Buffet Cakes Christmas Desserts Fish Main Courses Memory Lane Pastries Salads Starters Student Meals Vegetarian
Crispy Potato PancakesCrispy Potato Pancakes, simple to make. For an alternative, choose the Potato Waffles.
Raspberry and Blueberry Neopolitan CakeNeopolitan (or harlequin) cake originated from Naples in Italy. Traditionally it has to include 3 flavours, usually Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate. This is my variation on this cake including raspberries and blueberries to make the texture more moist.
Cream of Country Vegetable SoupThis is a recipe obtained from my mother. She was herself a cook and passed me down some absolute gems that I hope to share with you. This soup is full of goodness and well worth the preparation time.
Yvonne’s Carrot CakeThis recipe was passed to my wife by a work colleague many years ago. It is a trusted favourite. It's lovely and moist. Although it's a bit fiddly to make it is worth the effort. It can also be frozen. I tend to freeze part of it and the remainder gets eaten pretty quickly!
TiramisuThis delicious rich dessert originated in Venice. Tiramisu translates as "pick-me-up". It's best made a day in advance to let the flavours develop.
Crispy Cauliflower BitesCrispy Cauliflower Bites, dipped in butter and coated with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Roasted in the oven and served with a dip of your choice.
Potato WafflesPotato waffles, simple to make with a waffle maker. For a crispier alternative, choose the Crispy Potato Pancakes.
Rhubarb & Almond CakeA delicious moist cake with rhubarb and almonds.
Vegetable StrudelFilo pastry filled with roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Salted Caramel IcingThese cup cakes were made by our daughter, Emily. Light, attractive and delicious.
Trio of DipsThese home-made dips are easy to make and taste so much nicer than shop bought ones. These dips can be made the day before and placed in the fridge until you need them.
Cheese BoardI must confess that I tend to include cheese that I like in case there is any leftover! Just remember to include some colourful cheeses and different shaped ones. To garnish the board I have used red and green grapes, gherkins, pickled onions and basil. Sometimes I use celery and radishes – in fact it can be garnished in many different ways. Alongside the cheeseboard I have French bread and butter, and cheese biscuits.
Fruit Christmas TreeAlthough this tree takes a while to put together, it is a simple idea that adds height to the buffet table and can look quite spectacular. Guests invariably comment on it! 
Raspberry CheesecakeA light creamy cheesecake with a crumbed ginger biscuit base topped with raspberries.
Chocolate Bites with Toasted HazelnutsDelicious bite-size muffins topped with melted chocolate and toasted hazelnuts.
Gingerbread Pudding with Butterscotch SauceA classic family favourite that is easy to make and warms the cockles of your heart.
Baked ParsnipsBaked Parsnips. Interesting alternative to traditional Parsnips.
Christmas PuddingChristmas Pudding, Plum Pudding or Figgy Pudding – you simply cannot have a Christmas Dinner without the traditional dessert! It has a long history dating back to Roman times, and the recipe I am sharing with you today was passed to me by my mum. It has never let me down!
During the Middle Ages the Christmas pudding was known as a mince pie, and had a meat filling. Later on, apples, lemons and oranges, raisins and sugar were added. Because raisins were known as plums, the Christmas pudding was also called Plum Pudding. You will, of course, be familiar with the name Figgy Pudding – who hasn’t sung “Now bring us some figgy pudding”, when carol singing as a child? Figgy pudding usually contains figs instead of raisins.
The recipe I am sharing with you is made with fruit and not meat! I’ve changed the quantities as my mum’s recipe made four Christmas puddings, and as each pudding serves between 8 and 10, that’s quite a lot of Christmas pudding to eat – even though they keep.
Banana PuddingAnother recipe from my Auntie Moyra. A scrumptious pudding that's easy to make and designed to warm you up on a cold winter's day. 
Fruit and Nut Plaited LoafFruit & Nut Plaited Loaf. There is something special about yeast cookery - if only the smell. Beautiful bread at a fraction of the supermarket cost.
Almond, Apricot and Chopped Nut MuffinsAlmond, Apricot and Chopped Nut Muffins. Incredibly light and fluffy, ideal for a mid-morning treat.
Pear SpongePear Sponge. Baked Vanilla Sponge with Sliced Pears.
Frangipane PithivierFrangipane Pathivier. A delicate french pastry, succulent all-butter puff pastry enveloping a pungent almond filling, light and full of flavour.
Steamed Suet Pineapple PuddingSteamed Suet Pineapple Pudding. Delicious individual fruit pudding, quick and easy to create.
Apple and Almond Crumble CakesApple and Almond Crumble Cakes. A mixture of textures with roughly the same ingredients.
Caraway Seed CakeSeed cake originates from medieval times. It was given to agricultural workers to thank them for the hard labour of seed-sowing. A classic cake with an unusual nutty flavour.
Pineapple Upside DownA Family favourite. One of those desserts that look so much more appetising when you turn it out of it's baking tin. More Recipes can be found by clicking here
Banana, Orange & Apricot CakeBanana, Orange & Apricot Cake. This combination of fruit works well together producing a moist cake with an extremely light texture.
Lemon Drizzle CakeLemon Drizzle Cake. A delightful citrus cake made with fresh lemons. An incredible combination of Sharp and Sweet.
American PancakesFor anyone who who visits America, Denny's is the fast-food restaurant you need to aim for if you want incredible pancakes. These pancakes are light and fluffy and great for a snack as well as a dessert. Try adding fruit like fresh blueberries to the batter before cooking.
French CrêpesThe word crêpe is French for pancake and is derived from the Latin crispus meaning “curled”. Crêpes originated in Brittany. Crêpes were originally called galettes, meaning flat cakes. Crêpes are traditionally served in England on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Pancake Day.
