Writing

Starter Christmas Day can be like a food marathon. What with a heavy lunch, dessert and a load of nibbles dotted around the house to tempt you, it can be a struggle getting to mid-afternoon before you start dozing. Something light and fresh to sta…

September is here and what a fantastic month for produce it is. The growing grounds of the United Kingdom are literally bursting with life thanks to the hot summer we have had. Compared to last year's wash out we have been blessed with sacr…

Sweetcorn is a big favourite in our house. Tins are often opened for the odd sandwich or quick chowder, but nothing can compare to a whole fresh sweetcorn on the cob. My daughter munches away on one with all the intention of Foghorn Leghorn, d…

The burger gets a hard time from the food police. Blamed for the continuing obesity 'crisis' that has hit our shores, burger bars and other fast food joints are being ganged up on one side from the 'you must be insane to eat in such a place you…

Kids love to build things. And then demolish them. As a child I would spend hours meticulously building hundreds of small plastic coloured bricks into some elaborate castle, fill it full of my favourite toys then smash it with a h…

Hot weather and ice cream; a match made in heaven. The nipper and I have been ploughing through a load of home made ices recently. Everything from a plain old vanilla to a trendy yoghurt ‘semi freddo' have been experimente…

I've always avoided buying an ice cream maker for one reason only. I reckon that I would make a new ice cream at least once a week and that would do nothing for the old love handles. Unfortunately I've found a way of making perfect ice cream th…

I remember in the 1970s falling for the Blue Peter April Fool's Day trick when they displayed what appeared to be tree upon tree in Italy with strands of spaghetti hanging from their branches. I had eaten pasta a great deal in my life but nev…

A lot of recipes that are intended for parents and their children to cook together are inevitably sweets, puddings, biscuits and cakes. It's as though that the only thing that is worth convincing your little one to don an apron and comedy chef'…

"Is the mango ripe yet dad?" No. "Is the mango ripe yet dad?" Not yet. "Is the mango ripe yet dad?" Aaaagh! This was a daily mantra recently in our house. My daughter adores mangos to the extent of obsession. She could see it but as it was as …