Top Selling Pots & Pans Sets

Posted by & filed under Kitchen and Lifestyle.

If you’re looking for some decent cookware to replace your tired looking pots and pans, or perhaps you’re setting up a new home and have very little to cook with, take a moment to read this page and discover some of the UK’s top selling pots and pans sets.

Buying Considerations

When looking to buy new post and pans it’s important to consider a few things:

  • The type of material: stainless steel, copper, cast iron, aluminium, etc.
  • Non-stick or not
  • The type of hob you will be using them on
  • Can you also put them in the oven? This affects handle material.
  • Number of saucepans required
  • Number of frying pans required
  • Sizes of saucepans and fry pans

We won’t dwell on these points too much however it’s important that you choose the right material dependant on the type of hob you have. Many modern hobs are induction hobs so your pots and pans will need a special type of base for them to work. Also check if the base of the pots is safe to use on ceramic hobs as they can be quite susceptible to scratching. When you have figured out your own particular options you will still be amazed at the wide range of choices available to you.

Pots and Pans Sizes

After a while you get to know which pots and pans you use the most and it’s easier to decide what size and type of pots and pans set you need. It’s not so easy when you are starting out though! In our household we use the 18 cm and the 20 cm saucepans the most. The 16 cm saucepan gets used occasionally and the 24 cm frying pan is used weekly but we would prefer something larger. We do have a milk pan and a small frying pan but they are pretty much collecting dust now!

Once you know what size set of pots and pans you need why not check out the latest best selling pots and pans sets on Amazon UK to see what people are buying at the moment. Many of the products there can also be found on this page.

All the products shown on this page have received high ratings on Amazon UK by their buyers, but it’s always good to read a selection of positive and negative product reviews to get a good idea of what people don’t like about the new pots and pans they have bought and are using.

3 Piece Pots and Pans Sets

If you’re just looking for new saucepans, a 3 piece set is probably the best choice for you. Most 3 piece pan sets come with saucepans sized at 16 cm, 18 cm and 20 cm in diameter, and most 3 piece saucepan sets include lids, but not all. The Tefal Ingenio set shown below has a removable handle to save storage space in the kitchen, but lids can’t be used whilst cooking so they are not included. All the sets shown below can be used with induction hobs too which is very handy!

Morphy Richards 3 Piece Saucepans Set With LidsMorphy Richards 3 Piece Saucepans Set With Lids
Circulon Momentum Set of 3 Hard Anodised Saucepans Set With LidsCirculon Momentum Set of 3 Hard Anodised Saucepans Set With Lids
Swan 3 Piece Retro Induction Saucepan Set With Glass Lids - 11 Colours AvailableSwan 3 Piece Retro Induction Saucepan Set With Glass Lids – Choice of Colours Available
Tefal Ingenio Saucepan Set Stainless SteelTefal Ingenio Saucepan Set Stainless Steel

5 Piece Pots and Pans Sets

By far and away the most common pots and pans sets purchased are the 5 piece sets. Some sets will come with 3 pots and two frying pans, whilst others will have a milk pan instead of a small frying pan. It’s up to you which kind of set will be more useful in your household. A standard set will usually include 16 cm, 18 cm, 20 cm saucepans, a 14 cm milk pan and 24 cm frying pan. In cases where you don’t have a milk pan, you usually find a 20 cm frying pan instead but this isn’t always the case so check.

As noted earlier, most of these pots and pans sets will include lids for the saucepans, but you may also find that some manufacturers include lids for the frying pans or even the milk pans. This can make for excellent value for money and be very useful when cooking, however you have to think about the space available for storage for these extra lids.

