As a contestant on Britain’s Best Home Cook – BBC1

One of my greatest ambitions – to cook on television – came true when I was chosen to participate in Series 1 of Britain’s Best Home Cook for BBC television.

Coloured mirror glazes

(Post updated: May 2019). As its name suggests, a mirror glaze is a very shiny covering for a cake or dessert that is so reflective you should be able to see your face quite clearly in it. There are several recipes for mirror glazes but I make what I think is one of the simplest – and it always gives me great results.

Rough-puff pastry & other laminated pastries

I love the process of achieving those buttery, light layers that melt in the mouth, especially with rough-puff pastry, a much simpler cousin to puff pastry. In this post I give the recipe for a fool-proof rough-puff pastry, along with recipe ideas for using the pastry.

Shortcrust pastry & fool-proof blind-baking

It might be easy to feel daunted when it comes to making pastry, but I hope this post will go some way towards facing any doubts you might have when it comes to shortcrust pastry. I have also included what I think is the most fool-proof way to blind-bake the pastry, giving perfectly cooked pastry and a neat finish.

Tips for making & decorating cakes

Cake should be eaten without any hint of guilt whatsover. Even when wanting another slice…..

This post gives key tips for making several types of cake successfully, along with recipes for cakes and icings, troubleshooting and general ideas for decorating. I have also given the quantities needed to make a Victoria Sandwich cake for different sized tins.

Making sourdough bread

A sourdough loaf is a thing of great beauty: a crispy crust, a soft but slightly chewy interior and layers of flavour in each bite.

Croissants

For me a croissant is one of the greatest baked goods to eat: that crisp outer shell that rains flakes as you bite into it, revealing an open honeycombed interior…. and then there’s its rich buttery flavour with an almost nutty aroma. A total joy!

Making macarons – the queen of confections

If you have ever wanted a macaron recipe for what I consider to be “as fool-proof as is possible*”, I hope you find that this is the place to be!

Treacle tart crumble

This pudding is simply a classic treacle tart filling but with a crumble topping rather than a pastry base.

Mojo rojo: spiced red pepper sauce

Mojo rojo is one of my favourite sauces that I have enjoyed on many a holiday in Spain.

Cheese & marmite buns

This is my tear & share version of the delicious hot cross buns that used to be sold in Marks and Spencer.

Mocha éclairs

Those classic, reliable and delicious flavours of coffee and chocolate in these mini éclairs.

Pheasant with apples in a cider & cream sauce

Pheasants cooked with apples and fresh herbs in a silky, creamy sauce. Deliciously comforting!

Sausagemeat party ring

This is basically a ring version of my go-to sausage rolls recipe.

Chocolate, orange and caramel Yule log

A rich, chocolatey Yule log.

Mocha meringue mushrooms

Small edible meringue mushroom decorations, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.

Apple crumble mince pies

A different take on mince pies but very delicous and suitably moreish!

Browned butter & chocolate chip cookies

Deliciously moreish biscuity treats!

Upside-down pear, almond & honey cake

A light almond sponge with lightly caramelised honeyed pears. Utterly delicious!

Korean chicken (air-fried)

Sticky, fragrant and with a great chilli punch, these easy air-fried chicken bites are so delicious.

Miso & rum caramel macarons

A fresh batch of macarons to incorporate a filling I enjoyed in some gorgeous chocolates recently.

The “Swiss Roll” method for croissant dough!

The idea with this method is that you can make a batch of croissant dough in an easier and quicker way, without having to do lots of different turns.

Air-fried “dirty fries” in 15 mins

Proper delicious fast food, taking about 10 minutes for cooking the fries and then a further 5 minutes of cooking to finish off.

Rainbow garden fritters

A great summer dish that makes use of practically any vegetables you have lying around!

Minty yoghurt dip

This refreshing dip, with the toasted cumin seeds adding a gentle warmth of spice, is particularly wonderful with Indian dishes.

Punchy anchovy aioli

This very speedy dip, with Caesar salad dressing vibes, packs a lot of flavour.

My ultimate smoky BBQ sauce

Sticky, smoky, spicy and not too sweet, this is my ultimate BBQ sauce.

