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Food and Drink

Tuck in to our favourite food and drink recipes, read our latest restaurant reviews and find out about the great local produce that's available right on your doorstep.

 

  • Recipe: Prune and Orange Hot Cross Buns

    As a master baker and judge of ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery, Peter Sidwell knows a thing or two about hot cross buns, as this fragrant and delicious recipe testifies.

  • Elvis Pancakes: With Bacon, Bananas & Peanut Butter

    Named after the King of Rock, Elvis Presley – as they contain his favourite ingredients of bacon, bananas and peanut butter – these pancakes are packed with protein and nutrients. They’re also very easy to make.

  • Five Pancake Toppings You Need To Try For Pancake Day

    Elevate your pancake game with these five irresistible toppings that will add a burst of flavour and excitement to your pancake day...

  • Recipe: Choux Hearts with Berries

    Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner knows full well that food is the language of love. So, what better way to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day than with these stunning choux hearts?

  • Recipe: Truffled Macaroni & Smoked Haddock Bake

    Want something that combines supreme comfort with a little decadence? Well look no further than this divine truffled macaroni dish with an extra boost from smoked haddock

  • Recipe: Nigel Slater's Lamb Hotpot

    We’re getting to that time of the year when rustic food comes packed with extra appeal.

  • Recipe: Roasted Turkey Legs with Cranberries and Oranges

    If you fancy something a little different on Christmas Day and don’t want to be bothered with cooking a whole turkey, this one-pot twist by Mary Goodwell is a vibrant, zesty dish that will delight your guests.

  • 10 Eye-Catching Cocktails to Try This Christmas

    The countdown to Christmas is officially on and the creativity is pouring out with everything from delicious desserts to eye-catching cocktails.

  • 'Ever So Easy' Beef Bourguignon Recipe

    This simple recipe by Adele Trathan virtually cooks itself, but it is deliciously succulent and flavoursome. It’s ideal for a wholesome meal when you don’t want to be slaving over a hot stove.

  • Coffee & Chocolate Banana Bread

    This recipe by Mary Goodsell takes banana bread to a new level with the added flavours of chocolate and coffee. Soft and moist, it's a delicious mid-morning snack with a cup of coffee.

  • Recipe: Crispy Tofu with Sweet and Sour Peppers and Pineapple

    Packed with veggies, this delicious vegan option offers the best of both flavours with its sweetness from the pineapple and tang from the vinegar.

  • Recipe: Black Forest Yoghurt Bark

    This recipe by Mary Goodsell is delicious eaten straight from the freezer. It is an easy, protein filled snack that will also hit that sweet spot!

  • Lunchbox Ideas Everyone Will Love

    As another academic year begins, we’ve been giving our lunchbox ideas a refresh.

  • Recipe: Chinese-Style Glazed Pork Belly

    This Sunday (22nd) marks Chinese New Year. So we’re tucking in to a traditional Chinese dish, to celebrate the year of the rabbit!

  • Recipe: Spicy Barbecue Sizzlers

    Some like it hot, so sizzle your ribs and chicken with these BBQ sauces. I hope you find these recipes melt-in-your-mouth incredible!

  • Kids Zone: Ice Cream Recipe

    Turn an average summer’s day into a fun ice cream parlour adventure with this fun and easy homemade ice cream in a jar recipe, says Sara Whatley.

  • Coconut, Blueberry & Lemon No Bake Cheesecake

    This cheesecake uses coconut yoghurt and plenty of zesty lemon for a healthier, lighter version of what tastes like a very decadent dessert

  • Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad

    Mary Goodsell’s salad makes a scrumptious summery lunchtime meal and is also a great option if catering for lots of people. It’s perfect with leftover roasted chicken, making it very quick to assemble.

  • Recipe: Courgette and Bean Summer Salad

    Griddled courgettes pair beautifully with tinned beans and any kind of lemon dressing and look so impressive on a summer’s barbeque table. This salad by Mary Goodsell is full of flavour and very purse friendly with seasonal ingredients

  • Recipe: Lemon, Banana and Blueberry Loaf

    The beauty of this loaf cake is that all the ingredients go into one bowl, so there’s minimal washing up. The zesty lemon flavours with the seasonal sweetness of blueberries elevates the tastiness of this recipe by Mary Goodsell

  • Most Popular Mocktails To Try This Dry January

    Fancy giving dry January a go? Then we have the perfect selection of mocktails for you to make this year. And some are easier than you think!