Tefal 5 Piece Delight Cookware SetTefal 5 Piece Delight Cookware Set
Morphy Richards 5 Piece Frying Pan and Saucepan Set With LidsMorphy Richards 5 Piece Frying Pan and Saucepan Set With Lids
Prestige Everyday Milkpan, Saucepan and Frypan SetPrestige Everyday Milkpan, Saucepan and Frypan Set
Meyer Induction Non-Stick Cookware Aluminium 5 Piece SetMeyer Induction Non-Stick Cookware Aluminium 5 Piece Set
Meyer Induction 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware SetMeyer Induction 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Circulon Set of 5 Premier Professional Saucepan and FrypansCirculon Set of 5 Premier Professional Saucepan and Frypans
SHINEURI Nonstick Ceramic Copper Cookware SetSHINEURI Nonstick Ceramic Copper Cookware Set
Tower Induction Frying Pan and Saucepan Set with Cooking ToolsTower Induction Frying Pan and Saucepan Set with Cooking Tools
Circulon Infinite Set of 5 Saucepans and FrypansCirculon Infinite Set of 5 Saucepans and Frypans
Swan 5 Piece Retro Induction Pan Set With Glass Lids - Choice of 7 ColoursSwan 5 Piece Retro Induction Pan Set With Glass Lids – Choice of Colours Available
Russell Hobbs Classic Collection 5-Piece Pan SetRussell Hobbs Classic Collection 5-Piece Pan Set
SHINEURI Pots & Pans Cookware Set - 4 Colours AvailableSHINEURI Pots & Pans Cookware Set – Choice of Colours Available

Just a quick mention about the Swan 5 Piece Retro Induction Pan Set above. This particular set includes a 20 cm fry pan and a huge 28 cm fry pan which we think is a great size as in our house we often find the standard 24 cm frying pan a little too small.

6 Piece Pots and Pans Sets

As you go up the scale in pots and pans set sizes you will find that manufacturers tend to offer a wide (and sometimes unusual) choice of options. Some will include extra fry pans whilst others will add a griddle pan, and others will have no pans at all, but include extra sized pots! Here we have four different highly rated 6 piece sets all giving the buyer a different choice. Whilst shopping for pots and pans you will also see sets with 7 or more saucepans and frying pans so there really is no limit to what you might wish to include in your kitchen if space and money is no issue!

Gr8 Home Induction Aluminium Non Stick Grey Marble Effect Pot and Pans SetGr8 Home Induction Aluminium Non Stick Grey Marble Effect Pot and Pans Set
CUSIBOX 6 Piece Cookware Pans & Pots Set CUSIBOX 6 Piece Cookware Pans & Pots Set
Velaze Series Motti Cookware SetVelaze Series Motti Cookware Set
Tefal Easycare Cookware Set with ToolsTefal Easycare Cookware Set with Tools

Thank you for reading this article on some of the UK’s top selling pots and pans sets. We hope that it has helped you choose your new cookware!

Make the Perfect Roast with these Roasting Tins and Pans

Posted by & filed under Kitchen and Lifestyle.

A roasting pan is best made of metal to handle high temperatures and to give strength and durability. They also have high sides which serve two purposes. Firstly to redirect heat back to the items being roasted, and secondly to retain any juices that may come from the meat. Some roasting tins have a removable rack to keep the meat off the bottom of the pan, allowing air to circulate and give a more even roast, whilst some have a lid. Lidded roasting dishes can keep the items you are cooking more succulent and less prone to drying out. Some roasting pans have neither a lid or a tray but perform equally well dependant on your needs. They are perfect if you are short on space because those with lids and trays can be quite bulky and hard to fit in an oven, especially if you have other items cooking in there at the same time.

It’s not uncommon to only use a roasting pan once or twice a year at special occasions, which is a shame as they are very versatile. Cooking a large joint of meat on one day can allow you to prepare and freeze meals for the rest of the week, giving you more time for other things at busy times. They can also be used for meals such as lasagne and tray bakes.

If you are vegetarian then please don’t think that a roasting tin is just for meat – it can cook the most amazing vegetables too. Imagine honey-roasted parsnips, roasted potatoes with garlic and rosemary, and thyme roasted carrots – Yum! At the bottom of this article are a selection of books for roasting tin meals, including one dedicated to vegan and vegetarian dishes.

