I love an omelette. Packed with protein and veg, it's such a good start to the day; especially if you wash it down with a glass of orange juice to make sure you absorb as much iron as you can. (See my post How To Be A Healthy Pesky/Veggie/Vegan for more info on this if … Continue reading Cheese, Tomato and Chive Omelette
I know for most people Easter is all about chocolate, but the traditional Easter cake is actually Simnel Cake, which is a fruit cake covered in marzipan. I love it, but if I presented a slice of fruit cake to my husband or nieces after Easter dinner, I'd never be allowed to bake another cake … Continue reading Lemon Bakewell Tarts
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and of course, you could get your partner (or friend if you're doing Galentine's) the obvious flowers and chocolates. But why not go for something a little different this year? These homemade bath salts are super easy to make, look really impressive and more importantly, feel luxurious when you're soaking … Continue reading Camomile and Geranium Soothing Bath Salts
Happy new year! This is the perfect dish for January. White fish baked in a creamy garlic sauce with fresh parsley and a cheesy breadcrumb crust. If you're anything like me, you've been surviving off cheese and wine for a week, and ready to introduce some decent food back into your diet. But going cold … Continue reading Baked Basa in Parsley Sauce
I know, I know. It's a weird name, but that's what I call them. If you have a better suggestion, let me know! They're yummy little puff pastry parcels with gooey cheese, herbs and chutney inside. Like a posh, mini cheese pasty, if you will. They make brilliant nibbles to have with drinks, or as … Continue reading Posh Cheese Puffs
This, in my opinion, is the perfect evening meal for a cold, wet November night. Especially if you serve it with a bottle of Cobra Beer and a mountain of sides. Tikka Masala, though served at most Indian restaurants and takeaways in the UK, isn't actually an Indian dish. It was invented in Britain to … Continue reading Paneer Tikka Masala
Pumpkin Spice doesn't actually contain any pumpkin. It's a mix of spices that is usually used to flavour pumpkin pie. Made from a combination of nutmeg, cloves, all spice, cinnamon and ginger, it screams autumn (pun absolutely intended) and is everywhere at this time of year. Pumpkin Spice is synonymous with coffee now, but it … Continue reading Pumpkin Spice Swiss Roll
A couple of years ago, my husband and I went to Mexico on holiday. The food was good at the hotel, though it was all aimed at tourists. There was a vast difference between the 'posh' version of Mexican food we were served in the hotel, and the street food we ate in the towns … Continue reading Refried Beans
My social media feeds have been swamped with Barbie themed recipes recently, and I didn't know whether to join in with them or not. So I put it to a vote on the Pesky Recipes Instagram page and 60% of the people who voted, wanted a Barbie themed recipe next, so here we are. I … Continue reading Pink Mojito
My husband and I have holidayed in Greece many times. The first time, we were in our early 20's and were just looking for some low lost sun, but we fell in love with the food, the wine, the views, the weather and the people. We've never been back to the same place twice, each … Continue reading Santorini Scrambled Eggs
How do you make a lemon meringue pie even better? Turn it into a cupcake, of course! These heavenly little cupcakes consist of a sweet lemon sponge, filled with tangy lemon curd and topped with silky smooth marshmallowy meringue on top. Seeing as it's my birthday this week, I've added a bit of alcohol in … Continue reading Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
Here in the UK, we're celebrating our new King's coronation this week. Up and down the country people will be coming together for afternoon tea, picnics and buffets, while watching the King's procession through London and the coronation ceremony. So I thought I'd share my extra special Curd recipe for you to use in cakes, … Continue reading Limoncello Curd
Crisp, buttery puff pastry surrounding flaky salmon and a creamy, herby filling with a hint of lemon. We're a little bit obsessed with this recipe at the moment. It tastes so good, and takes literally 10mins to prepare. It's a great alternative to lamb for Easter Sunday, and because of the delicious herby, creamy filling, … Continue reading Salmon en Croute
As Mother's Day is right around the corner, I thought I'd show you how to make Sugar Roses. Now, I am well aware that my sugar roses aren't the neatest; cake decoration is certainly NOT my forte. But I love the idea of someone making their mum a cake or batch of cupcakes (I recommend … Continue reading How to Make Sugar Roses
This is a favourite weekend breakfast for me - a fat slice of crusty bread, lightly toasted, with Smashed Avocado slathered on it, topped with a veggie sausage pattie or a slice of cheese and a runny fried egg. Heaven! The Smashed Avocado recipe is vegan, so of course, serve it with whatever you like … Continue reading Smashed Avocado
I love roasted butternut squash. I usually chop a full squash into chunks and roast it in oil, seasoning and garlic, then keep it in an air-tight container in my fridge. I can then add it to pasta dishes or use it top pizza with, or microwave it for a few mins so it's hot … Continue reading Butternut Squash and Bean Bake
Hello Pesketeers, have you missed me? At the end of December last year, I decided to put my recipe book away for a bit to focus on other projects. I wasn't planning to be away for quite so long though, I can't believe it's now October! Where has the time gone? However, I return with … Continue reading Caramel Apple Muffins
This luxurious, four layer, mint chocolate cheesecake is the perfect dessert to serve as an alternative to Christmas Pudding on Christmas Day, or as a table centrepiece for a New Years Eve party. It's rich, chocolaty, and with a Viscount biscuit base and a mint coconut ice top, it's got a lovely hint of mint … Continue reading Mint Choc Cheesecake
My last Green Wrapping post is a traditional one - paper and string. Whether its brown packing paper, craft paper, or coloured, recyclable flower shop paper (just go into your local flower shop and ask to buy a roll. It's a lot cheaper than wrapping paper, it's fully recyclable and sometimes comes with cute patterns … Continue reading Green Wrapping – Paper and String
