Julie Friend

I love Asian food - Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese - all of those fresh, aromatic flavours get my mouth watering just thinking about them. This selection of greens in the market in Hong Kong, just had me wanting to whip the wok out immediately, fry a few up and submerge...

A basic tomato sauce is the starting point for so many great dishes and for somebody with a passion for Italy like me, it is a staple that has to be permanently ready, either in fridge of freezer. Throw in some fried chorizo and a few olives and combined with your...

The name bruschetta comes from the Italian verb ‘bruciare’ to burn or damage with fire. It was probably one of the first starters or appetisers that we saw introduced over here in Italian restaurants and something we could recreate at home quite easily.Of course, we...

  This is the most delicious sourdough loaf made by my big sister Rita. She is as competitive as I am and when she sets her mind to start something new she goes for it big time and wants to be the very best. She loved sourdough bread but couldn't find anything...

This stew is absolutely perfect for a quick mid-week supper but as with many dishes of this kind, the flavour matures when left overnight. You could add chicken to make it even more substantial. I would gently fry or oven roast some fillets until just done and then...

As lockdown was announced I, like many in my industry, watched as my freelance chef work fell like dominoes from my diary. Thankfully, I had some regular writing work still for Kent Life magazine, but that was about it – parties, weddings and supper clubs were...