England · Scotland · Wales · Ireland
British Isles Cuisine, Kitchen & Dining
The traditions behind the food: afternoon tea, British baking, the Sunday roast. Recipes that belong to them, tools to plan them, and honest guides to the kitchen and table that make them work.
New this week
Fresh from the kitchen
Recipe · 30 min
Tattie Scones
Thin potato scones cooked on a dry griddle: an essential part of a Scottish breakfast and a good use for leftover mash.
Kitchen design
In-Frame Kitchens Explained: Is the Look Worth the Cost?
What makes a kitchen "in-frame", how it differs from standard units, and the pros and cons before you buy.
Buying guide
Knife Sharpeners: Steels, Stones and Pull-Throughs
The difference between honing and sharpening, and which sharpener suits which knife and cook.
Recipe · 45 min
Toffee Apples
Crisp apples on sticks, dipped in a glassy red toffee shell: the classic treat for Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Kitchen design
Kitchen Sink Materials: Stainless, Fireclay, Composite or Enamel?
How the main sink materials compare for noise, scratches, chips and stains, and which suits which kitchen.
Buying guide
Sugar Thermometers: For Toffee, Fudge and Jam
Clip-on dial, glass or digital: choosing a sugar thermometer, plus the sugar stages and the temperatures that matter.
Cuisine
Explore the British Isles
English Food
Roasts, pies, puddings and regional bakes from Yorkshire to Cornwall.
Scottish Food
Shortbread, oats, smoked fish and the Burns supper.
Welsh Food
Welsh cakes, bara brith, lamb and leeks.
Irish Food
Soda bread, stews and the breads of the Irish kitchen.
Northern Irish Food
Griddle breads, the Ulster fry and home baking.
Kitchen
Kitchen design & decor ideas
Kitchen design
In-Frame Kitchens Explained: Is the Look Worth the Cost?
What makes a kitchen "in-frame", how it differs from standard units, and the pros and cons before you buy.
Kitchen design
Kitchen Sink Materials: Stainless, Fireclay, Composite or Enamel?
How the main sink materials compare for noise, scratches, chips and stains, and which suits which kitchen.
Kitchen design
Kitchen Bins and Recycling: Fitting It All In
Pedal, pull-out and multi-compartment bins compared, plus where to put the food caddy and recycling in a small kitchen.
Kitchen design
Knife Storage: Blocks, Magnetic Strips and Drawer Inserts
The safest ways to store kitchen knives so they stay sharp and out of harm's way, compared side by side.
Kitchen design
Breakfast Bars and Stools: Getting the Heights Right
Counter height or bar height, how tall the stools should be, and how much knee room and width each person needs.
Kitchen design
Kitchen Rugs and Runners: Materials, Sizes and Safety
Which rug materials cope with spills and washing, how to size a runner, and how to stop it slipping.
Kitchen design
Small Kitchen Ideas: More Storage and Worktop in Less Space
Practical fixes for a small kitchen: going up the walls, rails and racks, slimmer appliances and folding surfaces.
Kitchen design
Kitchen Worktop Materials Compared
Wood, laminate, quartz, granite, marble and stainless steel: how each handles heat, knives and stains, and what care it needs.
Kitchen
Bake & cook
Guides
Choose well
Buying guide
Baking Trays and Bun Tins: What You Need
Flat baking sheets, deep trays and bun tins: which to own for biscuits, scones and mince pies.
Buying guide
Butter Dishes and Butter Bells: Soft Butter Without the Mess
Covered dishes versus water-sealed butter bells, what size fits a British block, and how to keep butter fresh on the counter.
Buying guide
Cake Servers and Cake Slices: How to Choose
The wedge-shaped server that lifts a neat slice of cake or tart onto a plate without breaking it.
Recipes
Traditional bakes & classics
Recipe · 30 min
Tattie Scones
Thin potato scones cooked on a dry griddle: an essential part of a Scottish breakfast and a good use for leftover mash.
Recipe · 45 min
Toffee Apples
Crisp apples on sticks, dipped in a glassy red toffee shell: the classic treat for Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Recipe · 45 min
Scottish Oatcakes
Crisp, rough oatcakes made with just oatmeal, a little fat and hot water: perfect with cheese, soup or stovies.
Recipe · 1 hr 25 min
Yellowman
Northern Ireland's chewy-crisp honeycomb toffee, famously sold at the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle.
Recipe · 1 hr 55 min
Roast Chicken with Bread Sauce
A simple lemon-and-thyme roast chicken with the very British side of creamy, clove-scented bread sauce.
Recipe · 1 hr 15 min
Irish Apple Cake
A simple rubbed-in sponge packed with chunks of Bramley apple and topped with crunchy sugar, best served warm with custard.
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