The Bakinglady 

The flavours of Moroccan cooking are as warm and fragrant as the country itself. Cinnamon, garlic, juicy apricots, lemon and fresh herbs bring a touch of the exotic to a simple, economical but oh-so-tasty plant based dish.

1 long red pepper, thinly sliced ( save 1/4 for the couscous)

1 medium red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

Don't let the addition of the lovable or loathsome avocado dissuade you from this utterly delicious cake. It's completely undetectable and You cannot taste it.... it just adds a richness and moisture that so many plant based (vegan) cakes lack. I made this for the first time during the first few weeks of the Covid outbreak when I couldn't get hold of eg...

Shepherd-less pie

1 large carrot,washed but not peeled and cut into small dice

1 large onion, peeled and cut into small dice

1 small sweet potato, washed but not peeled and cut into small dice

400g can chopped tomatoes - save the can as you will need it to measure water

300g Can mushy peas - trust me on this one, they will ...

Cold, leftover mashed potato always reminds me of my lovely mum and dad, and my Surrey childhood. Dad would have made ‘Eggo’ - inspired by his army days- fried in lard, mixed with egg and a hefty sprinkling of the Schwartz spice called Season All , Or mum would have utilised it to make the family a fantastic curried mince beef and onion pie...

Serves 8-12

Light, moist and nutty, this is the perfect alternative to Christmas pudding after a heavy dinner. I would describe it as tasting a little like a coconut macaroon and with its mantle of whipped cream, chocolate stars and jewel like pomegranate seeds and it’s just so pretty… best of all tho, its simplicity itself and can be baked...

If you think that Crispbreads are the cardboard tasting, diet induced slices of 'nothingness' then you really need to wrap your gnashers around homemade cheddar and multi seeded oaty crispbreads inspired by delicious Smorgasbord breads from Scandinavia, because there is absolutely nothing bland or cardboard like about these crisp, seed packed and tasty littl...

There is a fabulous group on Facebook called 'Tampa native Cuban/Spanish, Italian and Southern recipes'  hosted and written by a group of sassy ladies with some serious Latin spirit. I dribble over there sunshine filled dishes, immerse myself in the imagined scents and flavours of the lemon, garlic and chilli infused sauces and longingly pict...

I remember making  a Japonaise gateaux when I was at catering college in 1983, it was one of my first culinary successes and I loved making all the different elements. I haven't seen the recipe I used for a very long time so decided to create a simpler more contemporary version that could be made into cupcakes rather than an elaborate ...

I adore the summer, long hot days full of sunshine, picnics and parties and these little babies are the perfect summer food. if you think you know Scotch eggs, think again... they are NOTHING like the horrible shop bought ones and the slight aniseed flavour enhances the chicken and garlicy t mantle that hugs the...

I have been experimenting for ages now to make a sugar free frosting that is pipeable, tastes good and would fool anybody into thinking it was sugar free and by jiminy I finally cracked it.... Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Pina Colada cup cake with a coconut frosting that is to die for...not literally...please.... I wouldn't wa...

Luscious apricot studded cupcakes with a little swirl of Amaretto infused butter cream frosting are the perfect anecdote for a stressful day and one bite of these delicious cakes will transport you mentally to the sunshine coast of the Italian Riviera. Bellisimo...... x

What you need

150g bak...

I adore this recipe, its the easiest cupcake recipe I make, and is THE moistest, lightest and fluffiest cake ever...... topped with a crushed Oreo biscuit frosting its just heaven in every bite and everyone from children to adults just loves it x

What you need

200g oil

250g self raisi...

I adore tomatoes, especially pert little golden globes that are still clinging to the vine and have the aroma of warm summer days. My parents who live in Surrey, grow just THE juiciest little 'matos that I frequently sneak into the greenhouse to devour  them by the handful whenever I visit.

The tomatoes for this simple tart were bought from a ...

I thought I would share this recipe despite the fact that its not really a 'baking' recipe because its just so yummy. I try and eat more fish in my diet these days as its so good for you, especially the oily fishes and mackerel is not only cheap its tasty as well.....

I found out about Cauliflower 'Couscous' a little while ago and was intri...

Making and baking bread has got to be one of the most therapeutic pastimes you can think of.Just kneading the dough releases pent up aggression and emotions and the harder you beat it the more your bread will benefit. When I was going through my divorce many moons ago I used to bake bread on almost a daily basis and within a week or two I was making th...

This old fashioned fruit cake is so moist and flavoursome you will forget in an instant that it contains no sugar, it lasts for ages and is perfect when only a really good 'Granny' cake will do. Because Xylitol the sugar substitute I use doesn't brown or caramelise during cooking I have soaked the fruit in Guinness which adds a lovely deep flavour and...

There are times when you just HAVE TO HAVE a chocolate fix... This no bake bar is simplicity itself, takes minutes to make and you can eat it within the hour (you have to put it in the fridge first, you cant just eat the melted chocolate mix straight out of the bowl :D) Change the fruit and chocolate chunk/chip combination as the whim takes you......

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With lots of friends that don't eat meat, its a challenge to create something tasty and filling that's not full of nuts or mushrooms both of which seem to feature a great deal in vegetarian recipes and neither of which are particularly liked by my buddies, but the recipe must also appeal to us carnivores. These crispy wedges are bursting...

A brownie should be squidgy, not firm like a cake but have an unctuous soft, fudge like texture and this little baby delivers it by the bucket load.... with hidden nuggets  of  Toblerone and white chocolate  and a cheeky little hint of zesty orange its the perfect treat with a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream and a drizzle...

Packed full of energising bananas, seeds, oats and nuts these wonderful bars make a brilliant mid morning snack when energy levels are low and you need something satisfying  without hitting excess sugar. They keep brilliantly too and stay moist for a week or two ( if they last that long without being scoffed of course). Make a batch for the kids p...