Cookery book review : Potato Total - Stefan Ekengren

When you need a quick meal and the cupboards and fridge are pretty much bare, if you stumble across a bag of potatoes, things instantly start looking up. The choices are almost limitless - boiled, mashed, roast, made into chips or wedges, sautéed, baked, ... You could get a bit more adventurous and knock up a cottage pie, potato fritters, loaded potatoes, fish pie, ... The book does start with these very basic ideas, giving you instructions on making simple side dishes like mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes or chips. A quick flick through the pages may give you the initial impression that it is too simple and way below your level of cooking. Don't give up though, it's definitely worth a closer look. 

Chef Stefan Ekengren starts off with an in-depth look at his experience cooking potatoes, leading into a detailed run-through of the various varieties of potato that he likes the most and how they can best be used. It was interesting to read about how some potatoes are floury while others are waxy, but sadly the more in-depth look at some of the 5,000 varieties available ended up largely useless as he focuses on those available to him in Sweden. I'd never even heard of Folva, Snöball or Rättviks röd, let alone seen them on the shelves of the local supermarket.

His Nordic roots come into their own later in the book when he starts sharing recipes though. I'd never even heard of many of the family-friendly, fairly simple dishes that he explains but they really appeal to me. Lobscouse, which looks better than it sounds - a child-friendly mix of mashed potatoes and beef that I will be trying very soon. Löksälta, a very simple but delightful-sounding dish to share with the family. Pitepalt, or meat-filled dumplings. Pickled potatoes - gherkins, onions, even eggs, but potatoes? The idea had never even crossed my mind. Definitely all things that I would like to try.

Other dishes take us out of his Scandinavian homeland and further afield. Papas arragadas from the Canary Islands, potato focaccia from Puglia, Finnish potato casserole, tortilla vaga from Spain, ... So many things to try and you won't even need to use your passport !

Yet more dishes speak to my soul, leaving me wondering why I'd never thought of them. Pressed potatoes, a cheeky twist on roast potatoes that look and sound too good to ignore. Delicate potato roses that look magnificent but sound totally achievable. Salmon pudding, evocative of a delicate potato and fish sandwich that I'm sure the kids would love. 

Even as someone who has been eating and cooking with potatoes since my earliest years, the 90-odd recipes in this book had me looking at potatoes in new ways, excited and intrigued about trying this store-cupboard basic in original and totally unimagined ways. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting hard, it's fabulous to find a book of recipes that uses basically everything you already have in the fridge or the cupboards. On the front cover of the book, it says "Timeless Recipes for Every Home Cook". Whatever your level of cooking skills and whoever you are cooking for, I think that's perfectly true.

star rating : 4.5/5

Editor: by Stefan Ekengren 

Features: Full colour, hardcover, stitch bound, 192 pages

 Format: 18 × 24 cm, 7 x 9 ½ inches 

Price: € 35 (D) £ 30 $ 50 (US) 

ISBN: 978-3-96704-164-4 

@gestalten #gestaltenbooks

Also available on amazon here.

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

New Exclusive Steenbergs Sabrina Ghayour Spice Blends review

Since setting up in 2003, Steenbergs Organic have been busy sourcing and packing the best organic spices, herbs and teas from all over the world. In those two decades, they have become one of the leaders in Fairtrade spices and also blend spices and herbs to their own recipes, creating a range of organic seasonings. Two thirds of the people who work at Steenbergs (including the management team) are women, but that's not the only thing that makes them special. They are completely focused on organic and ethical trading, knowing down to the region and often the exact one-hectare farm who grew the spices or herbs that they sell. Since 2020,they have also been carbon neutral.

However, being a fabulous ethical and ecological company is no good if the products that they deal in are nothing special. Luckily, Steenbergs have a great reputation there too and I have used several products from their extensive range in my cooking, enjoying their rich and authentic flavours in my numerous globe-cooking adventures.

Steenbergs recently teamed up with award-winning Middle Eastern chef Sabrina Ghayour to produce three unique spice blends to complement her delicious recipes and add a little Middle Eastern magic into everyday cooking. This new launch ties in with the publication of Sabrina’s seventh cookbook, Flavour, published by Aster, which is a brand-new collection of simple, delicious, crowd-pleasing recipes which can be tailored to all tastes and budgets.

