The British Larder Inspirational recipe diary

Spiced Red Lentil Soup

The fragrant but subtle tones of the spices and herbs make this soup incredibly moreish. I love the natural vibrant orange red colour which is bright enough to make a …

Chocolate and Amaretti Torte with a Divine Chocolate Frosting

The recipe for this chocolate and amaretti torte with a divine chocolate frosting could not have come at a better time than during the national Chocolate Week 2009. I …

Chocolate Fudge Cake With Cherries In Red Wine

Cherries and chocolate are a favourite of mine, separately or together they are fantastic ingredients. The cherry season is nearly in full swing and the National Cherry Day is on …

One Bite Luxury Mince Pies

It’s our very first Christmas here at the British Larder Suffolk. We have already had snow so we know what to expect weather-wise; planning for the cold is easy in …

Two Lentil Makhani Dal with Freshly Baked Peshawari Naan Breads

I absolutely loved the movie Slumdog Millionaire.I not only  appreciated the mechanics on how the movie was made but also  how it highlighted the way we allow children and other …

Roasted Cardamom Panacotta with Stewed Rhubarb

This roasted cardamom panacotta with stewed rhubarb is exactly what the British Larder is all about. The combination of flavours, textures and unusual methods is a sheer delight.

Sophistication with …

Wild Rabbit Terrine with Quince Chutney

We have made good use of the game season so far,  and even though wild rabbits do not really have a season it still feels appropriate for us to enjoy …

Oyster Beignets With a Sorrel Velouté

Oysters are one of those ingredients that you either love or hate. I cannot get myself to eat raw oysters unless I have to impress someone who is looking at …

Chive and Sea Salt Short Breads with Pickled Pear and Montgomery Air

Coming up with new and interesting ideas for canapés all the time is not easy. The requirements are many and varied, they need to be mainstream, mostly vegetarian, one mouth …

Pickled Eggs and Pork Scratchings

These two recipes are a must-have essential for any pub’s blackboard menu. I must say at first the thought of pickled eggs was slightly, well… off-putting! Well the challenge for …

Sautéed Wild Salmon with Macerated Beetroot

I can only describe this dish as healthy and sophisticated. The nuttiness of the wholesome pearl barley salad complements the fresh wild salmon. To add to the earthy taste I …

Classic Tart Tatin with Velvety Crème Anglaise

I’m known as the Queen of Tart Tatins….even if I have to say so myself!

I’m looking for perfection when it comes to this classic dish and these are the …

Venison Casserole with Cheddar Chive Dumplings

The days are getting longer and the nights shorter, but it’s still chilly outside. I am fooled when the sun shines through the bedroom window at 6am in the morning …

Pastry Cream

Every time I make pastry cream or as it is better known – Crème Patissiere, it takes me back in time. As a young chef in Paris, I use to …

Forest Cappuccino with Beefsteak Mushroom Croustades

This recipe is made from the leftovers from our wild food foraging day with Food Safari. It’s amazing how much free food there is actually  to collect out there, …

Slow Cooked Hens Eggs with Crispy Bread Sticks

The perfect breakfast to savour on a bright Sunday morning with the morning paper and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. What better way is there to start the day?…

Saffron Orange Soused Mackerel Salad

This dish is fast becoming one of my favourites. It’s fairly easy to make and has maximum impact for not a lot of effort. I have cooked this dish several …

Vinegar Air and Salty Crispy Potatoes

The inspiration for this recipe came from Daniel Clifford the chef at  the Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge. We went there  for  lunch and were served a delicious canape of …

Crusty Bread Sticks

This recipe is a follow on to the farmhouse white loaf recipe inspired by Richard Bertinet. I have used exactly the same bread dough and the same method, however I …

Cape Malay Curried Lamb and Apricot Sosaties

It was a joy to make these sosaties,as it evoked the wonderful memories of home  life in South Africa. Sosaties is an essential dish to accompany every braai (barbecue) in …