MerookiesMerookies. Unusual pre-dinner treats. Get your oven hot (180ºC) but the oven is switched off when the merookies are put in. They do not need to cook, merely dry out.
Orange Bread & Butter PuddingOrange Bread & Butter Pudding. The ideal recipe to use up any stale bread with very little cost.
Oat, Nut & Chocolate Chip Chewy CookiesDelicious Teatime Biscuits, crammed with nuts and chocolate - and so easy to make.
Chocolate Pudding with Chocolate SauceChocolate Pudding with Chocolate Sauce - an old fashioned recipe for all chocoholics. A rich sponge smothered in a creamy chocolate sauce. A minute on the lips - 10 years on the hips!!!
Stuffed Seafood MushroomHow can such basic ingredients turn out to produce such a good starter? A large flat mushroom stuffed with crab, prawns & cheese - delicious.
Guard’s PuddingGuard's Pudding was traditionally served to the officers & guards on duty at St James Palace or Whitehall. A true comfort food with an extremely light texture.
Warm Lemon Meringue PotA variation on a lemon meringue. Healthier because there is no pastry. A light citrus dessert, suitable for dinner parties where the main course is substantial.
Chicken Stir FryThis delicious stir fry dish is not only healthy, it is quick & easy to prepare & it's cheap. The tender & crisp vegetables retain more nutrients than if they had been boiled, & the fat content is extremely low as the dish only requires a small amount of oil.
Steamed Raspberry PuddingTake a trip down memory lane. You only have to look at this dessert to know you are going to love it. A true comfort food. A sponge pudding with raspberry jam drizzling down its sides.
Avocado on Toast with Poached EggThis recipe was given to me by my daughter. Extremely nutritious & makes a perfect breakfast or snack treat. Simply delicious.
Braised Mushrooms with Mascarpone and SpinachA delicious creamy mushroom starter or main course with an Italian slant.
Home-Made Mediterranean PizzaSimple to make with toppings of your choice. After making your own you are unlikely to buy one from a shop again.
Bakewell TartThe Bakewell Tart dates back to the Victorian times - not to be confused with the iced version now seen in most shops. A light sponge mix, laced with almonds, and set in a light shortcrust pastry. Delicious!
Lime & Mascarpone TorteA light citrus dessert for special occasions.
Apple PieProbably one of the most popular desserts in the UK. Mouthwatering pastry encompassing succulent apples.
Raspberry PavlovaBoth indulgent and visually effective - an ideal dessert for special occasions.
Chocolate EclairsReasonably easy to make yet so delicious! A little decadent perhaps but we all need a treat every now and then.
Vegetable QuicheA classic favourite - nutritious, tasty & light.
Jacket PotatoSo versatile - can be eaten as a snack or a main meal. Popular toppings include - cheese, tuna mayonnaise, baked beans, chilli con carne, coleslaw or just a knob of butter.
Boiled Egg & SoldiersEggs are one of the most nutritious food you can buy & they are cheap. One of those recipes you grew up with & never forgot!
Apple & Redcurrant StrudelA light & crisp Austrian pastry filled with apples & redcurrants.
Spanish QuicheA traditional quiche with a European twist.
Christmas CakeRecipe from Memory Lane - from Woman's Weekly 1979. If you are not keen on rich fruit cake, this recipe is ideal. Whilst filled with delicious ingredients, it is not iced, it's lighter, more moist & costs less.
Christmas Rocky RoadFor all chocoholics! If its a little festive indulgence you're looking for this year - this is the recipe for you. ideal for those intimate pasties & family get-togethers, this rich, passionate, finger-licking treat will please everyone. Packed with your favourite goodies - how can you go wrong. Recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson.
Mince PiesThe most iconic of Christmas treats. Originally they were filled with meat, such as lamb & were made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in. During the Stuart & Georgian times they were a status symbol at Christmas for rich people.
Italian Christmas Pudding CakeIt just keeps getting better. This, trust me, is an indulgence you simply cannot do without. It bears absolutely no comparison to a Christmas pudding but as al alternative, it wins hands down! It is a delightful Italian Christmas dessert, light & fluffy & has the appearance of something aristocratic with all the scrumptious flavours of Christmas all rolled into one. A favourite of mine from Nigella Lawson.
Sausage RollsThe tasty savoury you find at every buffet. Always popular.
Eccles CakesOriginating from the English town of Eccles dating back over three centuries. Mouthwateringly good!
Orange MuffinsA recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson. Delicious warm served for Breakfast.
Prawn CurrySpicy Fish dish for all the family.
Beef Stew with DumplingsA truly British favourite.
Tomato & Onion SaladA colourful and quick side salad.
Pan Fried CamembertDelicious starter that's easy to make & guaranteed to please your guests. Serve with redcurrant sauce & a small side salad.
Spaghetti BologneseAnother Italian treat & so simple to create.
Spicy Cheese StrawsCheese Straws are always a party favourite for adults and children.
Rock CakesA war time recipe when ingredients like eggs & sugar were scarce. Delicious served warm.
Tropical Fruit SaladRefreshing Summer Dessert
Greek SaladA European Favourite
Curried Vegetable RiceA nutritious spicy side salad.
Roast ChickenCrispy Skinned Roasted Chicken - perfect for a Sunday Lunch.
Apple SconesTempting & scrumptious. Best eaten warm.
LasagneEasy & quick to make.
CruditésThis recipe involves no cooking. Healthy Eating.
Chicken CurryQuick & easy meal to make. Delicious served with rice and/or poppadoms.
Cottage PieComfort eating for those chilly nights.
Pasta CarbonaraDelicious meal for Italian foodies
Southern Fried ChickenThis is finger-licking good and so easy. Preparation can be a bit messy but well worth.