Food and Wine Matching

My mantra in the kitchen is 'keep it simple' but this month's late summer recipe is the exception that proves the rule as it is quite an ordeal to prepare. To that end I tend to process it in stages starting the previous evening and re-visiting it throughout the day. As with most dishes which […]

I come from a generation of unsophisticated British males for whom the word 'salad' is an anathema recalling school day servings of wilted lettuce and unripe tomatoes. Consequently I have always believed that the best salads are the ones that contain the fewest actual saladings and the most carbs and protein. Your 'Lyonnaise' is a […]

In high Summer it is great fun to pack up a picnic and head off to an isolated spot of countryside, preferably not too far from a body of water, and busy oneself doing as little as possible. Perhaps some light reading – I highly recommend David Bell's wonderfully concise biography of Napoleon not least […]

Like many Alpha males Mr Yapp senior has always been an enthusiastic al fresco chef and unlike many he is a competent one. The only problem being that he has so many children and grand-children that invitations to partake of his cuisine are necessarily limited. Fortunately he has passed on some of his recipes so […]

Having done untold damage to my left knee in an infinitely regrettable skiing mishap in March I have been even grumpier than usual as I contemplate limping through middle age. Still, it's not all bad, I can drive and swim and walk and work so ought to accentuate the positive. One thing that brings cheer […]

In today's world of convenience foods and year round availability of all manner of produce it is hard to imagine the constraints of the 'hunger gap' our ancestors endured when the previous season's brassicas bolted and new crops had yet to reach fruition. In those days people had to fall back on stored potatoes and […]

Easter is our biggest national holiday after Christmas, with many of us entertaining family and friends. The last thing you want to be doing is faffing around in the kitchen, so it makes sense to select a dish that can be prepped in advance.     New season lamb is an Easter treat that can […]

Welcome to February, the Roman name for which was "Februarius" after the Latin term februum, meaning purification, so named because of the purification ritual "Februa" held on February 15 in the old lunar Roman calendar. For those of you who enjoyed (or endured?) 'Dry January', will no doubt be feeling extremely purified and ready to […]

For our December Food and Wine matching we have invited Philippa Davis to share with us one of her festive winter-warming recipes. Philippa is a freelance private chef who travels the world cooking for various clients and occasions. She grew up in the West Country before moving to London to work at the River Cafe […]

Now that the clocks have gone back and the nights have drawn in it is time to turn ones focus on warming, wintery dishes and suitably robust wines. A staple of the Yapp household is 'no brain chicken' for which credit for the recipe and its title goes to the food and drink journalist Richard […]