EASY PEASY MUSHROOM AND ONION GRAVY

You may of noticed the gravy on some of my recipes recently. In my eyes you can't have a Sunday Roast or Bangers and Mash without lashings of mushroom and onion gravy. Now the best chefs out there would tell you that the best gravy uses all the cooking juices from your roasted meat and two veg but not all of us are Michelin star chefs so for those of us who would rather reach for the tub of gravy granules, here is my simple guide for turning a humble vegetable stock into something a little bit more special.

GORGEOUS GLAMORGANS

If there is one thing I have always wanted to try and make from scratch it is veggie sausages but I was always scared to do as I've had a few failures in the past when comes to things that require frying. 9 times out of 10 they tend to just fall apart in the pan. However, with the success of my onion bhaji's the other day my confidence was at an all time high so I gave these Glamorgans a go and let me tell you; it was another winner! These cheesy wonders flavored with garlic, chive, thyme and mustard turn veggie bangers and mash into something truly wonderful.

IDIOT PROOF ONION BHAJIS

I love onion bhaji's and for years I have tried to make my own at home but every time I've tried they have either fallen apart in the pan or been too stodgy. Yesterday however I finally achieved it, a tasty and delicious bhaji that is so simple to make. All you need is some flour, onions, baking powder and spices. Whisk them together and then deep fry and depending on how quick you can heat your oil you can have 12 yummy crispy treats on your dinner table in less than 30 minutes! If an idiot like me can make them then I'm sure that you all will be able too as well!

ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE AND MORE ORANGE CAKE

I'm no marmalade fan. Something about the taste of it just doesn't appeal to me whatsoever so I've

never been able to partake in a traditional marmalade cake. That was until I discovered Robinson's squeeze orange fruit shoot jam. It's an orange jam that actually tastes like oranges! Well this was a revelation for an my first thought was "I have to make an orange flavored cake with this" and golly gosh it was yummy. Not only is there jam inside but also orange juice, zest and candied peel so if your not a fan of orange this really isn't the cake for you!

CHOCOLATE ORANGE MINI MUFFIN MADNESS

The other day I invested in a mini muffin tray in order to make some mince pies for work (in September! I know!). Obviously I had to use it for it's true purpose of making mini muffins first (you know just to test that the trays work!) and with an orange sitting in the fruit bowl acting as my inspiration, these mini chocolate chip and orange muffins were born. Chocolate orange is one of those flavor combinations that just works however you utilize it and these babies are no different. They are little nuggets of tasty goodness!

"READY FOR WINTER" VEGGIE HOT POTS

Can you believe that it's September already? It won't be long now until those cold early evenings start drawing in so its time to prepare those autumn/winter classics that are perfect for warming you right to the core. For me, it doesn't get more classic than the hot pot! Oodles of tender carrot, parsnip and mushrooms cooked in a herby, boozy broth with sweet chestnuts and quorn mince all hiding under a blanket of thin and crispy potato slices. When it comes to comfort food, this hot pot is pure bliss on a plate!

GRANNY TIGG'S WEDGES

This month Flavourly box came up trumps this month with the inclusion of a bottle of Tigg's Amazing original dressing. This unique sauce was created by Granny Tigg and can now be seen doing great things at markets and farm shops up and down the country. Its packed full of zingy tomato flavors and I decided to experiment and instead of just using it as a dipping sauce, I used it as a marinade for some of my famous wedges. The results were amazing and I just had to share my guide on how to make them with you, it would be a crime for me not too!

HERBY MUSHROOM MEDLEY PASTA

You don't always need to pile hundreds of ingredients into a dish to make it a stunner. Sometimes the simplest of concoctions can turn out one of the best meals you will ever eat. This mushroom pasta creation is one of those. It's literally a mix of chestnut and porcini mushrooms and herbs, fried in butter and then poached in stock until reduced. Mix in the pasta of your choice and garnish with a final flurry of fresh parsley leaves and in less than half an hour, a little plate of perfection is on your table ready to dive into! 

