MATTY'S MINCEMEAT IN A MINUTE

Mincemeat can be very dividing. A lot of people love it but I know a lot who can't stand the stuff. If there is anything that will ever convert people to the joys of mincemeat it will be this recipe! More fresh and fruity than the jarred varieties that are rushed out onto supermarket shelves at this time of year, it's another treat you can add to your Christmas repertoire. It takes literally minutes to whip up a batch which you can use on the same day or store in sterilized jars to really intensify the flavor before baking.

THE RETURN OF JON'S CHILI DILLY PICKLES

There is always two firm camps when it comes to gherkins and pickles. There are those who will see one on a burger, instantly pick it off and throw it twenty miles away like its the dirtiest thing they have ever come across and there are those like myself who would happily sit and eat their way through a whole jar of them. With Christmas just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to make another batch of Jon's yummy cucumbers pickled with oodles of dill and spices. Are they as good as shop bought pickles? They are better!

STREET N4 FINSBURY PARK LONDON (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

We're back in the big smoke this weekend and with tickets to see a show at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park we needed to find somewhere nearby to have  pre show nibble. How lucky for us then that Street N4 should be located right next door. When we saw that it sold burgers and burritos we were instantly sold so off we popped on the tube to go and see if the food tasted as good as it sounded.

"AFTER DINNER" BISCUIT BITES

If you took a look on here late September time you would of seen my 4C and 1G Biscuit Bites. These little treats really went down a storm when I made them so I decided to give them another spin and this time I gave them a little twist by swapping out the tinned caramel so that the coconut in the biscuit filling really becomes the star of the show. When you cover that filling with some proper good quality mint chocolate then you have a little nibble that is a great alternative to those famous after dinner mints (you know, those ones!).

ALBERT'S SCHLOSS MANCHESTER (MATTY B RECOMMENDS)

A Friday night visiting Manchester for a little boogie at it's famous arena meant that it was time to give another of the city's new food and drink offerings a whirl and this time it was the turn of Albert's Schloss in the trendy Deansgate area of the city centre that caught our eye. Inspired by the Bavarian and Bohemian areas of Europe; it boasts on its website of being the first Tankovna in Manchester as well as having its very own bakery and "cook haus". I didn't know what what a Tankovna was but it sounded intriguing so off we went to go check it out.

MIYAGI LIVERPOOL (MATTY B RECOMMENDS)

It was time for some more foodie adventures in Liverpool now with a trip to Miyagi. This Asian restaurant located in the city centre up the thriving foodie hot spot that is Bold Street specializes in street food treats from the Far East. A glance at the menu shows traditional nibbles sitting alongside classic dishes with modern twists. Miyagi's namesake is a legendary movie creation, would the food be able to stand up to the name?

PANORAMA RESTAURANT DUBROVNIK (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Our adventures in Croatia continued when we took the ferry from our base in Lopud over to Dubrovnik. When we got there we took a trip up the famous cable car and little did we know that at the top we would find Panorama Restaurant And Bar. Lunch now seemed like a no brainer.

THE RETURN OF THE CLASSIC LEMON TART

A simple classic can sometimes be as great as any over the top baking showstopper. Call it a "Tarte Au Citron" if you want to make it sound fancy but really all you have here a cracking perfectly baked shortcrust filled with a zesty lemon custard. Not only is it tasty and delicious but everyone is going to think that you are amazing when you tell them you made it from scratch. Follow the recipe below and you can have a classic lemon tart made from scratch turning yourself into a classically trained pastry chef in an instant!

MANDRAC LOPUD, CROATIA PART 2 (MATTY B RECOMMENDS)

If you read the first part to my review of Mandrac, located on the island of Lopud just off the Croatian coast you will remember how I said  it was so good we would have too go back for a second time before we left! On the last day of our wonderful holiday this is exactly what we decided to do. Was the first magnificent visit to Mandrac just a spectacular fluke or would this small family run restaurant be able to deliver the goods again and really show itself off to be a glorious jewel of the Adriatic sea?

