an oldie but a goodie. I think you will love it. It's almost like a cabbage chowder.
*Cabbage Soup with Cheese*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe
My goodness but this is tasty. Just perfect for these cooler autumn nights when one has been out and about in the chill. Makes a sturdy lunch, and a delicious light supper, especially when accompanied with some crusty bread or homemade scones!
8 ounces streaky bacon chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 bunch spring onions, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 1/2 pints chicken stock
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp dried chervil
1/4 tsp dried tarragon
1/4 tsp dried chives
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 ounces emmenthaler cheese, grated
4 ounces strong cheddar cheese, grated
6 ounces double cream
1/2 tsp dried dill tops
a few dashes of tabasco sauce
Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until partially crisp. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
*Cabbage Soup with Cheese*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe
My goodness but this is tasty. Just perfect for these cooler autumn nights when one has been out and about in the chill. Makes a sturdy lunch, and a delicious light supper, especially when accompanied with some crusty bread or homemade scones!
8 ounces streaky bacon chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 bunch spring onions, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 1/2 pints chicken stock
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp dried chervil
1/4 tsp dried tarragon
1/4 tsp dried chives
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 ounces emmenthaler cheese, grated
4 ounces strong cheddar cheese, grated
6 ounces double cream
1/2 tsp dried dill tops
a few dashes of tabasco sauce
Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until partially crisp. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the chopped onions and cabbage to the drippings. Cook and
saute for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft, stirring
occasionally.
Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Stir in the parsley,
chervil, tarragon, chives and potatoes. Bring to the boil.
Immediately reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until
the potatoes are quite tender.
Just before serving add the cheeses and
cream. Stir to melt the cheese and heat without boiling. Add the
bacon, dill and tabasco sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as
necessary. Serve hot. Do Not Boil.
Last weekend I thought I would take advantage of the last of our blueberries to bake some delicious muffins to take to the Missionary street display in town. It ended up being cancelled, and so I gave half to my elderly friend Doreen and then we enjoyed the rest of them here at home.
I am awfully fond of scones. Even if I don't always know how to pronounce the word. Is it Sc-OWN or is it Sc-ON? I am not sure . . . about the only thing I AM sure of is, scones are delicious!
scone
skɒn,skəʊn/
noun noun: scone;
plural noun: scones a small unsweetened or lightly sweetened cake made from flour, fat, and milk and sometimes having added fruit.
That's the dictionary explanation of a scone . . . but what is a scone? Really?
One of the best things about being a food blogger is getting to review cookery books from time to time and I was recently sent a really nice one entitled My Family Kitchen, favourite recipes from four generations . . .
This is the debut cookbook from Celebrity Masterchef 2014 Winner, Sophie Thompson!
Sophie Thompson is a much celebrated, award-winning actress and the winner of Celebrity MasterChef, 2014. My Family Kitchen combines four generations of favourite family recipes, from Granny Annie's Orange and Ginger Chicken to Mum's Spare Ribs.
Sophie Thompson is a much celebrated, award-winning actress and the winner of Celebrity MasterChef, 2014. My Family Kitchen combines four generations of favourite family recipes, from Granny Annie's Orange and Ginger Chicken to Mum's Spare Ribs.
From Uncle James's Pineapple Tarts to Salted Caramel Cookies for her sons. As well as recipes from friends, such as chocolate truffles from the legendary actress Penelope Keith.
The recipes were photographed in Sophie's own kitchen - each one is relayed with her trademark humour, warmth and vivaciousness. They are fuss- free, easy-to-follow and delicious.
Beginning with it's introduction and Larder essentials, there are a further seven chapters and a full index, all accompanied with gorgeous photographs.
Soups Starters and Morsels, containing such delicious recipes as Emma London's Onion Soup with Blue Cheese Toasts, Portobello Mushrooms with Cheese and Pine Nuts, Corn Cheese and Chilli Bread, Richard's Guacamole and Ma's Deviled Cheese, plus a whole lot more.
