Christmas is about celebration and sparkling wines remain the beverage that best ...

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Ingredients100g caster sugar3 Tbsp water50g almond slivers, lightly toasted if you ...

For step-by-step instructions, see our How to cut a chicken into pieces article

Chardonnay is the classic grape of the Burgundy and Champagne regions, and many wine ...

Pinot noir is the noble red grape of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or and the pinot ...

All wines available to buy online at heraldwine

Merlot is the fifth most planted grape in New Zealand

Step 1: Put a chicken carcass (uncooked or cooked) into a pot

The base of many icecreams is creme anglaise or English custard cream, which appears ...

Celia Hay's souffles served hot from the oven are as impressive as they are comforting

Why do some combinations of ingredients appeal and others not? Why can some excite the ...

As I have three kids to cook for, I like to take a whole chicken and split it into ...

This is one of the recipes that started my teenage sons on their personal cooking ...

The lemon syrup that is poured over these puddings just before you serve them gives it ...

In the culinary world there are some people who are truly considered masters, and ...

Celia Hay fills these crepes with a creamy winter mushroom mix

Crepes, or thin pancakes if you prefer, make a base for many toppings and fillings

Sourdough is a bread raised by aerobic yeast (yeasts in the atmosphere) that are ...

This bread uses egg to enrich the dough and is shaped into a plait

Flour from wheat is the most common ingredient in bread making

Focaccia makes a delicious snack, especially with pre-dinner drinks

There is something special about a freshly baked loaf of bread and I find it ...

There’s something warm and comforting about a large pie, served on the table for ...

Béchamel or a white sauce has been unfashionable for many years as people ...

The foundation of these pies is a silky smooth bechamel sauce

This is a classic recipe - use good quality beef and a tasty ale for the filling

Pastry notesFrozen pastry will sometimes be cracked when you buy it

Escoffier, the famous French chef, offers eight different preparations for cooking ...

Celia Hay matches wine to her eggs cooking class recipes from BiteEggs en cocotteWith ...

Poaching eggs en cocotte is a simple and delicious alternative to the standard methods ...

Omelettes are essentially a version of scrambled eggs but they have been left to rest ...

Makes 250ml

Hollandaise sauceAt first glance, making hollandaise sauce can look tricky but it is ...

When cooked, scrambled eggs need to be moist and silky

Be organised

Poaching an egg is an important artIf my children or I have a busy day planned, I will ...

Claudia and Mike Weersing are the viticultural and winemaking duo behind Pyramid ...

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Homemade ice cream needs to be eaten

Summer’s the time for fruit-based icecreams and sorbets and I think many of us ...

Celia Hay's step-by-step guide to making a fruit sorbet without an icecream machine

Frozen pastry is a handy option for impressive desserts

Choux pastry, the base of pastries such as profiteroles, eclairs and gougere, is ...

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This recipe makes two small, or one large to serve 4 to 6 people

Nothing says celebration quite like the fizz of a sparkling wine or Champagne, Celia ...

This spinach and smoked salmon roulade is such a classic and always one of the most ...

A simple salad can turn into something wonderful with the addition of a vinaigrette ...

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This will become a family favourite and great dish to have in your repertoire

This vibrant crunchy salad makes for a perfect side or healthy light lunch

Here's a great dish to make the most of asparagus when they're at their best

Cafe de Paris butter originated in the 1940s at the Cafe de Paris in Switzerland

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Steak is a quick, versatile and nutritious meal when you are in a hurry and by adding ...

Prawns are crustaceans and there are both freshwater and marine varieties

Fried in garlic and paired with home-made mayo showcases these crustaceans at their best

Moules mariniere is the French name for mussels cooked with white wine, onions and ...

Step 1:Place the mussels in a sink of cold water

Celia Hay poaches salmon in a classic French broth and turns a homemade mayonnaise ...

Homemade mayonnaise doesn't have to be daunting, and with just a few simple ...

Baking fish in paper is a wonderful way to imbue flavour and will have guests feeling ...

Classification of fishThere are many types of fish and when you only see fillets for ...

Unsure about whether your fish is fresh? Click here: How to choose fresh fish

Fresh fish is an excellent choice as a quick dinner

I call this recipe fragrant because it uses the aromatic herbs of mint and coriander ...

This curry keeps well in the fridge for a few days and the leftovers taste even better ...

This recipe is both classic and simple

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