CURRIED CAULIFLOWER (NO CARB) RICE

Lots of people out there are always looking for ways to be more healthy with their diets and one of the latest crazes that I've seen on TV and in books and magazines a lot recently is cauliflower rice! By blitzing up a whole cauliflower into itty bitty pieces you can create the illusion of rice grains but without all those pesky carbs. It doesn't have to be bland and uninspiring though. All you need some coconut oil, curry powder and fresh coriander leaves and you can lift this simple side dish right up to the next level!

INTRODUCING: THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF LIVE!

The Cake & Bake Show is thrilled to announce a perfect partnership with the nation’s favorite baking show. With the current series pulling in record ratings, over ten million for the episode dedicated to bread-making aired 19th August 2015, The Great British Bake Off, created and owned by Love Productions, has become a television phenomenon.

PUFFY PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS

When making my delightful egg custard tart this weekend I may of dropped a bit of a clanger by
making for too much filling for my pastry case. Not wanting to let leftovers go to waste, I decided to make Portuguese custard tarts which seem to of become more and more popular in the UK over recent years since being featured in magazines, books and on TV. These cinnamon flavored custard filled puff pastry tarts may not be as nostalgic in look and flavor as an egg custard tart but they do come a close second!

THERE'S NOWT LIKE AN EGG CUSTARD!

If you had to write a list of Great British baking classics, the egg custard will be up there on many peoples lists. Is there any better way to treat yourself on a dreary afternoon than popping into your local bakery and picking up a few egg custards to cheer yourself up? I know a lot of people in my family feel the same so I thought it was time to try and give this comfort food great the MattyB Bakes treatment. Pastry filled with egg custard and topped with nutmeg. Doesn't get much simpler but some times the simplest things in life are the best!

TABBOULEH TIME

To round off a week of mezze based treats comes the jewel in the crown! This stunning tabbouleh looks gorgeous but you won't believe how super quick and simple it is to whip up. All you need is to soak some Bulgar wheat, prepare a zingy marinade and chop up a few herbs and veg, whiz it all together and you have a middle eastern masterpiece ready to plonk on your table for everyone to dive into. Throw over some glistening pomegranate seeds to finish for a burst of fruitiness and you have the perfect tabbouleh feast!

CLASSICS REVISITED: HOORAY FOR HOMEMADE HUMMUS

I said it last time and I'll say it again, I really should make homemade hummus more often. The amount you can make for the fraction of the cost is amazing! My previous homemade hummus was a simple roasted garlic affair that perfect for whipping up in big batches to tuck into at your leisure. This time around I'm making a balsamic and caramelized onion hummus which you can top with herbs and spices and present as a sharing dish at a dinner or party alongside some of my fabulous garlictastic focaccia. A stunning centerpiece for any spread. 

BOOZY BLACK FOREST BROWNIE CAKE

After the Black Forrest Gateaux was featured on cake week of the Great British Bake Off 2015 my social media feeds exploded with people having a go at making their own version and posting their efforts online. Well, I wanted a piece of the action but wanted to come up with something slightly different and so my boozy black forest brownie cake was born. Essentially it's a brownie but dotted throughout are some gorgeous Kirsch soaked cherries that give this cake a very adult edge. It's gooey, rich and chocolaty. Whats not to love!

CLASSICS REVISTED: FABULOUS FOCACCIA / GARLICTASTIC BREAD

With bread week of the Great British Bake Off 2015 a few day away I thought it was time to test out my own bread baking skills but with a twist. With lots of dips being made in my kitchen recently a nice dippy bread was the order of the day and in homage to the demise of Glee on UK TV this week a mash up of my fabulous focaccia and Jon's Garlictastic bread seems most appropriate with this garlic and rosemary brushed focaccia. The best of both worlds, this lully loaf can be cut into gorgeous little strips perfect for a bit of dunking action.