Fish From the Briney Deep . . . with curries and Salmon and Dill Fishcakes, Salmon Steaks with Scotch Whisky and Brown Shrimp Sauce, Anu and Seve's Quick Fish Curry, and others . . .
Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken . . . with delicious entrees such as Orange and Ginger Chicken, Speedy Super Paella, Saucy BBQ Chicken, and a killer Garlic, Coconut and Chicken Korma to name but a few.
Lambs, Beefs, Pigs and Game brings some old familiars such as Slow Roast Sunday Lamb, a Fabulous Meat Loaf and a very interesting Lamb and Beetroot Curry, and that's only the tip of this meaty iceberg!
Vegetable Things . . . Melanzane (A delicious dish with aubergines, cheese and tomatoes), a fabulous looking Wild Mushroom and Pea Risotto, Martha and Dan's Napoli Peppers, Herby Boulangere Potatoes, Clapshot, etc.
Who's 4 Pud? ME ME ME!! and who can blame me when there are such offerings as State Skool Mess, Passion Pots, Malteser Chocolate Pots, Megsies Whim Whams, and Uncle James's Bavarian Orange Pie . . .
Cakes, Biscuits and Bites . . . James's Epic Walnut Slice, Anne's Irish Brack Bread, Toffee Apple Cake, HOney Hazelnut cake, Birchover Bakewell Tart, Granny Megsie's Millionaire Shortbread, Ern's Cinnamon Toast, Megsie's Dates . . . . and a lotta lotta more delights, such as this delicous Lemony Almond and Polenta Cake which I am showing you here today.
Coz the proof of any pudding is in the eating and I would never talk about a cookerybook without trying the recipes out.
I love lemon cakes . . . and this intrigued me . . . it's flourless, being only composed of polenta (fine cornmeal) and ground almonds, eggs, lemons, butter, sugar . . .
Baked and then topped with a sweet sticky lemon glaze which seeps into the warm cake . . .
With lashings of toasted almonds thrown on top . . . they stick to the glaze . . . I like to dust these types of cakes with icing sugar to show off the toppings . . .
Simple to make, well instructed . . . moreishly lemony unctuously buttery delish! What more could you want?
This is moist and very lemony. Adapted from My Family Kitchen by Sophie Thompson.
150g of polenta (14 TBS fine cornmeal, not self rising)
150g of ground almonds (1 3/4 cup, almond meal or flour)
200g butter, softened, plus extra for buttering the pan (3/4 cup plus 2 TBS)
3 large free range eggs
the zest and juice of 3 large lemonds
100g of icing sugar, sifted (3/4 cup, confectioners sugar)
20g of flaked almonds, toasted (2 TBS)
Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Lightly grease and base line a 20cm/8 inch springform cake tin. Set aside.
Place
the polenta, ground almonds, caster sugar, baking powder and butter in
the bowl of a food processor. Blitz together for about 30 seconds to
combine. Add the eggs, one at a time, whizzing after each addition to
combine well. Add the lemon zest and blizt again for about 20 seconds.
(If you don't have a food processor you can do this by hand with a
wooden spoon in a large bowl.)
Spoon the mixture into the
prepared tin and smooth the top over. Bake in the centre of the
preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until golden and coming away
from the edge of the tin slightly.
Whisk together the icing
sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth. (You should have about
100ml of juice, or a scant half cup) When the cake comes out of the
oven use a skewer to make holes all over the top of the cake and, whilst
still warm, pour the lemony syrup over the top. Scatter the flaked
almonds over top while the cake is still tacky and leave to cool in the
tin completely.
Remove from the tin when cold and serve on it's own or with a big dollop of cream on the side.
About the Author:
Sophie Thompson was the winner of Celebrity Masterchef 2014. Born in London and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, she is an Olivier Award-winning actress and has landed roles across film, television, theatre and radio. Her film work includes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Gosford Park, Emma, Persuasion and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Her theatre credits include Guys and Dolls and her television roles have included The Detectorists and Eastenders, for which she won the Inside Soap Best Bitch Award.