MANDRAC LOPUD, CROATIA PART 1 (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

So I've just returned from a week away sunning myself on the beautiful island of Lopud, just off the coast of Croatia. During this week of rest and relaxation I had some of the best food of my life including two meals at this little restaurant called Mandrac. Situated on the same stretch of seaside strip as our hotel we discovered this little beauty on our first day and enjoyed it so much we went back on our last day. Let me tell you in this post about our first meal and exactly what made us fall in love this amazing restaurant.

SUMMERY SLOW COOKED ITALIAN RED LENTILS

Whilst the warm weather hangs around making summer in the UK last for just that little bit longer, here is a gorgeous dish that you can pop into your slow cooker and leave to work it's magic whilst you enjoy the remaining sun. This red lentil dish is an Italian favorite that uses a tin of tomatoes and chili, garlic, a variety of herbs, red wine vinegar, a pinch sugar and a good blast of seasoning to great a vibrant side that is a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, bringing those summer vibes right into your kitchen.

4C AND 1G BISCUIT BITES

So, what's in a name? Well, let me explain what these 4C and 1G biscuit bites are all about. The 4C's are coconut, cinnamon, caramel (used in the biscuity filling) and chocolate (used to coat the bites). The G is ginger which you also add into the biscuit filling to give it a warming spiced lift. Makes perfect sense now doesn't it? Well, I could of called them my dark chocolate coated caramel, coconut, cinnamon, ginger spiced biscuit bites but that's a bit of mouthful really isn't it? One thing I do know is, whatever you call them they are moreish and delicious!

QUALITY QUINOA COATED QUORN FILLETS

The inspiration for fabulous food ideas coming from My Kitchen Rules Australia this year continues with these delicious quinoa coated Quorn fillets. Now don't be put off by the quinoa, I always thought that I didn't like this stuff either but having given it a second chance I was blown away. By cooking and then toasting the quinoa you get a delicious crunchy toasted nutty type texture and flavor to the crust of these Quorn fillets once they are shallow fried. It's such a great alternative to just frying the fillets in breadcrumbs.

"BACK TO SCHOOL" BICCIES

Now that the kids of gone back to school I think they deserve a little treat. It can be very daunting heading back to the world of education so these sweetie topped biccies are the sweet treat that is going to put a smile on any kids face. Also, I think some parents might think they deserve a little treat having putting up with their little cherubs for five weeks (admit it, you gave out a sign of relief didn't you!). This simple biscuit recipe will give you 12 yummy biccies that you can top with whatever choccies you wish!

CRUST LIVERPOOL (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Pizza can often get a bit of bad reputation in the foodie world, whether that's because they have now become associated with dodgy takeaways you'd only dream of going too at 3am in the morning after a night out on the ale or because of the uninspired versions that get churned out at chain restaurants up and down the country. It can be really hard to find the real McCoy but Crust Liverpool hopes to change that perception by "pushing boundaries" with the Italian classic. Quite a bold statement I thought so when I feeling peckish one lunchtime and was passing by it seemed like a good idea to try to see if the goods matched up to the claims!

TAKE PART IN THE LEGENDARY CAKE AND BAKE SHOW COMPETITION!

The Cake & Bake Show in Association with Argos is the UK’s only dedicated baking show and arrives at ExCeL London on 7-9 October and EventCity Manchester on 10-13 November. Online entries are flooding in for one of the key highlights, the prestigious Official Show Cake and Bake Competition, where keen bakers from around the UK compete for a much-coveted winning rosette awarded for Best in Show, then Gold, Silver and Bronze within each category, along with a host of fabulous baking related prizes from Bosch and Kenwood, supplied by Argos. 

THE CAKE AND BAKE SHOW 2016

The Cake & Bake Show, in association with Argos, brings the nation’s best loved bakers, chefs, TV personalities, cake experts and enthusiasts together under one roof in a celebration of all things baking. Arriving at ExCeL, London from 7-9 October and EventCity, Manchester from 10-13 November, the UK’s only dedicated baking show promises a delicious array of culinary activity, inspiration and entertainment. Five of the biggest celebrity names in the baking world will be headlining the show this year and visitors will be able to see them on live on stage, sharing their skills and expertise;

LEFTOVER SLOW COOKED TUSCAN BUTTER BEAN SOUP

So you've made a big batch of my Slow Cooked Tuscan Style Butter Beans for your BBQ and even though they were super delicious you still had a load left over at the end of the evening. No one wants to throw away perfectly good food now do they so why not transform your leftover's into a delicious soup which you can either eat straight away or freeze and enjoy as a quick supper at a later day. All you need is a few vegetables and some garlic to act as the base of your soup, some fresh herbs to give the flavors a kick up the bum and a good vegetable stock.