 Encapsulating Sabrina’s passion for flavour, the new spice blends have been hand blended to Sabrina’s own recipes. As soon as I flipped off the lids of the jars, the scent tantalised my nostrils and had me mentally wandering through the busy, hectic souks that we visited on our holidays to Tunisia and Turkey. They really reminded me of the spices we brought back from those trips, in plain plastic bags and often tossed together seemingly randomly by the enthusiastic stallholders. They would happily tell us that the spices would be perfect for couscous or tagines, rubbed onto meat and poultry or just tossed into soups and stews. Basically, they would be good for everything and we were never disappointed.

The first spice blend is called Flavour Blend and it is a mix of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, lime powder and cracked black pepper. It was love at first fragrant sniff as far as I was concerned and instantly brought back memories of lamb tagines enjoyed in exotic lands. Sabrina explains, “This earthy blend of spices is simply perfect for roasted meats, root vegetables and squashes and not forgetting, the perfect combination for kebabs such as shawarmas, koftas and red meat kebabs.” I think this would be a great spice blend for dishes such as Bastilla, Kefta Meatball Tagine and Lamb Tagine.

 Persiana Blend appears on the cover of Sabrina’s now iconic debut cookbook Persiana, released in 2014, and was originally created for one of Sabrina’s signature dishes from the book, the slow-roasted spice-perfumed lamb. It contains rose petals, sumac, lime powder, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, garlic powder and cayenne. It is perfect for roasted meats, grills, root vegetables and squashes but also great with game, poultry and oily fish and seafood too. You can see tiny specks of rose petals in the blend which I was slightly unsure of to begin with, but this actually gives a really fragrant and authentic hit to Middle Eastern dishes. This can be used to give a flavour hit to a variety of dishes including Jewelled Persian Rice with Pomegranates, Walnuts and Parsley, Chermoula Spiced Carrots or Bulgur Pilavi. 

 Bazaar blend is a fabulously versatile blend of oregano, paprika, Spanish citrus pepper, ginger and garlic powder. It can be used for anything from simply coating meat and fish for roasting or pan-frying to salads, rice dishes, hummus and even flatbreads. This would be perfect for Turkish-inspired Salmon with Pomegranate Molasses and Sumac, Chicken Tava and Güveç.

The great thing about these spice blends though is that you don't need a specific recipe to try them out. You could scatter some over mashed potatoes or roast potatoes before popping them in the oven, into soups and stews or over chicken or meatballs before putting them on to cook. Top tips, recipe ideas and inspiration for using the spice blends will be featuring on both Steenbergs and Sabrina Ghayour socials and on the Steenbergs website.

  The spice jars will be available for sale individually (RRP £2.75 or £3) but also as a complete set of three, beautifully packaged in a jute bag with a card and ribbon, all ready for Christmas gifting and costing £9.50.

 Available to purchase from steenbergs.co.uk 

Disclosure : I received the spice blends in order to share my honest review.

Cookery book review : Make Bake Celebrate - Mrs Bun The Baker

When I look back at all the fun things I've done with the Madhouse kids throughout their childhood, some of the best memories are spending time in the kitchen, rustling up sweet (and savoury) treats for the whole family to enjoy together. Not only has this given them the skills and confidence to try new things in the kitchen, all that measuring and cutting into portions is a great way to test their maths skills without them even realising it. Quite frequently, I halve or double up on quantities just to get them to calculate all the new measurements as we go (but shh, don't tell them !)

Someone who shares my joy at getting the kids some hands-on experience in the kitchen is Mrs Bun The Baker. After starting out as Head of Food Tech at a secondary school, she developed a cookery school so that she could spend more time with her son and help kids develop their kitchen skills. This activity moved online during lockdown, opening her up to a wider audience. Make Bake Celebrate is her third book and we were delighted to receive a signed copy.

I always start a new cookbook by scrolling through the recipe index (or flicking through the pages, if there isn't one) to see what is hiding inside. I love the way that this book works its way through the year, covering recipes that highlight various celebrations - 3 Kings Bread for Epiphany, Heart Cake for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day Loaf, Simnel Cookies for Easter, Father's Day Medals, Camping S'mores for the summer holidays, Back to School Biscuits, Witch's Fingers for Halloween, Bonfire Bread for Guy Fawkes Night, Christmas Scones and Christmas Pudding Biscuits. Any of these recipes could be tied in with storytimes or project work on the different celebrations. Similarly, the recipes are a great way of introducing kids to a variety of countries - Wales (Welsh Cakes), America (Key Lime Pie), France (Chaussons aux Pommes), Italy (Pasta Cannelloni), Mexico (Mexican Bowls and Guacamole), India (Mango Kulfi), Central and Eastern Europe (Latkes). Internet is a great source of fun, kid-friendly projects such as wordsearches and simple crafts that would tie in perfectly with the recipes.