I was prompted to write this article as it is late October now and Christmas will be here soon. Perhaps you are thinking about what roast meals you may cook over the festive period, such as the classic turkey dinner, roast chicken, a tasty joint of ham, or perhaps goose or game. If your roasting pan is looking a bit tired then now is the perfect time to get a new one. Check out our favourites below!

All the roasting pans in this article are highly rated by their buyers, and I suspect that they have all made delicious roast dinners with them. It makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Roasting Tins Without Racks

Some roasting tins without racks have indentations at the base of the pan to allow a little air to flow underneath the items being cooked, thus giving a more even cook, however it is very easy to make your own clever and tasty ‘rack’. How? With vegetables of course! Place a layer of vegetables in a grid pattern under your joint and it will lift the meat a little to allow airflow. The upside of this is that you get the most amazing vegetables that have been cooked in the meat juices. A downside is that they may become too wet and dissolve into a mush – but a tasty mush none-the-less! A roasting pan without a rack is absolutely perfect for roasting vegetables on their own though.

MasterClass Non Stick Deep Large Roasting Tin 39 x 28 cmMasterClass Non Stick Deep Large Roasting Tin 39 x 28 cm
Prochef Teflon Non-Stick Premium Tray Tin 35cm x 25cmProchef Teflon Non-Stick Premium Tray Tin 35cm x 25cm
KitchenCraft MasterClass Professional Induction Safe Large Enamel Roasting Tin, 40 x 28 x 7.5 cmKitchenCraft MasterClass Professional Induction Safe Large Enamel Roasting Tin, 40 x 28 x 7.5 cm
Russell Hobbs Romano Vitreous Enamel Deep Roaster 42cmRussell Hobbs Romano Vitreous Enamel Deep Roaster 42cm
KitchenCraft MasterClass Heavy-Duty Deep Stainless Steel Roasting Pan, 37 x 27cmKitchenCraft MasterClass Heavy-Duty Deep Stainless Steel Roasting Pan, 37 x 27cm
ProCook Elite Tri-Ply Roasting Tin 37cmProCook Elite Tri-Ply Roasting Tin 37cm
Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick Baking and Roasting Tin, 33 x 23cmChicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick Baking and Roasting Tin, 33 x 23cm
Lakeland Bakeware Non Stick Large Roasting Tin with Pouring Lip, 42cm x 27.5cmLakeland Bakeware Non Stick Large Roasting Tin with Pouring Lip, 42cm x 27.5cm

Roasting Tins With Racks

As mentioned earlier, using a rack lifts the meat off the bottom of the pan which allows air to flow underneath and produce a more even cook. Using a rack does have some disadvantages though. Juices that drip onto the rack might be better dripping onto vegetables to add flavour, whilst some people say that cleaning racks after a roast can be very time consuming and tricky. Unless you put in the effort after each use, over time the rack will soon be almost impossible to clean enough to return it to its former glory. Some racks have lifting handles which make it easier to lift out the meat which is a great advantage.

MasterClass Teflon Non Stick Roasting Tin with Rack, Carbon Steel, Grey, 36 x 27 x 7.5cmMasterClass Teflon Non Stick Roasting Tin with Rack, Carbon Steel, Grey, 36 x 27 x 7.5cm
Penguin Home Stainless Steel 37cm Roasting Tray with RackPenguin Home Stainless Steel 37cm Roasting Tray with Rack
Russell Hobbs Romano Vitreous Enamel Roaster and Rack, 34cmRussell Hobbs Romano Vitreous Enamel Roaster and Rack, 34cm
Dawsons Living Premium Roaster and RackDawsons Living Premium Roaster and Rack
IKEA KONCIS Roasting Tin with Grill Rack 40 x 32cmIKEA KONCIS Roasting Tin with Grill Rack 40 x 32cm
Tala Performance Non Stick Extra Large Roaster with rack 38 x 32cmTala Performance Non Stick Extra Large Roaster with rack 38 x 32cm
Menax Stainless Steel Roasting Tin with Rack 35cmMenax Stainless Steel Roasting Tin with Rack 35cm
ProCook Non-Stick Roasting Tin and Rack 40cmProCook Non-Stick Roasting Tin and Rack 40cm

