Buffet Cakes Christmas Desserts Fish Main Courses Memory Lane Pastries Salads Starters Student Meals Vegetarian
Crispy Potato PancakesBy BobCrispy Potato Pancakes, simple to make. For an alternative, choose the Potato Waffles.
Raspberry and Blueberry Neopolitan CakeBy BobNeopolitan (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 SoupBy BobThis 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 CakeBy BobThis 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!
TiramisuBy BobThis 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 BitesBy BobCrispy 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 WafflesBy BobPotato waffles, simple to make with a waffle maker. For a crispier alternative, choose the Crispy Potato Pancakes.
Rhubarb & Almond CakeBy BobA delicious moist cake with rhubarb and almonds.
Vegetable StrudelBy BobFilo pastry filled with roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Salted Caramel IcingBy BobThese cup cakes were made by our daughter, Emily. Light, attractive and delicious.
Trio of DipsBy BobThese 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 BoardBy BobI 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 TreeBy BobAlthough 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 CheesecakeBy BobA light creamy cheesecake with a crumbed ginger biscuit base topped with raspberries.
Chocolate Bites with Toasted HazelnutsBy BobDelicious bite-size muffins topped with melted chocolate and toasted hazelnuts.
Gingerbread Pudding with Butterscotch SauceBy BobA classic family favourite that is easy to make and warms the cockles of your heart.
Baked ParsnipsBy BobBaked Parsnips. Interesting alternative to traditional Parsnips.
Christmas PuddingBy BobChristmas 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 PuddingBy BobAnother 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 LoafBy BobFruit & 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 MuffinsBy BobAlmond, Apricot and Chopped Nut Muffins. Incredibly light and fluffy, ideal for a mid-morning treat.
Pear SpongeBy BobPear Sponge. Baked Vanilla Sponge with Sliced Pears.
Frangipane PithivierBy BobFrangipane Pathivier. A delicate french pastry, succulent all-butter puff pastry enveloping a pungent almond filling, light and full of flavour.
Steamed Suet Pineapple PuddingBy BobSteamed Suet Pineapple Pudding. Delicious individual fruit pudding, quick and easy to create.
Apple and Almond Crumble CakesBy BobApple and Almond Crumble Cakes. A mixture of textures with roughly the same ingredients.
Caraway Seed CakeBy BobSeed 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 DownBy BobA 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 CakeBy BobBanana, Orange & Apricot Cake. This combination of fruit works well together producing a moist cake with an extremely light texture.
Lemon Drizzle CakeBy BobLemon Drizzle Cake. A delightful citrus cake made with fresh lemons. An incredible combination of Sharp and Sweet.
American PancakesBy BobFor 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 CrêpesBy BobThe 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.
MerookiesBy BobMerookies. 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 PuddingBy BobOrange Bread & Butter Pudding. The ideal recipe to use up any stale bread with very little cost.
Oat, Nut & Chocolate Chip Chewy CookiesBy BobDelicious Teatime Biscuits, crammed with nuts and chocolate - and so easy to make.
Chocolate Pudding with Chocolate SauceBy BobChocolate 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 MushroomBy BobHow can such basic ingredients turn out to produce such a good starter? A large flat mushroom stuffed with crab, prawns & cheese - delicious.
Guard’s PuddingBy BobGuard'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 PotBy BobA 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 FryBy BobThis 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 PuddingBy BobTake 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 EggBy BobThis recipe was given to me by my daughter. Extremely nutritious & makes a perfect breakfast or snack treat. Simply delicious.
Braised Mushrooms with Mascarpone and SpinachBy BobA delicious creamy mushroom starter or main course with an Italian slant.
Home-Made Mediterranean PizzaBy BobSimple to make with toppings of your choice. After making your own you are unlikely to buy one from a shop again.
Bakewell TartBy BobThe 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 TorteBy BobA light citrus dessert for special occasions.
Apple PieBy BobProbably one of the most popular desserts in the UK. Mouthwatering pastry encompassing succulent apples.
Raspberry PavlovaBy BobBoth indulgent and visually effective - an ideal dessert for special occasions.
Chocolate EclairsBy BobReasonably easy to make yet so delicious! A little decadent perhaps but we all need a treat every now and then.
Vegetable QuicheBy BobA classic favourite - nutritious, tasty & light.
Jacket PotatoBy BobSo 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 & SoldiersBy BobEggs 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 StrudelBy BobA light & crisp Austrian pastry filled with apples & redcurrants.
Spanish QuicheBy BobA traditional quiche with a European twist.
Christmas CakeBy BobRecipe 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 RoadBy BobFor 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 PiesBy BobThe 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 CakeBy BobIt 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 RollsBy BobThe tasty savoury you find at every buffet. Always popular.
Eccles CakesBy BobOriginating from the English town of Eccles dating back over three centuries. Mouthwateringly good!
Orange MuffinsBy BobA recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson. Delicious warm served for Breakfast.
Prawn CurryBy BobSpicy Fish dish for all the family.
Beef Stew with DumplingsBy BobA truly British favourite.
Tomato & Onion SaladBy BobA colourful and quick side salad.
Pan Fried CamembertBy BobDelicious starter that's easy to make & guaranteed to please your guests. Serve with redcurrant sauce & a small side salad.
Spaghetti BologneseBy BobAnother Italian treat & so simple to create.
Spicy Cheese StrawsBy BobCheese Straws are always a party favourite for adults and children.
Rock CakesBy BobA war time recipe when ingredients like eggs & sugar were scarce. Delicious served warm.
Tropical Fruit SaladBy BobRefreshing Summer Dessert
Greek SaladBy BobA European Favourite
Curried Vegetable RiceBy BobA nutritious spicy side salad.
Roast ChickenBy BobCrispy Skinned Roasted Chicken - perfect for a Sunday Lunch.
Apple SconesBy BobTempting & scrumptious. Best eaten warm.
LasagneBy BobEasy & quick to make.
CruditésBy BobThis recipe involves no cooking. Healthy Eating.
Chicken CurryBy BobQuick & easy meal to make. Delicious served with rice and/or poppadoms.
Cottage PieBy BobComfort eating for those chilly nights.
Pasta CarbonaraBy BobDelicious meal for Italian foodies
Southern Fried ChickenBy BobThis is finger-licking good and so easy. Preparation can be a bit messy but well worth.