The recipes are very simple to follow with short texts that aren't too complicated for children to decipher. The instructions have been thought out for youngsters and there are various suggestions for making things simpler or more appealing to young chefs - for example, in this recipe for Soda Bread, you can split the dough into several pieces to make smaller rolls, making it easier to manipulate for little hands. There are also ideas for changing the flavours, replacing sun dried tomatoes with olives, rosemary, pumpkin seeds or cheese. There's nothing worse than realising you have an ingredient missing or knowing that your kids will turn up their nose at something in the dish, so these ideas are always appreciated !

Even as a grown-up, the book offers simple techniques that I'd never thought of. Who knew that making a cake with a hidden heart inside was so simple ?!

As well as being simple to create, the results are visually appealing and guaranteed to get even fussy eaters to have a taste. 

Even young children who can't read can follow the recipes in picture form and for beginner readers, the words used next to pictures are a great way of reinforcing reading practice, once again without the kids even noticing !

This is a great book on so many levels. As well as containing fun cookery projects that kids of all ages can get involved in, it provides lots of delicious treats that the whole family will enjoy. On top of that, it offers insight into different cultures and celebrations and reinforces learning in maths and reading. What more could you ask for ?!

Independently published, Make Bake and Celebrate is available in paperback (£11.99) on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Nh3g76

 

It is also available on the author’s website at www.mrsbunthebaker.net

and WH Smith  -  https://bit.ly/3D4CJ89  - Waterstones - https://bit.ly/3uoZfEK

and Blackwells - https://bit.ly/3IyoBW1

Disclosure : I reviewed a copy of the book in order to write my review.

Cookbook review : The Secret Garden Cookbook - Amy Cotler

There's something about being in lockdown that has given me a real urge to get cooking more. Whether it's trying out new savoury dishes at mealtimes or baking up delicious sweet treats along with the kids, I've been spending much more time in the kitchen lately. While it's simple enough looking up recipes online, especially if you know what you want to make, there's still something completely satisfying about sitting down with a cookery book and highlighting all the recipes that sound good. The Secret Garden Cookbook by Amy Cotler is absolutely perfect for this and I've spent many happy moments flicking through it with the kids, deciding what they want to try. 

As its title suggests, the recipes in this book are inspired by the magical world of Frances Hodgson Burnett's book, The Secret Garden. If you have a tween or teen-aged daughter (or even son) who tends to like historical or nostalgic fiction, you could do a lot worse than suggest they read the book before you start cooking. Alternatively, there is a new film version of The Secret Garden soon to be released, starring Colin Firth as Archibald Craven and Dixie Egerickx as Mary Lennox. The book was originally planned as a tie-in, but the film's release has been pushed back to the summer, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

The book contains fifty recipes that, while relating to the Victorian world of the novel, have all been updated to suit modern equipment, ingredients and tastes. You'll find a bounty of baked things, from English Crumpets and Cosy Currant Buns to Summer Berry Pudding and Dough Cakes with Cinnamon and Sugar. There are also savoury recipes, for teatime and dinnertime, breakfast and brunch, as well as drinks and snacks, all guaranteed to keep the magical atmosphere of the beloved novel alive for future generations !

Each of the recipes is accompanied by big, beautifully presented and brightly coloured photos of the dishes. While the recipes use cups and spoons as measurements, to appeal to an American audience, the equivalent in grammes is also indicated in each recipe, to keep the British readers happy. Some recipes have been modernised, such as the classic Jam Roly Poly, made with butter instead of suet as a vegetarian option. This is also probably to make it easier for Americans who can't get their hands on certain typically British ingredients. I have to say, I'm not sure about the idea of serving it with melted ice cream sauce rather than custard, but maybe I'm just too traditional !

Another recipe is for Golden Poached Pear Mold, which looks rather scrumptious. It is an updated version of a recipe from the classic Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management and is based on poached pear halves suspended in pear-apple gelatin. Definitely one that I fancy trying.

While it is easy to think of The Secret Garden as having a typically English setting, don't forget that Mary Lennox spent the first ten years of her life in India, until her parents died of cholera. There is, in fact, a whole chapter entitled "A Taste of India", alongside the others (Yorkshire Breakfasts, A Manor Lunch, An English Tea, From The Kitchen Garden, Dickon's Cottage Food and Garden Picnics). This recipe for a tasty Fresh Mango Chutney, for example, relates to Mary's Indian background and there is even a little paragraph explaining life in India for the British during the Empire.