Next, on my green wrapping journey, I experimented with tissue paper. A lot of tissue paper is recyclable or even compostable, and if you shop at independent retailers, quite often, your item are wrapped in tissue paper. So I wanted to try to reuse some. Of course, we all know tissue paper looks really cute … Continue reading Green Wrapping – Tissue Paper
Being environmentally friendly is trendy now, which is fantastic. Fashion brands are investing in recycled fabrics, as a planet we're reusing and recycling more and using more green energy rather than Fossil Fuels. Even the supermarkets are catching on now, I've seen numerous shops stocking recyclable wrapping paper and natural raffia ribbon this Christmas. Like … Continue reading Green Wrapping – Recycled Tags
For my last Halloween themed post, it's a party game - Challenges. It's a simple idea - you are basically giving your party guests secret dares to complete during the night, the person who has successfully completed the most by a designated time wins. When I first came up with this game, my husband and … Continue reading Challenges
Next up for Halloween - Meringues. Crisp on the outside, marshmallowy on the inside, light, sweet and impressive when served at a party. They're traditionally served with whipped cream and fresh fruit, but these cute little Meringue Ghosts are dipped in white chocolate and crushed pistachios. They're the perfect sweet treat to serve at a … Continue reading Meringue Ghosts
I remember making Hanging Ghosts like this when I was in Primary School. The teacher hung them from the ceiling in the classroom and threw us a Halloween party. I found it so magical, having these little handmade ghosts bobbing and swinging around above me while I danced away to The Time Warp, getting high … Continue reading Hanging Ghosts
It's October, which means it's officially Spooky Season! So every week this month I'm going to be sharing some Spooktacular recipes and ideas. Whether you're planning a Halloween party or just want some creepy treats to snack on whilst watching horror films, I'll have something for you. But before we get onto the new stuff, … Continue reading This is Halloween, This is Halloween . . .
I haven't gone mad, Courgette Cake is a thing, I promise! Most people pull a face when I offer them a slice, because it sounds weird, I get it. But once they've tried it, they love it. It's similar to carrot cake - slightly spicy, moist, nutty and moreish. I developed this recipe years ago, … Continue reading Courgette Cake
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine gave me a load of rhubarb. Her neighbour grows it in his garden, and they've had so much of it this year, they were giving it away to anyone who would take it. And well, I've never been one to turn down free produce! To tell you … Continue reading Rhubarb and Orange Crumble with a Pistachio Crumb
This recipe has been adapted from my ancient cookery book The Dairy Book of Home Cookery (see my About Page for more info) Sometimes, the old recipes are the best, and this one is fantastic. I've just updated it with extra herbs and flavours, and wow! It doesn't look much, but it tastes so good! … Continue reading Haddock Bake
You'd never know these muffins were dairy free. The texture and rise is just like a normal muffin, and they taste delicious - zesty, sweet and full of blueberries. I've made them using coconut milk and oil, instead of butter, soured cream, milk or yoghurt, so they're completely dairy free. (They are, however, made using … Continue reading Dairy Free Blueberry and Lemon Muffins
OK, so I know what you're thinking, but jelly (or jello, for my friends on the other side of the pond) is definitely NOT just for kids; especially not this one! Made with fresh fruit, Pimms and prosecco, it's the perfect dessert to eat outside, in the sunshine, watching Wimbledon . Weather you're a tennis … Continue reading Wimbledon Jelly
You can't get through half-time at a football match without a pie and a pint. It's almost the law in Britain (or so my husband tells me). Like most of Britain, he's been glued to the Euro's. He's enjoyed the TV coverage, and loved seeing fans back in the stadiums, but watching it on TV … Continue reading Jackfruit Tikka Pies
I've suffered with a bad back for years. I have a weakness in the muscles around my spine, meaning that if I stand, sit or lay in one position for too long, or do anything physical such as gardening or sports, the muscles can spasm, leaving me in a lot of pain for days. I … Continue reading Lavender Rose Bath Salts
This Grain Salad is refreshing, zesty, minty, and SO quick to make! It makes the perfect side to BBQ'd meat, fish and vegetables and can be made a few days in advance and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Just serve it cold, with an extra drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on … Continue reading Grain Salad
It's my birthday today! And if you're a regular follower of Pesky Recipes, you'll know that I love an excuse to have a cocktail, and what better excuse is there than a birthday? This recipe is really easy to make and tastes like summer in a glass. A twist on the classic cocktail Sex on … Continue reading Sex on Mango Beach
My husband and I don't have any children, and our home isn't particularly child friendly. We don't have stacks of toys anywhere or kids TV channels. So when we're hosting a party where children will be attending, I always try to have some kind of kid-friendly activity organised. It's only fair that they should feel … Continue reading Activity Packs
I can't begin to describe how good these little fritters taste. Everyone who eats them, loves them, including those who aren't keen on courgette or feta cheese. There's something about the combination of herbs, spices and veg that just makes them incredibly moreish. And when dunked in Tzatziki, they're divine! These Courgette Fritters are incredibly … Continue reading Courgette Fritters
When I was 11 or 12, I attended a BBQ at a family friend's house. We didn't have a BBQ at home, so this was a real treat, and I couldn't believe it when she lifted the lid and showed me rows of jacket potatoes and corn on the cob cooking on the grill. Up … Continue reading BBQ Corn on the Cob
