Expert Advice

5 ways to cook bacon perfectly 

Published on August 23, 2024

While bacon is the everyperson’s ingredient, there is an art to cooking it just right. If you follow our handy tips for cooking it four ways, you will achieve the crispiest, tastiest dishes served this season.    1. Fried The classic greasy breakfast relies on bacon fat for its rich flavours. Although bacon has its own […]

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5 wonderful ways with coconuts 

Published on August 23, 2024

Coconut is an unsung kitchen hero. Versatile, flavourful and relatively inexpensive, it’s that ingredient we often forget to include on our shopping list. So here are five reasons why it needs to be top of your list next time you hit the supermarket.  1. Dreamy milk or cream A great dairy substitute, coconut milk adds […]

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4 great ways to use everyday food scraps

Published on August 12, 2024

Throwing away food scraps can feel wasteful, especially when there are creative ways to repurpose them. Here are four common food scraps and how you can give them new life in your kitchen.  Stale bread  Stale bread might seem like a lost cause, but it can be transformed into delicious croutons or breadcrumbs. For croutons, […]

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Top tips for the perfect sourdough starter

Published on August 7, 2024

Making your own bread just hits different, says Gail Damon. I From basic breads that pair perfectly with any wintery soup or stew to flatbreads for fabulous curries – anyone can make this. Compiled by:  Start it right A sourdough starter is easier to make than you think! When used in the place of normal dry […]

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The low-down on these spices and the role they play

Published on August 2, 2024

What hides in the seemingly dull, dry and small flavour firecrackers called spice? We’re unpacking the spice cupboard to understand the heat, flavour and flair that it adds to your winter dishes.    A spice as old as time  Ancient recipes contain essential ingredients that make up the foundation of their authentic flavours. Our curry feature […]

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Saucy short cuts

Published on August 1, 2024

Cook-in sauces are a cost-effective way to efficiently whip up a low-effort meal. For MK’s Test Kitchen, we’ve put large brands to the test. In the ring The team tasted two brands from the following sauces to find out which one came out on top: Sweet & sour sauce Royco Sweet and Sour cook-in sauce, […]

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A complete guide to pasta types

Published on July 31, 2024

There’s more to life than spaghetti! We dive into the different pasta shapes and show you how to partner each with the perfect sauce.    1. Penne  These short, straight tubes work best with chunky or meat-based sauces as the sauce fills the tubes, making every single mouthful a flavour explosion.  2. Fusilli  Shaped like short […]

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Top tips to make homemade pasta

Published on July 31, 2024

Making pasta dough from scratch can be interactive and fun! Traditionally type 00 flour (a very finely ground flour with the texture of baby powder) is used, but cake wheat flour works well, too.    Homemade pasta dough  Serves 4-6  Use this dough to create tagliatelle, lasagne sheets or ravioli.   Place 1 cup flour onto a […]

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5 essential staples your kitchen (always) needs 

Published on July 3, 2024

A well-stocked pantry is the key to quick and easy meal preparation. With the right staples on hand, you can whip up delicious dishes without the need for frequent grocery trips. Here are five essential pantry staples to always keep stocked.   Canned tomatoes  Canned tomatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety […]

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5 tips to faster cooking 

Published on July 1, 2024

Cooking is a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be time-consuming and stressful when you’re in a rush. With these 5 clever hacks, you can simplify your kitchen routine and make meal prep more efficient.    Prep ingredients ahead of time  Preparing your ingredients in advance is one of the best ways to streamline […]

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