chocolate and chestnut brownies.

An autumnal inspired brownie recipe that’s perfect to enjoy curled up with a cup of tea. These indulgent chocolate brownies combine the rich flavours of dark chocolate, sweetness of milk chocolate pieces and nutty hints of chestnut. 

I’ve used the Co-op Irresistible 70% Dark Chocolate for this recipe, which has both floral and spicy notes. Plus they’re individually wrapped in beautiful gold paper, so you can enjoy them as an occasional, but decadent, treat. The Irresistible Milk Chocolate lived up to its name too. Made with carefully selected Peruvian cocoa, it has a smooth and creamy taste which makes it perfect to scatter into a brownie mix as a sweet contrast against the intense dark chocolate. 

parma ham wrapped steak with parmigiano reggiano potatoes

When you add Parmigiano Reggiano to a dish, for me it evokes feelings of luxury and authenticy. Not many Italian dishes I make now don’t include it, whether it’s stirred into a glossy Carbonara sauce, shaved onto a salad or the finishing touches on my favourite pasta dishes. But I wanted to try something new, how would it fare alongside a beautifully cooked fillet steak, with juicy tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano roasted potatoes. And of course, Parma ham from the same region. Unsurprisingly, it uplifted the classic steak and chips to a new level, feeling like an indulgent date night dish, or one to try at the weekend or special occasion. 

If you aren’t already familiar, Parmigiano Reggiano is a traditional cheese dating back hundreds of years. But it was in 2008 that the European courts decreed that it is the only cheese legally allowed to be called Parmesan, down to it’s DPO status and Parma-Reggio origin. From the cheesemaker right through to the delis, the famous cheese is said to be “made” not “produced.” The time and care taken to create such a distinct flavour shows too - I rarely add salt to any dishes when I know I’m using Parmigiano Reggiano as an ingredient, as the salty and piquant notes sing for themselves.

homemade strawberry and yoghurt ice pops.

 

It's ice cream season! Whether you call them ice pops, ice poles or just frozen yoghurt, turn your favourite flavours into iced delights in just a few simple steps. For these, I went for a strawberries and cream inspired froyo recipe with vanilla yoghurt, fresh chopped strawberries and a recent discovery Fabbri Strawberry Syrup, which was kindly gifted. 

A wild strawberry flavour, the syrup is really refreshing and juicy, tasting a lot more like real strawberry juice than other fruit sauces on the market, probably down to 15% of its ingredients being strawberries. As well as the obvious drizzle on desserts, I tried (with success) at freezing it to make these super delicious lollies. 

homemade beer burgers with beerwulf.com.

Beer and burgers; no-one can doubt they make for a delicious combination. I love a homemade burger stacked up with my favourite toppings and served with skin on fries. Throw in an ice cold beer on a sunny day and you're on to a winner. I've recently teamed up with Beerwulf.com to try out the latest addition to their beer packs, especially for Father's Day. I thought it made sense to put their beers into some tasty burger patties, alongside various paired cheeses.

For those who aren't familiar with Beerwulf.com, they're an online craft and speciality beer shop with loads to choose from. You can discover something new with their variety packs or handpick your own box from your favourites. There are also some helpful reviews and tasting notes over on their site to help you pick the perfect box. At the moment they actually have an offer with the promo code discount5 which entitles you to £5 discount off a £25 minimum spend. 

plant based kashmiri spice pizza.

As well as grab-and-go snacks, convenient vegan ready meals and delicious desserts, Co-op have added a pizza to their GRO range, their plant based options that have proved popular with vegans and omnivores alike.

Aside from the fact that it is totally plant based, I was intrigued by the Indian inspired flavours. Not to mention how these would work the the addition of cheese that is anything but paneer. The clever Co-op chefs have created a spiced cauliflower and chilli topping with Kashmiri-style sauce and stringy MozzaRisella - a well-known vegan cheese brand. So what were my thoughts?

vegan starter, main and dessert ideas with coop.

