Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2026-02-09T14:09:47.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Classic Valentine's Day menu
items: Top 10 pancakes to eat for dessert
items: How to throw a pancake party
items: 30 jacket potato topping ideas
items: Rick Stein unwraps Christmas: traditions, turbot and the secrets to a perfect festive feast
items: Skye McAlpine's Christmas: Venetian magic, festive feasts and the fun of imperfect gatherings
items: Alison Roman on why simplicity is the secret ingredient in modern home cooking
items: We asked 8 men their biggest health fear – then got an expert to answer them
items: A pop star’s food journey: KT Tunstall on custard, keto and cooking on the road
items: 11 make-ahead Christmas recipes you can start this weekend

Classic Valentine's Day menu
type: item
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: BBC Good Food team
subject: Sophisticated recipes
subject: special meal for two recipes
subject: Special recipes
subject: Valentines recipes
description: Not sure what dishes to cook this Valentine's Day? Be inspired by our classic menu and ensure a special Valentine's dinner from start to finish
encoded: Resist the temptation of a supermarket meal deal on 14 February and show your loved one you care by cooking a stylish supper that's sure to impress. We've put together a romantic menu to serve two people. Tuck into a salmon starter, succulent steak & chips main and a salted caramel & chocolate dessert. Make a pair of passion fruit martini cocktails, and enjoy! Follow this Valentine's Day menu for classic recipe ideas and for more inspiration, see our quick & easy Valentine’s menu and the 10 most popular Valentine’s Day dishes and our complete collection of Valentine's Day recipes. If your Valentine is meat-free try our veggie Valentine's recipes and to keep costs down this year why not try our budget-friendly Valentine's ideas? Classic Valentine’s Day recipes You can prepare the starter and dessert a day or two ahead, if you like. The main and cocktails are quick and easy to make on Valentine’s Day itself. Starter: Smoked salmon with prawns Start your Valentine’s night in with this five star-rated smoked salmon and prawn salad. You can make the horseradish cream and lime vinaigrette in advance, so it’s just a case of assembling and dressing the salad right before you serve it. Or rustle up this fig, burrata & prosciutto tartine for a vegetarian alternative – it's an impressive-looking starter that's deceptively easy to make. For more starters perfect for kicking off an evening of romance, check out our Valentine's Day starter recipes. Main: Steak diane Every year, steak is the most popular Valentine’s Day recipe of choice for Good Food users. Treat someone special to a classic steak diane, with a rich, creamy sauce and a touch of theatre from your flambé skills. For the ultimate indulgence, we’ve chosen tender fillet steak – a true showstopper for any romantic supper, and it only takes 25 minutes. Main: 'Marry me' gnocchi Alternatively, indulge in this rich, cheesy marry me gnocchi for a brilliant veggie option. It's easy to make and comes together in less than 40 m…

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Top 10 pancakes to eat for dessert
type: item
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Guide
subject: Recipes
subject: How to
subject: American pancakes
subject: banana pancake
subject: blueberry pancakes
subject: Crêpes
subject: dairy-free pancakes
subject: Dessert
subject: gluten-free pancake
subject: Pancake day
subject: Pancakes
subject: Sweet
subject: vegan pancakes
description: Enjoy these sweet pancake recipes as a dessert all year round, not just for Shrove Tuesday. From sugary crepes to fluffy American stacks, you'll find plenty of ideas here
encoded: Pancakes are an all-important part of any breakfast or brunch spread, but they can be much more. With Shrove Tuesday fast approaching, we’ve gathered our top 10 sweet pancake recipes for your appreciation as a dessert all year round. From stacks oozing with chocolate to plates vibrant with colourful fruit, pancakes are so versatile that you can eat them for every meal and not get bored! Whether you're looking for indulgent treats or creative pancake dessert ideas, discover more sweet pancake recipes and our full collection of Pancake Day recipes. For inspiration on lunches and dinners involving pancakes, check out our savoury pancake recipes and savoury crepe recipes. Try our kids’ pancake recipes, which are perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen. For the perfect tools and pans to help with your flipping and plating up, check out our best pancake and crepe pans, tried and tested, and the 15 best tools for Pancake Day. Our best dessert pancakes 1. Cinnamon roll pancakes Serve these cinnamon roll pancakes for breakfast or brunch with caramel yogurt and maple syrup. They also make an inspired dessert for Pancake Day. Achieve the perfect swirl effect by piping on a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, pancake batter and maple syrup into your already-frying pancake. Check out more tasty cinnamon recipes. 2. Chocolate-filled pancakes with caramelised banana Create perfect fluffy, American-style pancakes with an oozy chocolate centre by spooning a teaspoon of chocolate spread into the middle of the batter while frying and top with a little more pancake mix. Top with caramelised bananas and maple syrup. Check out more banana dessert recipes. 3. Mississippi mud pie pancake cake Turn your crêpes into a showstopper cake by layering them with chocolate custard then topping with whipped cream and chocolate and caramel sauces, nuts and broken biscuits. This pancake cake is sure to go down a treat with everyone at the table. Chocolate lovers will also enjoy these chocol…

