Sunday, 26 April 2026

White Bean Stew

 



The recipe is actually for a soup.  I added less liquid to make it more of a stew instead.  I also used savoy cabbage instead of kale.


  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 800 g white beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 1 carrot sliced
  • 1 celery stick diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 80 ml white wine
  • 600 ml vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 80 g kale chopped
  • ½ lemon juice
  • 20 g Pecorino cheese

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Saute for 7 - 9 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables have begun to soften. If they begin to stick to the bottom of your pan, add a splash of water.
    1 tablespoon olive oil,1 white onion,1 carrot,1 celery stick
  2. Tip in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, diced rosemary, and oregao, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
    2 garlic cloves,1 tablespoon tomato paste,1 teaspoon Italian seasoning,1 sprig fresh rosemary,1 teaspoon dried oregano
  3. Pour in your white wine to deglaze the pan and let the wine cook down for a few minutes. Use your spoon to gently scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
    80 ml white wine
  4. Add the white beans, bay leaf, and vegetable stock and bring to a gentle simmer (5 minutes).
    800 g white beans,600 ml vegetable stock,1 bay leaf
  5. Use a hand blender to blend about ⅓ of the pan (more if you want a smoother soup), then leave the soup to simmer for 5 - 8 minutes. The sauce should start to thicken.
  6. Stir in your kale and let it wilt down for a minute or two. Season your soup with salt and pepper to taste, and then remove the pan from the heat.
    salt and pepper,80 g kale
  7. Serve with the Pecorino cheese grated on top, the lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
    ½ lemon,20 g Pecorino cheese,0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes

https://www.bytheforkful.com/white-bean-soup/#recipe



Pineapple upside-down cake

 


Unfortunately no cherries in the cupboard so made without, this time.





For the cake



Method

  • step 1

    Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

  • step 2

    For the topping, beat 50g softened butter and 50g light soft brown sugar together until creamy. Spread over the base and a quarter of the way up the sides of a 20cm round cake tin. Arrange 7 pineapple rings on top (reserving the syrup for later), then place 7 glacé cherries in the centres of the rings.

  • step 3

    Place 100g softened butter, 100g golden caster sugar, 100g self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 eggs in a bowl along with 2 tbsp of the reserved pineapple syrup. Using an electric whisk, beat to a soft consistency.

  • step 4

    Spoon into the tin on top of the pineapple and smooth it out so it’s level. Bake for 35 mins. Leave to stand for 5 mins, then turn out onto a plate. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

  • https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pineapple-upsidedown-cake



Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Zoologist and TV presenter Desmond Morris dies aged 98: Tributes to star who had a 'lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity'

 By ARTHUR PARASHAR, SENIOR REPORTER 

Zoologist and TV presenter Desmond Morris has been remembered for his 'lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity' after his death at 98.

The TV star, who hosted the popular show Zoo Time, rose to fame in 1967 when his book The Naked Ape became an international bestseller.

Morris passed away on Sunday in Ireland, where had lived since his wife, Ramona, died in 2018. 

His son Jason paid tribute today, saying: 'His was a lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity.

'A zoologist, manwatcher, author and artist, he was still writing and painting right up until his death.

'He was a great man and an even better father and grandfather.'

Zoologist and TV presenter Desmond Morris (pictured in 1961) has died aged 98

Zoologist and TV presenter Desmond Morris (pictured in 1961) has died aged 98

Morris passed away on Sunday in Ireland, where had lived since his wife, Ramona, died in 2018

Morris passed away on Sunday in Ireland, where had lived since his wife, Ramona, died in 2018

The TV star, who hosted the popular show Zoo Time, rose to fame in 1967 when his book The Naked Ape became an international bestseller

The TV star, who hosted the popular show Zoo Time, rose to fame in 1967 when his book The Naked Ape became an international bestseller

Desmond Morris gets a cuddle from Jamie, an Amazon parrot, at London Zoo

Desmond Morris gets a cuddle from Jamie, an Amazon parrot, at London Zoo

The Wiltshire-born author joined the British Army in 1946 and fulfilled two years of national service, before later pursuing his interest in the arts and studying natural history.

