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It seems like an actual age since I went to Llandudno last year and had afternoon tea at The Imperial Hotel on the seafront. It was a cold grey day but even still sat watching the sea whilst eating an amazing afternoon tea was such a memorable experience. During this visit to North Wales, we actually stayed in Conwy a few miles away. The Castle Hotel in Conwy also does an amazing afternoon tea which you can read my review of here. From the Imperial Hotel, there are great views over the Great Orme and Llandudno bay. The traditional afternoon… View Post

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Want to host a Texan-themed dinner party? Whether you want to take the time to plan in advance or throw a last-minute gathering, these tips will keep you cool, calm and collected from start to finish. Texan food’s exact roots are ambiguous, but there are influences from the German and Czech colonisers who settled in the region, plus the Spanish and Mexican tradition in Texas. Here’s the lowdown on hosting an authentic Texas barbecue dinner party. Go Meat Mad A Texas barbecue is all about meaty ribs, chicken, sausage, and maybe even turkey legs. Ladle on a flavoursome, tomato-based sauce… View Post

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Birmingham has undergone a huge regeneration over the past 20 years and now boasts great shopping experiences, visitor attractions and food and drink venus to fit all budgets & tastes. It is fair to say there are plenty of things to do in Birmingham from family visits, friends and couples of all ages. There are an array of hotels in Birmingham available to suit all budgets in the city centre and close to some many amenities including the train station. Shopping Birmingham has really expanded over the past few years with three new shopping centres as well as chain and… View Post

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You know how it is, you haven’t had time to bake a Christmas cake but you don’t want a shop brought one but its far too late to make a cake.  Wrong.  With this easy to bake recipe this moist fruit  cake will be the centerpiece of your Christmas tea spread.  This cake can even be left until the day before to cook. Ingredients 1 x 400g (approximately) jar luxury mincemeat 50g glace cherries, quartered 175g dried mixed fruit 225g self-raising flour 3 level teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1½ level teaspoons mixed spice 150g spreadable butter 150g dark… View Post

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I love mince pies.  They just had to be my favourite part of Christmas.  I usually start making them mid November and make at least once batch a week.  I also make them as gifts for friends.  I think as you get older a festive gift of food is so much nicer.  To make my mince pies I use my Nan’s pastry recipe which is just perfect.  She was an amazing sweet pastry cook and everyone I know loved her mince pies.  Mine are good but will never taste like hers! To make the mincemeat and marzipan slice I have… View Post

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I’m not sure if you have a starter or not with your Christmas lunch but even if you don’t this classic and simple to make prawn cocktail is a lovely addition to any meal or as a main for a light lunch.  This recipe is 5 simple ingredients: Pre cooked prawns Lettuce Mayonnaise Tomato ketchup Lemon wedges No cooking is required which makes this starter an ideal recipe for the kids to make when you are busy cooking the turkey and all the trimmings.  If you have purchased frozen prawns please make sure they are thoroughly defrosted before eating.  They… View Post

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Christmas isn’t Christmas without homemade mince pies. Flaky buttery sweet pastry encasing rich mincemeat full to the brim with rich decadent fruits and that lovely sticky sauce. If you’re lucky it will also have a little alcohol, brandy for example, mixed in as well. My Grandmother was a tremendous sweet pastry cook. He pastry was to die for. A quite simple yet gorgeous tasting rough puff pastry recipe. A recipe I use from her hand written recipe book dating back to the 1930’s. In our house from about now there at least 1 batch (24) mince pies cooked every week.… View Post

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Everyone loves an easy dessert.  One that is quick to make but looks and tastes like you have taken forever to make.  This is a cheat’s chocolate and fresh raspberry trifle with no cooking or baking involved. Chocolate roll or chocolate cake 200g of dark chocolate Punnet of raspberries Seedless raspberry jam 250g Mascarpone cheese 400g tinned custard 275ml double cream Cut the chocolate cake in to slices and spread with the raspberry jam then place them in to a trifle dish.  Sprinkle over the raspberries. Break up dark chocolate and melt all apart from 1 chunk.  Whilst the chocolate… View Post