Did you know that there are now over 600,000 vegans in the UK? A study by the Vegan Society in 2018 discovered this incredible stat - which compares with around 160,000 people following a vegan lifestyle back in 2006. It's no surprise that with this great rise comes lots of incredible plant-based options on our supermarket shelves, restaurant menus and street food stalls. Long gone are the times where dairy free diners could only choose from the likes of sad salads, portobello mushrooms that call themselves burgers or fruit medleys for dessert. With so much amazing choice - the rise of vegan junk food, beautiful bakes and scarily realistic mock meat is now on the menu.

When Central England Cooperative challenged me to create a three course meal with their new products - as well as low alcohol drinks for Dry January - I couldn't wait to take on the challenge for plant based perfection.

gro: lunchtime inspiration from the new coop plant based range.

Whether you're taking part in Veganuary, looking to switch to plant based plates one day a week or are follow a egg or dairy-free diet, you'll be pleased to know that your local Coop might be worth stopping by. I've been trying out their new GRO plant based range, which has a range of delicious dinner ideas, snacks and desserts at your convenience. In this post I'm trying out a few of their lunch options, which are great for on the go.

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.

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.

parmesan rosti and poached eggs. (+ hamper giveaway)

I love a good brunch, especially on a lazy Winter weekend. So what better time than Christmas to plan an indulgent breakfast with a piping hot coffee and fresh orange juice. This homemade parmesan rosti recipe is made with Parmigiano Reggiano; a hard Italian cheese with a slightly salty, fruity and nutty aroma. It's perfect for adding a hint of something extra to a crisp potato rosti, which is perfectly complemented by an inviting poached egg with bright, runny yolk. 

Parmigiano Reggiano is a PDO product, exclusively produced in Parma, Modena and Reggio Emilia, on the plains, hills and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno. With nine centuries of excellence, the Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for its beautiful taste and distinctive crystals. It's delicious just sliced off and sampled on its own, but it really works for this recipe too. 

I've teamed with Parmigiano Reggiano to host a special Christmas hamper giveaway. Scroll down to read the recipe and how you could be in with a chance of winning...

homemade sweet chilli salmon fishcakes with poached egg, smashed avocado and tomato and chilli chutney.

We all love brunch these days, don’t we? With menus packed to the brim with smashed avocado, delicate smoked salmon and scrambled tofu, there really is everything for everyone, specifically between the hours of 10am-12pm. For me, I’m a real seafood and fish lover, often opting for the likes of Egg Royale, smoked kippers and spicy kedgeree.

Recently, I was lucky enough to be invited to the sauciest of brunches for seafood fans, hosted by The Saucy Fish Co. With four courses of delectable dishes to show of their seafood selections, I really was in my element, in particular the Lime and Coriander Salmon Breakfast Wrap and Smoked Haddock Kedgeree with Cheddar and Chive Sauce. 

Inspired to create my own brunch at home, I’ve used the Saucy Fish Sweet Chilli Salmon Fillets with Tomato and Chilli Chutney to create a stacked up breakfast treat with fresh avocado and a runny poached egg. Plus, the panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds give that extra texture and crunch. How do you have yours?

taking on the lunch time challenge with weight watchers.

Did you know 1 in 3 of us eating the same lunch every day? I'm definitely a creature of habit when it hits midday. I may get creative in the kitchen, go out for Instagram-able dinners and seek out beautiful brunches on the weekend and evenings, but in the office I'm definitely more al desko than fresco.

Jacket potatoes are my vice. And although I get creative with the toppings, I have them at least three times a week. I'm also pretty good with leftovers and sometimes do prep ahead some healthy alternatives in my bento lunch boxes. Most of the time though, I can feel pretty uninspired and could do with some serious office lunch inspo.

When Weight Watchers got in touch with their #WWLunchTimeChallenge I couldn't wait to to shake up lunchtimes, swapping standard sandwiches for something new from their chilled prepared meals range. So what was on the menu?

Spicy Mac & Meatballs 

Red Thai Curry and Sticky Jasmine Rice 

Lincolnshire Sausage and Root Vegetable Mash 

Hearty Cottage Pie 

Chilli Con Carne and Potato Wedges

All of their meals are low in sugar, less than 400 calories and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. From British favourite Chicken Tikka Masala to Italian inspired Bolognese Al Forno, there really is something for everyone. Developed by their chefs in conjunction with nutritional experts, their meals are designed for the time poor who are looking for a healthy option come lunch time.

