Roast Plum Pavlova from Borough Market
British plums tend to be found at the likes of Jock Stark & Son’s stall in August and September, so really they’re both a summer and autumn market fruit. Finding the correct season in which to pigeon-hole plums, though, is less important than recognising that they make a very fine pavlova topping. Here they are […]
Chorizo and Piquillo Pepper Traybake from Borough Market
This is an homage to Brindisa Ltd.’s legendary chorizo, piquillo pepper and rocket roll; one of the first and still one of the best street foods in London. This one-tray sausage dish is rich, piquant and deceptively luxurious. It’s simple to cook, though the specific sausages are essential. These can be found at good market […]
Eggy Bread and Roasted Grapes from Borough Market
It’s easy to forget that grapes are seasonal, such is their ubiquity throughout the year. But autumn is the time of the European grape harvest, and it’s worth taking home a bunch or two of premium French or Italian grapes (such as the black muscat variety) if you come across them in September and October. […]
Six things I’ve learned about maternity wear
Before I was pregnant, my idea of maternity wear fell in to two camps: The first: big billowy Laura Ashley dresses – awash with chintzy floral and worn with pride in the 80s and 90s by my Mother when she was pregnant with me and my sisters. The second: the more modern take on antenatal […]
Banana and Chocolate Ice-Cream Sandwiches
Banana and Chocolate Ice-Cream Sandwiches This fun pudding is lip-smackingly good and great for all ages. It is also easy to assemble. I especially love making it with kids although every adult I know likes to behave like a child now and again too. The ‘ice cream’ is just banana mixed with cocoa powder and […]
What I’ve learnt from a year without alcohol
This time last year I stopped drinking alcohol. There was no dramatic trigger and I didn’t have a booze problem. It’s just that several things happened around the same time which made me want to give it a go. I was working on a memoir called The Sober Diaries which is a funny, honest account […]
Chicken Donburi
Donburi is quintessential Japanese comfort food. The base layer is a basic sushi rice bowl but then what sits on top can consist of any variety of meat and vegetables. This chicken donburi recipe is a very well-balanced combination that might not be a typical way of presenting food, but I think it is good […]
Warm Barley Salad with Pomegranate and Feta
Barley has a unique flavour with a moreish chewy texture. The combination of ingredients here make this a sensational looking Instagram-worthy salad and the pomegranate jewels add a gourmet crunch. SERVES 2 100g pearl barley 600ml vegetable stock or water 60g pomegranate seeds 3 spring onions, thinly sliced 40g watercress 40g baby leaves, to include […]
A Yoga Retreat For All Seasons
This Christmas I decided to do something different. The sort of different that, if you knew me, would inspire not only raised eyebrows, but concern for the state of my mental health. I decided to go on a yoga retreat in the south of Spain which is about as close to my comfort zone as […]
Bang Talent Founder : A Day In The Life
Jessica Bendien is the founder of Bang Talent, an agency that books talent for the UK’s most loved TV shows, talk shows, commercials, fashion, beauty and media brands, celebrity castings, awards shows, red carpet and charity events and more. With 15 years experience in the TV industry, Jessica has worked with the likes of Russell Brand, […]