It's a lovely book, packed with interesting facts and explanations for any fan of the novel/film, with a wide range of delicious treats to try out. Most of the recipes are fairly simple and could easily be made by teens and tweens, especially if there is a parent lurking in the background to offer some help !

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £12.99

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press; Revised edition (14 Jan. 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558329935
• ISBN-13: 978-1558329935
• Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 1.7 x 22.4 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

Cookery book review : Carpathia - Irina Georgescu

As I mentioned recently, I'm planning on getting seriously back into cooking, something that I've let slide since Madhouse Daddy died, going for quick and simple "kid options" rather than trying out new recipes. But no more ! I want to get back into globe-cooking, trying out weird and wonderful dishes from around the world. With perfect timing, I recently received a copy of Carpathia : Food From The Heart of Romania by Irina Georgescu, who is a born and bred Romanian food writer. Just flicking through the pages, I was frequently drooling at the lovely colour photos and reading the interesting descriptions of the dishes, which give great insight into life in this cultural melting pot.

Romania is situated in the heart of Europe, with its character and dishes shaped by the Greek, Turkish and Slavic influences from the south and east, as well as Austrian, Hungarian and Saxon from the north and west. The author says that her cooking is inspired by the recipes of her mother and grandmother and this sense of hearty, family-friendly cuisine is what really comes through. Many of the recipes use nothing that you won't already find in your kitchen cupboards and in the introduction, the author explains that the recipes can be adapted to suit what you have to hand - pork and chicken are the most frequently used meats, for example, but they can be replaced by anything from beef, veal and mutton to duck, goose, wild boar, deer and even bear meat.

As in many of my favourite and most frequently-used cookery books, there are numerous dishes that are so simple, you can't work out why you've never thought of them before. Cheesy polenta with soured cream and runny fried egg (a full Romanian breakfast but I'd eat this as a quick lunch or supper any day of the week !), Bulz (oven baked polenta balls, served with yogurt and roasted tomatoes), Scovergi (yogurt and cheese flatbread, known as 'Romanian popcorn', which was the perfect snack in front of the two hours of television diffused every day) … the kids were as enthusiastic as me, when I described the recipes to them ! The dish in the picture, called Cascaval pané, is breaded Alpine cheese (or you can just use plain cheddar) that can be served simply with a fried egg or a sliced tomato - another quick lunch or evening meal option that sounds delicious, not to mention incredibly simple. Perfect when I get home from work and I'm feeling too tired to cook up a big meal. Also ideal if I need a quick veggie option that can be cooked alongside a family meal containing meat.

If you're looking for a bigger feast, there are some lovely-sounding family dishes on offer too. We've noted down a quick list of the first recipes to try and the kids were very enthusiastic. Potato moussaka, gammon-stuffed apples (I sometimes put fruit - mainly apples or apricots - into stews, but I'd never thought of stuffing apples with a savoury filling as a main meal option - definitely one to try), smoked ham hock and butter bean casserole, chicken in garlic tomato sauce with polenta dumplings, ... There are also some desserts to try, as well as soups and stews and a few drinks. Definitely everything you need to put on the ultimate Romanian feast.

If you want to get a quick insight into the author's Romanian recipes, you might like to check out her website at www.irinageorgescu.com.

• • Hardcover: 224 pages
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln (17 Mar. 2020)
  Language: English
  ISBN-10: 0711241821
  ISBN-13: 978-0711241824
  Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 2.7 x 25.1 cm 
• 
  

The book has an RRP of £22. (See below - currently available for £17.60 on amazon.)

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

Stocking fillers and tummy fillers for foodies of all ages (review roundup)

Whether you're looking for festive nibbles or Christmas gifts for foodie friends and secret Santas, there are some lovely new products hitting the shelves at the moment, that will appeal to everyone, whatever their age or dietary restrictions. You can't have Christmas without chocolate, and this Diva box of Bonieri chocolates from Turin looks very snazzy, in its sleek black and white packaging.

