The Joy of Fermentation: Kombucha
By Seren Charrington Hollins Kombucha is the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir”. It’s been around for more than 2,000 years and... Read more.
It’s a Bard Life Cooking with Warden Pears – but a Literary Delight!
By Seren Charrington Hollins Succulent, juicy and tender with a slightly granular flesh; pears are delicious when perfectly ripe. I love pears and for me a poached... Read more.
The Mouth-watering History of the Chocolate Brownie & How to Make a Perfect One
By Seren Charrington-Hollins In my humble opinion, there is nothing quite as decadent and naughty as a really good chocolate brownie. When it comes to describing... Read more.
Quick Fix Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Recipe
I love to finish a home-cooked meal with a home-made pudding, but with six children I often end up time poor and pudding can easily be a bridge too far.…... Read more.
Dressing for Afternoon Tea
If the age old ritual of taking afternoon tea still conjures up images of polite, white-gloved ladies engaging in polite chit-chat over cups of fragrant tea then... Read more.
Welsh Witterings: For the Love of a Vegetarian Sausage
There is something rather great and British about sausages, whether sizzling on a barbeque or featuring on a fry-up menu we could not live without a banger or two.... Read more.
An alternative to Nut Roast: Squash and Hazelnut Roast
If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional nut roast, this Squash and Hazelnut Roast is sure to delight. Many nut roast recipes contain very strong... Read more.
How to be a 1950’s Housewife – Polish and Shine
Put down the sweet smelling, synthetic spray polish and step away from the cans of air freshener, for these are fool’s gold, which will not only make your... Read more.
Perfect Toastie Recipes to Enliven the Taste-buds and Perk up lunchtime
When it comes to lunch at home it is very often a sandwich affair, but the problem with sandwiches is that they can become repetitive. The world of sandwich fillings…... Read more.
Coconut and Brazil Nut Curry – a quick fix dinner that is good for the mood
This creamy Coconut and Brazil Nut Curry is perfect served with brown rice to soak up the creamy nutty sauce. A perfect quick and healthy dish and it is a…... Read more.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Soufflé Recipe – an impressively easy indulgence
I confess that I really enjoy a cup of black coffee and a peanut butter, chocolate cup. Yes, the chocolate and peanut butter combination probably tragic for my waistline,... Read more.
Rose and Raspberry Sponge Cake Recipe
I love a slice of moist sponge cake in any flavour, but when I fancy something special I always make either a boozy coffee cake or a rose and raspberry…... Read more.
Nothing Says VE Day Celebrations like Vegetable Fudge
As bunting is strewn across high streets all over the country and street parties prove a popular past time, the VE Day celebrations have certainly started ahead... Read more.
Exploring Shropshire: Wenlock Priory in Much Wenlock
By Seren Charrington Hollins On a day that threatened rain, I set out with my six children to spend an afternoon exploring Shropshire. I had no set agenda... Read more.
There’s More to Eggs than Chocolate: the History of the Easter Egg
Whilst dodging the Easter holiday traffic and getting caught up in the consumerism of buying chocolate eggs, it is easy to forget that Easter is an important festival... Read more.
Ding Dong: Avon’s calling
By Seren Charrington Hollins For many of us the ‘ding-dong’ of the doorbell signifies that the Avon lady has come to call with her samples of lotions, potions... Read more.
Remembering the Tupperware Party
By Seren Charrington Hollins The very mention of Tupperware conjures up images of round stackable storage bowls in harvest gold or avocado green and of lunch boxes... Read more.
Good Clean Fun – pressing perfect
By Seren Charrington Hollins Banish wrinkled dresses and rumpled sheets for good with these top 5 perfect-pressing tips. Temperature does matter – Iron silks... Read more.
Soap Opera – the drama of soap making
By Seren Charrington Hollins Soap has gone very artisan in recent years and is a far cry from the artificial smelling, aqua-marine soap that filled the bathroom... Read more.
The Art of reading tea leaves
By Seren Charrington Hollins Tea leaf reading is a little like any other form of divination in so much that you need a clear mind, creativity, patience and an ability…... Read more.
Spring Cleaning with Natural Cleaning Solutions
Leafing through my 1861 copy of ‘Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management’, it becomes apparent that during the Victorian age the chore of household cleaning... Read more.
Making Pies for British Pie Week: a Noble Affair
When it comes to deciding what Britain’s national dish is there’s always a bit of a debate with some people saying that the national dish is no longer the traditional…... Read more.
Gone to the Dogs: The Isle of Dogs, that is
I’ve always wanted to visit the Isle of Dogs, in all honesty more for its name than anything else, so when I got the opportunity to visit I was determined…... Read more.
Red Velvet Cake – the Glamorous Granny of Bakes
Red Velvet Cake is a recipe that is older than you might think! Red Velvet cake has enjoyed an explosion in popularity over the past few years and it is…... Read more.
‘The Curious Case of Spotted Dick’
By Seren Charrington Hollins ‘Spotted Dick’ the source of playground sniggers from the past! The classic pudding is a source of continual embarrasment... Read more.