A salad bowl is a must at any BBQ or garden party. But in my experience, what happens, is all the lovely salad veg gets placed in a bowl and all the heavy items fall to the bottom and you're left with just lettuce on top. Or people peer into the bowl, see something they … Continue reading Salad and Fruit Platters
Coleslaw is a firm favourite in our house, and a staple dish at any BBQ, buffet or party. It goes with pretty much every savoury dish (even sausage and brown sauce sandwiches - try it!) and its so quick and easy to make yourself. Normally, coleslaw is made using white cabbage, but I've used red … Continue reading Pink Coleslaw
I had an elaborate cake planned as my Easter recipe this year. I was really excited about it too. But half way through baking it, my oven broke. Again! This is the second time in less than 12 months that our oven has broken. Last time it was one of the fans, this time, the … Continue reading Mini Egg Cookies
This recipe is adapted from a Golden Coconut Pyramids recipe in my very old Dairy Book of Home Cookery (see my About Page for more info). I was making meringues for a special Easter recipe I'm developing, and the Coconut Pyramids was right next to the meringues in the book and it caught my attention. … Continue reading Flourless Almond Biscuits
I love quiche, I think it's underrated. Served with a simple salad, a few chunky chips and a big scoop of coleslaw, it's the perfect lunch; and this particular one is really good. It's light, easy to make and tasty - packed with feta cheese, peppers, courgette and herbs, sat in a bed of homemade … Continue reading Feta, Courgette and Red Pepper Quiche
Raspberries and white chocolate make for a delicious match, we all know that. Whether in cakes, biscuits, traybakes or indeed, muffins, it's a classic flavour combination we all love. The days are getting longer now, here in the UK we've even had a few days of sunshine, which really lifts the mood. So I'm being … Continue reading Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins
The next time you crack an egg and get a piece of shell in your bowl, instead of spending ages trying to fish it out with a spoon or your fingers, just scoop it out with an egg shell half. It works a treat. It also means you wont burn your fingers if you're cracking … Continue reading Tip – Got Egg Shell in Your Bowl?
Up until 2016, I was convinced I didn't like mushrooms. They were just slimy, horrible things that were snuck into almost all vegetarian meals without my permission. Then, my now husband and I went to Edinburgh for the weekend with some friends, where we ended up having dinner in a lovely Italian restaurant. Back then, … Continue reading Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
Sometimes I can work at a recipe for weeks, making it over and over again, changing it slightly each time until I'm happy with it. And sometimes I can chuck a load of ingredients in a pan, throw chocolate on top and it turns out better than I ever expected. This is one of those … Continue reading Choconut Treats
If you're planning on cooking a romantic meal for someone this Valentines (and lets be honest, the restaurants still aren't open, so now's the time to do it!), then these Boozy Brownies make the perfect dessert. They taste divine - chocolate, cherries and Kirsch = a match made in heaven! But they can also be … Continue reading Boozy Brownies
I'm always surprised by how many people don't utilise their freezers. I freeze pretty much everything, as you're about to find out, so I find it hard to believe some people just use there's for frozen chips and ice cream! Now, I'm not judging anyone's lifestyle here, if you only eat fresh food or like … Continue reading It’s Not a Life Hack, It’s Just a Freezer!
This is such an easy recipe to make, and tastes great. It's a perfect week-night, family friendly meal, as you don't have to think too much about it and can serve it with whatever you have in the house - salad, coleslaw, potato wedges, guacamole or corn on the cob. I usually make up a … Continue reading Jackfruit Enchiladas
There's nothing more comforting on a cold, wet, winter's day than a steaming bowl of hot tomato soup. You can, of course, buy very good tinned soups, but if like me, you get a lot of joy, and take a lot of pride in cooking things from scratch, then you'll enjoy making your own. And … Continue reading Easy Homemade Tomato Soup
Did you know, like the Queen, I get two birthdays every year? - The anniversary of the day I was born, and the anniversary of the first ever post I made on Pesky Recipes. Well, It's my 2nd blog birthday tomorrow, so I thought we could celebrate with a yummy little cocktail recipe. This cocktail … Continue reading Elderflower and Pear Martini
I created these hanging stars for a New Years Eve party a few years ago but I didn't get round to blogging about them. That's why in the pictures, the dates are 2018 and 2019. I haven't completely lost my mind, don't worry. I know we wont be having parties this year, but I feel … Continue reading Hanging Stars
A Long Island Iced Tea is my favourite cocktail. It's made with 5 different alcohols and topped up with cola, so it's a long drink as it really packs a punch. There are many different variances on the basic Long Island Iced Tea, and this is mine. Cherry Coke is synonymous with Christmas for me. … Continue reading Long Island Iced Cherry Tea
I love nachos, they make a great sharing starter for a dinner party, or a buffet item at a party, as they're really quick and easy to make, and can be altered easily to suit everyone's tastes. But they're usually served piled up in a heap with the toppings dolloped on top. This looks good, … Continue reading Oven Baked Nachos
I've made these shortbread biscuits every Christmas for about about 8 years, and every year people comment on how nice they are. I take a batch into work instead of Christmas cards, and package the rest up in cellophane to use as stocking fillers for friends and family. My sister-in-law actually requests them as part … Continue reading Orange Shortbread Biscuits
Christmas and New Year are going to be a bit different this year. Nights out, house parties and lipsticks will be replaced by small family gatherings, slippers and facemasks. But I'm determined to put my resourcefulness to the test to make this Christmas and New Year one to remember, and not just for the global … Continue reading Pass The Parcel Lucky Dip