Inside the box, you get twelve individually wrapped, boat-shaped gianduiotti chocolates which, unbelievably, are sugar-free. Yes, I know what you're thinking ... "Sugar-free chocolate? Yuck, I'd rather go without." Well, yes, I was inclined to agree with you before tasting these ones. Don't just take my word for it though - they won a 2016 Great Taste award. They are made with cocoa paste, Piedmont hazelnut paste, cocoa butter and sweetener and they're gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians, as well as those who need to avoid sugar for health reasons or lifestyle choice. They contain 54 calories per chocolate and have a lovely smooth, silky texture. You honestly would never guess that they're sugar-free if it wasn't written on the box ! (RRP £11.95 for 120g) For more information : www.bonieri.com

Hands up if you are guilty of regularly throwing away over-ripe bananas. I have to admit that I am, even if I have a tried-and-tested banana bread recipe that uses up most of them before they go too far. I'm not alone though - 1.4 million edible bananas are thrown away in Britain every day. Snact reacted to this problem by creating a trio of Banana Bars, using fruit that would otherwise have gone to waste for being too 'ugly' or not the right level of ripeness. Available in three flavours - Apple & Cinnamon, Carrot & Spice and Beetroot & Cacao, the soft, chewy bars come in eco-friendly wrappers that are fully compostable and compost at a similar rate to orange peel. They taste very nice and are vegan, gluten-free, less than 130 calories and free from flavourings, colourants and artificial sweeteners. What's not to like?! We also tried a bag of Snact Fruit Jerky which has a satisfyingly chewy texture and great fruity taste, as well as being equally eco-friendly because it is made with surplus apples. For more information : www.snact.co.uk

Staying on the healthy snacks theme, do you prefer sweet or savoury options? Even if nobody is hungry after all that turkey, not to mention the Christmas pudding and mince pies, it's always nice to have little bowls of nibbly things to share in front of the festive telly binge over Christmas.

If you want something healthier than a family tin of chocolates, Bear Claws are as delicious as sweets but contain nothing but 100% fruit and vegetables and the same amount of sugar as half an apple (with a lot more fun !).  They even count towards your five a day. Indie Bay Snacks pretzel bites are a reinvention of the pretzel with alternative flours and wholesome grains, making them the ultimate #snackswithbenefits. Perfect for munching on while waiting for Big Ben to chime on New Year's Eve (even if, presumably, they'll be using a recording this year).

If (like me) you've been trying (but failing !) to get enthusiastic about chia seeds, Andean Sol have a great new way to get some of the superfood into your diet : an innovative range of Chia Oils. A world first, the Olive and Chia Oil is cold pressed to maximise flavour, adding life to any dish, whether it’s drizzled, dipped or doused over food. Available in 250ml bottles with a RRP of £8.99, the nutritious oil brings together the best of both worlds, the sublime taste of the highest quality extra virgin olive oil blended with the impressive plant based Omega-3 power of cold pressed chia oil. The result is a rich peppery oil that will add depth to any dish. Andean Sol has also launched a pure Extra Virgin Chia Oil, made from the finest ingredients sourced only from the warm and sunny foothills of the Andes Mountains and containing approximately 64% of plant powered Omega-3 fatty acids. With a light nutty flavour, it is the ideal nutritious salad dressing. Available in 100ml bottles with a RRP of £9.99, you can experience the true taste of the Andes with every drop. Ever wondered where your food really comes from? Well now you can know, because by entering the unique code found on the back of Andean Sol packs onto their website, you can learn about the process, people and farm who worked hard to create the new oil range. Available on Ocado. For more information : www.andeansol.com/

If you prefer making your own snacks and tasty treats, the Christmas stocking filler-sized Flavours of Wales : The Baking Cookbook pocket book (RRP £6.99) by Gilli Davies and Huw Jones showcases ten authentic sweet and savoury Welsh recipes, including Bara Brith, Caerphilly Scones, Teisen Lap and Aberffraw Cakes. Despite living in Swansea for three years, there are several tasty treats that I'd never heard of and can't wait to try, having seen the full colour photos accompanying each recipe.

There's nothing better than a warming bowl of homemade soup on a cold winter's evening, especially after all the over-indulgence of Christmas. I make soup at least twice a week - using the leftovers from the roast on Sunday evening and once more, usually with bacon and lentils or split peas, at some point during the week - so I love Drew Smith's Broth To Bowl : Mastering the Art of Great Soup from Six Simple Broths.

As well as giving me some great twistq on the soups I already have in my repertoire, such as Bean & Barley Soup, Old-Fashioned Split Pea Soup or French Onion Soup, it also has lots of inspiration for more exotic soups, including Monkfish with Ginger, Mussel soup or Chickpea soup with leeks, coriander and tomatoes.

