The Happy Home Cook! 🍔🍔🥞🥞🌮🌮🍝🍝

Bristol based food writer and blogger and home cook.

[thehappyhomecook]

Al Capone's Spaghetti with walnut sauce recipe.

[thehappyhomecook]

Lunch in Bath yesterday, comprised of several tapas dishes from Casa De Tapas. Located just a stones throw away from the Abbey, it is small, intimate and a friendly place to dine in. The dishes are all cooked fresh to order and have the discount, taste, smell and look of Spain. The menus is not too extensive but there’s something in there for everyone. They do have a designated vegetarian section to their menu which will obviously keep the sandal wearers happy! I had their octopus dish, cooked with fresh garlic and olive oil, served with soft potatoes. Not my favourite dish if I’m honest. I found the octopus a bit overpowering and as it was serve on a wooden board went stone cold in no time which made it inedible in the end. The accompaniment to the Octopus. Was the cheese and chorizo croquets. On paper sounded delicious. But practically a flop. I don’t know where the chorizo was? But it wasn’t in that croquet. The cheese filing was more like a paste and an under seasoned one at that! However, the rest of the meal was a delight. Packed full of flavour and very filling. The beef skewers were succulent and tasty. Beautifully cooked and heavenly. The patatas bravas were crunchy as they should be and the perfect amount of dressing on them. All in all this was a lovely lunch. I’d definitely go back and I would recommend it to family and friends. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #restaurant #restaurantcritic #tapas #tapasbar #spanishfood #bath #tapasrestaurant #foodinfluencer #blog #blogger #influencer #cityofbath #foodielife #spanishflavors #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Casa de Tapas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnuKFYLqS5J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

This is one of Bristol’s hidden little gems. Well I say hidden! It’s not actually that well hidden, as it is on the main road only a few hundred yards from the Royal Infirmary facing out onto the traffic. But you get where I’m coming from. From the outside it looks kind of sorry for itself. But step inside and you get a taste, smell, sight and sound of what authentic Chinese cuisine is like. The menu isn’t huge but it’s big enough to cater for most appetites. All dishes are cooked fresh to order and are jam packed with flavour. Their chicken dumplings make a delicious accompaniment to a large and I mean LARGE bowl of chicken teriyaki noodles. And their tasty spring roles make a delicious starter. All three dishes where fresh in flavour bursting with tasty ingredients all cooked perfectly. Every mouthful was a joy to devour and certainly hit the spot. If you want an oriental twist to comfort food then this is it for sure. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #beijingcookingpot #chinese #chinesefood #chinesecuisine #chickenteriyaki #chickenteriyakibowl #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #blog #blogger #influencer #noodleslover #chinesefoodlover #restaurantreview #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #restaurantcritic #chinesenoodles #noodles (at Beijing Cooking Pot) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnfaBeQKZJ8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

This amazing lemon meringue dessert is quite honestly one of the nicest desserts I have ever had. Courtesy of Saint Nigella, this is no good for the waist line or the blood sugar levels. But it is good for your need for essential comfort food. All that is needed are egg whites, caster sugar, lemon juice, cream vanilla, flaked almonds and lemon curd. I will admit I did cheat a little. I used a shop bought lemon curd but it did the trick. The cream I used was my favourite Chantilly with an extra helping of vanilla. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #chef #cook #homecook #homechef #nigellalawson #nigellalawsonrecipe #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #dessert #dessertporn #lemoncurd #chantillycream #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #simplynigella #lemonmeringue #cooking #cookingathome #meringue (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CncoFe-Ks0n/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

A perfect way to kickstart the weekend. A delicious breakfast of, freshly baked Belgian waffles, with fresh juicy strawberries, accompanied by maple syrup and Chantilly cream. Of course all washed down with piping hot breakfast tea. Rather extravagant in these times I know. But well worth it. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #harrods #harrodsfood #harrodsfoodhall #breakfast #breakfastideas #weekend #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #waffles #belgianwaffles #influencer #kitchen #breakfasttime #breakfastbar #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #weekendvibes #weekendbrunch #saturday #saturdayvibes (at Harrods) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnZO7dOKswZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