RAVISHING RED VELVET CAKE

You might look at this red velvet cake and think it doesn't particularly look like the bright red creations you might see up and down the land in cake shops and bakeries. This is because I think that they look quite gaudy and artificial. My take on the red velvet cake gives a more dark red appearance that is more in line with the chocolate flavor of the sponge. The vanilla cream cheese frosting that holds the two sponges together and adorns the top keeps things moist and scrummy making for a delightfully delicious afternoon treat.

TUSCAN STYLE SLOW COOKED BUTTER BEANS

I'm having a bit of a love affair with butter beans at the moment. Ever since I used them in my Thai Veggie patties and for my Tasty Thai Crab Cakes I've realized what an underrated gem they are. This recipe inspired by a Tuscan style of cooking uses just a few ingredients to make the beans the star of the show. By slow cooking the butter beans, they become really beautifully soft, creamy and infused with the flavors of garlic, sage and rosemary which they are simmered with. A fantastically simple recipe perfect for a lazy weekend.

"JUST LIKE THE CHIPPY" SWEETCORN SOUP

If I go to any Chinese restaurant or down to the chippy and I'm looking for a soup as a starter there is only one option; chicken and sweetcorn soup. It such a unique soup to the cuisine and one that I had never tried to recreate at home. That was until this week when I gave this meat free version a whirl and I was so surprised at how quick and simple it was to create this classic dish. What's even better is that its tastes so much fresher than the potentially MSG laden versions you can find in more dodgy food outlets.

LITTLE LEMON BISCUITS FROM THE LAND OF LULLINESS

I hadn't made biscuits in a long time and this Saturday I really felt in the mood to make some little nibbles to enjoy with a nice cuppa whilst watching comforting weekend movies on the TV. If you look back at some of my old recipes you'll notice that lemon is possibly my favorite flavor when it comes to sweet treats and so when it came to deciding what biscuits to make it really wasn't too difficult decide. These little lemon biscuits covered in a zingy citrus icing are so buttery and crumbly that it's like they are giving you a warm hug.

MARVELLOUS MIDDLE EASTERN FILO ROLLS

My Kitchen Rules Australia is really giving me some food inspiration. First with the beetroot hummus I made a few weeks ago and last week I veggiefied another recipe to make these middle eastern spiced Quorn mince filo rolls. I finally got to use my pot of baharat spices that I've had for ages as well so it was win win all round. These crispy sesame seed sprinkled filo rolls are also stuffed with salty feta, soft sultanas, fresh spinach leaves and crunchy sunflower seeds . They were quite the yummy and I can see why they were marked so highly on the show!

THE RETURN OF THE COCO-OATY BARS

Many months ago I made these delicious oaty bars as an alternative to my Fab And Fabulous Flapjacks. I decided to revisit them this weekend as, after all my tray bake tales recently I was feeling a bit caked out. Last time I made them with strawberry jam however, this time round I had a jar of lime and mint curd from Scarlett and Mustard and it complimented the coconut mixed in with the butter, flour, oats, sugar so well that I had to revamp the recipe and share it with you all. These bad boys have gone up another level and you are going to love them!

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 6: APPLE, ALMOND AND CINNAMON MASH UP

My next tray bake tale takes inspiration from the bakewell tart by using flaked almonds and almond extract to create a delicious moist sponge that has a little surprise hidden inside. A layer of cinnamon coated apples is baked inside the cake that adds an extra dimension to the more traditional plain tray bake sponge. This hybrid of an apple pie and the bakewell tart is another baked treat that you can add to your repertoire of tray bakes that you will keep coming back to time and time again. Served warm with a dollop of ice cream, well that's perfection!