  • Lemon and Raspberry Drizzle Loaf Cake

    If you're looking to give the classic lemon drizzle cake a little twist, this loaf bake is the perfect adaptation thanks to the addition of ground almonds, make it ever so light and palatable.

  • Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore

    This one-pot supper by Mary Goodsell is a real crowd-pleaser. The tender chicken has all the comforting flavours and aromas of Italy. Serve it up with some rice or roasted garlic new potatoes

  • Recipe: Crustless Asparagus Quiche

    A quiche works for every occasion; quick fridge-raid lunch, easy summer entertaining or a protein-filled breakfast alternative. This crustless asparagus quiche by Mary Goodsell is the perfect naturally gluten-free dish.

  • Recipe: Home Baked Sausage Rolls

    Sausage rolls are often enjoyed as a quick snack, fresh from the oven – or make the perfect addition to any summer picnic, when chilled.

  • Strawberry, Yoghurt & Poppy Seed Cake

    If you are hosting friends in the garden this summer, this strawberry, yoghurt and poppy seed cake by Mary Goodsell is a delicious twist on a classic sponge cake.

  • Recipe: Home Battered Fish and Chips

    Nothing says you’re in Britain better than freshly cooked battered fish and chips, eaten from paper at the seaside.

  • Recipe: Traybake carrot cake

    When Mary Goodsell was a young girl she was astonished that a vegetable could be made into tasty cake! Her traybake version couldn’t be simpler and can be made nearly all year round using British carrots

  • Recipe: Coronation Quiche

    In celebration of Coronation Big Lunches taking place this month, The King and Queen Consort have shared a recipe for a Coronation Quiche – made with spinach and broad beans.

  • Ever So Easy Beef Bourguignon

    This simple recipe by Adele Trathan virtually cooks itself, but it is deliciously succulent and flavoursome. It’s ideal for a wholesome meal when you don’t want to be slaving over a hot stove

  • Recipe: Rhubarb & Ginger Streusel Cake

    I’ve been planning some tea-time treats and decadent desserts. This easy seasonal rhubarb and ginger cake hits the spot on all accounts, it’s moist, not overly sweet and has a crunchy topping. The perfect crowd pleaser.

  • Royal Pastry Chef’s Spiced Easter Biscuits

    Back in 2020, Queen Elizabeth’s royal pastry chefs released the family’s sacred ‘Spiced Easter Biscuits’ recipe. What better way to honour her late Majesty, than by baking these delightful and delicious Easter treats?

  • Chocolate and olive oil banana bread

    This healthy take on the classic banana bread is definitely one to try if you're avoiding refined sugars or want to make a dairy free alternative to the classic!

  • Seasonal Recipe for Celeriac Rosti with Harissa Fried Eggs

    Celeriac makes a wonderful potato alternative, and this rosti recipe by Mary Goodsell is really versatile. Cook them instead of hash browns with your Sunday fry-up, top with poached eggs and smoked salmon for a more decadent brunch.

  • Recipe: Rosemary, Red Wine, Garlic and Lamb Pie

    As March celebrates British Pie Week, we’re bringing you a delicious recipe for Lamb, Red Wine, Garlic and Rosemary Pie, courtesy of Wilkinsons Pies, in Sandown.

  • Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta

    Sometimes, a comforting bowl of pasta on the sofa is perfect for a winter evening. This pasta dish by Mary Goodsell is really easy to throw together, and it’s a seasonal sensation as UK grown leeks are readily available at the moment.

  • Recipe: No Bake Breakfast Bars

    These no-bake chewy date bars are the perfect breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up to ensure you stay full throughout the day.

  • 4 Pancake Day recipes you're going to love

    Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a traditional Christian holiday celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of 'Lent'.

  • Recipes: Three Ways With Mulled Wine

    One of the many festive traditions writer, Mary Goodsell, looks forward is having a pot of mulled wine on the stove. Here’s are her three tried and tested versions that should keep you warm and merry throughout the festive season.

  • Recipe: Home-made Sloe Gin

    Late September/early October is the perfect time to start picking sloe berries and to get a delicious batch of Sloe Gin underway for Christmas.

  • Get Baking: Apple Rose Tart Recipe

    Got some apples? Feeling creative? Impress your nearest and dearest while expressing your artistic side, writes Jo Grey.

