Lydia Brownlow
Teacher of Cookery

We are now enjoying the Easter holidays after a wonderful last week at school with the children decorating cup cakes for the annual Easter cake decorating competition. It is very competitive with the winner getting their Easter Egg on the last day of term. I have added some photos of their stunning cakes at the bottom of this recipe. This is a beautifully easy recipe that is perfect for the holidays! 'Decorate with mini eggs and as many fluffy chicks as you can lay your hand

This week it is a slightly more complicated recipe than usual, BUT this pie is a family favourite and well worth the effort! Makes 4 individual pies 2 large chicken breasts 4 chicken thighs 2 bay leaves small handful of thyme sprigs 2 leeks, trimmed, washed and sliced 200g button mushrooms, halved and stalks removed 75g butter 75g plain flour salt and ground black pepper 100ml crème frâiche Place the chicken pieces n a large pan with the bay leaves, thyme sprigs and the leek

It felt a little surreal to be making hot cross buns last week, only to look up and see that we were in the middle of a blizzard! Still, once they were cooked, split in half and dripping with butter, they were the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of tea, after a very cold dog walk/snowball fight! 450g strong white flour 50g caster sugar 1tsp salt 2tsp ground mixed spice 1½tsp easy bake/blend dried yeast 50g butter 125g mixed dried fruit and peel 2 eggs 200ml milk for the c

It maybe snowing outside but these meatballs will make you feel warm and alive with their vibrant colours and flavours! 500g minced pork 75g breadcrumbs 2 garlic cloves, crushed 5cm piece ginger, peeled and grated 1 lime 1 egg, beaten 1tbsp tomato ketchup 1 small tin pineapple pieces, drained 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 4 spring onions, finely chopped 1-2drops tabasco sauce, optional 3tbsp each runny honey and soy sauce salt and ground black pepper cooked basmati rice and cor