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...the voice of pensioners

Having a go: - Fiji; just one addition and one omission made all the difference, but it was good…

13 Oct 2024

With their recent Independence Day as the backdrop, CB offers us a taste of Fiji with a colourful twist before telling us about her next planned culinary visit…



Having a go: - Chile, you have taught me all about the good and bad aspects of marinating.

17 Sep 2024

Giving us a day’s notice, CB plans a little trip from Chile Independence meal tomorrow to move on to what Fiji offers next month as she continues cooking… 
 



Having a go: - Moldavia, you have shown me watermelon in a new way…

27 Aug 2024

Having no small mistakes to report this month, CB hopes that she will be able to tell us about her faultless attempt at helping us celebrate Chile’s independence as Summer sees Autumn come over the horizon… 
 



Having a go: Egypt, I spun all the plates, but they landed in a heap. It tasted OK though…

23 Jul 2024

CB gives us a brief tour, which starts in Egypt and promises a much less complicated Moldovan stop next month…  



Having a go: - Mozambique, my attempt was ‘well done’ but perhaps for all the wrong reasons…

25 Jun 2024

CB tells of an unusual cake-baking experience inspired by the Mozambique kitchens before steering our taste buds due north for an Egyptian dish next month… 



Having a go: - Azerbaijan, my carrots disappeared. I am not sure what went wrong…

28 May 2024

CB experiences her own culinary and very unique international independence vanishing act… 



Having a go: - Zambia; cooking it did wonders for my right arm, but authentic eating takes practice

18 Apr 2024

CB introduces the inexperienced to this month’s dish, which substitutes cutlery for authentic eating…
 



Having a go: - Bangladesh: taste… pass; sauce-consistency… fail (but I tried)

27 Mar 2024

CB does what she can to offer us a taste of the Asian continent before promising something African for next month… 



Having a go: - Serbia, it was good but you have to work from the inside out!

13 Feb 2024

CB works her way from this month’s Serbian offering to the promise of something from Bangladesh in March. 



Having a go: Nauru, it was excellent despite overdoing the 10-minute dunk!

30 Jan 2024

CB takes us to Nauru for her first attempt at foreign cooking this year and promises a cook-up to represent a Serbian delight in February… 
 



Having a go: Bhutan; I made one slight adjustment to the original recipe but it was good...

17 Dec 2023

Now that it is not so hot CB offers us a warming plate of the Bhutanese’s food, while looking forward to January and Nauru...



Having a go: - Albania, I think I mastered Tavë kosi once I got the roux bit right…

28 Nov 2023

CB tells us that barring a minor mishap she feels that the result of her Albanian cooking venture this month made a very positive imprint on the taste buds of her judges, while preparing us for perhaps one of her most challenging exploits next month as she plans to expose us to a little Bhutanese cuisine… 



Having a go: - Spain, a lot can be learned while making raw soup…

11 Oct 2023

CB attempts something Spanish in preparation for their big day tomorrow although she had to turn on the heat for a cold meal.  She plans to introduce us to something Albanian next month. 
 



Having a go: - Armenia, I hope that I played the waiting game successfully

20 Sep 2023

We are a day early but CB tells us of how Armenia and attempting one of their national dishes involve so much cooking that she has chosen something where no actual cooking is needed as she looks to a bit of Spanish tradition next month…  



Having a go: Switzerland, mine could have been browner, but it tasted good…

01 Aug 2023

CB spends a little more time in the kitchen and is proud to help the Swiss celebrate their special day while sharing her plans for a September cook-in…



Having a go: Canada, this was a triumph on two counts…

01 Jul 2023

CB tells us of her planned journey from Canada to Switzerland without even leaving her kitchen. 



Having a go: Philippines; sorry, my Chicken Adobo was well done and I really mean well done!

12 Jun 2023

CB turns her attention from the Philippines and makes plans to focus on Canada with her kitchen antics as this summer progresses… 



Having a go: Georgia, the taste was overflowing and so was everything else!

26 May 2023

CB shows us the way from cheese to chicken with her stories of food which takes us from the cheese-based comfort food of Georgia to a promised Philippian chicken feast… 



Having a go: Zimbabwe, my version of your cakes suffered from a Fahrenheit v Centigrade issue…

18 Apr 2023

CB takes us through the rise and fall of her culinary journey to Zimbabwe while promising a Georgian inspired dish for next month.



