BBC Good Food

10 November 2009

Tested

"LisaPisa, I often do something like this using my slow cooker. Following the usual rules, I put the beans in the bottom of the crock pot along with the veg; I too use leeks rather than celery and always use garlic; I sometimes add pearl barley too, it is such a winter comfort item, though lentils work too. I don't like parsley so I use thyme and oregano and a slosh of wine to deglaze the pan is definitely a good idea. But to answer your querie - yes, reduce the stock/liquid by at least half, you can always add a little if it thickens too much. Finally, I would use ordinary thighs, taking off the skin, but keeping the bones, the flavour is so much better when cooked with the meat."

30 October 2009

Tested

"I definitely go along with the 'too much butter' view point - strange that some posters thought them just right. I mopped up some butter from the surface before baking and even then it was oozing over the top of the tin during baking. Even allowing for my hot oven, the edges practically burnt and left the inside a bit doughy. However, the flavours were great, so I'm having another go but reducing the butter to about 300g. By the way, because one picky grandaughter didn't like the idea of plums, I used about 4 oz of sour cherries, which worked a treat."

31 August 2009

Tested

" "Sit the ham on a trivet in the tray then cover the whole thing tightly with a double layer of foil. Bake in the oven for 4 hours. Remove and turn the oven up to 220C/fan 180C/gas 7" How long for?"

21 July 2009

Tested

"I made a single one for myself last night and it wasn't bad. I used soft goats cheese with whole grain mustard and thinly sliced chestnut mushrooms and fresh oregano. I didn't have any cheddar-like cheese but I think it would have improved it a bit, as it did seem just a little dry. All in all, worth doing again, though not sure it would be dinner party class."

04 May 2009

Tested

"I'm so disappointed; I planned to make these for my 4 and 2 year old granddaughters and it was a disaster. I can only assume that this is one of those rogue recipes that work for some & not for others. I took notice of all the comments and used more baking powder and took care not to over-mix. My 10-day old other granddaughter skyped me as they went in the oven, so I relied on the timer; result - flat brown buns! Even if I had kept an eye on them & taken them out earlier, they would have been even less risen than they were. I don't think it was my technique, I have been baking muffins for ages and usually have good baking results; oh well, mark it up to experience! ;-)"