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How to throw a pancake party
type: item
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Guide
subject: Recipes
subject: How to
subject: celebrations
subject: Pancake
subject: Pancake day
subject: pancake party
subject: Party
subject: Shrove Tuesday
description: Celebrate Pancake Day in style with our ultimate pancake party planning guide, packed with alternative recipes, tasty toppings and fun activities
encoded: Look no further if you’re wondering how to celebrate Pancake Day this year. Shrove Tuesday (4 March) is a day for feasting on your leftover storecupboard ingredients before the start of Lent. What better way to enjoy gorging yourself on tasty treats than surrounded by friends and family? We’ve gathered all the best tips and tricks for throwing a Pancake Day bonanza, from pancakes for alternative diets, sweet and savoury toppings, and crafts and activities to keep the kids entertained. Discover all the pancake recipes you need to enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert, without ever getting bored. Dive into our pancakes for dinner recipes and top pancakes to eat for dessert for inspiration. If you’re looking to impress your guests with your fantastic flipping skills, check out our best pancake and crêpe pans tried and tested to avoid embarrassing mishaps. For useful tools, such as a pancake warmer to keep your crêpes toasty, check out our 15 best tools for pancake day. Finally, using wonderfully sourced ingredients makes all the difference in creating these simple staples, so check out our best shop-bought Pancake Day toppings. The base There’s no point covering your pancake with delicious toppings if you haven’t first perfected the batter. Our foolproof crêpe recipe is the best place to start to ensure a perfect pancake every time. The batter is also freezable, so you can whip up a batch and save the leftovers to avoid waste. If you prefer thicker American-style pancakes, these buttermilk pancakes are super fluffy. Best made fresh, serve for brunch or dessert with an apple and pecan topping. If any of your guests are celiac or gluten-intolerant, serve them these delicious gluten-free pancakes. They’re equally as simple, but the use of gluten-free flour means no one will have to miss out. For vegan friends and family, we also have many options. If they prefer a fluffy American-style pancake, our easy vegan pancakes are a hands-down winner. Try our ve…

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30 jacket potato topping ideas
type: item
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Budget
subject: Family
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: Baked potato
subject: dinner ideas
subject: Family dinner
subject: fuss free
subject: Jacket potato
subject: lunch ideas
subject: potato fillings
subject: vegan toppings
subject: vegetarian toppings
description: Looking for a fuss-free midweek family meal? Look no further. We've gathered our top meat, veggie and healthy fillings for the mighty jacket potato
encoded: A jacket potato is a wonderful low-effort and low-cost family meal. Simply bosh a potato in the oven then fill it with your favourite toppings. These recipes include many storecupboard ingredients, so they won’t break the bank. Another way to save money is to microwave your jacket potatoes, which uses less energy than an oven. Learn how to how to microwave a baked potato then find more tips in our helpful guide to energy-efficient cooking. Looking for recipes that put storecupboard staples to good use? See our budget storecupboard meals, top kids' storecupboard recipes and storecupboard pasta recipes for our favourite thrifty recipes. Check out our healthy jacket potato recipes, healthy potato recipes and cheesy potato recipes for more inspiration. This guide was brought to you by Cook Smart, a campaign designed by Good Food experts to help you save money and reduce food waste. Dive into more Cook Smart content in our budget hub. Best jacket potato toppings and fillings 1. Jacket potato board This jacket potato board is a fun and interactive way to serve your spuds, perfect for a gathering or a crowd-pleasing family meal. Potatoes are cooked until their skins are crisp and the insides fluffy, then arranged on a platter with a variety of flavour combinations, from coronation chicken and cheese & onion to tuna crunch. This allows everyone to customise their own potato, catering to different tastes and dietary requirements. It's easily scalable for any number of portions, too. Find more crowd-pleasing ideas in our party food recipes. 2. Soy-baked potatoes with tuna sriracha mayo Potatoes are brushed with soy sauce before roasting, infusing the skin with a savoury, umami richness. Once cooked, the potatoes are split and filled with a mixture of tuna, mayonnaise and spicy sriracha sauce, finished with sliced spring onions and spinach. The result is a moreish combination of creamy, spicy and salty flavours, with a satisfying contrast between the crisp, soy-glazed skin and…