Having a go and letting you know: Sorry Namibia, mine came out greener than yours…

18 Mar 2023

CB says that her problems when it comes to producing a plate of Namibian pap and fried cabbage, started way before she even got to the kitchen…   

 

LPG have afforded any reader who wishes to try to do better than CB, three days to gather their ingredients as Namibia actually celebrates on March 21st… 
 



Having a go: Japan, what my version of sushi and the three bears have in common …

11 Feb 2023

CB continues her exploration of foreign food with a fish dish which appears to have dictated that she swaps her chef’s hat for an artist’s one this month while she looks to getting back to serious main meal cooking for her next international date in the kitchen. 



Having a go and letting you know: Australia; I think I got away with this one …

26 Jan 2023

CB shows us her take on something sugary which we oldies should not indulge in too often, even if we can perfect the artistry involved, and she then offers a little eastern promise for next month… 



Having a go and letting you know: Qatar; a place for football and chicken…

18 Dec 2022

CB shows the uninitiated that chicken and yogurt can go together and promises something sweet and indulgent for next month…



Having a go: Poland, there was Dill pickle soup thanks to Alexa’s dill explanations…

10 Nov 2022

CB tells of her culinary plans to take us South-east from Poland to Qatar…  

LPG is giving readers a days’ notice of Poland’s big day, as it coincides with tomorrows British Remembrance Day celebrations… 



Having a go and letting you know: China, I never knew boiled rice could be so creamy…

30 Sep 2022

CB celebrates Chinese Independence with a dish you are highly unlikely to find at the local takeaway, and looks forward to educating our taste buds in a Polish way next month…

 

Again LPG finds themselves with two posts which focus on the same day so we hope that, by presenting CB’s dish a day early, a few of our readers might have the time to get the ingredients and produce their own version in good time for the Chinese celebration…   



Having a go and letting you know: Mali, it tasted quite good but as to its authenticity…?

22 Sep 2022

CB tried to do Mali a bit of independence day culinary justice today but wonders if she succeeded as she turns her attentions to China for next month… 



Having a go; Liechtenstein, I’m not sure it was right, but it tasted good…

14 Aug 2022

CB takes our taste buds from Liechtenstein this month to the promise of a taste if Mali next…

 

Liechtenstein celebrates on August 15th which is a day in demand.  We at LPG find ourselves with two contributors wanting to highlight this day in 2022, so we are giving readers a days’ notice so that you can collect your ingredients.  

 



Having a go and letting you know; USA, I have to say that your national dish is all about the stack…

04 Jul 2022

CB does her best to recreate a meal that will be very familiar to us in England, although it is America who claims it nationally.  She then goes on to let us in on what she has in store to celebrate the independence of all the Liechtensteiners among us



Having a go and letting you know; Iceland, starting off and ending up with a white liquid…

17 Jun 2022

CB has spent time in her kitchen yet again to bring us some nationally independent food and informs us that the downside to preparing her Icelandic recipe was the amount of waiting time needed in order to produce a plate of healthy food … 



Having a go and letting you know; Norway, I have to apologise for the holiness of my, Lefse.

17 May 2022

CB proves that damage can be done with a rolling pin as she does her best to help to celebrate Norway’s Independence.  She has her eye on something Icelandic for next month… 



Having a go; Syria I forgot one little ingredient and it put me back a whole day…

17 Apr 2022

CB tells of her Syrian experience while promising us a few thoughts of Norway…  
Ready 



Having a go and letting you know; Ireland, and such a simple recipe. But did I get it right?

17 Mar 2022

CB reports that her nod to an Irish Kitchen went quite well, although perfection is a hard ask for anyone.  She informs that her next port of culinary call will take us to Syria… 



Pancake preparation without diabetic aggravation…

01 Mar 2022

These days, health is not an excuse to miss out on a pancake.  LS throws some light on that argument…



Having a go ; Serbia, I have learnt one lesson, grinding is different to liquidising!

15 Feb 2022

For all her efforts, it appears that CB still has much to learn about the secrets of being a really good cook, but she lets you know of her experience when it comes to trying to cook with a Serbian mind-set.   Her promise is something Irish for next month.



Having a go and letting you know; India, its obvious my cooking just couldn’t take the pressure.

