The Botanical Kitchen
Recipes, travel and the occasional rant
I was invited on to BBC 3 Counties Radio on Saturday to be a guest on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen. (Click on that or Nick’s picture below to listen to the show). I also met the lovely Producer Emma, Neil Irvine from No. 2 Pound Street Deli and Mummy Blogger Sandy Calico of Baby Baby. I […]
A lot of people get so nervous about Swiss Roll but it’s really not too hard to do. I’ve filled this one with some simple Clementine Marmalade I made with leftover clementines. You can use your favourite brand of marmalade or even some orange curd. You’ll need 125g plain flour 125g caster sugar 4 medium […]
“Mummy there’s a funny smell in your car” said my eldest last week. Now this is a very strange comment because I keep the inside of my car very, very clean. No sweet wrappers, chocolates, sandwiches or crisps are eaten and left in MY car. EVER. I had to admit that she was right though. […]
Just like the Chocolate Loaf Cake, this is a super easy and quick recipe. It just takes a while baking in the oven so a good one to make the night before you need it, or in the morning as you potter about the kitchen doing other stuff, or just before you go for an […]
This is one of the best brownie/blondie recipes I have ever made. It’s adapted from Dan Lepard’s Short and Sweet book (of which I have a SIGNED copy!). If there is one banana recipe you make, it has to be this one. You’ll need For the butterscotch bananas 150g caster sugar 50ml water 2 – […]
This is pure, sweet indulgence. I’m warning you! This crisp and gooey meringue topped with hot caramelly bananas and whipped cream is made in our house when we all feel down and need cheering up. It’s the only dessert I have coffee with – a dark strong one to cut through the sweetness. You’ll need […]
Bananas always get too ripe too quickly in our house because we have a very warm and sunny kitchen. So my daughter uses them for Banana and Chocolate Loaf Cake. If you don’t have time for an hour in the oven though, try these easy all-in-one-method-cupcakes. They are great for children and adults alike because […]
These loaves are perfect for breakfast or lunch boxes. The bananas are super healthy and adding the oats means these have an extra GI boost too. You’ll need 140g soft unsalted butter 270g soft brown sugar 280g plain flour 150g rolled oats 2 eggs 3 medium sized ripe bananas (around 200g) 1 tsp baking powder […]
There has been lots of talk today about New Year’s resolutions. I don’t make them. For many years now I have simply tried to live a balanced life. To me “balanced” means the following: Harmony in the relationships I hold to be important. Truly there are only really three relationships in my life that are […]
It’s taken me a while to read this book because it’s one of those that takes you off in different directions that then require some quiet time reflecting. I have enjoyed it immensely. About the author Sebastian Pole is the co-founder of Pukka Herbs which sells organic teas, herbal and ayurvedic remedies and massage oils. […]
Cranberries are in season for only a short time in the UK which is such a shame because they are soooo good for you. This tiny little fruit packs a massive punch in the antioxidant department meaning that it helps keep your heart healthy and is also good for your liver. On top of that cranberries […]
Whenever I have egg whites left over I rustle up some macaroons or pavlova or mousse. I had just the right amount left to make a batch after making some lovely Cranberry Curd which I used to fill these ones for a Christmassy treat. 200g icing sugar 50g cocoa powder 250g ground almonds 220g caster […]