gin basil fizz.

Hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to next year! Especially for New Year's Eve, I've rustled up a super simple cocktail recipe combining a couple of my favourite drinks components - gin and Prosecco. This fizzy gin cocktail recipe is lifted by fresh basil to bring out the spirit's botanicals. Cheers!

shining a spotlight on motorpoint arena's hospitality package, nottingham.

Whether a beloved band just announced their latest live dates, you're sporting mad or you're a lover of laughs, why not see your favourite music, comedy and sports events in style with a hospitality package? I go to a lot of music gigs, I've seen my fair share of stand ups and recently went to my first London show, but I've never given them the VIP treatment. (Except the time I won a competition to meet Blink-182 at Nottingham Arena about 15 years ago...) So when the now Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham asked if I'd like to experience their hospitality package, Spotlight, of course I obliged.

christmas lasagne: with turkey, brussels sprouts, bacon and a cheesy stuffing sauce.

Combine your love of pasta and the decadent ensemble of a Christmas dinner to make this delicious Christmas lasagne. Although it may make Italian cuisine purists wince a little, the mix of turkey mince, nostalgic scent of sage, sautéed Brussels sprouts, smokey bacon lardons and cheesy stuffing topping just works. If you aren't a fan of Brussels, you could always switch them out for carrots or extra onions. But, why would you want to? If you're tempted by this festive combination, you might like my other Christmas recipes with Central England Cooperative from my partnership with them last year, including this Pigs in Blankets Macaroni Cheese.

hot chocolate orange.

Now it's almost December. is it okay to talk about the C word? I mean chocolate, of course. There's something about chocolate orange that gets all those festive feelings going for me. And with the night's drawing colder and darker, what better time to curl up with a hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and a nostalgic Winter film?

This tangy and indulgent hot chocolate recipe (should it be coined hot chocolate orange or orange hot chocolate?) is super simple to make and uses all the ingredients you'd find in your local Central England Co-op store. Even the decorations! I was super impressed by the baking aisle in general, with lots of lovely cake decorating items from Co-op and known brands, as well as lots of types of sugar, flour and confectionary. This delicious drink can also be made vegan, as the dark chocolate already is and you'd just need to substitute the dairy for a nut or oak milk and cream of your choosing. Enjoy!

cheesy pumpkin pasta bake.

A comforting recipe that encompasses three of my favourite things; Autumn, pasta and cheese. This super simple seasonal dish only requires a few ingredients, and can be made with butternut squash once the pumpkin season is over. Perfect to make or bake ahead and eat over a few days, simply warming up for a welcoming midweek meal. Heavenly, autumnal and just a tiny bit indulgent as it actually features low fat Quark. Plus, whats wrong with a little extra cheese when you're getting your five a day, right? Balance.

sunday roast at the windmill inn, brascote.

Who doesn't love a Sunday lunch, really? So many combinations, so many traditions. Whether you're a veggie, meat eater, Yorkshire pudding obsessive or insist upon roast potatoes every Sunday... everyone has their favourite way to enjoy a roast.

A local pal and I have since decided to start a little Sunday lunch club. I mean, it's just us and every roast we can eat in Leicestershire. But it's going well so far. One I was particularly fond of recently was The Windmill in Brascote. I'd been recommended the restaurant a few times, so it felt about time to venture out.

bistrot pierre, nottingham.

For a French inspired experience in the heart of Nottingham, Bistrot Pierre and their new seasonal menu is a must-try. Established in 1994, Bistrot Pierre bring French style cuisine to your table, freshly prepared and at an affordable price. The restaurant straight away hits you with a Francais feel, with vibrant retro prints, low lighting and framed mirrors, reminiscent of Parisian cafes. 

The menu has all the classic French dishes, from Minute Steak to Potato Dauphinoise and Camembert to Beef Bourguignon, with French wines to boot. However there are also dishes from further afield, with hints of France here and there. Think Eton Mess, Deep Fried Brie and Spicy Prawns. They even have a Sunday Roast, which proved popular, as well as truly surprising me.

white chocolate and raspberry cookies.

Delicious, freshly baked cookies with a cuppa. I love white chocolate in cakes, cookies and biscuits and just find it's the perfect accompaniment to raspberries. Bake until golden with a slightly crispy edge and gooey white chocolate - perfection!

same delicious mr kipling slices, exceedingly less sugar + giveaway.

Ever fancied one of your favourite Mr Kipling slices with just a few less calories? For those who still enjoy a sweet treat but are looking to cut back a little on sugar, their latest addition could be just your cup of tea. Mr Kipling have brought out their famous Angel Slice and indulgent Chocolate Slice recipes, just with 30% less sugar. And guess what, they still taste dreamy too.

Packed up in individual snack packs, the alternative treats are just the ticket for on-the-go or with an emergency cuppa. If you scroll on, you can find out how you could win a hamper to try for yourself, thanks to the lovely Mr Kipling family.

parmigiano reggiano crusted salmon with mozzarella, basil and tomato salad.

Beautiful Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese, an Italian inspired caprese salad and lightly seasoned salmon make this Italian style dish ideal for enjoying on these long Summer evenings. Enjoy with a cold glass of crisp Pinot Grigio to balance out the classic salty flavours of the cheese, aroma of basil and sweetness of the plump Vittoria tomatoes. 