Parmesan & spring onion “custard”

This softly set, melt-in-the-mouth mousse, which is essentially a savoury custard, makes a great starter or a quirky element of a cheeseboard.

Halloumi, mint & harissa kebabs

Keripic: caramelised chilli & Makrut lime crisps

I first tried these fabulously addictive crisps at an Indonesian restaurant many decades ago and I still adore making them either for a snack or as an accompaniment to a meal.

Baked coconut and lime cheesecake

There are a few piña colada vibes going on with this delicious baked cheesecake!

Chicken curry pasties

Delicate, spiced pastry packed with curried chicken thighs and vegetables.

Lemongrass & Makrut lime custard tarts

This is a British classic with a twist: sweet, buttery almond and lime pastry with a delicately set flavoured custard filling.

Latkes

This is my oven-baked version of these delicious potato bites.

Baked caramel lemon custard

This dessert is a cross between a crème caramel and a baked cheesecake, with a slightly denser texture than a crème caramel while retaining the divine, slightly bitter liquid caramel element.

Curried crab tarts

These delicious tarts are packed with crab flavour and are quite certain to be devoured without any trace!

Apple & cinnamon upside-down cake

This is a real return to comfort food classics and is always a treat to tuck into.

Seeded onion bread

Simple, delicious bread that is just begging to be toasted and spread liberally – very liberally! – with butter.

Yorkshire curd tarts with a twist

My take on this great British classic is certainly not fully authentic – but in my opinion no recipe should be so precious that it can’t cope with being tinkered with!

Chilled pea, mint & bacon soup

This is a very refreshing soup using up ingredients in the kitchen. Perfect for hot weather dining!

Courgette, sweetcorn & mint fritters

These are very simple bites that I am sure will have you diving in for more!

Strawberry, cherry & lime macarons

These seriously fruity macarons are inspired by the Exuberantly Fruity chocolates from Hotel Chocolat: my favourite of their chocolates. They give a real flavour explosion as soon as you bite into them!

Bacon & caramelised onion tarts

There’s very much a Quiche Lorraine vibe going on with these tarts. And this Lorraine has no soggy bottom!

Thai corn fritters

A really quick and delicious take on Thai fish cakes.

Kung po-style prawns

Another sticky, spicy takeaway-style dish: this time, with prawns, but it works brilliantly with chicken pork or vegetables such as cauliflower or broccoli.

Sticky tamarind and sesame chicken

This is one of my favourite stand-by dishes and always fits the bill when I want something sticky with bags of flavour, take-out style.

Roasted broccoli with crispy garlic

This is a very simple, delicious vegetable dish and is a regular visitor to my table when I make a roast dinner or a casserole.

Tiramisu cake

A delicious cake that sashays into gateau territory.

Mango salsa

Fruity, sharp with a light chilli kick, this mango salsa is excellent served with fish, with curries, as a dip or simple rolled up in flatbreads and devoured!

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Chicken and sweetcorn soup

A delicious, nutritious and comforting soup that is easy to prepare and tastes as good as many restaurant versions.

Soft garlic and herb flatbreads

Pillowy soft flatbreads dripping with herby garlic butter: ideal comfort food!

Parmesan & roasted onion sourdough focaccia

A gutsy focaccia that really hits the spot, using chunks of Parmesan and the delicous sweetness that comes from roasted onions.

Raspberry gin macarons

This is great way to use good quality fruit gins in cooking – as if excused are needed! You could even serve these with a glass of gin and tonic for the ultimate indulgence….

Cranachan roulade

A light-as-air Swiss Roll sponge, filled with Cranachan and smothered with a little of the whisky and honey cream, this roulade is a delicious centrepiece for any occasion.

Smoked mushroom & Dolcelatte tarts

With the smoked mushrooms, blue cheese and hint of tarragon sitting on crisp, buttery puff pastry, these easy tarts are full-on comfort food.

Black Forest choux buns & éclairs

Fruity, tangy and suitable chocolatey, with a cheeky kirschy-kick!

“Break the rules” chocolate biscuits

Shamelessly rustic chocolate biscuits made in moments! What more can I say?

Katsu curry

I love a katsu curry, whether using chicken, pork, prawns or vegetables: the contast of that gorgeous silky sauce smothering the crispy meat, fish or veg is wonderful.