Claire thomson

This recipe for chocolate hazelnut pastries is a weekend treat that definitely beats Nutella on toastSome combinations are no-brainers. Chocolate and hazelnut is just brilliant and has inspired many riffs, perhaps the most well known ...

The fizz makes the scones light, with a terrific crust - eat with pumpkin soup, or slather with whipped cream and stem ginger for afternoon teaMy husband is a Kiwi and his family are fervent ...

These meatballs are healthier than most sausages, and you can double up the tomato sauce to freeze for future dinnersMeatballs are quick and easy to make, and I would far rather cook these for my ...

These bite-sized balls of choux pastry - gougères to give them their French name - make a perfect finger food for children to snack onMaking a choux pastry feels a bit cheffy for some, but ...

With seasonal vegetables and a generous dollop of homemade pesto, minestrone makes a luxurious meal for the whole familyWith one daughter podding peas, the other doing the broad beans and the littlest eating more of ...

This fruity, crunchy, spicy snack pairs brilliantly with fried chicken - and is a great way to sneak a salad past the kidsMy kids love mango so much I tend to just slice the fruit ...

Last week of term and then school is out for the summer. Faced with a round of class parties, I promised to make something for my children that they could take in as their contribution. ...

This fruit-filled summer treat will make your kids forget about Mr WhippySummer holidays, a heat wave: cue endless requests for ice lollies. I bet my children that I could mak a better ice lolly than ...

Homemade membrillo is a delicious filling for these buttery biscuits - and baking is a great way to fill a rainy day over the summer holidaysWe hardly ever make biscuits. In term time, whimsical activities ...

These crisp, chewy rice balls, filled with a nut and sesame paste, round off a Chinese meal nicelyA day spent with my Sichuanese stepmother Lily is always a joy - she's a terrific cook and ...