Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Friday 29 July 2011

This morning I have to confess to having butterflies in my stomach. I am sitting at the Manchester Palace hotel as today I am making scones live on air on Radio 4's Womans Hour. It is a proramme I have long admired and it is such an honour to be invited on. I have a large tray of scones with me - cherry, sultana, cheese, plain and lavender and on the journey up to Manchester people kept asking if they could have one - must be a good sign. So if you have time this morning tune in to radio 4 between 10 and 11am to hear me hopefully making the perfect scones! Or Scon - depending how you pronounce it! Click here for the recipe webpage. (Photo William Reveal from my Gluten Free Baker book!)

Friday 22 July 2011

Today my lovely Mum retires. Oh how I wish it was me retiring!!! These are some pretty pink cupcakes that I made for her retirement afternoon tea. I already have plans for her to do more recipe testing for me in all her free time!!!!! I have also just received the advanced copy of my Mini Cakes and other bite-sized treats book published by lovely Ryland Peters and Small - it was nice enough to have my Gluten Free book just a few weeks ago and having a second in such a short space of time just seems a little indulgent!! Still I am definitely not complaining!!!! Here are a few of my favourite pages from the book - I just love the cute Chocolate Pixie Cakes, pecan pielets and baby eclairs. And of course there had to be some of my trademark gold leaf raspberries!!! The book should hit the shops in a few weeks - hope you like it! It is available for pre order on Amazon - link here

















Friday 15 July 2011

Summer sweet peas!

Thursday 7 July 2011

The advanced copy of my latest book The Gluten Free Baker has just arrived - It is so pretty that I haven't stopped smiling since I opened the parcel. These are just a few of the recipe pictures - lavender shortbread, cream slices (with gluten free puff pastry!), macaroons and stollen. I do hope you like it! It will be available in the shops in a few weeks time I imagine - hurrah!

Wednesday 6 July 2011

More 4th July festive fun - LOTS of puddings, Elderflower punch and Pandora the Dog with an American bandana - so cute!

Monday 4 July 2011

Happy 4th July readers. My brother and his lovely wife Amy are visiting and yesterday we had a 4th July party. Lots of delicious ribs, burgers, pecan pies, apple pies - it was a feast fit for a king. We also had a 4th July cake (with a few USA and UK flags on - not quite sure that the uk flags are really appropriate for independance day but hey ho!) If you are celebrating today, have a very happy 4th!