This year, Pancake Day falls on 4th March 2014. The day is more correctly known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’, the word ‘Shrove’ coming from ‘shrive’ meaning to confess. It’s the last day before the fasting period of Lent which starts on the following day, Ash Wednesday, so traditionally it was a…
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It’s winter, and there’s a decided nip in the air. It’s the time of year for comfort food, such as thick, warming soup – and who better to set us on the right track than Ian Brackenbury, owner of Chester-based business Souperlicious. Although Ian’s always been interested in food, he’s…
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If you’re feeling a little low after the Christmas and New Year festivities, there’s still Burns Night to look forward to. A national institution in Scotland, it’s celebrated on or around 25th January, the birthday of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns. If you’ve never held a Burns Night event before,…
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Here at Cosy Home, we’re busy getting ready for Christmas by making a batch of our favourite festive mincemeat. Now’s the time, as it needs to be made a few days in advance to let the flavours develop. Even if you don’t trust your cooking skills enough to make your own…
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Whenever we’ve got time, we love looking for wild food such as blackberries, sloes and rosehips. Chestnuts are one of our favourite harvests, as they’re versatile and last a long time once gathered. Don’t forget though, you’re looking for sweet chestnut trees rather than horse chestnuts – conkers aren’t edible!…
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At Cosy Home, we’re always keen not to waste anything useful. Whether it’s turning old china into quirky planters, or old curtains into cushions and doorstops, we do like to find a use for everything and anything. Now it’s coming up to Hallowe’en, we’ve started thinking about pumpkins. These are…
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Artisan foods not only taste better, they’re also normally traceable from source to plate. Three expert food producers share their serving tips. Robert Didier of Orchard Pigs Former London restaurateur Robert training under the legendary Raymond Blanc, and in 2003 decided to move his young family away from London to…
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An interview with Penny Clark of Special Preserves Penny Clark is one half of the small Cheshire company Special Preserves, who specialise in homemade jam, chutney and fruit curds. Penny started the business in 2011 with longtime friend Sarah Longley, and now offers a varied range of preserves at farmers’…
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