My Family Kitchen, by Sophie Thompson
Published by Faber & FAber
ISBN 978-0-571-32417-0
Hard back, full colour, 216 pages, full index
£22.00 UK
The book is also available on Amazon.uk for a lower price than the RRP.
Beginning with it's introduction and Larder essentials, there are a further seven chapters and a full index, all accompanied with gorgeous photographs.
Soups Starters and Morsels, containing such delicious recipes as Emma London's Onion Soup with Blue Cheese Toasts, Portobello Mushrooms with Cheese and Pine Nuts, Corn Cheese and Chilli Bread, Richard's Guacamole and Ma's Deviled Cheese, plus a whole lot more.
Fish From the Briney Deep . . . with curries and Salmon and Dill Fishcakes, Salmon Steaks with Scotch Whisky and Brown Shrimp Sauce, Anu and Seve's Quick Fish Curry, and others . . .
Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken . . . with delicious entrees such as Orange and Ginger Chicken, Speedy Super Paella, Saucy BBQ Chicken, and a killer Garlic, Coconut and Chicken Korma to name but a few.
Lambs, Beefs, Pigs and Game brings some old familiars such as Slow Roast Sunday Lamb, a Fabulous Meat Loaf and a very interesting Lamb and Beetroot Curry, and that's only the tip of this meaty iceberg!
Vegetable Things . . . Melanzane (A delicious dish with aubergines, cheese and tomatoes), a fabulous looking Wild Mushroom and Pea Risotto, Martha and Dan's Napoli Peppers, Herby Boulangere Potatoes, Clapshot, etc.
Who's 4 Pud? ME ME ME!! and who can blame me when there are such offerings as State Skool Mess, Passion Pots, Malteser Chocolate Pots, Megsies Whim Whams, and Uncle James's Bavarian Orange Pie . . .
Cakes, Biscuits and Bites . . . James's Epic Walnut Slice, Anne's Irish Brack Bread, Toffee Apple Cake, HOney Hazelnut cake, Birchover Bakewell Tart, Granny Megsie's Millionaire Shortbread, Ern's Cinnamon Toast, Megsie's Dates . . . . and a lotta lotta more delights, such as this delicous Lemony Almond and Polenta Cake which I am showing you here today.
Coz the proof of any pudding is in the eating and I would never talk about a cookerybook without trying the recipes out.
I love lemon cakes . . . and this intrigued me . . . it's flourless, being only composed of polenta (fine cornmeal) and ground almonds, eggs, lemons, butter, sugar . . .
Baked and then topped with a sweet sticky lemon glaze which seeps into the warm cake . . .
With lashings of toasted almonds thrown on top . . . they stick to the glaze . . . I like to dust these types of cakes with icing sugar to show off the toppings . . .
Simple to make, well instructed . . . moreishly lemony unctuously buttery delish! What more could you want?
*Lemony Almond and Polenta Cake*
Makes 8 to 10 servings
150g of caster sugar (3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp baking powder About the Author:
Sophie Thompson was the winner of Celebrity Masterchef 2014. Born in London and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, she is an Olivier Award-winning actress and has landed roles across film, television, theatre and radio. Her film work includes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Gosford Park, Emma, Persuasion and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Her theatre credits include Guys and Dolls and her television roles have included The Detectorists and Eastenders, for which she won the Inside Soap Best Bitch Award.
My Family Kitchen, by Sophie Thompson
Published by Faber & FAber
ISBN 978-0-571-32417-0
Hard back, full colour, 216 pages, full index
£22.00 UK
The book is also available on Amazon.uk for a lower price than the RRP.
Last week we had the Elders over for supper one night. I wanted to do them a real treat and so I decided that I would do them a BBQ Supper. I had just gotten a lovely BBQ pack from Chadwick's Butchers and so it was the perfect opportunity to try out some different meats and to treat the lads. I only did hot dogs and burgers and so I also created some delicious toppings to have with them.
