Date crunchie

Pretty much ever since I've known Bella, I feel like I've told her about this amazing creation. Despite this she's never actually tried it, so I decided to make it again this weekend.

It's basically a flapjack with dates in the middle, it's simple yet delicious. Serve it warm with custard for a filling dessert, or have cold with a cup of tea. The possibilities are endless!

This is an old family recipe so I've converted the measurements from ounces.

Date crunchie

Raspberry and almond muffins

Can't believe I'm actually posting a baking recipe that doesn't include chocolate... who am I?! (Though I can definitely find a way to incorporate chocolate into these!)

Raspberry and almond muffins

Bastille Day lunch: Onion soup, baked salmon and dauphinoise potatoes, tarte tatin

Joyeux 14 juillet (en peu en retard...) ! As I was spending my first Bastille Day away from France in three years, I decided to pay hommage to my second home by preparing a three course meal.

This meal can be made easier by preparing both the soup and tart the night before. It was a bit tricky to ensure everything was hot at the right times but hey, it's a learning curve.

Delia Smith was my saviour, providing all recipes I used. On the menu was:

Soupe à l'oignon gratinée (onion soup)

Saumon au four & gratin dauphinois (baked salmon and dauphinoise potatoes)

Tarte tatin (apple tart)

Chilli con quorn

This is another go-to recipe I used to make all the time at uni. If you don't fancy quorn mince, try adding a tin or two of lentils instead.

It's a great dish to make in large quantities and bring to work or school.

Chilli con quorn - recipe adapted from BBC

All-the-veg mac and cheese

This was my staple dish at uni, I like to think it's healthy because there are lots of vegetables in it but it's also covered in cheese, so win-win!

With regards to the vegetables, it's really up to you. The challenge is to get as much veg as possible in it. If you add enough frozen spinach to the cheese sauce it turns green which looks pretty funky.

Unlike my previous recipe, this one requires 3 pans and results in a lot of washing up, but it's worth it.

All-the-veg mac and cheese (adapted from a well-loved student cookbook I had at uni)