The Trifle – A truly Decadent Dessert
By Seren Charrington Hollins There was a time when the English banquet table would have been gracefully adorned with sugar plums, syllabubs, flummeries, junkets... Read more.
The British Love of Sausages
There is little debate that Britain is a nation of sausage lovers. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner you can always rely on a good old fashioned banger.... Read more.
The Enchanting World of Fairies
By Seren Charrington Hollins Fairies are now considered the province of children’s tales, but as an adult when fairies are mentioned my imagination still soars.... Read more.
Dry January Needs Total Bliss Cocktails – Teetotal Tipples
By Seren Charrington Hollins If you’ve ever decided to go booze-free – you’ll know that the teetotal options can be a little boring. The good news is that... Read more.
Food, Friends , Fun and Leftover ingredients
By Seren Charrington Hollins Christmas and New Year are the busiest times of the year, with a to-do list that gets longer by the minute , slotted in around endless…... Read more.
Sprouts Are Not Just for Christmas – some recipes to inspire you to fall in love with the Brussels Sprout.
By Seren Charrington Hollins The Brussels Sprout is a bit like Marmite- you either love or hate them! These tiny little green morsels are one of those things... Read more.
Marvellous Marmalade: Recipes & Top Tips
By Seren Charrington Hollins With the passing of Christmas and the New Year celebrations out of the way there comes a joyous cry from marmalade makers across the... Read more.
The Culinary Delights of Christmas Past
By Seren Charrington Hollins The modern day Christmas dinner may be considered a banquet by those preparing and eating it, but as you begin to contemplate the kitchen... Read more.
Christmas Through the Ages – the 1920’s
By Seren Charrington Hollins The elevating aroma of Christmas trees lingers in the air, whilst wreaths glisten and lights twinkle as a warm glow emanates... Read more.
How to Create a Traditional Children’s Party
By Seren Charrington Hollins Children’s parties should be all about simple, unadulterated fun. The best memories of childhood parties tend to be of simple... Read more.
Pantry Essentials: Chutney
By Seren Charrington Hollins Nothing prepares you for the night’s drawing in and the cold chill of winter in the air quite like a pantry well stocked with home-made... Read more.
Looking for a Great British Getaway? Maybe it’s Time to Consider an Alternative to a Hotel
By Seren Charrington Hollis These days, hotel stays are considered a little passé and a trend has emerged for staying in establishments termed “restaurant with... Read more.
The Story of Cakes – it’s as much about memories as recipes
By Seren Charrington Hollins Cakes are one of the most familiar and extraordinary objects of the Western world. There is nothing quite like cake – indeed no wedding... Read more.
Spookily Good Halloween Cocktails – because Halloween isn’t just for kids!
By Seren Charrington Hollins I love Halloween and apart from carving pumpkins and baking spooky treats. I love to decorate my home with Halloween decorations... Read more.
Spookily Good Cocktails for the Witching Hour
By Seren Charrington Hollins It is the time of year when pumpkin spice is the flavour of the month and witch and scary costumes are just the ticket, that’s... Read more.
In a Pickle
By Seren Charrington Hollins The nights are most definitely drawing in and there is a cold chill in the air. It seems that Christmas decorations are now... Read more.
Sprouts – the Little Cabbage of Love
By Seren Charrington Hollins The Brussels Sprout are one of those foods that aren’t exactly classed as glamorous and whether you love or hate them they are... Read more.
The Perfect Coffee and Walnut Cake
By Seren Charrington Hollins In recent months I’ve really fancied a nice slice of coffee and walnut cake and so when enjoying a nice break from the writing... Read more.
Exploring the Work and Inspiration of Laura Ashley and a Visit to her Former Country Home: Llangoed Hall
By Seren Charrington Hollins Llangoed Hall, in Powys, is a Wye Valley hotel that combines country house charm with, exceptional dining and beautiful gardens and... Read more.
Old-Fashioned Cherry Cake
By Seren Charrington Hollins When you think of a traditional slice of cake and a nice cup of tea in a china cup, it is hard not to imagine that…... Read more.
Natural Cleaning Recipes
By Seren Charrington Hollins The world we live in is full of man-made chemicals and the biggest organ of our bodies, the skin, is often subjected to contact with... Read more.
Lemon Curd – it’s a great recipe for loving your leftovers.
By Seren Charrington Hollins When it comes to using up a glut of eggs there is more that can be done than simply making an omelette. How about luscious lemon…... Read more.
Love your leftovers: Celery
By Seren Charrington Hollins As the cold chill leaves the air and the skies hold the promise of balmier days we tend to pack away the slow cooker and…... Read more.
Comfort Food Chocolate and Orange Soufflé
By Seren Charrington Hollins I can think of nothing better than a nice rich, chocolate soufflé and with my recipe you can prepare it an hour in advance, which makes…... Read more.
The Trend for Flavoured Gin Continues to Grow – Tips for DIY Infused Gin
By Seren Charrington Hollins Flavoured gin, commonly referred to as infused gin, has a rich and illustrious history that dates back several centuries. While traditional... Read more.