The 30th of November is St Andrew's Day - the Patron Saint of Scotland, so I thought we could celebrate with a sweet treat. I thought about sharing a recipe for Scottish Tablet, but to be honest, there are so many great recipes out there for tablet, I wouldn't be sharing anything new. It's also … Continue reading Soft Scotch Sugar Sweets
Up until I was in my late 20's, I'd always cooked scrambled eggs in the microwave. It was just the way I'd been taught to make it as a kid, and it had never crossed my mind to try cooking it in a pan. I would beat a couple of eggs together with a pinch … Continue reading Mushroom Scrambled Eggs
I used to work as a waitress in a lovely little local pub. All their food was freshly made and sourced locally and as a result, it was always busy. One of the dishes they served was a Cheesy Broccoli Bake. It was a popular dish consisting of potato, onion and broccoli cooked in a … Continue reading Brassica Bake
Remember, remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder, treason and plot . . . Tomorrow is Bonfire Night in the UK. A night where we gather together to light bonfires, eat Treacle Toffee and watch firework displays. If you've never experienced Bonfire Night in Britain before, it's hard to describe the atmosphere. There's a buzz in … Continue reading Upside Down Spiced Plum Cake
My inspiration for this dish came from a recipe I came upon by chance on Pinterest quite a few years ago. The recipe was Pumpkin, Spinach and Walnut Spaghetti by a blogger called Lazy Cat Kitchen. It was a simple recipe - just lemon juice and zest, chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper to accompany … Continue reading Pumpkin and Sage Rigatoni
Hello my lovely followers. I haven't posted for a few weeks now, as my oven broke. Nightmare! It's all fixed now, though, and Autumn is well and truly here - my favourite season. So I thought I'd share one of my oldest and favourite dessert recipes, an autumn twist on a traditional Bakewell Tart. Bakewell … Continue reading Autumn Bakewell Tart
I've got quite sensitive skin on my face, and over the years, I've spent a small fortune on different cleansers and makeup removers. I've tried wipes, oils, creams and washes, with varying results. Some of them are incredibly messy and chore-like to use, some stung my eyes, dried out my skin, most were not environmentally … Continue reading Using Coconut Oil as Makeup Remover
When I was about 14 years old, I got a Saturday job working in a cafe at a golf driving range. I loved it, and ended up staying there until I was 18, I only left when I moved away to go to University. Each staff member did everything - cooking in the kitchen, organising … Continue reading Sausage And Bean Breakfast Wrap
This dish is rich and creamy with subtle aromatic flavours and a hint of lemon, perfect for a date night or dinner party. It's ready in about 20 mins and is really easy to prepare. We eat a lot of salmon in our house, we love it. It's such a tasty, versatile fish that's reasonably … Continue reading Creamy Salmon and Broccoli Spaghetti
In 2011 I went to Italy for the first time. One night, I ordered a Caprese Salad, and I couldn't believe it when a plate of just mozzarella and tomatoes arrived on the table - That's not a salad! Where's the lettuce?! I gave it a go anyway, not wanting to show my ignorance and … Continue reading Caprese Bruschetta
This is a simple, but really useful tip. I think I first saw Mary Berry do this on one of her cooking programs, and it works a treat. Whenever I'm having a gathering, whether it's a house party, garden party or even just some friends round for lunch, I always try to get organised beforehand, … Continue reading How to Keep Cold Buffet Platters Fresh
These chickpeas are really quick and easy to prepare, and they taste fantastic. I like them on a wrap with lettuce, red onion and a squeeze of mayonnaise or with a simple mixed salad for an easy, tasty lunch. They would also make a great starter mixed with chopped fresh tomatoes and served hot on … Continue reading Spiced Chickpeas
Stuffed peppers make for a lovely, fresh, summery meal. They're perfect served at a BBQ or garden party as an alternative to charred meat, and they need only a simple mixed leaf salad for an accompaniment to make a yummy light lunch, plus a few cheeky chips for an evening meal. Vegetarian stuffed peppers are … Continue reading Stuffed Peppers
This is one of the first recipes I ever created in the little flat I shared with my now husband when we first moved out of our family homes and in together. We went on holiday to Sorrento, Italy and I fell in love with pesto (and Pistachio ice cream). It's evolved over the years, … Continue reading Tuna and Pesto Pasta
I know what you're thinking - "Anyone can chop an onion, why do I need to read a post about it?" And you're right, anyone who can hold a knife can chop an onion. But over the years, cooking with friends and family members and working in hospitality, seeing other people chopping veg, it's scary … Continue reading How to Chop Onions Quickly and Safely
My husband loves onion. Red, white, raw, cooked, it doesn't matter, he'll have it with almost any meal. So when I told him I was going to make beer battered onion rings he hovered around in the kitchen, stealing them off the pile as I was making them. I had to wait until he was … Continue reading Beer Battered Onion Rings
My husband and I used to live in Carlisle, in the very North of England, and there was a Thai restaurant there that we loved. Usually when we eat out I like to try something new, but here I would order exactly the same thing every time - Sticky Tofu Noodles to start, then Sweet … Continue reading Chinese Tofu With Fried Rice
Mexican food was always my go-to option whenever I had people round for dinner when I first moved out and started learning how to cook. Chilli Con Carne (recipe here) was the first recipe I ever mastered, and my friends loved it. Then I discovered the Fajita and Enchilada kits you can buy in supermarkets. … Continue reading Black Bean Quesadillas
