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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pesky Recipes 