Easy Entertaining by Darina Allen – review
The words “easy” and “entertaining” are not often found in close proximity to each other but here they are in cosy partnership as the title...
200 Christmas Recipes – cookbook review
Christmas, for many of us, is a celebration with family and friends. Most of the traditional festivities revolve around food. We think of Christmas dinner...
Pâtisserie at Home by Will Torrent – review
Not many will recognise the name Will Torrent although that’s not through his lack of respect within the food industry, more shortage of a TV...
The Silver Book of Cocktails – review
Apple Press has provided me with some of my favourite cookbooks. They also publish a very smart series of marvellously luxurious shiny, belly-jacketed books for...
Apero… drinks and a recipe
There are whole aisles devoted to it in French supermarkets. So, what is it? Well, it’s like an extra course at lunch or dinner. It...
Willow & Stone Sparkling Rosé from Kingsland – drinks review
Willow & Stone Sparkling Rosé British wine is selling at £4.99 and has 8.5% alcohol, so a light-in-every-way alternative to more robust traditional wines. It...
Party-Perfect Bites by Milli Taylor – review
Delicious recipes for canapés, finger food and party snacks It’s that time of year again. We entertain in grand fashion. There are crowds of folks...
Sprinkles by Jackie Alpers – review
Baking is, thank goodness, enjoying something of a revival. We are reconnecting with some old-fashioned culinary values – the kitchen filled with tempting aromas, a...
Tiny Food Party by Jenny Park – review
This is an amusing book that offers tiny food. You will likely not have heard of that term, but think bite-sized portions of a whole...
Whoopie Pies by Viola Goren – review
Food, like clothes, has fashions and trends. We have had cupcakes and macaroons and now it’s the era of the Whoopie Pie! The name is...
Eating In by Sue Lawrence – review
Sue Lawrence came to prominence in 1991 when she won Masterchef – those were the days when I actually watched it and the programme was...
The Perfect Drink for Every Occasion by Duane Swierczynski – review
Well the title The Perfect Drink for Every Occasion encouraged me to think that this was going to be a rather serious tome, probably penned...
My Family Feast – cookbook review
Feasts are at the very centre of our best and most dearly-held memories. Christmas or Hanukah or other important festivals with all those traditions: the...
200 Mini Cakes and Bakes – cookbook review
There cannot be many who would not enjoy a luscious slice of cake. Cupcakes are popular even as replacements for wedding cakes, and macaroons seem...
The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches by Susan Russo – review
This book is fun. Sandwiches are not by nature a serious food group. We make them for picnics and parties. The bread keeps our fingers...
On a Stick by Matt Armendariz – review
It’s a book to bring a smile. Food served on skewers: mouthwatering titbits stuck with delicate picks or substantial chunks on batons. Everything here is...
Desserts by Rachel Lane and Ting Morris – review
It’s got to be one of my favourite books of the moment. Desserts is quality in both content and presentation. The large format allows for...
Style Me Vintage by Betty Blythe – review
The author of this marvellously ‘vintage’ volume is actually Lulu Gwynne rather than Betty Blythe as one assumes from the cover. Betty was a sexy...
Sky High – Irresistible Triple-Layer Cakes by Alisa Huntsman – review
Surely everyone would like a slice of cake. Many of us whenever we are allowed, and most of us at every opportunity. It’s naughty comfort...
Great Party Dips by Peggy Fallon – review
Isn’t there something comforting about a dip? They are uniquely versatile, either being the focus of a solitary evening alone (you, the TV, a dip...