QUICKIDY QUICK AUBERGINE DIP

To round off a trio of quickidy quick dips from this weekends mezzeathon here is my take on the classic Baba Ghanoush. A Middle eastern classic made from roasted aubergine (eggplant for my American chums!) blitzed with lemon juice, tahini, tomato paste, garlic and spices and topped with a handful of my new best friend the pomegranate seed. The only real work involved is roasting the aubergines but once that is done it's just a case of whizzing everything in a food processor and your done. Quick, simple and delicious!

QUICKIDY QUICK RED PEPPER DIP

It all went a bit mezze mad at MattyB Bakes this weekend what with my tzatziki and now this gorgeous red pepper dip. It is essentially blitzed roasted peppers, walnuts and breadcrumbs flavored with pomegranate molasses to give it a delicious sweet edge over the garlic and smoky spices. Finish off with a smattering of fresh parsley leaves and a couple of pomegranate seeds for a real fruity burst of flavor. You are going to fall in love with this delicious treat the second you take your first bite. I can you for sure that I certainly did!

QUICKIDY QUICK TZATZIKI DIP

Tzatziki is another one of those things that I really thought I didn't like, mainly because I'm not a fan of cucumbers. However when I made this Greek dip from scratch at home I was once again won over by an old adversary, it was delicious! I think the key is to remove some moisture from the cucumber before mixing it with the yoghurt, lemon, garlic, herbs and spices so that they have a bit of crunch and add texture to the tzatziki and preventing a sloppy mess. It certainly helped in making the only Tzatziki I've ever enjoyed!

CLASSICS REVISITED(ISH): BUTTER (NO) CHICKEN CURRY

One of the most popular dishes on my blog is my veggie and healthy "no butter, no chicken curry", a twist on the old curry house favourite. It's a fabulous recipe but it was most defiantly ripe for those who aren't too fussed about watching the calories and really want to spoil themselves to a delicious and unctuous classic. It's still veggie friendly but this time I'm including the butter and cream as well as adding some additional little flourishes to really lift this dish up to the next level. It's full of sin's but we all need to be a bit naughty now and then!

TIRAMISU TIME!

I'll be honest, I've never really been a fan of Tiramisu. I often found them to be soggy messes that are all mushy and nasty in your mouth. They are one of Jon's favourites though so I thought I bite the bullet and have a go at making my own and I have to say I have been converted. My version is like a delicious and moist tiered sponge cake with those beautiful booze and coffee soaked fingers layered with delicious marscapone and grated chocolate. Its the first time I've ever enjoyed a tiramisu so I think I must of done something right!

BOOZY BISCOTTI

It felt like a just the time for baking biscuits this weekend. It had been a while since I'd made some , crunchy sweet biscuit treats and even longer since I'd made some twice baked biscotti over two years ago when I gave them out as gifts at Christmas. With that in mind I took an old classic recipe and jazzed it up in the best way I could think of; by adding alcohol to the mix. These flaked toasted almond, amaretto and raisin biscotti are super crunchy and ideal for dunking into your tea on a wet Sunday afternoon.
nibbly

INSTANT COFFEE CAKE

When things are a bit hectic in your life but you still want to do something nice for friends, family or for the fantastic nursing staff at the Royal Liverpool hospital who have been looking after your poorly loved one, my instant coffee cake is the perfect recipe for you. Instant in that being an all in one recipe you can bung everything in a bowl, beat and bake and have a fantastic cake all ready in under 1 hour. Add a bit more time to make an instant coffee marscapone topping and you have a yummy treat for any girl on the go!

SUMMER SMOOTHIES: BREAKFAST ON THE GO

Next in my series of summer time smoothies comes this delicious oaty version that is brilliant for a breakfast time treat and ideal for whipping up the night before, leaving in your fridge and then grabbing in the morning if you don't have time to enjoy a proper sit down brekkie. This recipe is a simple strawberry and banana version with a smidge of honey for sweetness but you can experiment with different fruit to suit your own taste and create your very own individual and unique "Breakfast On The Go".