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Rick Stein unwraps Christmas: traditions, turbot and the secrets to a perfect festive feast
type: item
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: food podcast
subject: Good Food Podcast
subject: Podcast
description: Rick Stein reveals his favourite Christmas rituals, from German candles to Cornish pubs, plus his top gravy tips and why he loves a cold British December
encoded: Christmas with Rick Stein is firmly rooted in tradition. He shares the family rituals that shaped his Cotswolds childhood, talks about the ideas behind his new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rick-Steins-Christmas-Recipes-Memories/dp/1785949403/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NYNP08M82SF1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ta7os_rvym8yHbcYZHTgs2ny-xTsxMm13oKVpocFKtvZYMEWLIIEL295OCsblBiz4NKRU44yJ1RcRxwBZafguSkFkioUQvcy15cEtzkG1qj3Ls6NLXz0i8cpuO2uyeRTFAVxzQwNpIQb10PI34mFb7HqQvzEF0meWdlXDzN_xIYlvpB3dm4Y0CmTjSXhdgLjGZvb_2snX35xwAYclvLk9Fa4u71FuYs2rbI5uFFtRqs.9e0hchDTkMsqWa0KSGAJGd_q3Jq0SF4f8ha3AnAxLOc&dib_tag=se&keywords=rick+stein%27s+christmas&qid=1765797009&s=books&sprefix=rick+stein%27s+christmas%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1&tag=bbc00-21&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-989471" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Rick Stein’s Christmas, and gives a glimpse of his own festive table with roast goose, Christmas Eve fish and his tips for perfect gravy. Listen to Rick Stein's full podcast episode, then explore more chats with chefs and food creators for their best kitchen tips, stories and slip-ups, in our podcast hub. The Christmas tree reveal Rick Stein’s Christmases are shaped by memory and ritual. Growing up in the Cotswolds, he experienced early festive seasons with British and German influences. He recalls the smell of Christmas more than anything else, with candles and a smoky wood fire filling the house. Real candles flickered on the tree and a yule log burned in the hearth. The tree was always a moment of anticipation. Stein and his youngest sister weren’t allowed to see it decorated until the candles were lit. They were kept upstairs, then brought into the hall on Christmas morning for the reveal. For him, it’s these sensory details, the candlelight and the scent of woodsmoke that capture the festive spirit. Fish on Christmas Eve, Goose on the day Many associate Rick Stein with seafood, but his Christmas table brings together both land and sea. “We always cook turbot on Christmas Eve,” he says, recalling…

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Skye McAlpine's Christmas: Venetian magic, festive feasts and the fun of imperfect gatherings
type: item
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: food podcast
subject: Good Food Podcast
subject: Podcast
description: Skye McAlpine shares why Christmas is a season not just a day, with tips for calm hosting, tasty leftovers and the joy of food as a love language
encoded: It is a crisp November afternoon and Skye McAlpine is already thinking about Christmas cakes – not just one, but as many as thirty, all soaked in brandy and destined for friends and family. “The moment I get the dried fruits out with the brandy and start soaking them, that’s when I’m kicking off into the season,” she says, eyes bright with anticipation. For McAlpine, author of A Table in Venice and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Table-Full-Love-Celebrate-Everything/dp/1526657368/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12BOLDDWOOF1P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D9Yk1l9yH75NqMES7YO3oBBrWbenrjmOZOSKTubUZrEefMng7QpNC2uKxnQy-6qN.TsDMBcXvob43fNct3lYlyzGxHcigQTrHhcfwS3lQmfQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=A+Table+Full+of+Love&qid=1765542812&s=books&sprefix=a+table+full+of+love%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1&tag=bbc00-21&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-989136" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">A Table Full of Love, Christmas is more than a date on the calendar. It is a mood, a run of shared rituals and, above all, a celebration of connection. Listen to Skye Alpine's full podcast episode, then explore more chats with chefs and food creators for their best kitchen tips, stories and slip-ups in our podcast hub. The magic of a Venetian Christmas McAlpine’s Christmas is a story shaped by two worlds. Raised in Venice from the age of six, she now divides her time between Italy and England, creating a festive season rich with blended traditions. “We usually spend Christmas in Venice,” she says. “We’ll have lots of celebrations in London with friends in the build-up, then just before Christmas, we go out and have Christmas with my mum.” Venice, she insists, is at its most magical in winter: “At Christmas it’s lovely and empty. It’s magic, the tourists are gone and it feels like the city belongs to you.” Christmas Eve in the McAlpine household nods to Italian custom, with seafood or truffle pasta, followed by midnight mass. “On Christmas Day, my mother always cooks a full English, and turkey with all the trimmings,” she laughs. “It’s a hybrid Ch…