CLASSICS REVISITED: CAULIFLOWER CHEESE

I haven't revisited a classic recipe for a while but a few weeks ago I made this gorgeous cauliflower cheese from scratch and I just had to share the recipe with you. My previous cauliflower cheese recipe was an easy peasy version for those of you who are maybe in a rush or not confident to make it from scratch. This one shows you how to make a delicious sauce using butter, flour, milk, Dijon mustard and cheddar cheese. It's surprisingly easy actually and is even better when you add in some bashed up bread sticks, herbs and onions to the mix.

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 5: COFFEE AND WALNUT

It's time for Part 5 of my selection of classic tray bakes and this one is definitely one of the nations favorites. It's the coffee and walnut tray bake! A combination that has been wowing people for years, you really can't beat this iconic pairing of flavors. I have added my own little twist though by decorating the top of my tray bake with some crushed chocolate coated coffee beans as opposed to the more traditional walnut halves. They add an amazing chocolaty crunch to the cake making it the perfect afternoon pick me up

THE RETURN OF THE TUMMY WARMING TOMATO SOUP

OK I'll admit it, sometimes a tin of Heinz cream of tomato soup is all you need to sort yourself out if you're a bit chilly or got a touch of man flu. It's lazy but it's so so good! If you have time however you can make this delicious homemade version using tomatoes, celery, onions roasted in garlic, honey and herbs and blitzed into a sensationally smooth souptastic treat. I can't promise you it's better than its tinned brother but it will clear away those cobwebs in no time. With this revamped recipe, I can promise you that for sure!

SIMPLY CHAPATI

It was curry night in our house again last weekend and with a slow cooked veggie "butter chicken" on the go I had a bit of time on my hands to have a go at making some bread to serve alongside it. I'd tried making naan bread before so I thought I'd give another Indian bread a whirl, chapatis! They are so simple to make especially as there is no yeast involved which can be so hard to work sometimes. All you need is some flour, salt, oil, water, a super hot griddle pan and just over an hour of your time and you'll have 8 fabulous flat breads for the dinner table.

CHEESY CARROT AND TURNIP

Here is a spruced up side for you to really give your Sunday roast a lift this weekend. We have all had our mashed carrot and swede but it can be ever so dull to have week after week. So, spin it on it's head by chucking some delicious Chedder cheese, grated nutmeg, butter and milk into the mix along with your softened carrot and turnip, mash it all together and then bake. Sounds simple but it really does make a difference. Why not give it a go and really surprise yourself and your guests with a fabulous twist on a Great British classic!

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 4: TRIPLE CHOCOLATE

Here comes part 4 of my tray bake tales and it may just be the one you have all been waiting for. It's the chocolate tray bake and this one is a proper chocoholic's delight. If you whip up this recipe then you will have a gorgeous chocolate sponge that's sticky and gooey with a smooth milk chocolate icing spread all over the top. Just in case there wasn't enough chocolate already for you, the whole shebang is finished off with a couple of crumbled flake chocolate sprinkled on top to make this a proper triple chocolate treat.

BRILLIANTLY BRIGHT BEETROOT HUMMUS

Having been watching and enjoying the latest series of My Kitchen Rules Australia in the UK over the last two weeks, I was bowled over by a particularly gorgeous looking beetroot hummus that was made by one of the couples during their instant restaurant. I wanted to try it and so this weekend I had a look at some recipes for beetroot hummus and came up with this take on this delicious dip that not only looks so brilliantly bright and vibrant but tastes like nothing I've ever had before as well. It's so delicious!

SUPER SLOW COOKED ROGAN JOSH

One of the best things about the weekend is that I have more time to play in the kitchen and when I'm feeling like I want a big plate of comfort food there is nothing better than getting the slow cooker out and making a delicious curry from scratch. No ready made sauces from a jar here, it's all about a homemade curry paste made with an array of herbs and spices and then frying it up with some onions and carrot before letting it simmer for hours until it's ready to be bulked out with some Quorn chicken and more fresh veg.