INGRID'S CURRY WEDGES

Our dear friend Ingrid commented on one of my posts recently suggesting I gave this a go. Curry powder, thyme and salt baked wedges! She said it was a right treat and she certainly was not lying. I've add some chili and garlic into the mix as well for extra oomph. I'm not sure if this is how she makes them but I've taking her idea, ran with it and given birth to these fluffy yet crispy bad boys and so I dedicate this recipe to her for giving me the inspiration. X 

DIRTY DEEP FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BALLS

Ladies and gentleman please feast your eyes on the most dirtiest, heaviest creation to ever grace Matty B Bakes. These balls of mac and cheese and chorizo dipped in panko breadcrumbs and deep fried are so incredibly naughty that if they didn't taste so absolutely awesome you would feel so guilty that you would be handing yourself into the police straight away for crimes against your waistline. They do take a while to prepare but trust me once you have your first, you will see they are well worth the wait.

2-4-£20 CAKE AND BAKE SHOW TICKETS

With the October Cake and Bake Shows are fast approaching here is an exclusive offer of 2-4-£20 tickets, great for those who haven't picked there's yet. What are you waiting for!

MATTYB'S GREEK SALAD

The flavors of Greece are fabulous. I've used the like of feta and halloumi in a couple of my recipes over the years but I've never attempted to give thee ultimate Greek dish a whirl. That my friends is the Greek salad. I'm jazzing my version up by baking a marinaded block of feta in the oven and then serving it on top of a fresh salad fulled of little treats all dressed in a sharp and zingy herby lemon and vinegar dressing.  It's so quick to prepare but will look an absolute delight when you bring it over to the table ready for everyone to dig in!

PRONTO PASTA SAUCE

Pasta smothered in a tomato sauce! Why that's one of our favorites over at MattyB Bakes towers. Sometimes when you don't want the heaviness of a bolognase or a lasagne, a chili, garlic and basil flavored tomato based sauce with a few mushrooms and little sweet peppers topped with soft and stringy mozzarella is all you need. The best part of a pasta sauce though is that you can knock one up in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy folk or when it's a day when you just need something no frills and delicious.

URBAN COOKHOUSE MANCHESTER (MATTY B RECOMMENDS)

Manchester's food scene continues to grow and grow with numerous new places to eat popping up on what almost seems to be a weekly basis. One such venue is the Urban Cookhouse which was handily close to the hotel we were staying in during our latest visit to Manchester and with an appetizing looking menu on offer we thought we would go check it out!

SUMMER SMOOTHIES: TOTALLY TROPICAL

Not all smoothies need to contain yoghurt to make them delicious. In the third of my series of

delicious summer smoothies I've used some tinned pineapples, peaches and banana along with a good swig of complimentary pineapple juice to create another refreshing concoction perfect for cooling you down on a blistering warm day. Its also great for vegans out there as well as those who are lactose intolerant, why should they miss out on all the smoothie action!

FABULOUS FRESH GREENS FRITTATA

Remember when there was a time when me having a frittata was a rare thing. Well when I did get around having one and created my fabulously fiery frittata I vowed that I wouldn't leave it so long until I made another. Nearly on year later and it was about time I stuck that promise and so long along came this equally scrummy fabulous spring green frittata. This time using peas, asparagus, potatoes and chili jam, a final sprinkling of feta cheese makes this one pan dish great for tucking into on a warm summers evening.

CAKE AND BAKE SHOW TICKET GIVEAWAY

The October Cake and Bake Shows (in association with NEFF) are nearly upon on us and it's my privilege to be able to offer you all two chances to win a pair of tickets to the show of your choice. The October shows are taking place at London, (2nd – 4th October) Manchester (16th – 18th October) and Edinburgh (30th October – 1st November) and (judging my the events at the last show in Harrogate in June) promise to be incredible with a host of celebrity chefs, demonstrations and of course, oodles of cake and other yummy treats all for you to come and watch and sample!