A Vegetable Pasanda is one of my favourite takeaway curry options. It's a very mild curry, but it certainly isn't boring, it's packed with gorgeous nutty, aromatic flavours. Whilst on lock down, I was craving my Pasanda fix, but couldn't bring myself to order the full fat takeaway option made with ghee and double cream, … Continue reading Vegetable Pasanda
A friend of mine has chickens and she often gives away some of the eggs she gets to friends and family, as her chickens produce so many in the summer. They are very happy outdoor hens and their eggs are delicious, with huge, bright orange yolks; when it comes to eggs, you really can't beat … Continue reading Testing Eggs For Freshness
It's my birthday today! Hooray! So I'm celebrating with a really simple cocktail recipe that will make you think of lemon groves and Italian sunshine - just what we all need after the year we've had so far. So dig out the Limoncello from the back of the cupboard, put your sunglasses on and say … Continue reading Lemon Kisses
I'm not sure why cheese savoury is called cheese savoury, I've never seen a sweet cheese based sandwich filling, but that's what it's called. It just means a mixture of cheese, mayonnaise and salad veg. It's yummy in sandwiches and on jacket potatoes, but I'm going to show you how to use it to create … Continue reading Cheese Savoury Pinwheels
We have had some beautiful weather in the UK this week. It's been hotter than parts of the Mediterranean on some days and if we weren't still in lockdown there would've been garden parties and family BBQs happening up and down the country. We did get our BBQ out and the husband and I have … Continue reading Barbecued or Oven Baked Feta
Being a florist, I'm well aware of how many weddings and events have had to be cancelled or postponed this year due to covid-19. I know how upset brides and grooms are, not knowing when their big day, which they've been meticulously planning for years, will actually be able to go ahead. Well I'm here … Continue reading Homemade Biodegradable Confetti
This is a regular mid-week breakfast for me as it's really quick and easy, contains 1 of my 5 a day (2 if I wash it down with fresh fruit juice) and it tastes so good! Yes, it's a bit more effort than just spreading the toast with jam, but not much, and it sets … Continue reading Pan Fried Tomatoes With Mushrooms On Toast
When I was a student I worked weekends and evenings in a corner shop - stacking the shelves and serving on the tills. I loved it, the majority of the customers were pleasant and polite and I got on really well with the other staff, we would chat and laugh all shift. The late shifts … Continue reading Cheese and Poppy Seed Twists
One of my closest friends makes wedding cakes for a living and she told me about this trick. I've used it to add finishing touches to numerous cakes and biscuits over the years and as we're rapidly running out of things to do during lockdown, I thought I'd share it with you. It's a great … Continue reading Decorating With Edible Lustre
Today is St. Georges Day - the Patron Saint of England, and as I'm English, I thought we could celebrate with a traditional English picnic on the lawn, complete with Salmon and Cress Sandwiches. St. George wasn't actually English, he was born in what is now Turkey, but he was a good soldier (legend has … Continue reading Salmon and Cress Sandwiches
I first made these tartlets to use up some left over ingredients - half a jar of this, a handful of that, things that were just sat in the fridge waiting to go off. But they were so tasty, I ended up buying all the ingredients again and making more. This recipe makes 6 tartlets, … Continue reading Goat’s Cheese Tartlets
Easter is a big celebration for my husband's family. We all gather at his parent's house for a feast and an Easter Egg hunt. If the weather is good, they have a buffet of sandwiches, salads and quiche or a barbecue outside. If it's cold or wet, it's a traditional roast dinner with all the … Continue reading Simnel Scones
Lasagne is a dish served in many pubs, cafes and restaurants all over the UK. You usually have two options when ordering lasagne - a meaty one which doesn't usually include any veg other than onion and tomato, but has beef mince in the red sauce, or veggie lasagne which has no protein in it, … Continue reading Veggie Lasagne
When I was creating my Veggie Steak and Ale Pie recipe a few weeks ago I ended up with some left over pastry. It wasn't enough to line another pie tin, but it was enough to top a pot pie. A pot pie to me, (people get very touchy about their pie definitions) is a … Continue reading Cheesy Leek and Potato Pot Pie
I hate food waste, I try to use every last scrap of food. However, even I can't find a use for pepper stalks other than the compost bin. But working in hospitality for years, I saw how much of the lovely pepper flesh is wasted by chopping out the stalk. I've seen people chop the … Continue reading Bell Pepper Prep
It's St. Patrick's Day on the 17th March - the Patron Saint of Ireland, and how better to celebrate than with a recipe involving Guinness? (You do have to put it in the recipe, you can't just drink it while you're cooking. Sorry!) I have been to Ireland many times and sampled all sorts of … Continue reading Veggie Steak and Ale Pie
I've made Garlic Mayo Dips for years, each time altering the recipe slightly; and this version is by far the best I've ever tasted. It's smooth, creamy and has a definite garlic kick but without being overbearing. It's also really quick and easy to make and needs only 5 ingredients. Serve this dip with a … Continue reading The Best Garlic Mayo Dip
It's St. David's Day on the 1st March - the Patron Saint of Wales; and as I live on the Welsh boarder I thought I'd join in the celebrations with a Welsh recipe. St David, famously, was a strict vegetarian and only drank water - a lifestyle many of us are trying to adopt now; … Continue reading Very Welsh Rarebit
I've worked in a few cafe's and restaurants over the years and picked up a lot of tips and tricks from the other staff members and the chefs I worked with. People in the catering industry do things quite differently to how we home cooks have been taught, as for them, time really is money. … Continue reading How to Prep Cauliflower Like a Pro
What's not to love about Millionaire's Shortbread? - Buttery shortbread, sweet caramel and crunchy chocolate all together in bite sized pieces. Add a hint of champagne and you take it to a whole new level! It's really easy to make too, this recipe doesn't even need you to bake the shortbread. The cooling time between … Continue reading Millionaire’s Champagne Shortbread
