Grief control. Knitting, cakes and chicken tray bakes

Grief. It’s a strange thing. Different very time. Why did I think I’d feel the same after my dad died as I would after my mum did? I guess it is (blessed) inexperience. But it has been so much harder. Anyway. I’m out the other side of (most of) it now. And I have a

What not to do on Valentine’s Day, and Vogue 8921 to the rescue

I love Joy the Baker’s blog. She suggested a recipe that couples could cook together on Valentine’s Day. I thought yes, brilliant idea! Who wouldn’t want to prepare shrimp etouffee risotto (spicy Cajun stew with prawns and risotto) together and then eat it? He who Cooks was much less enthusiastic. He was right that the

Banana bread

I know, I know, why the big deal about banana bread? There are thousands of recipes out there. Well, that’s the reason. Thousands of them and I can’t remember which one of them was the one I used last time and really liked. This one is adapted from Smitten Kitchen’s jacked up banana bread and

What I’ve been cooking this summer

This summer I’ve discovered a fabulous new salad, two great cakes and a new gluten free cookie recipe. Carrot and edamame salad with soy ginger dressing Salad: 1  x 450g packet of frozen shelled edamame beans 2 medium carrots, shredded or grated 2 spring onions or half a red onion, finely sliced a generous few

He Cooks [pork pies]… She Sews [a BurdaStyle shirt 04/2013 #138]

For all the cooking He Who Cooks does and She who Sews eats, you’d think she’d return the favour and does some sewing for him, wouldn’t you? The odd pair of boxers and an apron now and then just doesn’t cut it. This is another way of saying I finally made Chris a shirt. I

Sophie wins: BurdaStyle 03/2018 #117

M of Nonsuch and I have just enjoyed a delightful sewing weekend. One of the daughters benefited more than either of us planned. So. How does that work? Something to do with everything looks good on her perhaps? M made Tessuti’s Alice top in a delighted watermelon linen from Spotlight. It was remodeled into a

Mmmm. Delicious autumn food

[is it still autumn??!] Who knew cauliflower could be so delicious? Twice-baked cauliflower souffles Ingredients 200g cauliflower, cut into florets 1/2 onion, chopped 1 bay leaf 2 fresh thyme sprigs 350ml milk 80g unsalted butter 120g plain flour 4 eggs, separated 300ml thickened cream 140g gruyere, grated Radicchio leaves to serve Method Preheat the oven

Little Christmas cakes in baked bean tins

I know. Its halfway through January and no-one. No. One. cares about Christmas cakes. But they were so cute. I just couldn’t not blog about them. This is almost entirely the work of He who Cooks. The sewing related contribution was very minor, and only added the finishing touch. Yes. It was cutting the ribbon

Peanut butter, bacon and dark chocolate cookies and chocolate whoopie pies: gluten free goodness

Now that’s a blog title I never thought I’d write! The cookies were polarizing. I mean. Come on. Peanut butter, bacon and dark chocolate?? A little bit greasy, but the flavours were fabulous. They were made for craft night a few weeks ago. Rory devoured the leftovers. I might have helped a little bit too.

Dealing with a surfeit of bananas: banana pecan cake with maple syrup glaze

Banana purchasing in our house is a fine example of excellent procurement. It’s not very often that supply outstrips demand. But, when just occasionally, He who Shops gets it a little wrong, She who Bakes needs a good banana cake recipe. This one, from Chocolate and Zucchini, is pretty good!   Ingredients 80 grams (3/4

Moroccan-style chicken with pomegranate and fennel couscous, plus bonus home decorating. And a tutorial on box corners.

Now if that title doesn’t put you off, you’re a star! The weekend before last was a milestone one for me. I cooked Sunday lunch (He who Cooks does all the cooking normally). And I made outdoor cushion covers. The flowering wisteria made me do it. The inspiration behind the cooking was David Herbert from

Zucchini fritters with salmon, lemon slice and orange muffins. All gluten free

Are you lucky enough to have a group of likeminded sewers, creative knitters, crocheting geniuses, embroidery queens and other crafty people to share your obsessions with? I am. And they are fabulous. My group has a very healthy emphasis on delicious food and wonderful conversation as well as endless cups of tea and craftiness. One

Gluten free lemon friands

Thank you for all your lovely comments about Felicity’s Formal Frock made from Funky Fabric with some Flares of Frustration but now Finally Finished. Clearly, I like F-words, and need to keep using them. Words like Friands. These were made by He who Cooks. And they were Fabulous! Ingredients 180 g butter melted, plus extra

Lime balls

Have I told you about my great new cooking book? One of my Christmas presents was the My Petite Kitchen Cookbook. I love Eleanor’s blog and have been very happy with how her gluten free recipes have turned out (here and here). I was keen to try some of her other recipes in my “Christmas”

Christmas dresses for my nieces

When I said the blog would return to garment sewing, I didn’t say that all my Christmas sewing was over! Reindeer Retro Dress Before the final fitting (after which, the hem went up about 10 cm) Pattern: BurdaStyle 02-2011-101 I’ve made this pattern before, for Felicity. One of the 13 year old nieces likes retro