Salted chocolate, hazelnut, and rye cookies

I loathe rye bread. Really, truly do not understand it.

Spiced Apple Pie with Bitters

By the time you read this, I will have undergone and, I hope, survived, my first technical lecture, my first demonstration, and my first practical of the school year, and already have blithely moved on, and be up to my elbows in mousseline and crème… Read More

Cantuccini

Two years ago, Sam and I visited Siena on holiday. And since then, Siena has been my favourite place in the world.

Lemon, Almond and Raspberry Cake

Last week was the wedding of two of my closest friends.

Strawberry and Pistachio Tartlets

By the time you read this, I will be on holiday. In fact, I will be nearly back from holiday. Back, I hope, to crunchy leaves and high-tog duvets and tights fresh from the packet. I’m ready for crumbles and shepherds pies and soups thick… Read More

Black Forest Pavlova

When we were little, there was one pudding that my non-pudding-making mother would occasionally make: pavlova.  We would watch it being made, placed carefully into a low oven. We were barely allowed to watch it whilst it cooked, so keen was the fear of cracking.… Read More

Ginger Brûlée Tarts

It’s raining today, in case you hadn’t noticed. I’ve just filed a long piece about the best pudding to make in high summer and bright sunshine, and now it is raining with blustery gusto. Oh British summer, how you toy with me.

Strawberry and Elderflower Cheesecake

We spent the last weekend in Edinburgh with my goddaughter and her parents. Friends from college days who, having actually put their money where their mouths are, and produced a real live human baby, I now deem impossibly grown up.

Going Grey

Lately, I have dreamt in custard. Lying in bed last night, I could have sworn I could smell the faint boozy hum of vanilla, the richness of eggs and cream. It’s not surprising. Over the last month, custard and I have become pretty well – if… Read More

Friand Easy

Oh how I long to be competent. A quick search of my blog throws up the word ‘competent’ no fewer than five times to date. Sam discovered early on that calling me ‘feckless’ (no matter how richly deserved, or warmly expressed) was the surest way to… Read More