SPICY BEAN BURGER BONANZA

We eat a lot of veggie burgers down at Matty B Bakes towers and we can honestly say we have never been fussed on bean burgers. They just never really feel like your eating a burger in the same way that the like of Quorn burgers do, especially for myself being a carnivore. Of course though I have a mantra and that is that everything always tastes better when it's homemade and when it comes to these beautiful bean burgers that is defiantly 100% true. All you need is a tin of beans, an onion and some herbs and spices and your ready to roll!

CHEEKY CHERRY CAKE

Cherry flavors in cakes and bakes is always going to be a winner in my kitchen. My Bakewell tart and boozy marbled Bakewell loaf cake are testament to this fact. For the ultimate in cherry bursting flavor and for those you aren't a fan of that almond frangipane taste you can't go wrong with plopping some actual cherries into your bake. It saves on having to resort to using jam or flavoring which is also a plus. This cheeky boozy little number is super easy to make and can be whipped up in no time or an impromptu adult only cakey feast!

ROZAFA MANCHESTER (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

I spend quite a bit of time in Manchester going to concerts and gigs and several times I had walked past Greek restaurant Rozafa and thought "you know what, we should really give them a go one day". Today that day finally arrived and we finally took a walk down to see if the food could take us back to our holiday in Rhodes a few years ago. The weather certainly was doing that as it was in the centre of a Great British heatwave so all Rozafa needed to do was provide the authentic Greek dishes to send us back to that fabulous island!

SUMMER SMOOTHIES: MIXED BERRY

My next installment of summer smoothie madness is this delicious mixed fruit version. What's great about this recipe is that it shows how you can boost the goodness of your smoothies using a mixture of both fresh and frozen mixed berries. The joint pleasure of this is that you get the fresh fruity burst of the fresh berries as well as the cold hit of frozen berries which gives an instant chill to the smoothie without the need for having ice cubes around which you may not always have in your freezer. From ingredients to glass in less than 5 minutes! Perfect!

"DIRTY" REFRIED BEAN BAKE

Now when I say dirty I don't mean that in an actual filthy kind of way. That would just be wrong now wouldn't it! What I mean it is that this refried bean bake is just so wrong that it is just oh so right, one of those guilty pleasures that you know you shouldn't be in love with but you could eat by the bucket load. What's great about this too is that although you can make it from scratch if you so please, it's the perfect quick dish to knock together when your pressed for time using simple store cupboard ingredients.

WIMBELDON "GRASSHOPPER" PIE

Nigella Lawson's Grassshopper pie is one of my most favorite things to make. That creamy, minty and most importantly boozy filling on a chocolate biscuit base is a dessert that is so easy to make and delicious in these warm summer evenings. With Wimbledon now in full swing I decided I to put my own spin on this classic dish by using a strawberry and cream liquor instead of the usual creme de menthe to create a pretty pink pie packed with those traditional Wimbledon flavors. Place it centre court on your dinner table and it's game, set and match.

SUMMER SMOOTHIES: STRAWBERRY, LIME AND BANANA

You might find this bizarre what with me being a total foodie but I have a proper aversion to eating

raw fruit. It's a texture thing more than a flavor thing. I just can't handle it! Blend it into a smoothie though and I'm sorted. With summer here and a beach body needed to be achieved before October and the super warm days now upon us here in the UK, here is my first summer smoothie recipe. a simple strawberry, lime and banana connection that's great to get down you at breakfast time or as a refreshing afternoon treat!

"BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF" CHILI JAM

Having been getting my preserving groove on this week with my Deli Dilly Chili Pickles I'm proper on the no waste train. Faced with a bag of mini red chili's with no chance of using them before the use by date there was only one road to go down; make a batch of chili jam. It's so simple to do, prevents you wasting chili's and the end product is a chili jam that certainly does pack a punch. When I first tasted it, it really did blow my socks off! Be warned, this is not a jam for the faint hearted so spice averse folk stay well clear!

