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Tried and tasted: the green coffee that's good for you

So Green coffee claims that it can help keep us young-looking? Hmmm. Sounds good so far. But what does it taste like? Some soFeminine staffers and soFeminine readers tested a...

Introduction to vegetarian diets

Vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular as meat prices as well as health concerns rise. Many people are cutting down or cutting out meat in favour of a full vegetarian...

Making jam

Jam on your morning toast or afternoon scone is a comfort and a treat, and when you can say your blueberry jam is home made it's an added source of pride! Making your very own...

Vinaigrette and salad dressing

We should all know the recipe by heart: basic dressings go with all our summer salads, crudités, vegetables and even steamed fish. Here's a guide to dressings, from the classic...

7 Cooking Methods You Should Know About

You might not be a five star chef, but you should be able to do a thing or two in the kitchen. So to start you off, we have put together a list of cooking methods that you should...

Types of sugar

Although sugar is more and more criticised these days, it is still just as appreciated. Sugar is an important ingredient in cooking. To find out all about the different types...

Caramel

Home made caramel is a perilous exercise that often leads to disaster, but once you get the hang of it it's easy. Here’s how to make a real home made liquid caramel and all its...

How to make candied fruit

Bright colours, funny shapes, soft texture and flavours from yesteryear...candied fruit remains a favourite, especially on special occasions. But we rarely dare make it ourselves...

Sorbet

Sorbets are often colourful, always deliciously fruity, always refreshing and a lot less calorific than ice cream. A simple mix of water, fruit and sugar, sorbets are ideal if...

Ice cream

Summer, the sun, bikinis and ice cream! What’s more refreshing than a cold ice cream when the temperature rises? And today, with ice cream makers more easily available, making...

Milkshake

What better than an ice-cold milkshake in summer? Flavours and combinations are endless, though vanilla, fruit and chocolate remain favourites. Milkshakes are very simple to make...

Praline

Praline is frequently used in cakes and confectionery. Individual pralines are delicious with coffee, or praline can be used to garnish cakes and confectionery, where the possibil...

Custard

Custard is more than a side serving: it can soften acidic desserts or bring out the flavour of a dessert with its subtle vanilla flavour. It's usually served hot with puddings...

Hints on healthy cooking

If you want to control the amount of calories you're getting from your diet but still enjoy the meals you like, healthy home cooking is the way forward. Here's how to cook healthily...

Sweet pastry

Sweet, crunchy pastry makes delicious strawberry tarts, fruit pies and cream pastries that remind us of our childhood! It's child's play to make, too. Here are our rules, recipes...

Puff pastry

Many are reluctant to try puff pastry because they think it's complicated, takes too long and you need to be a masterchef to do it. Wrong! You do need a bit of time on your hands...

Shortcrust pastry

Shortcrust pastry is used to make pies, tarts, quiches, turnovers and crusts. It's a versatile, simple and essential kitchen staple. Here's our basic recipe and tips. See all...

Steaming

Forget your preconceptions: steamed food isn't bland, tasteless, uncooked or complicated to do. It's a simple and practical way of cooking. Discover the truth about steam cuisine...

Meringue

Whether you're making dry, sticky, French, Italian or Swiss meringue, all are made using the same two ingredients: egg whites and sugar. Variations are made by altering the quantities...

Whipped cream

Eating whipped cream feels like eating a fresh, soft, sweet cloud. It's a calorific bomb, but so good it's hard to resist! Whipped cream was first invented in 1660 by Vatel in...

Gingerbread recipe and tips

Gingerbread is a childhood favourite and conjures up warm images of gingerbread men and gingerbread houses like in fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel. It's also a warm, spicy...

How To Make Icing

Cakes topped with sugary coloured icing look so much better! Here's how to make perfect icing. Ingredients to make around 300g of icing: 1 egg white250-300g sifted powdered icing...

17 Amazingly Yummy Ways To Pimp Your Yule Log This Christmas

Didn't think you could ever make your standard choc-tasticly indulgent yule log better? Well you're wrong. And here's the proof. Believe us when we say you haven't tried yule...