25 Jan 2022

CB cooks again as she tries an Indian dish and lets us know about those little details that the recipe book does not mention…

 

Again this independence day occurs on a day when there is another day to celebrate so LPG has       decided that a days’ notice is in order in case there are any aspiring chefs wanting to make their version of this Indian take away to celebrate their special day…



Having a go and letting you know; I need to master the ‘Finish’ crimp technique…

09 Dec 2021

This month we learn a little more as CB exposes her lack of expertise as a baker and a cook, but she continues to ‘Finnish’ what she started and spurs us on to a bit of an Indian non-national dish for next month…

 

LPG again apologises for bringing you CB’s efforts one day in advance, but at least you have a little notice of Finland’s big day, and a little time to get the ingredients in readiness of the celebration…



Having a go and letting you know; Latvia; pink and beautiful, even when I make it.

20 Nov 2021

This month CB takes us on a culinary journey from Latvia to Finland though she has yet to finish it…

 

 

LPG apologises for being two days late with this post but felt that it needed its own special day after all the time and effort CB has put into reporting on her version of the Latvian speciality.  Perhaps readers will have a second opportunity to acknowledge their big day which was the 18th of November.



Having a go and letting you know; Turkmenistan, and its ‘Do not disturb’ cooking style…

27 Oct 2021

This month the Turkmenistan kitchen features as CB has done her best to do us proud, while she looks forward to something Latvian



Rabbit or Rarebit, now there’s a question…

15 Oct 2021

Today is no exception when it comes to dedicating itself to a celebration or two, and SA flags up the ultimate in cheese on toast and invites readers to do the same; Happy Welsh Rarebit day.  



Having a go and letting you know; Bulgaria, it tasted really good; sorry about the visuals…

22 Sep 2021

CB has once before decided that her efforts were not for the camera but she bravely shares her Bulgarian fopa today…



Having a go and letting you know; Uruguay, I offer my ‘off balance’ Chivito sandwich

25 Aug 2021

Uruguay is assisted with their Independence Day celebrations as CB tries to produce a plate of food that they might recognise…   



Having a go and letting you know; Peru, how did I do?

28 Jul 2021

CB’s attempt at fish without fire may well be an education some LPG readers might want to skip, but she assures us that her attempt proved to be a success. Happy Independence day Peru. 



Having a go and letting you know; Seychelles, how could I get something so simple so wrong?

28 Jun 2021

LPG has posted this a day early for the Seychelles independence celebration, but perhaps CB has succeeded in reminding us all that life in the kitchen can be a challenge no matter how simple the recipe, but her year of national independence dishes ends with a little homage to the Seychelles and continues with the promise of another year of ‘independence-inspiration’.  Peru will be her next port of call…

 

LPG would like to thank CB for her year of dedication to pots and pans.  Learning the realities and details that we can expect to come across when going internationally independent in the kitchen, it has been a real education.  Long may it continue…



Having a go and letting you know; Guyana, sorry about the heat…

26 May 2021

CB offers us yet another national celebration on a plate with her version of Guyanese Pepper Pot and warns of her plans to take us to the Seychelles for next month’s food experience… 



Having a go and letting you know; Senegal, I think my version looks good…

04 Apr 2021

CB has produced a picture of her dish of the month while offering Senegal a bit of an apology, but she now takes on the challenge of a Guyanese   speciality for next month…

 

Tomorrow, being Easter Sunday, we have an article dedicated to that theme so perhaps offering this post a day early will help any readers wanting to make any last minute plans for a taste of Senegal and a day’s notice to gather your ingredients… 



Having a go and letting you know; Tunisia, I nearly cracked this one…

19 Mar 2021

CB tells us of her most positive efforts so far as she acknowledges Tunisia’s independence today and she promises us an attempt at something to bring out the tastes of Senegal in April. 

 

LPG gives you a day to collect your ingredients if you want to celebrate Tunisia’s Independence Day because we have received two posts which have special significance on March 20th…



Versed thoughts (chapter 27): Turnips.

22 Feb 2021

LPG, inspired by a poem that Foster Murphy’s memories encouraged, have found a few online recipes that might just change a few minds when it comes to the reputation that the taste of this humble vegetable has built over the years… 



Having a go and letting you know; may I present my Lithuanian surprise?

