Seasonal Recipes: Homemade Maple Toffee Apples

These are the maple toffee apples from my story A Week in Books: Stories to treasure, traditional recipes and seasonal flowers Maple toffee apples are wonderful in autumn, for evenings spent outdoors, wrapped up warm by a fire. Consider also making these with surplus apples in August and enjoying them cool from the fridge on…

Seasonal Recipes: English Cherry Flapjacks

These are the sweet treats from my potager garden story: Umbrella boats, windowsill seeds and chocolate flapjacks and I quickly learnt through the comments I received from curious readers that in many other countries, flapjacks are another name for pancakes. These are the English variety – a quick and easy store cupboard oaty bake. This…

Seasonal Recipes: Scottish Raspberry Shortbread

Scottish Raspberry Shortbread (Original recipe: Scottish Baking by Sue Baker) I’m going to file this recipe under “Autumn” as raspberries are in season from August-October here in England.  However, they do make a delicious treat for Burns Night.  I’ve reduced the number of raspberries from the original recipe, as my children find the shortbread very crumbly and this ratio helps…

Seasonal Recipes: Smokey Garlic Ketchup

Vegan Smokey Garlic Ketchup The base for this ketchup comes from one of my favourite books The Homemade Vegan Pantry – which provides great basic recipes and also explains the science behind store cupboard staples. I was surprised how incredibly easy and fast it is to make ketchup – I’m a complete convert to the homemade version. Ingredients: …

Homemade Natural Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner

The peppermint and orange oils in this cleaner not only cancel out any vinegar scent, but also add antibacterial properties – making it perfect for wiping down kitchen surfaces.  It’s also much safer to have around the house with children than commercial kitchen bleaches. Ingredients: 300ml of boiled, cooled water 60ml white vinegar 10 drops peppermint oil…

Seasonal Recipes: Whipped Coconut Lotion with Frankincense and Vitamin E.

This coconut body lotion is really quick and easy to make, and results in a lotion with a light, soufflé-like texture. Recipe: 1 cup coconut oil, room temp1 teaspoon vitamin E oil5 drops essential oil of your choice (effective essential oils for skin lotions include lavender, frankincense and geranium) Whip for 6 mins in an electric mixer,…

Seasonal Recipes: Hazelnut Milk and Dark Chocolate Fudge

Hazelnut Milk and Dark Chocolate Fudge Inspired by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s recipe in The Joy of Vegan Baking. This fudge requires very few ingredients and is simple and quick to make.  It stores very well for a week or more, if kept in the fridge. Ingredients: 340g Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Buttons 6 Tbsp Vitalite, with extra for…