Exclusively produced in the Northern Italian provinces of Parma, Modena Reggio Emilia, as well as parts of Mantua and Bologna, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO is a much coveted cheese. It hails from the plains, hills and mountains between the rivers Po and Reno, where the long and natural maturation makes for its distinctive fruity, nutty and yet salty taste with the crystallised texture. Cheese masters and inspectors actually say that cheese must pass “two summers”, as the transformations that determine the changes and flavour in Parmigiano Reggiano PDO are more intense in summer because of the heat.

The Parmigiano Reggiano crusted salmon recipe is simple, and would be lovely paired with potatoes, roast vegetables and your choice of salad alike. Here of course it had to be with mozzarella, basil and tomato salad, for that fresh flavour of Italy.

5 ways with picota cherries.

It's finally Jerte Picota Cherry season - where the glorious Spanish beauties are ready to be picked and enjoyed simply as they are or as part of a tasty Summer recipe. I've put together five deliciously decadent ways to enjoy cherries from some of my favourite fellow food bloggers. For those who love the mix of sweet and savoury, like to experiment with cocktails or make homemade jam - there's something for everyone!

The Picota Cherry journey starts in the stunning Spanish valley of Jerte, 200km from Madrid. The Picota Cherry blossom follows a completely natural season and harvest, which is why the arrival of the Picota Cherry changes each year. The area is known for the amazing and colourful annual blossom of over million cherry trees. For 2018, you can now get them in Sainsbury's, Morrison's, Tesco and Aldi from July - but be speedy, they may only be around until August!

chorizo and smoked cheddar tarts.

It's starting to show signs of... dare I say Summer... and that can only mean one thing. Picnic food, BBQs and cocktails in the sun. Of course it was going to be food. My first picnic recipe of the year happens to be these delicious chorizo and smoked cheddar tarts. Great to make-ahead for picnics, on the go or for a light lunch (I did all three with these). And guess what, they're super simple too.

roast cauliflower, vine tomato and red pepper linguine.

A healthy take on pure comfort food. There's nothing like a piping hot bowl of pasta with lashings of Parmesan cheese. In this recipe, the roasted cauliflower, tomatoes and peppers bring together varying textures and flavours. What's more, it goes towards your five a day.

breakfast at gee's, oxford.

 

Just outside of Oxford city centre and past a few of the beautiful university parks, you'll find the decadent glass house that is Gee's. As well as serving up trendy cocktails and curating three course meals, the elegant glass conservatory, bar and terrace is said to do a rather good breakfast. Turns out the rumours are true.

behind the scenes at my local mcdonald's.

We all have our signature McDonald’s order, memories of the best Happy Meal toy and that favourite limited edition flavour that didn’t stay on the menu for quite long enough. But do you ever wonder what it’s like behind the scenes at a McDonald’s restaurant? I went along to my local Leicestershire based branch to meet the lovely team, as well as the welcoming francisee himself.

Hello McDonald's. Can I take your order?

Most of us have already thought of this the moment we see that famous golden yellow M in the distance. If we went on long journeys as a kid, we’d get to McDonald’s before that famous 10.30am cut off and all have a “Big Breakfast” meal as a treat. These days for me, I love an occasional Double Sausage McMuffin with Cheese for breakfast with an orange juice. Although I’ve become partial to their flat whites recently, which stood up against Costa and Greggs in a blind taste test.* 

From the main menu I’ve always enjoyed a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal, finding it hard to resist the cheesy mozzarella sticks or bites if they’re on offer. I used to like a cheeseburger with my Happy Meal and can always remember when I graduated from the kids’ offerings to the main event. It’s always been the occasional treat, but always something that takes me back. Wherever you order a McDonald’s in the country, you always know it’s going to taste just like you remember.  Consistency, customer service and showing their traceable, quality ingredients is really key.

fancy some mr kipling cakes this valentine's day?

Battenberg, Bakewell tarts and buttery shortcake biscuits with a strawberry filling... there's not much sweeter in life than a teatime treat. I might even go as far as to say I love a cuppa and a cake, whether with my other half, girl gang or one of my many sisters. Mr Kipling are always a go-to choice with your brew. So it's no surprise their perfect pastel pick-me-ups work so well over the Valentine's season too. Like their lovely Summer, festive or limited edition ranges, I've fallen in love with the illustrated pink packaging, as well as the tasty Flower Whirls. The new way to send flowers this season.

seven must-dos in malta.

From ancient, winding streets to azure blue waters, Malta is 120 square miles of pure discovery. Stretches of stunning scenery, foodie specialities and pages of history make this small European island a destination to tick off your travel to-do list. Found just south of Sicily, sun soaked Malta combines Mediterranean influences with North African culture and cuisine. So if you’re already packing your bags and looking up the weather forecast, here are 7 must-dos, must-sees and must-eats to add to that all important itinerary. `

vegan bean chilli.

A chilli for the chilly months. This cosy and warming dish is perfect for getting those veggies in after the festive season. Whether you're in a post-cheese slump or are fighting the sniffles, this could be wholesome, veg-packed dish for you. It's vegan, dairy free and gluten free too - plus since it's so easy to whip up and batch cook it's perfect for lazy Winter teas and midweek meals.

dairy free mint hot chocolate.

A cosy (and super simple) hot chocolate recipe for this chilly Spring we're having. Last March I remember sunny drives visiting friends down south, warm evenings in pub gardens and getting ready for Spring weddings. Now, we get snow and frostbite. So it makes sense to share this minty hot chocolate recipe which also happens to be vegan and dairy free. Perfect in your favourite mug curled up in a blanket fort with a box set. Plus, you only need three ingredients.