recipes

Welcoming in the New Year with friends in Manchester - a fondue and raclette grill made for an easy, conversation-friendly evening with most of the prep done well ahead.

A weeknight chicken and vegetable egg fried rice - prep 25 min, cook 15 min, ready in 40, inspired by a birthday Chinese meal that hit just the right notes.

3kg of uncrushed Maris Otter, no mill, no time to wait for one in the post - here is what happened when we tried to crush the grain ourselves with a coffee grinder.

A simple carrot soup that originates with my Grandad Callaghan. Often a Christmas-dinner starter at home, but quick enough that it has become my go-to for dinner parties served with homemade bread.

The first batch of our sloe gin has been prepared and laid down until at least Christmas or should that be for as long as I can keep my hands off it!!!

If you're visiting Cromer anytime soon then you must try and have a meal in The Red Lion on the seafront. It was very reasonable for two of us to have two courses there - both of which were very delicious and adequately filling.

A really good lunch at the Crab & Winkle in Whitstable - friendly staff, fish that hit the spot, and easy with a small one in tow.

My mum's chocolate brownie recipe - the one I bake for friends, colleagues and customers, and which long ago became known as the SharePoint Brownies.

Sixteen molten-centred chocolate muffins, eaten warm so the middle stays gooey - perfect on their own or with vanilla ice cream and a Chantilly cream.

This green pea chowder recipe is one of my favourites. It’s so simple with a delicious result under 20 minutes. It has a beautiful colour with a nourishingly filling flavour.