While in the summer there are a whole load of fresh, light and bright dinner options available, having something comforting and imaginative in a cold spring can be harder. A relatively quick and delicious meal I’ve been enjoying recently is stuffed and roasted aubergine. Served hot or warm, the spongy flesh roasts up beautifully into…
vegetarian
Nettle & Pine Nut Parcels with Whipped Feta
This recipe for Nettle and Pine Nut Parcels with Whipped Feta marks the start of the spring foraging season. They’re relatively quick and easy to make, using some store cupboard ingredients. Bronzed and crisp flaky pastry bites, filled with new season nettles, sautéed onion and garlic, with a hint of spice from the smokey paprika….
Finnish Sourdough Rye (Ruisleipä)
This Finnish Rye Bread Ruisleipä has been on my baking list for a while. And what better time to post than now, Real Bread Week, the international celebration of additive free loaves. As I write this blog, bread heads, near and far are posting their favourite bakes to encourage people to buy real bread from…
Seeded Sourdough Knäckebröd
Knäckebröd or crispbread are widely baked in the Nordic region. Their origins lie in Sweden and Finland where they have been baked in their current form for around 500 years. You may wonder why they have a hole in the middle? Before the invention of the iron stove, baking these crisp flat breads was something…
Thai Coconut Congee
Thai Coconut Congee, so what is it? Essentially it is a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water or stock until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency. It’s a classic Chinese breakfast dish. It’s also a staple in many other countries, including Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and even parts…
Kroppkakor (Swedish Potato Dumplings)
Ask two people from different parts of Sweden, how to make kroppkakor (potato dumplings), more than likely they won’t agree, however what they will agree on is that you must make them. Originating on the Baltic island of Öland, inland to rustic Smaland, kroppkakor always consist of mashed potato, with the addition of flour and…
Healthy Swedish Chocolate Balls (Chokladbollar)
Hand on heart, these delicate little bites are good for you. This recipe for Healthy Swedish Chocolate Balls chokladbollar are incredibly nutritious, quick, and easy to make. They’re gluten, dairy, refined sugar and nut free, making them the healthiest treat possible. Classically, in Sweden, chokladbollar consist of oats, butter, refined sugar and cocoa, delicious but…
Onion, Pearl Barley & Cider Soup
There’s nothing more comforting than a hearty, steaming bowl of soup when the wind is howling and the rain is lashing down outside. This delicious onion, pearl barley and cider soup is packed with intense caramelised onion flavour, with hints of thyme. To make this extra special I like to add a side of cheesy…
Laminated Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Parmesan Sauce
There are few things more satisfying in life than eating a delicious bowl of fresh pasta – even more so if you’ve made, rolled and filled it yourself. You need little equipment; a worktop, a rolling pin, a sharp knife and lots of elbow grease. A pasta machine will make life easier, particularly if you’re…
Mushroom & Spinach Stuffed Gem Squash
There are so many beautiful and unusual squashes available in farmers markets now. So appealing to look at with their colourful, speckled skins and knobbly shapes. Any squash works well stuffed, however Gem and Acorn happen to be my absolute favourites. With delicate, creamy flesh, they’re delicious just baked with a knob of butter, salt…