  • Recipe: Eton Mess Tray Bake

    The classic twist on the quintessential pavlova gets reimagined once again in this mouth-watering traybake by Adele Trathan.

  • RECIPE: Lunchbox Lasagnes

    Schools are now open, so we've brought you one of our favourite lunchbox recipes, enjoyed by kids and grown ups — simple Lunchbox Lasagnes!

  • Summer recipes: Gin and Tonic Sorbet

    With summer in full swing, Gillian Reay-Young shares this recipe for Gin and Tonic Sorbet to enjoy in the sun.

  • Cheese & Chilli Hot Cross Buns

    Put a little zing in your hot cross buns with Adele Trathan’s twist on an age-old recipe

  • Recipe: Cod & Chorizo One Pan Winter Warmer

    This warming and tasty recipe by Adele Trathan, puts all the ingredients into one pan, making it simple and easy for all the family to enjoy

  • Recipe: Blueberry and Lime Loaf Cake

    A slice of this Blueberry and Lime Loaf with a cup of tea is the dream.

  • Costa Launches Perfect Picnic Picks for Summer — Including New KitKat Muffin

    Costa Coffee, is introducing a selection of delicious sweet and savoury items to its existing menu. Available to purchase from Costa Coffee stores nationwide from Thursday 6th May, these new additions are the perfect choice for any picnic in the park.

  • Pizza Pinwheels

    Serve up delicious Pizza Pinwheels at home this Firework Night, to remember remember the 5th of November in your own way. We may not be out at our favourite firework displays as usual, but we can certainly put on a spread to enjoy with the family, starting with these delicious bitesize treats. Makes 16 pinwheels Takes 25 mins to cook and prepare

  • Recipe: Sourdough Pretzels

    Got into baking sourdough bread during lockdown? Mix it up with this tasty pretzel recipe, from former Great British Bake Off finalist James Morton. Deliciously salty and perfectly chewy, these sourdough pretzels are sure to please.

  • Recipe: Lemon and Five Spice Chicken for Spring Barbecues

    This mouth-watering barbecue recipe is perfect for spring in the garden!

  • Recipe: Easter Bread

    This sweet Easter Bread is a traditional recipe baked in Italy and Greece, which tastes similar to brioche.

  • Recipe: Cranberry and Orange Hot Cross Buns

    Arguably one of the best things about the Easter season is enjoying warm hot cross buns, slathered in butter. So we've brought you a tasty recipe for cranberry and orange flavoured buns to bake at home. After all, we've all become pretty good at baking from scratch over the past year!

  • RECIPE: Pine Nut Cornbread. PLUS Win a Cookbook

    Author of the new Plant Based Cookbook, Brad Roe, shares his delicious recipe for Pine Nut Cornbread with Sweet Potato Puree, Sundried Tomato Cream and Crispy Pak Choi.

  • RECIPE: Pork and Cranberry Sausage Rolls

    When it's cold and wet outside, we love to brighten a day stuck indoors with a few home comforts. How about these home-made Pork and Cranberry Sausage Rolls, served fresh from the oven.

  • American Pancakes with Bacon, Syrup and Fried Banana

    Traditional pancakes with lemon and sugar are always a winner, but what about something a little different this year? We love thick, fluffy pancakes with fried banana and bacon, drizzled in maple syrup. Sounds so wrong, but we think it's so right!

  • Bake Your Own Fortune Cookies to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

    February 12th marks the beginning of the Chinese year of the Ox! Why not celebrate with your family at home, by making and baking your own Fortune Cookies. After all, we could all do with a little luck in 2021!

  • Recipe for Toasted S'mores Martini

    It's Friday! How about sticking some music on and becoming a mixologist for the evening. We recommend this recipe for Toasted S'mores Martini.

  • Haggis, Neeps and Tatty Cakes with Crispy Kale and Poached Duck Egg

    What better way to celebrate Burns Night on Monday 25th January than serving this tasty twist on the traditional Scottish supper.

  • RECIPE: Chocolate Mug Cake

    Fancy something sweet to eat now the Christmas supply is long gone? There’s no need to wait until your next essential shopping trip, you can make this quick and easy Chocolate Mug Cake with ingredients likely to be in your cupboard already.

  • Grilled Chicken Buddha Bowl

    One mouthwatering meal which is guaranteed to give you your five a day is a Buddha Bowl. You can make these with anything you like really — the more colourful the better! But here we're making a healthy and flavoursome grilled chicken and rice Buddha Bowl, packed with fruits and vegetables.

