It all began with a recipe involving a calf's foot filling (the less said, the better), but Eccles cakes are now one of Britain's most famous sweet treats.
Probably more famous than the town from which it comes, the Eccles cake began its rise to popularity in the 1790s in what is now part of Greater Manchester, where bakers James Birch and his apprentice-turned-rival William Bradburn battled for supremacy in the apparently fiercely competitive fruitcake market.
These small round patties of flaky pastry with a currant filling are not to be confused with similar-looking Chorley cakes (less sweet) or Banbury cakes (more oval). Today Eccles cakes hold a special place in the nation's heart, which not even their unappetizing nickname -- "dead fly pies" -- can diminish.
Creamy mashed potatoes are a must for any Thanksgiving feast, and these spuds may just be the mashed potatoes of our dreams.
Adobo is the hot, spicy, smoky sauce that canned chipotle peppers come packed in. You can freeze the chipotles and any leftover sauce for future use. This cooling melon relish balances the heat of the marinade. Serve with hot steamed rice or a green salad.
Made in an easy muffin method, the harvest flavours in these cupcakes are the base for our creepy Halloween cupcake collection.
Lasagna on a weeknight? We've made it possible with this skillet version, layered with cremini mushrooms, baby spinach and a creamy béchamel sauce. For the best texture, make sure to drain the mushrooms fully to get rid of any excess moisture, which will otherwise make the filling runny.
Cardamom, ginger and cloves add a warm chai flavour to these super-chocolaty cupcakes. The potency of aromatic spices decreases over time; for maximum flavour, store them in a cool, dark place, away from light and humidity, and discard old spices every six months.
