how to cook the perfect steak: foodie tips.

From rump to ribeye and fillet to flat iron, we all have a favourite cut of steak. And even more so, a favourite way to cook them. I particularly love a good quality rump steak, cooked medium rare and served with a creamy peppercorn sauce. Or if I'm feeling spendy, a fillet steak for a treat. Oh, and it has to be skin on chips.

I've teamed up with Aldi to test out their acclaimed British steaks, as well as ask a few fellow foodies and bloggers their top tips on how to cook the perfect steak. I opted for their Specially Selected British fillet steak, which retails at £5.49. For 170g of premium 30 day aged British beef, this really is a steal. But how did I cook it?

macarons: an illustrated guide.

Macarons, macarons, macarons. I may have gone a bit macaron mad. As well as food blogging, searching out the best sushi and Instagram-ing my breakfast, I also love to play around with illustrations. So I thought I'd put the two together and create this recipe guide to making the tiny treats. 

What do you think? Would you try your hand at macarons with French meringue now or maybe you've got some tips to share too? I'd love to know your thoughts on my illustrated infographic approach too. I've written a recipe tutorial before but it is pretty lengthy and picture heavy!

Now you've mastered the basics, you can find my macaron recipes on my blog, as well as vegan macarons with chickpea liquid instead of egg whites. Enjoy!

PS, Feel free to share my guide but please credit back to my blog!

gnocchi carbonara.

To celebrate National Recycling Week, Central England Co-op are encouraging people to "Taste It - Don't Waste It" in their latest campaign. I discovered some fantastic leftover recipes over on the Love Food Hate Waste site, perfect for inspiring you to turn those extra ingredients into something rather fancy. Using leftover potatoes, I went for homemade gnocchi, which can be added to leftover bacon (when that exists...), double cream and frozen peas to create a gnocchi carbonara.

how to make homemade pasta.

I love making fresh pasta at home. I see it like the savoury version of making cupcakes; time consuming, therapeutic and rewarding. It tastes so much better homemade and it's perfect for when you're feeling creative. On the other hand, I definitely wouldn't recommend attempting making it when hungry. Pasta dough is definitely not as tasty as a bowl of buttercream. 

Since my Granny and Grandpa bought me the fantastic gift of a pasta machine back in Christmas 2012, I've been trying my hand at all sorts of homemade pasta shapes, sizes, flavours and dishes. I'm by no means a pasta pro, but i thought it was about time I shared some pasta making tips and tricks i've learnt along the way.

my top tips for making macarons.

If you read my little space on the internet now and again, you may have noticed my growing love for macaron making. This was especially heightened by the macaron masterclass I went to back in early summer, where I learnt lots of tips and tricks for the much sought after macaron. 

I will tell you now I never was a natural baker, my first attempt at brownies is testament to that (99% melted milk, dark and white chocolate and 1% dry ingredients is not advised). However when people now tell me they can't bake, I don't believe them. it's all about having time, patience and loooove guys. Come with me now, let's make macarons.