First up is the Spicy Mac & Meatballs, which incidentally ended up being my favourite. A real kick of chilli met with macaroni and juicy meatballs made this a real treat. Mixing pasta, meatballs and Mexican flavours, what's not to like?

Comfort food for under 300 calories? You can't go wrong the Lincolnshire Sausage and Root Vegetable Mash. The heartwarming root veg mash with a hint of mustard was a great alternative to regular potato. Whilst the sausages were tasty and chunky whilst still being lean and delicately seasoned. I think this will be a favourite in the aisles for the Autumn months.

Another dish set to be a crowdpleaser is their Chilli Con Carne and Potato Wedges. Seasoned with 

oregano, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika and black pepper, this was a very warm and welcome lunch for a cold day. You could even add some coriander, a sprinkle of strong cheese and some low fat yoghurt for a low calorie Mexican treat.

So whether you're looking for comfort food, a fakeaway or to shake up your own lunch hour, the latest Weight Watchers range is definitely something to watch out for.  Unlike fad diets and quick fixes, Weight Watchers are proud to provide a flexible and balanced approach to leading a healthier lifestyle without giving up the things you love. As a real foodie, I can confirm that their flavours are great and definitely didn't feel like a low calorie option. 

Will you be forfeiting that fifth cheese sandwich and giving them go? Find them online or in the chilled aisle of leading supermarkets, from around £2 a pack. 

In collaboration with Weight Watchers

almond butter quinoa granola with indigo herbs (vegan and dairy free).

A vegan, dairy free and gluten free granola for all. It's certainly not taste free either; Indigo Herbs stock some delicious products that are perfect for shaking up your own homemade granola. Featuring puffed quinoa, cacoa nibs, chia powder and raw almond butter, the vegan and sugar free granola is packed with protein and lots of good stuff to take you through the morning. Fellow fans of nuts will love it too, as the almond and toasted flavour of quinoa really comes through. I enjoy it served up with almond or hazelnut milk but the rest is up to you.

spreading festive cheer with wayfair: my christmas traditions.

I love a good festive tradition! Especially when food is involved. One of my favourite things to do is buy a foodie related Christmas bauble for myself, for example. So far I have a rather cute gingerbread man, a sparkly popcorn box and am eyeing up a glittery avocado for 2017. This season I've teamed up with Wayfair to share my favourite things to do each festive season, with a few of their gorgeous homeware pieces features throughout the post.

One thing I have done for a few years without fail is make the family breakfast. From kedgeree to smoked salmon and classic bacon sarnies (ketchup or brown sauce at your request), I love taking on the role of chef to make everyone's breakfast related dreams come true. One of my favourites are the seriously simple lazy baked eggs. A lazy eggs recipe I shared a while back has fast become a family fave. What's more, you can make 12 at once so it's a real time saver (as well as a crowdpleaser) too. Here's how you make them...

cully & sully: the way we make it.

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of quality soup on a chilly day? Wholesome, rich in nutrients and most of all... warms you up. Whether you're looking for Winter lunch inspo or a convenient way to comforting meals, Cully & Sully are a must try. The lovely lot sent me a few of their super soups to try, to show what additions can complement their range to personalise your ready-made meal.

b-ready for anything with nutella.

Nutella fan? If you're here, I'm guessing so. That makes the both of us. So, you can join in my excitement for the lip-smacking launch of the Nutella B-ready bars. Delicious signature hazelnut and cocoa spread? Check. Crunchy wafer shell? Check. Perfect with your cuppa? Check. These new Nutella treats are just the ticket for an afternoon pick me up.

These tasty morsels really as a texture sensation too. As well as the smooth spread (love you, Nutella) they have puffed wheat crispies mixed through. Extra bite amongst the mouthwatering chocolate and hazelnut flavours! These kind of confectionary combos really are my favourite - can you tell?

Although they're a treat, they actually only stack up at 115 calories. So they probably come up better than your average chocolate - except did I mention these ones feature Nutella?

Nutella B-ready have been available in all major UK supermarkets since September 2017, priced 59p for a single bar, or £1.99 for a pack of six.

Have you tried them yet? Would you mix up your mid morning snack?

In collaboration with Nutella