Packed into a pretty box, these mini frangipanes make a great gift or alternative to a box of chocolates when going for dinner with friends. Makes 24 Preparation: 20 minutes Cook: 12-15 minutes Ingredients 175g (6oz) strawberries, hulled 75g (3oz) butter, at room temperature 75g (3oz) caster sugar 50g (2oz) self-raising gluten free flour blend 1 medium egg 50g (2oz) ground …

It’s that time of year again when New Year resolutions surrounding weight loss and leading a healthier lifestyle comes to the fore. As someone who is ‘allergic’ to gym memberships, I thought it appropriate to offer an alternative for those looking to get fitter from home. Here’re my top at home workouts: Focus T25 This is a current favourite of …

If you’re inspired to start the year learning a new skill, then look no further! With sewing seeing a major revival, thanks to a whole host of crafty programmes, Simplicity (www.simplicitynewlook.com) are offering four lucky readers the chance of winning a Simply the Best Sewing Book. Providing an essential guide to first timers or rusty returners to the sewing scene, …

Need to detox after all those Christmas festivities? This light salad is just what you need. For a healthy packed lunch, cook the quinoa and toast the nuts and seeds the night before, then add the berries and salad leaves in the morning. Serves 4 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 10-12 minutes Ingredients 900ml (11/2 pint) vegetable stock 225g (8oz) quinoa …

Wow friends and family with this impressive looking chocolate dessert – made with sloe gin and blackberries. Serves 8 Prep: 45 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Cooling: 3-4 hours Ingredients 200g (7oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces 5 large eggs, separated 175g (6oz) caster sugar, plus a little extra 50g (2oz) ground hazelnuts 2 tablespoons hot water 225g (8oz) blackberries 3 …

Serves 4-6 15 minutes preparation 25-30 minutes cooking time Ingredients 500g (leftover) cooked turkey, cut into chunks 400g (leftover) cooked mixed vegetable, cut into chunks 3-4 large sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed 100g (leftover) cheese, grated 50g flour 350ml stock approx Honey 2tbsp cranberry sauce Nutmeg Spinach, watercress, cabbage (any or all of them optional) Cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, curry …

The one question I kept mauling over as I travelled almost 3 hours to get to Reach Bar and Kitchen was, why would anyone come all this way to visit a pub? Well, the answer is surprisingly good food! The protracted journey might not suit someone from the other end of London but for the residents of Gallions Reach, it …

Fresh raspberries and shaved asparagus turn an everyday rice salad into something more exotic and festive. Serves 6 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 20-25 minutes Ingredients 200g (7oz) easy cook brown rice 50g (2oz) wild rice 6 small red onions, cut into wedges 1 tablespoon olive oil 100g (4oz) red cabbage, thinly shredded 200g (7oz) cold roast turkey, diced 150g (5oz) …

Enjoy a relaxed five star Christmas dinner for two or double up for extra guests. Prepare the blackberry and port sauce and pack the sliced sprouts into a plastic bag earlier in the day, then roast the duck breasts while the potatoes dauphinoise bake, for an easy Christmas dinner. Serves 2 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 34-42 minutes Stand 5 minutes …

For a deliciously quick and healthy accompaniment to the Christmas leftovers on Boxing Day, why not try vibrant, ready-to-eat pearl and red Express Quinoa from Quinola with apricots, cranberries and pecan nuts – high in protein, calcium and iron and perfect with a spoonful of cranberry jelly. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 packet pearl and red Express Quinoa 3 tbsp cranberries …