  • RECIPES: Herbs for Health

    Herbs are a great natural way to help beat stress, boost the immune system and get your skin glowing as local herbalist Sarah Hillyer explains.

  • RECIPE: Chinese Steamed Buns or Bao Buns

    Chinese Steamed Buns or Bao Buns take party food to a new level this New Year. And they’re surprisingly easy to make from scratch.

  • Recipe: Leftover Christmas Pie

    Don't throw out the leftovers from your Christmas dinner — use them to create this delicious pie.

  • Christmas Gingerbread House

    Create your own winter wonderland with this gingerbread house recipe. It makes plenty of dough for a medium sized house and lots of trees. You can keep the decorations elegant and simple or go rather over the top if you wish, like I did! Whatever you do, it’s lots of fun for the whole family to get involved with over Christmas.

  • Make Your Own Mulled Wine

    Nothing beats a warm mug of Mulled Wine on a cold winter’s day. And enjoying your own home-made batch is even better!

  • Homemade Chocolate Truffles

    Chocolate truffles make the perfect homemade gift to give at Christmas, or to enjoy yourself while snuggled up in front of a festive film.

  • Spiced Christmas Chutney

    We've gotten pretty good at baking and making over the past year, so we're keeping the momentum going with another festive home recipe.

  • A Recipe for a Traditional Christmas Cake

    With much more time spent at home in the lead up to Christmas this year, why not revisit an old festive tradition — and bake a Christmas cake to share with the family on the big day. Nothing beats it!

  • Bonfire Brookie

    Regardless of whether bonfire night goes off with a bang as usual this year, you can still celebrate November 5th with some snap, crackle and pop — with this seasonal recipe from 15-year-old trainee pâtissier chef, Imogen Palmer.

  • RECIPE: Spiced Pumpkin Loaf

    Don't throw away the flesh from your pumpkin...use it to make something delicious instead. This recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Loaf is one of our absolute favourites, and is made year-in year-out by editor, Amy.

  • Recipe: Baked Pears with Honey

    Here's a dessert recipe to enjoy; sticky, scrumptious and ever so slightly healthy... perfect for a sunny Autumn day.

  • Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Pastry

    Approximately 13 million pumpkins are used in the UK for Halloween. Unfortunately most of these are only used for carving and then the flesh is discarded. What a waste!

  • Recipe: French Style Beef Casserole

    As the darker nights draw in, comfort food is the perfect solution. Here's our recipe for a mouth-watering French style casserole.

  • Crispy Duck Pancakes with Hoisin Sauce

    This warming dish is perfect for autumn nights at home. And it's much easier to make than you might think. Serve with rice and salad, or enjoy on their own.

  • Recipe: Wrapped and Stuffed Tenderloin of Pork

    As the autumn season approaches, enjoy this hearty choice for a family meal.

  • RECIPE: Bacon and Pecan Popcorn

    As autumn draws closer, you might find yourself snuggled up at home with a film more often. And no good movie night can ever be complete without a big bowl of popcorn to tuck in to. Try this mouth-watering recipe for Bacon and Pecan Popcorn, for something a little different.

  • RECIPE: Home-baked Croissants

    Nothing beats enjoying home-baked croissants, fresh from the oven! And now you can enjoy a plentiful supply from home, with these kitchen cupboard staples.

  • Summer recipe: Family Paella

    With summer in full swing, why not enjoy a family paella in the sun?

  • Recipe: Chewy Chocolate chip Cookies

    Now the kids are off on the school summer holidays, you might be looking for things to do to keep them entertained. This easy and delicious recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies is the perfect activity for all ages — and will fill their tummies all afternoon!

  • 'Let's Buy Local' and support Isle of Wight businesses

    Have you ever tried asparagus just after it’s picked? Or milkshake made with milk that's fresh from the cow? No? Then it's time to give it a try!

  • Recipe: Scallops and prawns with cream and brandy

    With lockdown affecting many family holidays this summer, you can still bring a taste of the Mediterranean sun to the Island. Gillian Reay-Young recommends having a go at this Spanish classic.

  • Recipe: Spanish Tortilla

    With lockdown affecting many family holidays this summer, you can still bring a taste of the Mediterranean sun to the Island. Gillian Reay-Young recommends having a go at this Spanish classic.

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