With over 60 recipes, there's something for everyone, including vegetarians, meat and fish-lovers. As a keen globe-cooker, I particularly love the exotic offerings, from French bouillabaisse to Thai Tom Yum Goong, Scottish Cock-a-leekie and Japanese Dashi. Using nothing but honest, unprocessed and natural ingredients, it is perfect for the health-conscious home cook, and anyone interested in using time-honoured techniques to expand their culinary skills, not to mention reducing food waste by using up odds and ends that may well have ended up in the bin otherwise. The full-colour photos make it enjoyable to flick through and I'm looking forward to upping my soup game and making lots of lovely warming dishes to see us through the colder months. (Hardback, 160 pages, RRP £20.)

Finishing off with one for the kids, The World In My Kitchen by Sally Brown & Kate Morris ,

co-creators of CBBC’s I Can Cook,  offers a whistle-stop culinary tour of the world. Today you could be having a Peruvian meal, tomorrow your table could be whisked over to Finland and the day after chopsticks will be on the table instead of knives and forks as you take a trip to China !

The Madhouse kids are quite used to me cooking up lots of exotic dishes but they don't always want to try them, so it was great to find a variety of kid-friendly options that they could help prepare. In fact, they didn't need much help from me at all, as each recipe has been created so that your child can cook as independently as possible, with simple preparation, easy to source ingredients and serving suggestions to help create a balanced meal.

The recipes, all tested by children before being allowed in the book, are devised to produce a portion size equivalent to two adults and two children, so your mini chefs can feel really proud when they dish up a meal to serve the whole family. As well as honing important life skills, including cooking and nutrition, the book is educational, with maps and facts about each country dotted amongst the recipes.

(Paperback, 160 pages, RRP £12.99)

That little lot should give you plenty of food for thought (and bellies) over the Christmas period !

Disclosure : We received the products in order to write an honest review.

Cookery book review : Cook & Enjoy Baking

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favourite things

I've been channelling my inner Julie Andrews this week, since receiving this exciting package from Parragon Books. It came accompanied with a tea towel, which a clue to what was hiding inside. (Actually, with the camera flash, you can see what was under the brown paper if you look closely !)

Ripping off the paper, I discovered Cook & Enjoy Baking : Delicious Recipes For The Everyday Cook. It is a hardback book with 224 pages, packed with 100 family-friendly recipes, both for everyday basic bakes and also some more elaborate dishes for special occasions.

The book is split into sections : Cakes, Small Cakes & Slices, Cookies, Desserts and Bread and Savouries. It offers a wide selection of desserts, snacks and nibbles rather than complete meals and, flicking through, I frequently mumbled "ooh, that looks nice" or "I haven't eaten those in years" !

I am a pretty adventurous cook so I found quite a few of the recipes to be quite simple and homely, reminding me of the things I used to make in cookery lessons at school.

There are some more unusual and original options though, such as Mango & Ginger Roulade or Blue Cheese, Fig & Walnut Bread, and other twists on old favourites, such as adding walnuts to banana bread.

The recipes are all accompanied by beautifully presented, full-colour photos and are clearly laid out with step-by-step instructions. It would be a great book for a novice baker or someone who wants to get back to basics and make things, such as bread and cakes, from scratch, rather than going for shop-bought options. Even the simple recipes often have little twists to bring them bang up to date or add a touch of pizazz.

The first recipe that I tried was for Cheese Straws - a recipe I initially thought would be too basic, because the last time I made them was probably in primary school ! However, the recipe I used back then certainly didn't include curry powder, cumin seeds and poppy seeds (or black onion seeds, which was what I had in the spice rack) and they gave them a lovely touch of exoticism, really bringing the flavour alive and taking them to another level.

I also made some Chewy Oat Biscuits but as I changed the recipe slightly, substituting the wholemeal flour for Ready Brek (very finely milled oats), they came out with a heavier texture and everybody decided they were more like scones.

I finished off a packet of Fruit, Nuts & Goji Berries instead of the usual raisins, which gave them a lovely crunch and tartness, along with the sweetness. Because they contain oats and fruit, we decided they were a good breakfast option and they have been gobbled up, either straight from the tin or spread with butter.

Both of the recipes were simple to follow (and to adapt to use what you have in the cupboards) and we'll definitely be working through some more of the recipes.

RRP : £14.99

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Parragon Book Service Ltd (13 Sept. 2016)
• ISBN-10: 1474843972
• ISBN-13: 978-1474843973
• Product Dimensions: 22.1 x 1.9 x 27.6 cm

Disclosure : I received the book in order to write an honest review.