Cranachan, Small Pots of Raspberry Pleasure

I’m a fool for all things nice and nothing beats the combination of toasted oats, raspberries, whisky and a spoonful of heather honey. This dish is a classic, so I …

Beetroot Tart Tatin with Frozen Broad Bean Crème Fraîche

It’s a gardener and foodies delight in my back yard.I  had great fun this morning pulling the beets and harvesting the broad beans. The courgette flowers are amazing too. I …

Molasses Roasted Pineapple with Dark Brown Sugar

I had the privilege to grow up in a country that has a suitable climate to grow exotic fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, guavas, passion fruit, paw paws, avocados, bananas …

Venison Burger with Roasted Parsnip Straws

Finally we found our lunch time niche item for the menu – phew I thought it was never going to happen!! Drum roll please……. It’s the fantastic bang on season …

Gooseberry Flapjack

A few weeks ago we went on a Food Safari trip with Polly Robinson, on arrival we were greeted with freshly brewed coffee and home made flapjacks that she had …

Bitter Chocolate and Rendelsham Forest Chestnut Truffle Cake

As soon as the first chestnuts appeared nearby here in Rendelsham Forest my brain clicked into overdrive, and the chestnut recipes and ideas started to flow and take over.

I …

Poppy Seed and Blood Orange Sticky Cake

I’m not one to give up on a recipe. In fact I will repeat making it until I get it right. Ok. it may have been perfectly fine the first …

Elderflowers Crème Fraîche Tart with British Strawberries

Finally the elderflowers have shown their face, slightly later than last year as I had all my elderflower goodies made by this time. I’m a firm believer that all good …

Raspberry, Olive Oil and Thyme Shortbread

All the credit for creating this outstanding recipe goes to Ross my brilliant other half. Our annual summer holiday for this year was only for one week . Nevertheless I …

Sweet and Sour Pigs Cheeks

Yum yum is the thought that spring to mind when thinking about these lip smacking delicious little gems. Packed with natural gelatine, and when cooked for a few hours they …

Seville Orange and Vanilla Bean Marmalade

This lightly coloured Seville orange and vanilla bean marmalade is enhanced by the inclusion of the vanilla beans which gives it that heavenly fragrance. It is luxurious and I love …

Vanilla Sous-Vide Rhubarb

Tender stem forced Yorkshire rhubarb is definitely recommended for this recipe. The soft pastel pink colour is trapped in the young skin of the forced rhubarb. If  the rhubarb is …

Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Vinaigrette

I find quinoa fascinating, I still treat is as a new found ingredient even though it’s been in my store cupboard for two years now and sold in most supermarkets.…

Crispy Quack Eggs with Radish Mayonnaise

The inspiration for this dish came from Stephen Williams,the chef at the Harwood Arms. We went there last week to take photos of the pub and Stephen served up …

Roasted Heritage Carrot Soup

I do not often get the chance to visit London. I miss it and sometimes regret moving to the country, well you can’t have it all. When I do get …

Garden Pea Soup

For years it has always been a hassle and a half to make a successful and vibrant green Garden Pea Soup. It does not matter if you use fresh or …

Fresh Borlotti Bean, Tiger Prawn and Chorizo Horneado

Eating the produce from my garden this summer has been a wonderful experience. The fruits of our labour are swiftly coming to an end. I harvested the last of the …

Mr.Punch and Lady Priscilla’s Lemon Drizzle Cake

All credit for this recipe goes to Kim and Graham, Roy and Linda’s egg suppliers and neighbours. A few weeks ago when we went fruit picking in Dennis’s back yard, …

Duck, Onion and Date Pastilla

When it’s cold and miserable outside, my body does not seem to want to co-operate and function as it should. It feels as if I want to go into hibernation, …

Mini Cinnamon and Apple Whirls

Breakfast or afternoon tea will be a perfect time to enjoy these Mini Cinnamon and Apple Whirls. The Russet Apple Compote is a recipe that I have prepared and kept …