TASTY THAI CRAB CAKES

My Thai butter bean patties were a right little tasty treat. Not only are they super delicious but they are also super versatile. So much so that with a few little tweaks I transformed them into some Thai fish cakes. I've still kept the butter beans in them, they work  really well with the shredded crab meat and mashed potatoes. Add in the rest of your ingredients including a smidge of lemon, rice wine vinegar, fresh herbs and a glug of fish sauce to really ramp up the eastern vibe. Be prepared to get your hands on some crackin' crab cakes. 

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 3: GORGEOUS GINGER CAKE

A year ago I made a beautiful cake which I christened  my "Jamaican Me Crazy" cake. It went down a storm with my friends and family so when it came to thinking of my third tray bake tale it made sense to transform it into my next terrific all in one treat. Made with dark black treacle and muscovado sugar, this cake has a delightfully sticky sponge which is flavored with the warmth of all spice, mixed spice and little nuggets of finely chopped stem ginger, not just in the cake but scattered over the ginger syrup icing as well. It really is a simple but gorgeous bake.

TASTY THAI BUTTER BEAN PATTIES

When it comes to Thai food in the UK you can often get lumbered with red and green curries. As nice as they are, it's nice to try something different sometimes. When I whipped up these butter bean patties I wasn't expecting them to be Thai inspired but on first bite, those flavors of lemon, coriander, chili and sesame all work together to give them a distinctive taste of the east. The great thing about them is that other than boiling some potatoes, all you really need to do is chuck everything in a bowl and mix together and then roll the mixture of polenta for some added crunch. Simples!

SMOKIN' SWEETCORN SOUP

It's time for another soup recipe now and this one uses the smoky flavors chipotle along with sweetcorn to create a kind of tex-mex vibe to this gorgeous soup which also blends sweet potato, pepper and veggie bacon to make a truly vegetarian treat. Fresh coriander (stalks and all), cumin seeds and garlic work alongside a hint of cayenne pepper thrown in for a bit of heat to produce a cuddle in a bowl that if you play your cards right, you can have on the table in just under 30 minutes. Quick, simple and tasty, what's not love!

BANGIN' BANG BANG SALAD

"Bang Bang" is a traditional Chinese dish which refers to the noise made by the bashing of the chicken normally served with the dish with a wooden mallet in order to flatten it and make it easier to shred and scatter over the top of the accompaniments. The chicken is then normally served with a satay like peanut sauce and that is where the inspiration for this salad has come from. As this is a veggie salad there is obviously no chicken, just lots of fresh raw vegetables dressed in that delicious nutty sauce, perfect as a side dish at your next summer BBQ.

PER TUTTI MANCHESTER (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

I'm up in Manchester a lot for concerts and gigs and normally I have an idea about where I'm going to eat before each visit. This week however I traveled up sans schedule and stumbled across Per Tutti as I got off the train at Deansgate. I didn't know anything about the place or what I was in for so with zero expectations I headed through the door ready for some food.

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 2: LEMON DRIZZLE

My second tray bake tale is another classic, the lemon drizzle cake. This delicious citrus treat is another super easy bake to whip up any day of the week and one that is bound to whack a smile on everyone's face! This recipe differs slightly from my other tray bake tales as it includes the addition of a sugar and lemon juice mixture that is brushed over the cake when it's removed from the oven which is then soaked up by the sponge to create a super sharp, moist tray bake that's is an essential for anyone's baking repertoire.

CLEAVER EAST DUBLIN (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

There were exciting times last week as I took my very first trip over the Irish sea to the capital city of Dublin and such a special city break away demanded an equally special evening meal to celebrate. Having been online to hunt out some fabulous places to go for a nibble, we spotted Cleaver East, a restaurant right in the heart of the city centre created by chef Oliver Dunne. We decided that it looked like the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing dinner in the city especially after spending most of the day traveling over from Liverpool and so we headed off to see if the goods on the menu were as delightful as they sounded.

PING PONG ST KATHARINE'S DOCK (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

During a well earned week away and on our travels across the UK we thought it was time to revisit an old favorite of ours with a trip to Ping Pong Dim Sum situated at St Katharine's dock. This dim sum restaurant caught our eye many years ago and has now grown to have branches all over the capital and this would be the third time we have ventured under the shadow of the Tower of London for some of their Asian treats. Would it be a case of third time still delicious? We headed over to the docks to find out!

