I love making things from scratch. Not only is the process itself therapeutic, but there's also this deep sense of satisfaction in being able to build something, complete from beginning to end. And in particular, what I really like is the learning. To take in the history of a dish, and to understand the biology, chemistry and physics behind its composition and construction. To see everything that goes in, and to appreciate the reasons why all of those classic combinations have become just so...
Read MoreSweet indulgence: Sticky buns
If we were allowed to detect only one smell in life, I would probably choose that experienced the moment the doors of a small artisanal bakery first open...
Read MoreSeasonal regional: Blackberries
One of my favourite things to do during summer is go berry picking. To head off into the countryside with its hot sun, flies and prickles and return scratched, stained and with a bucket full of goodness. I mean, how else would you try to relax on the weekend?...
Read MoreSweet indulgence: Latticework plum pie
Sweets are often used as a means to celebrate. We make big cakes for big occasions, create masterpieces, and tactically justify our guilty pleasures by sharing them around. And while it's fun to prepare such flights of fancy, my personal preference is for a much humbler treat. For a simple pleasure that is befitting of the time, the season, and the place...
Read MoreBook Club: Jerusalem
With my new approach to TPB now thoroughly in full swing it was time to start cooking the books for the first in our series of Book Club posts, and as I stood perusing the shelves for my latest adventure I could think of no finer place to start than with the latest offering from two of my favourite chefs, Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi...
Read MoreMidweek Mayhem: Lentil salad & zucchini pasta
While it's the perfect time of year for embracing traditions, having recently returned home from a lengthy European sojourn I was, this week, nowhere near organised enough to be baking up patriotic treats, so instead opted to give my first 'Midweek Mayhem' a go...
Read MoreTraditions: Merry Christmas
So it's that time of year when everyone starts getting merry, and for kitchen TPB that can mean only one thing - hampers!...
Read MoreTechnical challenge: Pork pies
The humble pork pie is a long-standing British tradition and an ultimate performer when it comes to portable meaty snacks. Traditionally eaten cold they have a distinctive bowing shape, which results from the use of a special, hand-shaped crust...
Read MoreSeasonal Regional: The lemons of Yinnar
With Christmas holidays looming large the weekend was scheduled for visiting family and friends, and as I tootled around southern Victoria I discovered that not only is the quaint little hamlet of Yinnar a delightful location for catching up and taking in some much needed country air, it’s also a fabulous place for growing lemons...
Read MoreTraditions: Stir-up Sunday
That’s right, dear friends, a surprise category. How exciting! In an attempt to save possibly the best until last - and absolutely nothing to do with my forgetting to include it in the previous post - I’m kicking the new format off with Traditions...
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