I know this is long overdue, but here is my delicious and quick chicken and tarragon pie recipe. I made it with boneless and skinless chicken thigh pieces. These in my opinion are the best cuts of chicken to make a pie out of. Forget breast because it goes too dry. In a little unsalted butter and olive oil, brown off your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic and a generous helping of tarragon either fresh or dried. Once golden brown remove from the pan and leave to rest. Add one tablespoon of plain flour to the pan to create a roux. Cook out the flour for about 2-3 minutes on a medium heat. Next, slowly add some hot chicken stock until you get the consistency you want. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. For a bit of extra luxury, add some double cream for a velvety finish. Any resting juices from the chicken can go in as well. Don’t forget to taste for seasoning before assembling the pie. Line your greased pie tin with short crust pastry. You can blind bake before hand if you wish? If not, then don’t forget to prick the bottom several times. Add the rested chicken pieces and pour over the sauce. Layer on a puff pastry lid and wash with egg. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #chef #cook #homecook #homechef #dinnerideas #recipeideas #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #chickenpie #chickenandtarragonpie #bakedpie #chickenrecipe #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnJ240XqANF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

So, I’ve arrived in Brighton to see the New Year in. 2023 look out here I come. But before that I need to eat and Brighton has a plethora of fantastic places to eat and drink. Starting with this place last night. ‘Real Greek Gyros’. It looks like a a typical kebab shop from the outside. And in all honesty that’s what I was expecting. Except when I looked at the menus the dishes were not ones you would find in a traditional kebab shop. Gyros are a traditional Greek dish of grilled meat such as lamb in this instance, served in a pitta bread with salad, potatoes, onion an tzatziki. I ordered one of there dishes, three Greek kebab skewers, on a grilled pita with yoghurt and their spicy sauce. When it arrived it looked like a mountain of food I thoughts I’d never get through. And I was right. I couldn’t finish it. But it was absolutely delicious. Packed full of flavour and made with fresh ingredients in an open kitchen where you can see it being cooked and prepared. A definite winner in my book. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #greek #greekfood #greekfoodporn #greekfoodlovers #dinnerideas #greekgyros #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #gyros #brighton #brightonlife #brightonfood #brightonfoodscene #newyear #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #newyearcelebration #kebablovers #kebabshop #kebab (at Real Greek Gyros) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmyZ9tLKHCg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

A tomahawk steak, is one of the nicest sharing steaks you can get. Coming in after the classic French Coté De Boeuf, these bad boys are packed full of flavour and will not disappoint. This one was provided by @waitrose and was worth every penny. #tomahawk #tomahawksteak #steak #beefsteak #tasty #delicious #steaklover #steakporn #meat #meatlover #meateater #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodstagram #foodporn #juicysteak #waitrose #waitroseandpartners #waitroserecipes #waitrosefood #waitrosefoodmagazine #homecook #homecooking #christmas #christmaskitchen #christmasfood (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmrbuK8K1AB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

There’s sprouts. Then there’s Christmas sprouts. By adding cooked pancetta, chopped chestnuts, fresh garlic, butter, cracked black pepper and Parmesan cheese. You can take the worlds most loathed vegetable, and turn them into something amazingly good. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #chef #cook #homecook #sprouts #christmassprouts #brusselsprouts #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #christmasdinner #christmaslunch #christmasfood #kitchen #kitchenlife #christmaskitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmXOAGKNjB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

Christmas dinner is served! #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #christmas #christmasday #christmasdinner #christmasdinnertable #dinnertable #merrychristmas #foodstagram #turkeydinner #happychristmas #christmasfood #christmasfoodie #christmaskitchen #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmE06TKmr0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

One Christmas ham done! I have another one on the stove. This one is the Christmas Day ham. The other will be the Boxing Day ham! #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #christmasdayham #boxingdayham #christmas #homechef #christmasdinner #boxingday #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #christmasfood #christmasfoodie #christmasfoodideas #christmasfoodporn #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmj1ZT1KcYx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