VEGGIE MINT, MUSHY PEA AND BACON PATTIES

Friday night isn't usually fish and chips night in our house however I was in the mood for this British classic yesterday and there is only one side dish you could possibly have with it, mushy peas. You know me though, I'm always trying to elevate simple dishes and that is how these pea, mint, spinach and veggie bacon parties were born. With a delicious crispy golden breadcrumb coating and some sharp cheddar cheese to add a bit of oomph, these bad boys are also really simple to rustle up as a great vegetarian main as well.

TOM'S KITCHEN ST KATHERINE'S DOCK (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

I've been a fan of chef Tom Aikens ever since I'd seen him on the Great British Menu so I was excited to find out that I would be staying close to one his restaurants, "Tom's Kitchen" during our recent stay in London. Would it live up to my high expectations? We headed off to St Katherine's dock to find out.

VEGGIE "CROQUETAS DE JAMON" (WITH ADDED PEAS)

Last weekend we decided to get our Spanish on and have a little bit of tapas for dinner. The highlight of this feast were these delicious veggie pea and bacon croquettes. They take a long time to prepare but I'm so glad that I took the time and effort to make them as they were one of the best things I've ever made. A bechamel, pea and veggie bacon filling with a touch of nutmeg encased in a crispy golden brown breadcrumb coating that makes for the perfect finger food for eating outside on a sunny day with a glass of crisp white wine.

MATTY'S TRAYBAKE TALES PART 1 - STRAWBERRY SPONGE

When I first got into baking it was the tray bake that prompted me to make my first tentative steps into the kitchen. For my next couple of baking recipes I'm going to take it right bake to the start and share some these recipes with you. This one is the most basic standard all in one tray bake that is perfect for any beginners to try out. I've added my personal touch by decorating it with a strawberry cream cheese frosting which is great for the upcoming summer months. Settle down and let me begin my very first tray bake tale.

CREAMY "ALL ABOUT THE MUSHROOMS" PASTA

Sometimes you don't have all the time in the world cook a meal in the evening. As much as I like spending time in the kitchen, it's not always possible when life starts to get in the way. This doesn't mean you can't have fantastic food though and this is where this creamy mushroom pasta comes in. Showcasing a gorgeous porcini and chestnut mushrooms creme fraiche sauce, this fusilli dish is simply all about the flavor of the mushrooms with a touch of fresh parsley and topped with crispy onion to add a bit of pizazz. All yours in just under 30 minutes!

THE EUROVISION VEGGIE MEATBALL BAKE

OK I know; Eurovision was almost a month ago now but it's taken me that much time to get over how great this veggie recipe is. Inspired by the 2016 Swedish hosts, I set about creating the best meatball dish I could to tuck into whist watching this years contest. In doing so, I came up with this veggie meatball bake. Quorn meatballs simmered in a bay, balsamic and red wine vinegar sauce which is then transferred to the oven after being slathered in mozzarella, mascarpone and green herbs which is so amazing it's going to be soaring up leader boards right across Europe! 

MATTY'S WALDORF SLAW

I do love a good homemade slaw. Comes from the love of my Nan's homemade version we used to have back in the day. I love experimenting with my slaw's, trying to come up with different variations depending on what it's going to be served alongside. Today we were having some BBQ pork belly and jacket potatoes so an all American slaw sounded like it would do the trick so what I did was take some of the flavors of a Waldorf salad, apple and walnuts as well as some sultanas and let me tell you this; it was Da Bomb!

MATTY'S MINTY GREEN SOUP

A homemade soup might not sound like the most ideal dish to be tucking into on a warm sunny day but there is something about this pea, mint and broad bean soup that just compliments the lead up too the summer season perfectly. It's a no frills, smooth, blended affair with an added kick of garlic, oregano and parsley that is so simple to knock up from scratch that you can have it on the dinner table in less than half an hour, perfect for busy folk or as the starter for a special meal for friends and family.