HMRC to trial seasonal Self Assessment helpline We have announced that we are piloting a new seasonal model for the Self Assessment (SA) helpline, to prioritise helping those with urgent queries. For three months from 12 June, HMRC will trial…
The governments’ Help to Save scheme for those on low incomes, has been extended until April 2025. The scheme offers a bonus of 50p for every £1 saved. Savers can deposit between £1 and £50 per month and the scheme…
I’m trying to make a selection of strawberry desserts: a tart using a sweet version of the hot water pastry; a cream tea with a super-fresh strawberry “jam”; a classic French compote with Cointreau; the orange and Cointreau ice-cream. …
A great opportunity:
Feeling that life is worthwhile and means something is key to happiness. Just doing something helps. If I’m feeling miserable, wretched, depressed or distressed, baking is great comfort. Pork pies seem an odd way of dealing with feeling miserable but…
A few minutes describing my celebrations, recipes and aspirations of grandeur!
Aunt Hilary decorated another Coronation cake for the weekend’s local neighbourhood lunch. Masses of delicious dishes contributed by all for a long happy session of talk and laughter. I’d cooked a vacuum-packed gammon joint (skin removed but trussed with string)…
I featured on the RNIB podcast last week with my recipe for a coronation leek tart, using my hot water pastry. Click here for a link to the podcast.
Hot water pastry makes less mess for blind bakers but also works with commercial “wheat/gluten-free” flour as I tested this week. Just adding a teaspoon of xanthium gum to the flours and we made individual pork pies and a “baked…
Sound effects. The sous-chef has been away for days at a bee convention. We know he’s getting older, but technology really helps. His hearing aids connect to his mobile phone so I’m talking direct into his ears. On the other…
