I eat alone a lot. Mostly at work, at my desk in my wonderful studio, where I write my books. I have an air fryer and a microwave in there. I barely use the microwave. Mostly just to melt dark chocolate to dip strawberries into when I need a sweet treat. So decadent.

I have a weird thing about microwaves. I don’t have one at home. I have had one in the past and used it a fair bit, but I’d often find myself warming something on the hob and then remembering the machine to my right. I have an Aga now, which means there is literally zero need for a massive black box of fake heat. Even though my Aga will make me regret all my life choices this week, I refuse to turn it off for the summer until July. The grief is just too real when I do.

I’m glad I have a microwave in my office, but I use my air fryer the most. Another thing I don’t have at home, but think is brilliant at work. Anyway..

Subscribe now

Upgrade to paid for delicious, easy recipes….

Read more

I’m sorry I’ve been quiet. As you may have seen, I was in Scotland last week celebrating my dad’s 80^th. We went on the iconic Waverly Ferry, ate fish and chips and laughed our heads off. So good. This week, I am in a recording studio doing the audiobook for ‘Hungry Eyes’. The days are long, with few breaks, but I love it so much. I got really upset reading all the bits around when my mum died, and we decided not to redo it. If you listen to the audio, excuse my voice breaking and obvious tears. But re-doing it without real emotion just felt weird. So we left it, keeping it real. It is what it is.

ANYWAY, among all that, I cooked a feast yesterday and wanted to share the recipes with you. There were eight adults and seven kids. No one left hungry, and there are also some leftovers for tonight. Quite simply, I smashed it.

Please keep reading for;

Beef Brisket with Chimichurri.

A pear, brie and thyme puff pastry tart.

Scottish Tablet (or whatever you have) lemon Cheesecake.

We are now going behind the paywall. Please consider upgrading to paid for recipes and ramblings you will really enjoy.

Subscribe now

Read more

I went to the doctor for a smear test and stupidly got on the scales. I’m a lot heavier than I thought. I’m around the same weight I was as a student, and I really don’t understand how or why. When I was a student, I lived on chips and beer; now I live on sweet potatoes and kombucha. It’s just not fair.

Before you say it, yes, I probably have a bit more muscle, but I’m hardly Arnie. The reality is I’m just a perimenopausal woman who is retaining water, battling cortisol levels, and on the verge of giving in to middle-aged spread. But there is now a voice in the back of my head telling me to step away from the crisps before things get worse. I am not listening to it. I’ve recently found a really yummy new brand of olive oil crisps, and I CANNOT stop eating them. OK, so not just sweet potatoes and kombucha.

We are now going behind the paywall. To read more about my belly and loads of other things, please consider upgrading to a paid plan. It’s fun back there, I promise x

Subscribe now

Read more

A phenomenal steak I had a while ago. Gimmie a bulb of garlic and I am yours!

Welcome to a new series, where I talk about different foods and why they make me emotional. From Sunday Roasts to Sausage and Mash, the meals that mean so much more than just a full tummy. From a childhood fuelled by grief, it was food that saved the day. In my new memoir, Hungry Eyes, I place myself back at the many tables I have sat at over the course of my life. Who was there, how was I feeling, and what were we eating. I LOVED writing this book, but there were only so many pages I was allowed to fill. So, in this Substack series, please enjoy the meals that didn’t make it to the book, but that I still want to share with you.

Pre Order Hungry Eyes

On today’s plate, I talk about the absolute king of dinners. The mighty Steak and Chips.

We are now going behind the paywall. To read this article and many more, please consider subscribing. It’s delicious back here!

Subscribe now

Read more

My dinner last Friday

Welcome to a new series, where I talk about different foods and why they make me emotional. From Sunday Roasts to Sausage and Mash, the meals that mean so much more than just a full tummy. From a childhood fuelled by grief, it was food that saved the day. In my new memoir, Hungry Eyes, I place myself back at the many tables I have sat at over the course of my life. Who was there, how was I feeling, and what were we eating. I LOVED writing this book, but there were only so many pages I was allowed to fill. So, in this Substack series, please enjoy the meals that didn’t make it to the book, but that I still want to share with you.

Pre Order Hungry Eyes

Let’s kick off with the mighty Fish and Chips. The meal that takes me right back to the start of time, and still lands on my dining table multiple times a month. A simple pile of carbohydrates, loaded with flavour and feelings.

We are now going behind the paywall. To read this article and many more, please consider subscribing. It’s delicious back here!

Subscribe now

Read more