I confess we eat a lot of chicken in this house and if you have been reading my blog for any appreciable of time that won't be news to you. Sorry about that. It's affordable protein, adaptable to lots of flavours and techniques and we like it. It was a lot more expensive when I was a child. I don't think we had it very often then. It was a real treat and usually came in the form of a roast chicken . . .
I really love hummus. Shop bought hummus is really convenient, readily available and really convenient to use. But how much better is homemade . . . I adore homemade hummus. It's quite easy to make nd not very time consuming and boy, is it ever delicious. I enjoy serving and eating it with raw vegetable sticks and toasted pita's for a really healthy snack.
I am no stranger to Zeo lightly carbonated drinks. I had the opportunity to review them a couple of years ago, and so when I was given the opportunity to review some of their newer flavours I jumped at the chance! I loved their old flavours and I have fallen in love with these new ones. Made from natural ingredients, ZEO is an eclectic gathering of bold botanicals, fruits and fantastical flavours from nature.
In my box was: Peach and Grapefruit, Zesty Lime and Blood Orange and Citrus.
I popped them into the fridge right away.
Zeo's exciting crisp tastes are created by blending 32 fruits and botanicals gathered from around the world with cold, clear, refreshing, mineral-rich spring water from the heart of England. Even the deliciously colours are extracted from nature. Lightly sweetened the sweetness is gathered from natural Stevia plants from South America, which are 400 times sweeter than sugar, but have absolutely zip calories. The rest of the sweetness comes from a touch of sugar beets and natural sugar cane.
I have been enjoying the bottles I was sent over the past few nights and when I say enjoying, I really mean enjoying. They are light, refreshing and only slightly carbonated. If I had to pick a favourite amongst these three . . . I think the Blood Orange and Citrus might be it, but in all honesty I have enjoyed all three.
Crafted in small batches and distilled and blended to make each recipe from its naturally sourced ingredients, these drinks are pleasant and quite satisfying. I don't drink tea or coffee and I don't like to drink caffeinated cold drinks, and these made a really nice and refreshing drink to sit and relax with while I've been watching the telly evenings.
If you would like to know more about them and where to buy them, do heck out their page! Release your brighter side!
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Many thanks to Zeo for sending me these to try. If you are looking for a refreshing drink which is low in sugar and filled with natural ingredients you really can't go wrong with Zeo. I really did enjoy them and was not required to write a positive review.
We really love chicken in this house. It's quite an affordable meat and very adaptable, which is why I was really happy to receive the latest cookery book by Paul Gayler to review, entitled . . . "Chicken & Other Birds, from the perfect roast chicken to Asian-style duck breasts. Photography by Kevin Summers. This is a book that will get a lot of use.
I have always wanted to bake Madeleines. I have had a silicone Madeleine pan for quite a while now and had never used it. Today was the day.
Ahhh . . . . Madeleines. That little French butter cake that most (non-French) people think of more as a cookie.
I have always wished that I lived in a place where you could get really good fresh peaches . . . grown locally . . . and sweetly delicious. To be able to walk out your door and pick a fresh peach sounds like a dream. It's just never been my reality, and the peach is one of my favourite fruits. I have always just had to do with tinned peaches or peaches which have been shipped in from much warmer climes. I happen to love tinned peaches. A favourite dessert when I was growing up was a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with some tinned peaches. I still love it.
I was recently invited to become part of the 2015 Better with Leerdammer Blogger team. As a member of the team I would be challenged to create a sandwich with the ingredients provided for five days running. I am a big fan of Leerdammer and so for me, this is a delicious challenge to fulfil! I also love sandwiches! This is a definite win/win situation! This is Day Five! The final day!
Prior to moving back to Chester in 2010, I was employed as a person chef at a Manor house down in Kent. I got to stretch my abilities and skills cooking for large silver service dinner parties and cocktail parties . . . and scrummy lady's luncheons . . . beautiful food and presentations . . .
I never ever got to partake of any of it, I was always the cook, and never the guest . . . kind of like always being the bridesmaid, but never the bride!
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