“I have the best blackberry muffin recipe!” my friend Suzanne announced to me a few weeks ago as I was musing out loud that I was looking for a good muffin recipe. Suzanne and I have been friends since we were teenagers, but lost track with each other after college. It was only through the Sacramento Bee article that we found each other again – after 18 years – and discovered we live only 10 minutes apart! Last weekend, Suzanne, her two daughters Clara and Audrey, and I baked up a batch of these delicious muffins, which are rich, moist (of course, with a cup of sour cream and a stick of butter in the ingredients), and not too sweet, just the way I like them. Thank you Suzanne, Audrey, and Clara for a great afternoon and truly the “best blackberry muffins.”

We haven’t used our ice cream maker in a while. I guess the start of winter is a good time to begin. So here’s a little recipe on how to make our favourite ice cream. Ingredients: 1/2 (250ml) pint milk 1/2 pint (250ml) double/heavy cream 3oz (75g) caster sugar 5oz (125g) plain chocolate (grated) 1 [...]

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil and egg whites; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high for 2 minutes. Gently fold in crushed cookies.
Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for…..

Invented at the Hungry Monk in 1972, Banoffi Pie (originally known as Banoffee Pie), is still as popular today as it was the first time it appeared on the menu. There have been many imitations as far and wide as Russia and the United States; it is even rumored to be Mrs Thatcher’s favourite pudding! Below is the original Banoffi Pie recipe as it first appeared in ‘The Deeper Secrets of the Hungry Monk: A New Cookery Book’ in 1974.

Preparation time less than 30 mins Cooking time 30 mins to 1 hour Ingredients For the sponge 225g/8oz unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing 225g/8oz golden caster sugar 4 free-range eggs 1 lime, zest and juice 50g/2oz desiccated coconut, toasted 200g/7oz self-raising flour splash milk (optional)   For the custard 6 free-range [...]