Finnish shortbreads are not actually Finnish! Now that's out of the way they are shortbreads and 100% tasty. The Danes say they invented these traditional Christmas biscuits and call them Finnish bread (Finskbrød in Danish) where as the Swedes maintain that they invented these tasty Yuletide treats and call them Finnish sticks (Finska pinnar in Swedish). The Finns could not give a hoot ..read more

One thing I used to bake a lot in the 90s as a teenager and also in my early twenties when living abroad in Norway, Switzerland and Spain was Swedish Scones. They're not the same as English scones and are more akin to making soda bread, only we use baking powder instead of bicarbonate of soda. I have fond memories making them in the mornings, surprising family and friends to create freshly baked ..read more

What exactly is a Mendiant? Mendiants have quirky roots in France from the Middle Ages. They were part of the Provençal tradition with toppings denoting the original robes of the four Mendicant order of friars. Today they are a well-loved tradition in many a French household and if you try making these they could be a firm favourite in yours. They are commonly eaten over the Christmas period so ..read more

Tear and share brioche with a pesto and cheesy filling Having a soft and sumptuous, comforting and tasty brioche that is stuffed with cheese and pesto is a marvellous thing, but to share it is even better. This is a great way to use up any odd bits of cheese that are knocking about in the fridge. This recipe is with pesto but you could just as easily use tapenade, semi dried tomatoes, Marmite or ..read more

We came up with this idea as a way to re-use leftover croissants years ago when I had a café attached to the bakehouse, and it’s real comfort food – a perfect dessert for these chilly, last days of winter. Because it’s made with croissants and baked on parchment, there’s no additional butter (normally used to grease-proof the dish); but rest assured, this is still ..read more

Finnish shortbreads are not actually Finnish! Now that's out of the way they are shortbreads and 100% tasty. The Danes say they invented these traditional Christmas biscuits and call them Finnish bread (Finskbrød in Danish) where as the Swedes maintain that they invented these tasty Yuletide treats and call them Finnish sticks (Finska pinnar in Swedish). The Finns could not give a hoot ..read more

What exactly is a Mendiant? Mendiants have quirky roots in France from the Middle Ages. They were part of the Provençal tradition with toppings denoting the origional robes of the four Mendicant order of friars. Today they are a well-loved tradition in many a French household and if you try making these they could be a firm favourite in yours. They are commonly eaten over the Christmas period so ..read more

Having some fun with your baking is always a good idea and getting a great result that tastes as good as it looks is what its all about. I love soup and not just for the autumn, but when the pumpkins are in season I stock up the freezer with homemade soup to see me through the winter. While pumpkin soup making I had some leftover roasted pumpkin chunks which I added to a simple bread recipe and ..read more

I really like the contrast made between the jet black ciabatta burger buns topped with contrasting sesame seeds, and the deep yellow crispy-coated halloumi, topped with a spicy sauce - they are fun to make and are a tasty treat for a Halloween night. The buns are soft and airy - softer still with the addition of the carbon powder -  and sprinkled with sesame seeds for a little contrast and ..read more

One thing I used to bake a lot in the 90s as a teenager and also in my early twenties when living abroad in Norway, Switzerland and Spain was Swedish Scones. They're not the same as English scones and are more akin to making soda bread, only we use baking powder instead of bicarbonate of soda. I have fond memories making them in the mornings, surprising family and friends to create freshly baked ..read more