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Food and Drink

The Kitchen at Chewton Glen: Winter Dinner Party w/Recipes

  Is it time to stir the cabbage? Rob Cottam, our Chef Tutor for the day has instilled this in our brains. It turns out he’s part chef, part clown and the day is instructional and as well as very entertaining. We’re at The Kitchen at Chewton Glen, the upmarket …

A Modern Mother’s Mexican 7-layer dip

This weekend a friend asked me to bring an appetiser dish to a party. I agreed immediately, not fully clocking how much I had on over the two days.  I needed something simple and easy, that would look festive too. I decided on an American party favourite: Mexican 7-layer dip, which …

Favourites: The Hitching Post, the BEST Santa Maria Bar-B-Que

  This summer Visit California suggested we stop in Santa Maria on our trip from San Francisco to Surf City USA. It is about half way, and a nice place to break up the 6 and 1/2 hour drive. My ears perked up at the suggestion. My mother grew up in Santa …

Beignets with melted chocolate and homemade blackberry jam

I’ve been in Austin visiting a friend and this morning she made these delicious beignets with homemade blackberry jam and melted chocolate!   It’s a Bobby Flay speciality and you can find the recipe and a list of all ingredients/directions on the Cooking Channel web site. In addition to the blackberry jam, we …

Spring pasta: Linguine, asparagus, borlotti beans, pancetta & chicken

  Ah, Spring. With the arrival of nicer weather comes a plethora of fresh veggies. This dish was inspired by Alice Waters of Chez Panise, but I’ve added by own touches, and can you believe I gathered ingredients for this dish for just £1.42 per serving! Try it, you’ll like it. …

Review: Pizza Express Limited Edition Seasonal Specials

  Y’all know all about my love affair Pizza Express. The forumla works wonderfully for a family night out together. Pizza Express have just the right mix of activities/food to capture the attention of kids and adults. And of course a large glass of a fruity and intense Barbera is …

A Modern Mother’s crepe recipe; aka “Daddy’s special pancakes”

  When I was growing up in California, my four siblings and I would beg our father to make “Daddy’s Special Pancakes” on Sunday mornings. They were paper-thin pancakes that he’d filled with strawberry and apricot jam. It wasn’t until I visited the UK in my 20s that I realised …

Review: Pizza Express Christmas Menu

  I’ve been having an affair with Pizza Express for a long time. It started before I was married, but was living with OH. Driving home on the M4 after a day working in Stockley Park for a software company, I’d realise there was nothing in the fridge for our …