Up North they have Cauliflower Cheese with their roast dinners, gravy and all. And hey, I'm not judging, I have gravy on pizza! But I think it would be a shame to smother this gorgeous, rich, cheesy, creamy version in gravy. This is a luxurious Cauliflower cheese, made with double cream and mature cheddar cheese. … Continue reading Cauliflower Cheese
I have spent years developing this recipe. Every winter I give it another go, changing the recipe each time, and each time it was a bit . . . meh. I knew it would work eventually, sausages, leeks, onions, gravy, what can go wrong? Turns out, when you're using vegetarian sausages, it's harder than you … Continue reading Veggie Sausage Casserole
Leeks are a great winter veg; they're tasty, versatile and cheep. Use them to bulk out stews and casseroles, to add flavour to soups and pies and they are great fried in butter and black pepper and served with a roast dinner. Part of the onion family, they're full of flavour and really easy to … Continue reading Leek Prep
Pesky Recipes is one year old! I can hardly believe it! I've had so much fun developing my recipes, photographing and blogging about them, and the feedback I've received from friends, family and complete strangers has been overwhelming. I have felt so welcomed by the blogging community and I'm still thrilled to bits whenever someone … Continue reading Blog Birthday Berry Mojito
Making a Bechamel sauce from scratch does take time, and the idea of making a roux is pretty scary if you've never made one before, but it is actually pretty easy to do. Infusing the milk takes the longest, but you can wonder off and do something else while that's happening and it tastes so … Continue reading Bechamel Sauce
Happy new year everyone! Have you eaten and drank far too much over the festive period? Have you reverted back to your teenage years of happily grazing on junk food all day and forgoing proper meals? Of lazing about in your pyjamas all day and watching films? Me to! It's been great, but - sigh … Continue reading Veggie Mince for Tatties
Last week I showed you how to plan a hamper and how to keep the costs down (see that post here), this week I'm going to show you how to put together and wrap your hampers! First of all, the box: I find a box with flaps to be the easiest to use, you can … Continue reading How To – Hamper Wrapping
I've made many hampers in my time, both professionally and personally; from fruit and veg hampers to huge Cadbury chocolate hampers and girl's night in hampers. I love them, they look exciting, are completely personal and they don't have to cost the earth. If you're making more than one hamper, look out for multi-buy offers … Continue reading How To – Homemade Hampers
Infusing alcohol is really simple to do and makes a lovely homemade gift. I've infused gin and rum to give away as Christmas presents this year, but pretty much any alcohol or oil can be infused this way. Infused alcohols make lovely hamper items, and over the next few weeks, in the run up to … Continue reading Infusing Alcohol
Mac and cheese is a perfect dish to serve at this time of year. It's really easy to make, it's warm, filling, comforting, and feels just a little bit naughty. I like mac and cheese, but I can't eat much of it, I find it quite rich and sickly; and after a few mouthfuls, a … Continue reading Grown Up Mac and Cheese
Pumpkins can be difficult to prepare for cooking. They're tough and bulky and the thought of reaching inside and grabbing at the seeds and pulp can turn your stomach. So over the years I have developed my own way of preparing them that is quick, easy, and uses as much of the vegetable as possible, … Continue reading Pumpkin Prep
I make Pumpkin soup every October, I love it. It's really easy to make, tasty, comforting and this recipe makes a big batch which I freeze in portions and work my way through throughout the month. There is a great pumpkin soup recipe in my Vegetarian Cookery book (see my About page for more info) … Continue reading Pumpkin and Red Pepper Soup
I love Halloween, it's one of our oldest festivals and one of my favourites. Whether you choose to light a candle and remember loved ones who are no longer with us, eat your body weight in chocolate and scare yourself silly watching horror films or don your finest fancy dress costume, douse yourself in fake … Continue reading Shallow Grave Chocolate Orange Fudge Cake
When I was a teenager I was convinced I didn't like aubergines. They were just slimy black bits I'd get in takeaway curries sometimes that would be picked out and put to one side in disgust. Then I went to Italy for a holiday and experienced how they should be; and I was a total … Continue reading Aubergine (Egg Plant) And Courgette Bake
My 6 Rules for a healthy, iron rich diet. A different sort of blog post today. Usually, when we decide to stop eating meat, it's a decision that's made with our hearts, not for health reasons. We don't research alternative vitamin and mineral sources or what our bodies need, we worry about craving bacon butties … Continue reading How To Be A Healthy Pesky/Veggie/Vegan
A Bloody Mary is one of the most famous cocktails in the world. Traditionally consisting of tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce or Tabasco and served with a stick of celery, it's one of the easiest cocktails to make at home, and one that lends itself really well to becoming a delicious, easy to make sauce. … Continue reading Pan Fried Prawns in a Bloody Mary Sauce
Finally in the Ultimate Toasty Series, we have my Spicy Bean Vegan Toasty. Just because you don't eat cheese doesn't mean you have to miss out on a yummy toasted sandwich! I am a bit of a cheese-oholic, but I really didn't miss it in this recipe. The veggies and toast provide all the textures … Continue reading The Ultimate Spicy Bean, Vegan Toasty
Next in The Ultimate Toasty Series is the tuna melt. I'm a big fan of tuna - in a jacket potato, with pasta, on pizza, and of course, in a sandwich; and how do you make a tasty tuna butty even better? Add gorgeous mozzarella cheese, tangy red onion, aromatic herbs and heat it all … Continue reading The Ultimate Tuna Melt
