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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
I really hate food waste, I have a compost bin for all my fruit and veg peelings and a freezer full of bits that I somehow manage to turn into "Bitsa Meals" (a meal consisting of bits-a this and bits-a that). So when I discovered half a packet of oaty biscuits in the cupboard that … Continue reading Cherry And Almond Tiffin
Pesky Recipes 