All posts tagged: stovetop

Slightly Boozy Homemade Apple Cider

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Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple. – JK Rowling As much as I love spring and summer, there is just something enchanting about Autumn and Winter flavours, smells, colours and holidays. I love the look, taste, and smell of everything these two season have to offer: warm fragrant soups, pumpkin pies, apple tarts, oranges stuffed with cloves, hot minty chocolate, and hot apple cider — to mention just a few. The first time I ever had apple cider was at my first Thanksgiving in America as an adult (way back in 2001!). I was confused. I didn’t understand how it could be cider as there was no alcohol! Eventually I came to appreciate this kind of cider and now I really, really love all the flavours. Last year, for a tea night I decided I wanted to make American apple cider, however, most recipes I saw called for pre-made cider. I didn’t understand why, when surely you could just use apples to …

Garlicky Rasher Baked Beans (on Toast)

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And hey, bacon made everything better. – Jennifer Estep Last weekend I was craving baked beans on toast. I didn’t have any tins of baked beans in the house and I kept forgetting that the nearest grocery shop doesn’t have any there. Sigh! (I should also admit that I was too lazy to walk the extra 2 minutes to the next nearest store where I KNOW they have them. Don’t judge me—it was the weekend!). By Monday evening I was desperate. So after work, armed with a semi-empty bag, I marched into Homeplus. And, of course, I purchased a tin of beans…or five. I decided to make what has become one of my favourite ways to make baked beans, after these scrumptious Kale Baked Beans. It’s really simple and so tasty. The smell of the bacon, onion and garlic together is already enticing enough, never mind adding those baked beans in. Served on warm, buttery toast or with a nice baked potato, here’s a nice little meal that you can make up in a jiffy on a busy week day night or …

Gorgonzola Salad Wraps

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A meal without some cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye. – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin When I came back from my holidays, I went shopping for food the second day that I was home.  Even though I was supposed to only be buying the ingredients to make last week’s recipe I was wandering around looking at all the food. Despite the fact that I know I have a bit of a cholesterol problem, my favourite part of Homeplus (a store similar to Tesco or No Frills) is the cheese section. Though it’s mostly really processed American or, as my family call it, plastic cheese, they fortunately have one shelf constantly stocked with Brie, Camembert, Mozzarella, real Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Smoked Cheese. The main reason I peruse it so often is because sometimes you come across a rare gem – a couple of months ago for about 6 weeks they had Edam Cheese and, last week, I found Gorgonzola. I was over the moon. I’d just been thinking that I’d really like some blue …

Fried Egg and Avocado Wraps.

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A box without hinges, key, or lid, Yet golden treasure inside is hid. – JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit A couple of weeks ago, about 10 days before I went on my holidays, I didn’t really have any food in the house.  I was trying really hard to use up what I had, and to not buy anymore food, so nothing would go to waste. All I had left in the fridge was a tiny bit of red bell-pepper, an avocado and some eggs. I rummaged through my shelves and found a packet of tortillas and decided I’d make wraps. It was really simple, and really good. I liked it so much I actually went out and bought another pepper and avocado to make it again the following night and the night after that… Each time, I made them I made some slight adjustments – I added onions and garlic one day, as well as tomatoes and courgette another. This wrap is really versatile and I’ve loved each version. I hope you do, too. Fried Egg and Avocado …

Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup

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I know, I know! I’m crazy, right? A soup recipe? Don’t I know that it’s summer and the days are warm and long for the most part? Rest assured, I do! However, growing up in Ireland taught me that summer can be fleeting and while one summer maybe be glorious (2006, anyone?), another summer can be completely horrendous (2007!). Cue moving to Korea where the summers are a mix of hot, sweaty humidity and thundering, lashing rain. On those days, I don’t find myself craving salads or barbeques but rather warm buttery toast dipped in piping hot soup. Even if my a/c is on, I want nothing more than to be cuddled on the bed with a mug of tea in one hand and a bowl of soup in the other. The recipe I am going to share with you this week is one of my favourite soups. I found it on the BBC Good Food website and it has been one of my staples for more than a year. I have only ever made the …