Another outstanding meal last night at The Bell Inn Old Sodbury. This delicious stuffed chicken breast with a tarragon sauce was delicious. Beautifully cooked and wonderfully presented. As always the service was excellent, really warm and friendly. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #thebell #oldsodbury #saturdaynight #dinnerout #dinnerideas #chickenbreast #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #blog #blogger #influencer #christmasmeal #winterfood #thebelloldsodbury #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #saturdaynight #pubgrub #pubfood #foodlover #instafood (at The Bell at Old Sodbury) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmU47QOqrlf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

It honestly doesn’t look much at this stage. But trust me this delicious onion gravy will make an excellent addition to your cooking repertoire. Simple to do and is a definite crowd pleaser. Here’s what you need and how it did it. Take 25g of unsalted butter and a teaspoon of olive oil. Melt that into a pan on a medium heat. Add to it two bay leaves, and a teaspoon of thyme. Cook for a couple of minutes then add one small white onion and one small red onion sliced. Add one teaspoon of sugar and a big pinch of salt. Cook the onions down for about 45 minutes so they caramelise and go slightly sticky. Next take one tablespoon of flour. And flour will do. I used plain but you can use cornflour if you wish? Store everything together and cook for a further one minute to make sure the flour cooks out. Then add 200ml of red wine and two teaspoons of red wine vinegar. Tune up the heat and cook for two minutes stirring so that no lumps form in the sauce. Add 500ml of beef stock and bring to the boil. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the sauce costs the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust any seasonings. And that is it! Serve over your favourite winter dish and enjoy. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #chef #cook #homecook #homechef #dinnerideas #recipeideas #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #oniongravy #gravy #saucerecipe #kitchen #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmRpecwKukS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

It’s pizza night tonight. Yes it was freshly homemade. And yes that is pineapple you can see. Please don’t shout at me! #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodinfluencer #foodwriter #foodcritic #pizza #pizzanight #fresh #freshpizza #freshpizzadough #pizzatime #italian #italianfood #italianstyle #pepperoni #pepperonipizza #pineapple #pineapplepizza #sunday #sundaynight #sundayvibes #foodstagram #tasty #delicious #pizzalover #foodporn #instafood #fastfood (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmCqnrLqoME/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

A delicious Christmas ham. Recipe taken from one of my favourite seasonal cookbooks ‘Christmas at Highclere’ by the Countess of Carnarvon. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #foodporn #foodpics #tasty #delicious #highclere #highclerecastle #countessofcarnarvon #christmasham #dinnerideas #christmas #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #therealdowntonabbey #downtonabbey #aristocrat #kitchen #kitchenlife #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #foodbloggerlife #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl_jGb2K9N9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

Found this little guy on display at @whitehallgardencentres in Lacock today. If they want to sell him on after Christmas then I’ll definitely give him a new home. 👍🏻👍🏻🤡🤡🤡🎡🎡🤹🏻 🎪🎪 #whitehall #whitehallgardencentre #lacock #chippenham #chippenhamwiltshire #christmas #christmasdecor #christmasdisplay #clown #clowns #clowncheck #clowning #clowningaround #circus #circusclown #clownmakeup #weekend #weekendvibes #weekendoffender #familytime #festive #festiveseason #lacockgardencentre #whitehallchristmas #christmasclown #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorating #christmastime #tistheseason #tistheseasontobejolly (at Whitehall Garden Centres) https://www.instagram.com/p/CleWMFsKx_c/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thehappyhomecook]

Fantastic dinner party with friends this evening. Every morsel was completely made from scratch! Recipes taken from @jeremyleeqv brilliant new book ‘Cooking’. Sensational chicken, leek and tarragon pie. Followed by profiteroles. It’s this first time I’ve ever made choux pastry and they turned out fantastic! Starter was @fergus_nosetotail inspired. Roasted bone marrow with sea salt and black pepper. Served with toasted French bread with garlic, oregano and olive oil. #food #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #foodwriter #foodcritic #dinnerparty #foodpics #tasty #delicious #chef #cook #homecook #homechef #dinnerideas #recipeideas #foodstagram #foodinfluencer #jeremylee #chefjeremylee #jeremyleechef #fergushenderson #profiteroles #homekitchen #foodwriterlife #chouxpastry #recipeshare #cooking #cookingathome #cookingram (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck4WVNeqCvb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=