The glorious cheese and tomato toasty: molten slices of tomato, sandwiched between gooey cheddar cheese and crunchy toast. It's good, but we can do better. How about crumbly, salty, feta cheese combined with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and aromatic herbs? Now we're talking! This toasty can of course be made using a toasty machine like in … Continue reading The Ultimate Cheese and Tomato Toasty
Everyone loves a toasted sandwich, right? The night's are drawing in now and there's a nip in the air. Soon we're going to be digging out our winter coats and defrosting our cars; and on cold, grey days, a boring butty for lunch just isn't going to cut it. Stuff it with layers of gorgeous … Continue reading The Ultimate Cheese and Onion Toasty
I have this yummy omelette for breakfast 2 or 3 times a week. I always try to start my day with eggs as they are full of iron and us veggies and peskies have to keep a close eye on our iron count to make sure we have the energy we need every day without … Continue reading Super Tasty Mushroom Omelette
Frangipane is the sweet filling you find in a Bakewell Tart. Its made from ground almonds, sugar and eggs and you can literally make it in less than 2 mins. I have made my own Bakewell Tarts using this frangipane recipe many times using short crust pastry, a spoon of cherry jam in the bottom … Continue reading Cherry and Apricot Frangipane Tarts
Ok, let's talk about pizza dough. I have tried almost every ready-made pizza dough out there - the frozen ones, the fresh ones, the already cooked ones, the roll out yourself ones - and none of them are as tasty as the the dough this recipe makes. It's from one of my favourite cookery books … Continue reading Homemade Fully Loaded Veggie Pizza
Put the lime in the coconut and spread rum icing all over the top . . . that's how the song goes right? This sweet, tangy cake recipe is so summery and yummy it'll keep you going back for more. It's a big hit at parties as it's something a bit different to the usual … Continue reading Lime and Coconut Cake
This simple recipe makes a yummy, tangy, sweet curd that is great in cakes, biscuits and pastries. There's no need for a thermometer or any special equipment or ingredients and unlike jam making, the mixture shouldn't boil, so there's no molten sugar spitting at you. It also makes a lovely homemade gift. Pour into a … Continue reading Easy Lime Curd
We created this hoopla game for our wedding to keep people entertained in between the ceremony and the breakfast, along with other lawn games. It was great fun, cost less than £5 and was so simple to make. We keep it in the shed now and bring it out at garden parties and BBQs. The … Continue reading Hoopla
BBQs are great. I prep the food and decorate as I would for any party, but once the guests arrive my work is done. My husband takes over the cooking and I can put my feet up. Usually everything gets cooked from scratch on the BBQ, but I've found people get impatient waiting for each … Continue reading Teriyaki Salmon Skewers
Have you ever cut yourself on the sharp edge of a tin? I feel your pain! It's happened to me too. Now, whenever I open a tin, I tip out the contents, rinse out the tin, place the lid back inside and squeeze the edges in to meet in the middle. Now the sharp edge … Continue reading Tin Safety
As previously mentioned, I've just had a big birthday, and what a perfect excuse that is to indulge in some homemade cocktails! I call these my Bubbly Margaritas, but before anyone shouts at me, I am well aware this isn't a proper margarita recipe. The whole cocktail only requires 4 ingredients, it is a cheat's … Continue reading Bubbly Margaritas
It's my birthday! So of course, this post had to be about cake! Especially as the weather outside is awful. Even the cats have given up on dodging puddles and are sheltering inside. I don't bake a lot of sweet things as my husband doesn't have a sweet tooth and I end up stuck with … Continue reading Orange and Ginger Cupcakes with Orange Velvet Frosting
These delicious little orange boats are perfect as a starter or a lunch served with salad. They re-heat well in the microwave, though the skins do loose their crispness, they don't loose any flavour. Stuffed potato skins are served at a lot of restaurants now and they're usually white potatoes stuffed with bacon or ham … Continue reading Sour Cream and Chive Sweet Potato Skins
I love pizza. I've never been one for the 'American style' ones you get delivered from the likes of Domino's though. As a veggie I find there are rarely any interesting toppings that don't include meat, and supermarkets do lovely fresh and frozen pizzas now for a lot less than you can get a sub-standard … Continue reading Stuffed Dough Balls
Ok, so this is not really a recipe, more of a gathering together of delicious things to create something that looks and tastes an awful lot like a McDonald's breakfast. But veggie! What a treat! You can see now why I've included it. I'm going to just come out and say it: I'm a fan … Continue reading Veggie McMuffins
The weather is picking up now and it's starting to feel like summer, which makes me want big bowls of tasty pasta dishes served alfresco with cold glasses of white wine. Yum! Well this dish certainly fits the bill. It sounds posh and looks pretty impressive, but in reality, it's ready in about 20 mins … Continue reading Crab Tagliatelle
In the first home my now husband and I bought together, I created a little veg patch in a sunny corner of the garden. It wasn't big, but it was enough for me to catch the gardening bug. The first year, I decided to plant some courgettes as they are notoriously easy and perfect for … Continue reading Caramelised Courgettes/Zucchini
Patatas Bravas is a Spanish tapas dish consisting of fried potatoes in a spicy tomato based sauce. Quite often in restaurants the sauce is served on top of the potatoes. This looks pretty, but you end up left with dry potatoes at the bottom of the bowl as everyone takes the ones with the delicious … Continue reading Patatas Bravas
Does anyone remember a TV program that was on in the mid 00's called Cook Yourself Thin? It created healthier versions of favourite dishes for people who were trying to loose weight. I really enjoyed it, and this recipe is from it. It's not 'healthy' as such, but it doesn't include any cream or sugars, … Continue reading No Cream Chocolate Truffles