16 Feb 2021

For the first time CB feels unable to show us her version of her intended dish of the month but, ever resourceful, she offers us a bit of a Lithuanian inspired surprise and wishes a Happy Independence Day to all Lithuanians today …



Having a go; Myanmar, thank you for a spicy celebration where quantity is the watchword…

03 Jan 2021

Spice is another word for pepper which warms you up but don’t make the same little mistake that CB tells us about if you plan to celebrate the heat with Myanmar tomorrow.  CB looks to celebrate with Lithuania in February…

 

LPG gives you a day to collect your ingredients if you want to celebrate this independence day because we have received two posts which have special significance on January 4th



Having a go and letting you know; sorry Finland, I really deserve a bit of a thick ear for this…

06 Dec 2020

Now that CB has truly shared all the visual pitfalls of her tasty version of Finland’s Korvapuust, she is thinking hot at the coldest part of England’s year, and threatens to show us her version of Nan Gyi Thohk to warm those who will appreciate something nice and hot (in more ways than one).



Having a go and letting you know; Moroccans, it’s not all about the pot. Is it?

16 Nov 2020

Perhaps CB has surpassed herself this month with her offering affording her, in her humble opinion, less cooking hiccups than ever before as long as you don’t count the actual Tagine, or lack of it.  She offers us a promise of something from Finland to have with a cup of tea next month.   

 

LPG has again managed to receive three posts which were destined to appear on the same day, so we have decided to give you two days’ notice just in case you would like to join CB in a culinary Moroccan celebration of your own…  With two days to go we wish all Moroccan readers a very happy National Independence day…  



Having a go and letting you know; Austria, Germany; I tried…

14 Oct 2020

Germany and Austria provided this month’s Wiener Schnitzel challenge for our resident independence-day cook and LPG asks that you judge the visual and factual evidence before marking her out of ten. Next month she tells us that Morocco will be her focus…

 



Having a go and letting you know; Malta, sorry. Alexa ‘u turned’…

20 Sep 2020

Malta is highlighted this month as CB gives us a detailed walk through her attempts at preparing something from their shores.  She also promises something Austrian for next month. 

 

LPG has been asked to acknowledge two celebrations on the same day and in the spirit of giving any reader who feels like celebrating on the day a chance to prepare, CB’s message comes to you a day early…



Having a go and letting you know; Toasting Trinidad and Tobago …

30 Aug 2020

CB, a self-proclaimed have a go cook, shares her attempts to salute Trinidad and Tobago today…



Having a go and letting you know – A salute to France …

14 Jul 2020

LPG thanks CB for taking the time to try this national dish and also for reminding us to think of all our French friends today…



Perhaps another thing to add to your ‘lock down’ to do list…

21 Jun 2020

CB offers something that may well add to your ‘to do’ list and your waistline…



Sticky Toffee Pudding

23 Feb 2018

Sticky, gooey and surprisingly light and easy, this sticky toffee pudding is a winner. 
Baked in a large dish, this is a family-sized pudding, spooned out or cut into squares to serve.



Curried Sweet Potato and Coriander Soup

16 Feb 2018

A lovely creamy smooth soup.
Perfect for sweet potato lovers!



Old Fashioned Lemonade

09 Feb 2018

A chilled glass of homemade lemonade is bliss on a hot day. If you have loads of lemons to use up this is the drink for you!



Eton Mess

02 Feb 2018

This quintessential British dessert is strawberries and cream at its best. Make it in seconds with this one-step recipe



Cheese and Herb Omelette

26 Jan 2018

Try this simple omelette. It's super tasty and easy to make.



Carrot and Lentil Dahl

19 Jan 2018

Dahl is an excellent way to eat lentils. This is a mild, sweet Dahl with a slight nutty taste. Add more curry powder if you like your food hot!



Baked Falafel

12 Jan 2018

A simple way to prepare delicious falafel. Make more than you need as falafel is great to eat the next day.



Scones

05 Jan 2018

Scones are quick and easy to make. They are best eaten on the day they are made but leftovers can be frozen or try them split in half and toasted for breakfast. (Makes 9 -12 scones).



Chocolate Fudge Cake

29 Dec 2017

Something a little bit indulgent. Enjoy with plain unsweetend yoghurt for extra protein and calcium.



Spicy Beef Kebabs

22 Dec 2017

Marinating meat before cooking is a great way to add more flavor and tenderize the meat at the same time.



