January 19, 2024
This simple combination with dark chocolate is easy to make and exquisitely tasty. Popular in cuisines around the world, sesame is the oldest domesticated oilseed crop, having been cultivated for over 5000 years - mainly in India...
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January 13, 2024
There are lots of themes in cuisine that run through much of Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle and Near East. The conquering of lands and the migrations of people shared new recipes across cultures. Michael tells me these are very similar to Greek Koulourakia
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January 06, 2024
Gaby made a Greek New Year cake this week - Vasilopita. A bit late you might say! But it’s following the Greek Orthodox calendar that Julius Caesar started in 45BC, so lands on January 14th. In the Islamic calendar it’s 1445 now. In the Jewish Calendar it’s year 5784 ...
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January 06, 2024
This is one of those simple looking cakes that's absolutely moreish so takes some self-discipline once you start eating. Traditionally made for the Greek Orthodox New Year on January 14th following the Julian calendar, it's baked with a coin to represent good fortune and prosperity
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January 02, 2024
These will put some zip into your day. Energy balls are quick to make and a super-healthy handy snack. Turmeric has many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer.
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December 29, 2023
If your hair is six inches long, the ends have been around for 365 days. Twelve inches long and that’s 730 days, etc. How you habitually treat your hair in those days all adds up. Using a less damaging technique...
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December 19, 2023
Also known as a Berliner in Germany and a ponchik in Poland, Michael used to queue up excitedly for similar ones as a child, at the bustling Bakery in the Old Kent Road.
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century BC.
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December 16, 2023
The salon is in full swing for our busiest two weeks of the year. Baubles are twinkling, mulled wine is steaming and prosecco flowing. We’ve themed our Christmas decorations mostly in red this year, and as usual, delved into our warehouse stores for some heritage pieces.
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December 09, 2023
Do you lean towards the uncomplicated, or prefer to go large with all bells and whistles? Bauhaus or Baroque, Armani or Versace, Sushi or French Haute Cuisine? Maybe you swing both ways like me, but I lean more to
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December 08, 2023
This is my more traditional alternative to last week's puff pastry version. Smaller than usual and with a high filling to pastry ratio, they disappear comfortably and deliciously in one, but perhaps take a bite in polite company.
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November 29, 2023
Sometimes it's just nice to have a change; a bit of fun. And the range of colours with easy application and little commitment mean you can dip in and dip out to suit your mood or the season.
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November 24, 2023
It’s an odd place Dubai. Each of the half dozen times I’ve gone in the last 20 years it’s almost unrecognisable. Such is the rapid pace of change with a population now half the size of London and most of that since...
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