Inspired by the award-winning micro pub around the corner from us, The Cap and Collar, and conversations I've been having with its proprietor Phil around food and beer pairings, I decided to have a go at whipping some homemade butter with beer for a yeasty, savoury finish. Phil recommended a flemish trappist beer 'just in' … Continue reading Beer butter whipped with Orval

The first snowdrops are blooming in our tiny backyard this week and I'm looking ahead toward spring and the start of the growing season, which no longer feels so far away. The time is now to begin finishing  up some of the remaining cavolo nero crop that has seen us through winter. This recipe is inspired by … Continue reading Pasta with cavolo nero, garlic and chilli

In 2015, Emily gave me the cooks dream birthday present, a Kamado Joe barbecue. Similar to the better-known Big Green Egg, the Joe has been a brilliant addition to our year-round cooking as a smoker, wood oven and grill. Nestling in a corner of our tiny backyard (we have the Joe Jr), it’s just a … Continue reading Wood-roasted lamb, hasselbacks, onions and lamb sauce

a beautiful light soup of fresh shellfish, saffron and chorizo

perfect crunchy canapés with a spicy sauce for dipping

slow roast belly pork with sherry and baby apples