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Alison Roman on why simplicity is the secret ingredient in modern home cooking
type: item
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: food podcast
subject: Good Food Podcast
subject: Podcast
description: Alison Roman shows how simple, flavour-packed cooking shines. In this candid chat she shares why less is more and how a boiled potato can surprise you
encoded: Step into Alison Roman’s kitchen and you won't find obscure ingredients or a search for the next big flavour. Instead, you'll find garlic gently sizzling in olive oil, the soft steam of a perfectly boiled potato and the calm assurance of someone who has spent years refining food to its essentials. At a time when cooking can feel like a spectacle, Roman stands out for championing what is simple, straightforward and satisfying. Listen to Alison Roman's full podcast episode, then explore more chats with chefs and food creators for their best kitchen tips, stories and slip-ups in our podcast hub. A pantry revolution Roman’s latest book Something from Nothing is her love letter to the pantry, a celebration of making do, making it work and making it taste great. Speaking to Good Food’s Samuel Goldsmith, she explains how time spent outside the city, in snow-dusted countryside with early-closing shops, pushed her to focus on what she already had at home. “At my core my recipes are pretty pantry-focused,” she says. “It’s always funny to think 'okay, what is this book going to be?' But I do need parameters. I need to colour in the lines a little bit.” This assignment to cook with what is on hand showed how creativity thrives under constraint and how much joy there is in rediscovering humble ingredients. “I like the challenge of making do with less," she says. "I think it makes you a better, stronger and more creative cook.” The joy in restraint Roman’s approach is not about going without but about cooking with attention and appreciation. She describes the quiet magic of a simple meal: “A really nice potato, boiled perfectly with a little butter and crunchy salt, is a really good snack. Eat that and think, wow, that tastes really good. As soon as you lose sight of that being a really delicious food, you’ve lost the plot.” It is a thread that runs through her career, from early days in professional kitchens, where she admits she once overcomplicated dishes to prove herself, to …

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We asked 8 men their biggest health fear – then got an expert to answer them
type: item
date: 2025-12-11T12:58:49.000Z
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Health conditions
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Many men stay silent about their health, but speaking up can save lives. We explore key concerns, from heart health to stress, plus get expert tips from nutritionist Kerry Torrens and GP Dr Chintal Patel
encoded: When it comes to health, men have a bit of a reputation for adopting a 'head in the sand' approach, hoping that if a problem is ignored long enough, it will simply disappear. But, silence can be dangerous. In the UK, around 15 men die prematurely every hour, often from conditions that could have been prevented or treated earlier. From worries about ageing and fitness, to disease and mental wellbeing, these concerns are real – yet too often they go unspoken. In this article, we’re opening up the conversation around men’s health. We’ll explore the real worries men often think about but rarely discuss, from heart health and degenerative diseases to stress and nutrition. The aim? To show that these concerns are both valid and common – and that with the right support and small lifestyle shifts, men can take charge of their wellbeing with confidence. "Heart disease runs in my family" Frank, 27, Cork Heart disease is my biggest health concern because it runs in my family. My grandfather had severe heart problems throughout his life, including a triple bypass and several heart attacks, and I’ve been told I have a slightly irregular heartbeat. I usually feel fine, but sometimes my heart skips a beat or doubles up, which feels strange, almost like a reset. It doesn’t affect my daily life, but it does make me more conscious about looking after myself. I gave up smoking recently and I’m cutting back on alcohol and processed foods. I exercise regularly too, which I’m sure helps. One common misconception is that heart disease only affects older people. In reality, it can be hereditary and often develops over time, so taking care of your heart when you’re young really matters. When it comes to advice, I follow a mix of nutritional websites and Instagram accounts. The same themes often recur – olive oil, ginger, vegetables, fruit and eating earlier in the evening, as well as avoiding heavy carbs and refined sugars. I chat to my parents about heart health now and then, but not reall…

