Festive Foods: Somerset Mulled Ciderby Charlotte xTis the season to warm the cider, throw in some spices and apples and get festive! Seeing as we're all from the West Country and live pretty close to other West Country folk it would be wrong not to include this in our festive repertoire.OMG this recipe is brilliant. It will be loved by everyone, even non cider drinkers as you can tame down the amount of cider, up the juice and the brandy, whatever...

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Later with Jules: Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie

It was Charlotte's birthday - this called for extreme indulgence.  One day I will post the full evening's menu, but let's just say it was not for the faint hearted: scallops, critical timings, TWO Ottelenghi dishes - I think it's one for the Kitchen's 'advanced' series.  Watch this space.So, back to the midnight baking.  I have to begin by congratulating myself for my organisational skills.  Charl's birthday was on a Wednesday,...

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I Heart Italia: Torta

Jamie Oliver’s Torta di More (Blackberry Tart)  Claire Kelleher says (in her best American accent): ‘That fruit was REAL shiny!’   When Charlotte announced she was christening her birthday present – a fresh pasta making machine, I decided we needed a fittingly Italian desert to complete the meal. I headed straight for the Jamie’s Italy cookbook and this fruit tart jumped out at me. I haven’t always been such a fan of baking, but nowadays...

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I Heart Italia: Pasta

I Heart Italia: PastaThe Keston guide to perfect pasta and good guests by CharlotteFor my birthday I received a rather shiny pasta maker from the girls, Jules and Rach. Not that surprising as my penchant for Italian food and my love of time spent in the kitchen is well known. So, this weekend was a seriously indulgent one, of pure relaxation and a spot of pasta making. Pizza oven enthusiast (boyfriend) was up for it, I was up for it and...

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I Heart Italia: Pizza

I Heart Italia by Charlotte. A serious fan of Italian cuisine (and food in general)The Italians are super passionate about their food; they have a lot of time and love for the kitchen and the end result is always fresh, full of flavour and pretty simple to do! I went to Italy this summer to stay in the countryside in a little place called Cossano Belbo, just outside of Asti. Stereotypes were jumping out from behind every corner; rolling hills, olive...

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Later with Jules: Fig and Almond Tart

 Honey Roasted Fig and Almond TartCharlotte says (in a forest accent): 'this is the best tarrrrt I ever 'ad' And she may well be right.  This delicious, sweet pie is a refreshing alternative to the traditional common all garden apple variety - and luckily for me, fresh figs were common as muck when I went to stay with the Lovely Lucy in France - she had hundreds in her garden.So, for the following pie, I used fresh, slightly squished...

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Later with Jules: an introduction to Midnight Baking

Later With Jules.... Midnight Baking for the Modern WomanEver long to get your hands dirty whipping up a tart? Then sigh, and think to yourself, "ah, there just aren't enough hours in the day"?  Never fear, ma cherie, I am here to help.  If there's anything the Keston Kitchen has taught me it's YES WE CAN hold down full time jobs and bake fabulous cakes.  Are you sitting comfortably?  Then I will tell you about the delights...

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