Top 5 English Cheeses With ample rolling green hills perfect for grazing livestock, England had a rich tradition of farmhouse cheesemaking from Roman times until WWII. Over 90% of traditional cheesemaking ceased with the centralized food production introduced during the war years, but thankfully England’s most famous cheeses survived and many more have been resurrected […]
Some of the oldest American cocktails come out of the South, which makes them some of the oldest cocktails in the world given this style of beverage was at least popularised in the USA. Here are my favourite classic Southern cocktails, using some of my favourite Australian spirits (and a Kentucky bourbon). Each recipe serves […]
Before refrigeration and modern transport, especially in remote mountain regions like the Alps, butter-making and cheesemaking were important ways of preserving milk. Large, cooked, well-pressed wheels, with as much whey as possible extracted, had a long shelf life and could survive the journey to distant markets. Some of Italy’s best known cow’s milk cheeses are […]
Top 5 Vegetarian Recipes I was vegetarian for many years … until I married the world’s biggest carnivore and started writing restaurant reviews and news. I guess it just became easier to eat meat (especially as Franz did a lot of the cooking) and I do enjoy some meat dishes now. But I also still […]
Top 5 Hearty Soups What’s more comforting than a big pot of soup to share with family or friends? You can even make extra to freeze for quick meals in future months. One of the great things about soup recipes is they needn’t be too precise, they’re a great way to use up what’s on […]
Top 5 Regional French Recipes France borders eight other countries, including Italy, Spain, and Germany, and stretches from the North Sea to the Mediterranean via a long Atlantic coastline. All of which makes for very varied regional cuisines. Let your tastebuds take you on a vicarious holiday with these five regional French recipes. Salade Lyonnaise […]
Top 5 Dessert Cocktails While cocktails are typically served before dinner, I find some are better suited to the end of the evening. Here’s my version of five classic cocktails that are perfect after, or instead of, dessert. Make your own simple sugar syrup by combining equal quantities of water and sugar or have fun […]
Often relegated to the aperitif and dessert ends of a meal, the complex wines of the Jerez region of southern Spain are in fact incredibly diverse and food-friendly, great at every stage of a meal. Here’s an excuse to get a few friends together for a Sherry-matched lunch or dinner: my suggested menu, with […]
Top 5 Spring Vegetables I love spring! The garden bursts back into life after its winter rest, and the green grocers are full of some of my favourite Ingredients. It’s the easiest time of year for quick simple dishes as these spring vegetables require very little fuss. Here are five of the reasons spring just […]
Top 5 Classic French Desserts I’m not a dessert cook! Trust me … they are a special breed with far more patience than I possess. But I sometimes like to finish a meal on a sweet note, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover just how easy some recipes can be, especially these classic French […]