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A pop star’s food journey: KT Tunstall on custard, keto and cooking on the road
type: item
subject: Guide
subject: How to
subject: food podcast
subject: Good Food Podcast
subject: Podcast
description: KT Tunstall, Brit Award winner, shares memories of late-night cooking in tiny flats, life on the road while sober and why haggis remains her top comfort food
encoded: It's been two decades since KT Tunstall’s Suddenly I See lifted her to international fame. And as she marks the re-release of Eye to the Telescope, the Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter is as passionate about what she eats as she is about what she sings. On the Good Food podcast, Tunstall discussed life on the road, her commitment to the ketogenic diet, and why haggis, neeps and tatties is her ultimate comfort food. Listen to KT Tunstall's podcast episode, then explore more chats with chefs and food creators for their best kitchen tips, stories and slip-ups in our podcast hub. From pop stardom to the kitchenette Touring the globe might sound glamorous, but for Tunstall, the reality is often far from room service and fine restaurants. “I always try and get somewhere that has a kitchenette so I can cook for myself,” she says, describing a late-night dinner in her West London studio flat: chicken breast wrapped in smoked bacon, baked with salt and pepper, served with a fresh spinach salad with tomatoes, pine nuts and balsamic. “It was delicious,” she adds with clear satisfaction. Her approach is practical and shaped by the demands of a musician’s life. “You are travelling all the time, dealing with jetlag, and you have to be peaking with energy at nine o’clock at night,” she explains. Heavy carb-laden meals do not help. “If you ate a proper dinner full of carbs at six o’clock, you are just on the sofa at nine, digesting.” Keto on the road Tunstall has followed a ketogenic diet for nearly a decade, a choice driven by health rather than fashion. “I had a lot of kidney trouble when I was younger,” she says. “I kept getting kidney infections and ended up on antibiotics a lot. I tried different things but in the end I stopped drinking and changed my diet. It really sorted it out.” Her diet is now high in fat and low in carbohydrates, with about 75% of her calories coming from fat. “It really suited my lifestyle and levelled me out, stopped me having sugar cravings,” she …

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11 make-ahead Christmas recipes you can start this weekend
type: item
date: 2025-11-24T14:54:01.000Z
creator: Emily Burg
subject: Guide
subject: News & Trends
subject: How to
description: Take the stress out of Christmas with our top make-ahead recipes that keep your kitchen calm and the festive cheer flowing from the moment guests arrive
encoded: Christmas is all about the sparkle. Think carols, presents and long, lazy meals with the people you love. But we all know there’s another side to the season, too. Once the hosting and organising kick in, even the biggest Christmas fan can feel the pressure rising. That’s where we come in. Our aim is to help every Good Food user enjoy the celebrations with confidence, and the easiest way to do that is to take the stress out of Christmas dinner before it starts. The answer is simple: get ahead. As the old saying goes, fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Not this year. We have gathered 12 must-make recipes that will keep your kitchen calm and your festive spirit high. First up are our easy gingerbread mince pies. Christmas is never complete without a mince pie and this twist brings cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg right to the front. Make a batch a couple of days before the big day and set them out as a warm welcome for arriving guests. One bite and everyone will know Christmas has truly begun. 1. Easy gingerbread mince pies These gingerbread mince pies are destined to become a Christmas favourite. They bring together two much-loved festive treats in one bake, giving you all the warm spice of gingerbread with the fruitiness of a classic mince pie. It’s a brilliant way to fill the house with those unmistakable Christmas aromas while only switching the oven on once. A win all round. It’s never too early for your first mince pie. Explore our mince pie recipes with clever twists to keep this festive favourite feeling fresh all season long. 2. Sticky sage & onion sausage roll wreath with baked camembert Create this glorious wreath, full of Christmas colour, in under an hour. It turns a simple baked camembert into a brilliant tear-and-share centrepiece that fits perfectly into any festive spread. Ideal if you are hosting a little soirée. Once assembled, the sausage roll wreath can be chilled for a day or frozen for up to a month without the cheese. When it is time to entertain, tak…

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