Baking with your Budding Bakers

Our mums and grannies seem to have the magic touch when it comes to baking, whether it’s bread, scones, tarts etc, they seem to have a signature bake. This all comes down to baking at a young age. Baking is an excellent way to spend time with your kids but there are so many other […]

Everything you need to know about juicing and blending

Juicing v. blending Juicing essentially means extracting the juice and nutrients from a fruit or vegetable without including any of its fibre, creating a very easily digestible liquid. However, the absence of fibre means that the nutrients (and sugars) hit the bloodstream very rapidly, providing a quick burst of energy followed by a crash in […]

How to: lamb

Cuts of lamb Leg A whole leg is ideal for serving large numbers, and yields plenty of lean, tender meat. It can be divided into two joints (the fillet end has the best flavour). Shoulder Roasting joint that is inexpensive because it carries a little more fat. The bone running through the centre makes it […]

10 deadly kitchen sins

Are you guilty of any of the below? 1. Overcrowding the pan. When you’re in a hurry, it’s tempting to pile too much food into a pan or onto a baking tray. However, a packed pan generates steam, making food limp and preventing meat and vegetables from browning properly. 2. Not letting meat rest. Eating meat as […]

Lunchbox troubles: picky eaters

Although pediatric nutrition experts agree that “picky eating” is a normal rite of passage for young children, it can make meal planning a tricky task for parents eager to make sure their little ones are eating well-balanced meals. There are several reasons that children might refuse to eat new foods, or suddenly decide they don’t […]

How to: sterilise jars

Sterilising glass jars is crucial in order to safely preserve jams, marmalades, jellies or chutneys. Buy new jars each time and, once you have used the lids once, buy new lids. Never use the same lids twice. Inspect your glass jars for scratches, chips or cracks. They must be in pristine condition. Preheat your oven […]

Get to know: Vinegars

Distilled white vinegar is the cheapest and most widely available type of vinegar. While it’s a bit too harsh for most recipes, it’s perfect for making pickles, and is commonly employed for uses other than eating such as sink-scrubbing and window-washing. BEST FOR: household cleaning. Malt vinegar is fermented from malted barley and is most […]

Get to know your…. BBQ cooking times

Food Thickness/weight Approximate cooking time Chicken fillets 170g 10-12 minutes over direct medium heat (180˚-230˚C), turning once Chicken drumsticks, bone-in 100g 8-10 minutes over direct medium heat (180˚-230˚C), turning once, then 30 minutes over indirect medium heat Chicken thighs, bone-in 170g 8-10 minutes over direct medium heat (180˚-230˚C), turning once, then 30-35 minutes over indirect […]

The seven deadly sins of barbecue

Skimping on cleaning If a barbecue isn’t cleaned properly, residue will build up over time. This will eventually cause foods to stick, ruining what should be a beautiful crust on your meat. Not preheating Just as with an oven, always allow your barbecue to come up to the right temperature before beginning to cook. From […]

10 foods you didn’t know you could cook in your sandwich press

Pancakes – they end up an unusual, waffle-like shape, but your pancakes will cook quickly and easily on your sandwich press. Just make sure to spray the plates thoroughly with cooking spray before you begin. Vegetables – try sliced aubergines, peppers, courgettes, mushrooms or onions. Halloumi – pair this with some of those grilled veggies […]