Morris began his academic career studying zoology at the University of Birmingham, and later completed a doctorate in animal behaviour at Oxford University, where he remained to study the reproductive behaviour of birds.

He became the face of ITV Granada's hit nature series Zoo Time in 1956, which ran from 1956 until 1967 and featured animal experts and zoo staff and explored the behaviour of animals.

Morris also hosted many art exhibitions throughout his career, including one at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1957 which combined his interest in both animals and painting, showcasing a series of works created by chimpanzees.

He also co-organised an exhibition titled The Lost Image in 1958 which compared images created by infants, human adults and apes and was on display at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Morris became the Zoological Society's curator of mammals at London Zoo in 1959, a post he held for eight years.

He started his career with the BBC in 1965, hosting its Life In The Animal World programme, and later went on to headline many documentaries for the corporation.

In 1967, Morris penned his most popular book, The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study Of The Human Animal, which led to his global recognition.

Following its success, he wrote many follow-up books including The Human Zoo (1969), Manwatching (1977) and The Naked Man (1977), and has contributed to more than 90 titles in his decades-long career dedicated to the study of animals and zoology.

During his tenure as a broadcaster, he hosted BBC documentaries including Manwatching (1977), TV And Natural History (1986) and The Human Animal (1994), and he had regular appearances on shows such as The Animals Roadshow and Friday Night And Saturday Morning.

In recent years, Morris continued to dedicate his life to his academic endeavours and his work as a surrealist artist, having held many exhibitions showcasing his work.

The BBC also released a programme titled The Secret Surrealist in 2017 showcasing Morris and his artwork as it examined his 'double life' as a painter.


https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15748805/Zoologist-TV-presenter-Desmond-Morris-dies.html



Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Alternative Almond Snowballs - Orange, Mastic & Almond Cookies

 


Orange, Mastic & Almond Cookies

Makes 20 biscuits approx

Ingredients
2 egg whites
1 cup caster sugar
Zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp mastic liqueur *(can substitute for 1/2 tsp ground mastic powder or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
3 cups almond meal
1 1/2 cups flaked almonds
1/2 cup icing sugar

Method
1. Preheat oven to 170°c, fan forced.
2. Line large baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
3. Into a large bowl, add the egg whites and the sugar. Whisk together until egg whites are foamy and sugar has dissolved. Add in orange zest and mastic liqueur and stir to combine.
4. Next, sprinkle in the almond meal and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
5. Next, using your hands, gently knead the biscuit dough in the bowl until it's nice and smooth (it will be slightly sticky)
6. Place the flaked almonds into a small bowl and the icing sugar into a separate small bowl and set aside.
7. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls then press them into the flaked almonds. Next, roll them in the bowl of icing sugar and place on to baking tray, pressing down slightly to flatten.
8. Repeat with rest of biscuit dough.
9. Place tray in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly golden.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. (Biscuits will be slightly soft when you remove them from the oven, but will firm up as they cool!).

Optional glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  •  teaspoons orange juice


Monday, 13 April 2026

Baileys Chocolate Fudge

 



Baileys Chocolate Fudge
A smooth, creamy fudge packed with rich chocolate and a hint of Baileys, topped with chocolate chips and chunks for extra texture. Soft, indulgent, and perfect for a sweet treat.
Ingredients:
3 ½ cups milk chocolate chips (about 600 g)
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup Andes baking chips (or chocolate chips)
Directions:
Prepare the tin: Line a square baking tin with baking paper.
Melt the chocolate: In a saucepan over low heat (or microwave in short bursts), melt the milk chocolate chips with the condensed milk, stirring until smooth.
Add flavour: Remove from heat and stir in the Baileys and vanilla extract until fully combined and glossy.
Add texture: Fold in the Andes baking chips or chocolate chips.
Pour and spread: Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and spread evenly.
Decorate: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks on top, gently pressing them in, just like in the image.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours until fully set.
Slice: Cut into thick squares or cubes.
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 2–3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours
🔥 Kcal: Approximately 220 kcal per piece | 🍽️ Servings: 16–20