Beef and Guinness Casserole

15 Dec 2017

A hearty winter casserole!
If you don’t fancy the taste of stout beer then substitute the Guinness with regular beer or beef stock.



Baked Orange Chicken

08 Dec 2017

This is a simple and delicious way to make a chicken dinner into something a bit more interesting.



Scotch Eggs

01 Dec 2017

Homemade Scotch eggs are a world away from shop bought versions. They're worth the effort for a special picnic treat.



Triple Chocolate Muffins

24 Nov 2017

A delicious treat!



Bread and Butter Pudding

17 Nov 2017

An old-fashioned English family favourite that goes easy on the wallet. Day-old bread works best in this recipe.



Toad in the Hole

10 Nov 2017

A British classic. Meaty sausages enveloped in crispy batter, plus, add a special onion gravy to really top it off. We think it's better than mum's!



Vegetable Soup

03 Nov 2017

You really can't beat a bowl of steaming veg-packed soup – this hearty supper is crammed with carrots, celery, tomatoes and spinach, and topped with a dollop of pesto for a zesty finish.



Cod, Fennel and Caper Fishcakes

27 Oct 2017

These fishcakes are a doddle to make and you can make them from frozen fish and leftover mashed potato. They are also great for preparing in advance and freezing.



Chicken Tikka Masala

20 Oct 2017

This takeaway favourite is freezer-friendly and quick to reheat, giving you the chance to get ahead and save money



Steak and Mushroom Pie

13 Oct 2017

Escape to your kitchen this weekend and make this comfort food classic - it's well worth the effort.



Victoria Sponge Cake

06 Oct 2017

Named after Queen Victoria, this quintessentially British bake is simplicity at it’s best; sweet strawberry jam and pillowy soft cream, sandwiched between two light sponge cakes and a dusting of icing sugar. So put the kettle on and help yourself to a slice or two.



Yorkshire Pudding

29 Sep 2017


A Sunday roast just isn't complete without a mountain of crispy Yorkshire puddings. Tall, golden, and totally delicious – our perfect Yorkshire puddings are sure to impress. Don't forget to get the oil sizzling hot before adding the batter – it's the secret to getting serious height!



Bangers and Mash

22 Sep 2017

This is a delicious and irresistible dish that everyone loves. Use your favourite sausages.



Reuben sandwich

15 Sep 2017

This recipe makes enough for one sandwich, including the Russian dressing. Just scale it up to make more sandwiches, and any extra dressing will keep in the fridge.



Bacon eggy bread

08 Sep 2017

Savoury eggy bread in minutes. You can even make this the night before, ready to pop into the microwave in the morning.



Mom’s meatloaf

01 Sep 2017

Meatloaf is a classic of American home cooking. This is great served hot or cold with a tangy potato salad.



Millionaire's shortbread

25 Aug 2017

The clue to the richness of this recipe is in the name. Millionaire's shortbread is devilishly easy to make and so popular.



All-day breakfast frittata

18 Aug 2017

We’ve packed loads of extra veggies into this easy frittata so you can get the jump on your 5-a-day from the get go. But it’s also great cold in a sandwich.



Sausage, sweet potato and broccoli traybake

11 Aug 2017

Let the oven do the work in this easy one-pan wonder. Roasting broccoli gives it a delicious nutty flavour.



Shepherd's pie

04 Aug 2017

Make this simple supper of a wintry evening, comfort food at its best. 
This pie is perfect for cooking in advance and freezing for a later date.



Rhubarb crumble muffins

28 Jul 2017

The flavours of a rhubarb crumble in the form of a lovely moist muffin.



Butternut squash & spinach filo pie

21 Jul 2017

This crispy pastry-topped pie is crammed full of vegetables so it contains all 5 of your recommended daily intake.



Chinese poached chicken & rice

14 Jul 2017

A healthy Asian-inspired dish ideal for an easy dinner. Use the leftovers to make our cold chicken noodle salad for the next day.



Baked Spaghetti

07 Jul 2017

This is one of the simplest recipes that we have ever featured but, for all that, it is a really quick, hearty, warming dish that could come in useful during the forthcoming winter months?



Rhubarb and Orange Tart

30 Jun 2017

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable and is good for you. Meanwhile have a go at this...