TASTY TATER TOTS

In my continuing quest to find exciting ways to jazz up dinner time potatoes I think I may of hit upon the finest potato based creation yet. Ladies and gentleman I bring you my totally tasty tater tots. Deep fried potato which has been seasoned with a hint of spice, these golden and crispy bad boys with there little fluffy insides will be a hit on any dinner table up and down the land. They require a tad more work than lobbing a jacket potato in the oven for your tea but effort is totally worth it once you take that first delicious bite!

TOTALLY TROPICAL OATY BARS

Oat and cereal bars have really taken off in the UK over recent years. Supermarket shelved are now packed with an array of different brands and varieties but they can sometimes be a bit pricey especially if you are trying to be good. This is where my Totally Tropical Oaty Bars come in. Packed full of pineapple flavored amazingness these bars are easy to rustle up in large family sized batches and even better, they are mega tasty. You will never want to fork out for shop bought versions ever again.

CLASSICS REVISITED: MY THAI!

One of my most earliest recipes and one of the most popular is my Thai green curry. Super simple and easy to whip up after a day in work I would just highly recommend you give it a whirl. But what if you have a bit of time to really make your green curry pop? How could you achieve that? Simples! Make your own Thai green curry paste of course! You can really taste the difference between a homemade paste and shop bought. Trust me, that extra effort you put is going to blow your mind!

COOL AND SPICY TOMATO SALSA

This is a delightfully simple recipe for rustling up a cold tomato salsa which is weirdly cooling yet has a yummy spicy aftertaste that just works! Its an old Mauritian favorite called "Satchini Pomme D'Amour" and is great for serving alongside a curry dish or for dipping in roti and tortilla chips. Whats more, it's super fresh and so quick to make that there will be no need for you ever buy a ready made tomato dip ever again. All you need are tomatoes, chili, onion, garlic, coriander, oil and a good old blender and in five minutes you can in salsa heaven!

NUTTY MUSHROOM TOPPED COURGETTE

Every time that a new vegetarian product comes out I do get most giddy with excitement. Yes, the products on sale in shops today are tonnes better than what they used to be around 10 years ago but it's always great to try something new. When Quorn brought out their "lardons" recently I thought they would be perfect mixed through a stuffing and so my nutty mushroom topped courgettes were born! Its great served on it's own or as a side dish and will go down a storm with all the veggies in your life!

RAPID ROTI

I love baking my own bread but even I have to admit that sometimes I really can't be bothered with that slog of making the dough then proofing then knocking it out and proofing again and so on and so on. When you are too busy in the kitchen but still want to enjoy fresh bread why not try these roti. Great with curry dishes, all you need to do is make the dough, let it rest whilst you prepare your mail meal and then roll out and fry the roti. It may be simple, but the taste of that deliciously charred flat bread is up there with the best of them!

PRETTY LITTLE CHOC CHIP SHORTBREAD

Even when I'm feeling a little bit under the weather I can't resist the temptation to get into the kitchen on a day off and whip up some little homemade baked goods. They need to be simple little treats when your feeling a bit blue and these chocolate chip shortbread's are ideal. It takes no time at all to whip up your dough, shape into little discs of deliciousness and bake and you can feel your home with the comforting smell of freshly baked biscuits in less than an hour! If that doesn't perk you up then I don't know what will.

WHOPPIN' WHOLEMEAL LOAF

Days off were made for baking bread. When you have the whole day to take your time working that dough and proofing it slowly and precisely you can end with a beautiful lully loaf coming out of your oven. This is exactly what I did yesterday to create this monster of a loaf using just wholemeal flour, yeast, sugar, salt and water. Then with a simple egg white wash and some steam in your oven  you can give your loaf a crispy crust to compliment its soft crumb centre. Total bread perfection!

ALCHEMIST NEW YORK STREET MANCHESTER (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Everyone loves a cocktail! Boy I know that I do and having stumbled across the Alchemist New York Street smack bang in the centre of Manchester online and seeing the fabulous concoctions they serve I knew I had to give them a go. With a menu of delicious sounding food also on offer would it be a case of too much style of substance. It was time to find out!