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sjfbilton
Nov 2, 20222 min read
Parkin Ice Cream
This parkin ice cream was one of the contribution to the virtual pot luck supper discussed at the end of my first Comfortably Hungry podcast
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sjfbilton
Jun 5, 20222 min read
A Dark History of Sugar by Neil Buttery
I don’t possess a sweet tooth. I feel quite smug writing this but really I’m kidding myself. Sugar is everywhere from natural sources...
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sjfbilton
Dec 16, 20213 min read
Risshewes (Medieval Fruit Pasties)
The blog has been taking a back seat this year. I’ve been busy promoting First Catch Your Gingerbread and immersing myself in the middle...
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sjfbilton
Mar 15, 20215 min read
Lost and Found
Losing or misplacing stuff is a daily occurrence in my house. For me it’s usually a particular kitchen utensil. For my husband, it’s...
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sjfbilton
Feb 5, 20212 min read
The Biscuit by Lizzie Collingham
What is the essence of the book? The Biscuit: The History of a Very British Indulgence frankly does what it says on the (biscuit) tin. It...
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sjfbilton
Jan 4, 20213 min read
Scoff: A History of Food and Class in Britain by Pen Vogler
What is the essence of the book? As a nation it is doubtful that many of us Brits pay much heed to the origins of our beloved dishes such...
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sjfbilton
Dec 14, 20204 min read
A Very Gingerbread Christmas
Gingerbread is synonymous with Christmas. From houses and lattes to lebkuchen and gingerbread Santas there is likely to be some sort of...
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sjfbilton
Aug 12, 20203 min read
Victory In The Kitchen by Annie Gray
What is the essence of the book? Victory In The Kitchen charts the life of Georgina Landemare (1882-1978) who spent much of her life...
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sjfbilton
Aug 6, 20203 min read
Oats in the North, Wheat from the South by Regula Ysewijn
Some of the happiest years of my childhood were spent in the small Aberdeenshire town of Ellon. When my parents decided to move back...
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sjfbilton
Jul 2, 20203 min read
Spiced Strawberry Shortcake
We don’t tend to think of pairing spices with strawberries but these sweet red fruits take to the warmth of spices surprisingly well....
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sjfbilton
Dec 7, 20193 min read
Pheasant with Cider & Celery Sauce, Roasted Apples and Sippets
Celery is generally a much overlooked vegetable. In recent times celery enjoyed a brief dalliance in the spotlight as a health food,...
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sjfbilton
May 2, 20193 min read
Victoria & Albert Biscuits
When is a cake a biscuit? This question was raised in 1991 regarding the humble Jaffa Cake. The manufacturer McVities argued that Jaffa...
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sjfbilton
Mar 5, 20193 min read
Pink Pancakes
Pancakes are one of those non-binary dishes. They can be served with either sweet or savoury toppings or a combination of the two....
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sjfbilton
Feb 14, 20193 min read
Egurdouce
When the Normans invaded in the 11th century they discovered a proliferation of vineyards in southern England. Chiefly managed by...
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sjfbilton
Dec 15, 20182 min read
Old Fashioned Treacle Tart with Coconut & Lime
Treacle is a bit of a Marmite confection. Made from the syrup that remains after sugar is refined it has a slightly bitter flavour and...
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sjfbilton
Aug 16, 20183 min read
Elizabeth David’s Mulberry Summer Pudding
If you take a stroll around any large garden attached to an historic building (like Charle’s Darwins home Down House) you are likely to...
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sjfbilton
Jun 7, 20183 min read
William Verrall’s Sweetbreads With Asparagus (1759)
Offal is a sorely neglected source of protein in this country. One of my all-time favourites dishes is steak and kidney pudding. My...
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sjfbilton
Apr 5, 20182 min read
Wheat Berry, Hazelnut and Blood Orange Salad
Recently I was given some wheat berries by Trenchmore who are growing heritage grains as well as producing delicious beef and cider. I...
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sjfbilton
Mar 8, 20183 min read
Sticky Fig Cake
There is something about figs even in this day and age that causes people to titter. With their curvaceous exterior and fleshy pink...
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sjfbilton
Jan 26, 20183 min read
Educating Marmalade
Apparently, the British are the only Europeans to differentiate orange marmalade from other fruit jams. On the continent marmalade can be...
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