I first had a Bhaji Butty at an airport. We were hungry but didn't have enough time to sit and have a proper meal at one of the restaurants so we grabbed some pre-packed sandwiches from a shop. They didn't have a great veggie selection, it was either this or plain cheese, which I thought … Continue reading Bhaji Butties
The packet spice mixes you can buy at the supermarkets are great. They take all the guess work out of mixing your spices and they always have recipe suggestions on the back. However, I never feel like there's enough veg in these recipes. 1 tin of chopped tomatoes and 1 tin of kidney beans, like … Continue reading Meat Free Chilli Con Carne
Greek food is my absolute favourite! I love their use of fresh herbs, gorgeous veg and aromatic spices, and they always seem to have loads of delicious dishes that just happen to be veggie. They're not added to the menu to tick an inclusivity box, they're fantastic, authentic recipes that just don't require meat. I'm … Continue reading Greek Pasties
These Tortilla Dippers are a great alternative to crisps or bread sticks at a party. They take literally minutes to prepare, look great on the table and are pretty darn tasty too. They also work out cheaper than buying packets of good quality crisps or bread sticks. They're really filling, I only manage 4 or … Continue reading Tortilla Dippers
This dish tastes so luxurious, no one will believe you knocked it up in less than 30 mins. It's perfect for a date night or dinner party and needs no accompaniments other than a glass of cold white wine and a few slices of garlic bread each. (Try my recipe for No Butter Garlic Bread, … Continue reading Creamy Mushroom Carbonara
I am a bit of a carb-aholic, and my favourite carbohydrate has to be bread. Chocolates, biscuits and sweets can go untouched for months with me, but I'd happily munch through an entire loaf of crusty bread in one sitting if I let myself. So of course, whenever I have a pasta dish, I always … Continue reading No Butter Garlic Bread
Everybody loves a roast potato don't they? But who can be bothered to faff about with boiling them until they're cooked but not falling apart and then having molten fat spitting at you while you're trying to transfer them into a hot roasting tray? No wonder we usually only bother on a Sunday. Well this … Continue reading Easy Garlic and Herb Roast Potatoes
Quiches (or flans depending on what part of the world you're from) are so versatile and easy to make. As long as you have the pastry case and the quantities of eggs to milk right you can put pretty much put anything you like into it. They can be served hot or cold, so are … Continue reading Cheese and Chutney Quiche
Curly Kale is a fantastic, underappreciated veg. It's similar to cabbage but with a subtler flavour and it's packed full of Iron and nutrients. It's pretty versatile too and can be eaten raw (see my Kale and Broccoli Coleslaw) or boiled and served with a Sunday roast like you would with cabbage. However, this recipe … Continue reading Breakfast Kale
We don't eat a lot of cod at home, in fact, unless it's covered in batter and fried, I don't even think to buy it. However, my local supermarket had some lovely responsibly sourced skinless and boneless cod fillets on offer last time I was in there so I picked some up on a whim … Continue reading Moroccan Style Cod
I saw this dish on a special's board at a local pub last summer and thought it sounded amazing. It's so quick and simple to make and so tasty, that it's now one of our staple dinners at home. Stir fries aren't always as healthy as they seem, despite all the veg, due to the … Continue reading Sweet Chilli Salmon and Noodles
I first created this recipe with cannelloni in mind, and it works really well, just increase the cooking time by 10 mins and cover with foil for the first 20 mins to stop the top from burning. But I would get so bored filling what felt like millions of pasta tubes that I decided to … Continue reading Spinach And Ricotta Pancakes
I love a flapjack, but I don't like them to taste too buttery or be too stodgy. I like to pretend they're good for me as they're full of rolled oats and sometimes nuts and dried fruit. But in reality they are packed with sugar and syrup. Now, we're all allowed a treat every so … Continue reading Honey Nut Flapjacks
Briam is a tomato based Greek casserole that just happens to be vegan. We aren't trying to fake meaty flavours here, we let the gorgeous Mediterranean veg show off it's true potential with a few helpful herbs to take the flavour to the next level. It is one of my favourite dishes, as it is … Continue reading Briam
I first had broccoli in coleslaw at a friend's wedding a few years ago, and I'll be honest, I was dubious. Growing up in the North West of England in the 90's, broccoli was something that was boiled until it was mushy and then smothered in gravy. However, the catering staff had gone out of … Continue reading Kale And Broccoli Coleslaw
This Filo Pastry Parcel takes a bit of time due to the roasting and cooling of the squash before you can assemble and bake the pastry. But don't let that put you off. It's so easy, there really isn't a lot of work to do, and it looks fantastic in the centre of the table. … Continue reading Filo Parcel with Goats Cheese, Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach
My husband's family quite often visit us on a Sunday and they usually arrive around 10 or 11am. We wont have had anything to eat before they arrive as we're either having a lie in or running round tidying up ready for them (usually the latter). So when they arrive, we're getting pretty hungry and … Continue reading Eggs In Hell
Scouse is a traditional stew from Liverpool made with beef or mutton, carrots and potatoes and was once a staple meal for working class Liverpudlians, as it's cheap, filling and really tasty! Both my parents are from Liverpool and when I was a child, my mum would make up a batch of Scouse and it … Continue reading Blind Scouse
In 2016, my now husband and I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. I was quite apprehensive before hand about what the food would be like whilst on the trail. I wasn't going to get through 4 days of hiking and camping in the Andes without sufficient sustenance, and I wasn't sure … Continue reading Salmon, Orange and Grains
Pesky Recipes 