Tag Archives: food and drink

The Italian job

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pasta

Could there possibly be a better job than this? Who wouldn’t want to spend their time eating their way round Italy?!

June for one would be at the front of the queue for the post and Tina and Sue wouldn’t be far behind. But sad to say, next Sunday’s guest got there first…

From gelato in San Gimignano to donkey stew in Mantova, Jane Keightley’s been there, tried them and written about them – along with a host of other culinary delights – in her blog, Mrs K Eats Her Way Around Italy.

She’ll be in the studio next weekend to talk about what inspired her to set out on her travels, sharing a few of her favourite moments and no doubt comparing notes with the Girls Around Town about their own choices of dishes to die for!

Although Italy is her first love, Jane’s a big fan of her home county of Lincolnshire too and she’s made it her mission to spread the word about the many jewels in its crown, so often overlooked by travel magazines and guides.

She’s determined to prove that it’s not just ‘flat, boring and full of cabbage fields’ and that once you visit it, you’ll never view Lincolnshire in the same way again!

Tune in or listen online between 10am and 12 noon on Sunday when Jane joins June, Tina and Sue for a whistle-stop tour of two very different but equally enticing destinations.

Something wicked this way comes

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chocolate squares

If you were listening to the show this morning, you’ll already know that June’s been channelling her inner Mary Berry again – and that Sue was only too happy to step up to the plate and judge the results…

Next time you fancy having a Chocolate Moment of your own, why not try this recipe from the Queen of Baking herself (that’s Mary, of course, not June)?

Crunchy on the top and squidgy in the middle, even without the ganache sauce these little Chocolate Squares are definitely wicked. But be warned – they’re decidedly more-ish, stopping at just one is simply not an option!

Mary Berry's Wicked Chocolate Squares With Ganache Sauce

  • Servings: Makes 30 squares
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

For the squares

  • 300g butter, cubed
  • 300g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 300g light muscovado sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 100g self-raising flour

For the ganache sauce

  • 150g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 200ml pouring double cream

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas mark 5. Grease and line a traybake tin or small roasting tin about 30cm x 23cm with foil or parchment paper.
  2. To make the squares, measure measure the butter and chocolate into a bowl, place over a pan of simmering water and melt together gently until smooth then set aside.
  3. Whisk the sugar and eggs together until blended. Pour in the melted butter and chocolate mixture and stir till smooth. Sieve in the flour and mix well.
  4. Pour into the lined tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, until a light crust has formed on the top and the middle is set.
  5. Meanwhile, make the ganache sauce – measure the chocolate and cream into a bowl, place it over a pan of gently simmering water and stir until melted.
  6. Cut the cake into squares and pour the sauce over to serve.

The squares can be made a day ahead and the sauce up to two days ahead. Both freeze well cooked for up to three months.

A feast of local flavours

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apples

If you’re interested in good food, you’ll want to hear what this week’s guest has to say…

Tune in or listen online to the Girls Around Town between 10am and 12 noon on Sunday, when Alison Lowe joins June, Tina and Sue to talk about Nottinghamshire Flavours, the quarterly magazine celebrating everything foodie across the county.

From restaurant reviews and event news to the stories behind some of the many local producers in the area, it’s packed with information and ideas to give you all the inspiration you need to make the most of what’s on offer in Nottinghamshire.

Alison will be sharing some of the highlights of the Autumn/Winter 2016/17 issue, together with details of how you can get hold of a copy locally or even have it delivered direct to your door – perfect timing with festive entertaining and eating out just around the corner!