Roasting Tins With Lids

Roasting tins with lids offer excellent heat circulation. Think of them as having an oven inside your oven! Your roasts will cook quicker and the end result will be more succulent. When the lid is on a roasting pan, the steam from your cooking items reaches the lid and turns into juices that drip back down, thus basting the meat as it cooks. This saves you a job and keeps items moist and juicy – and very tasty too! Be aware though that if you want crispy skin or crackling you will need to remove the lid at some point during the cooking process to achieve this.

Russell Hobbs Vitreous Enamel Self Basting Roaster with Lid, 36cmRussell Hobbs Vitreous Enamel Self Basting Roaster with Lid, 36cm
32cm Professional Stainless Steel Roasting Tray with Rack and Lid32cm Professional Stainless Steel Roasting Tray with Rack and Lid
KitchenCraft MasterClass Smart Ceramic Heavy Duty Non-Stick Roasting Tin with Lid, 41.5 x 31.5cmKitchenCraft MasterClass Smart Ceramic Heavy Duty Non-Stick Roasting Tin with Lid, 41.5 x 31.5cm
Stainless Steel Roaster 7.2L Induction Roasting Tin with Lid and RackStainless Steel Roaster 7.2L Induction Roasting Tin with Lid and Rack
KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia Enamel Self-Basting Roaster with LidKitchenCraft Living Nostalgia Enamel Self-Basting Roaster with Lid
Judge Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with RackJudge Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Rack
GSW Stahlwaren Rectangular Roaster with Aroma Glass Lid and Grate InsertGSW Stahlwaren Rectangular Roaster with Aroma Glass Lid and Grate Insert
Karcher 2-in-1 Cast Aluminium Roasting Pan with Lid and Oven MittsKarcher 2-in-1 Cast Aluminium Roasting Pan with Lid and Oven Mitts

Fantastic Roasting Pan Cookbooks

Now you’ve got your sparkly new roasting tin, what are you going to cook in it? It’s so easy to think about simply roasting a joint of meat, but there are so many wonderful dishes available to cook. The following recipe books offer a wide range of recipes to kick up your roasting skills, and there is also a very highly rated selection of cookbooks by Rukmini Iyer dedicated solely to making meals in a roasting pan, which goes to show just how versatile a roasting tin is!

Roast Revolution: Contemporary Recipes for Revamped Roast Dinners by Kathy KordalisRoast Revolution: Contemporary Recipes for Revamped Roast Dinners by Kathy Kordalis
Mary Berrys Family Sunday Lunches by Mary BerryMary Berry’s Family Sunday Lunches by Mary Berry
From the Oven to the Table: Simple Dishes That Look After Themselves by Diana HenryFrom the Oven to the Table: Simple Dishes That Look After Themselves by Diana Henry
Roasts National Trust Food by Laura MasonRoasts (National Trust Food) by Laura Mason
The Roasting Tin: Simple One Dish Dinners by Rukmini IyerThe Roasting Tin: Simple One Dish Dinners by Rukmini Iyer
The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners by Rukmini IyerThe Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners by Rukmini Iyer
The Roasting Tin Around the World: Global One Dish Dinners by Rukmini IyerThe Roasting Tin Around the World: Global One Dish Dinners by Rukmini Iyer
The Quick Roasting Tin by Rukmini IyerThe Quick Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer

The Russell Hobbs Scandi Grey Digital Microwave – The Most Stylish of Microwaves

Posted by & filed under Kitchen and Lifestyle.

Our current microwave oven is making some very odd noises so we are looking to purchase a new one sooner rather than later. I’ve been looking at the best selling solo microwaves on Amazon UK and I was instantly taken by the looks of the Russell Hobbs RHMD714G Scandi Grey Digital Microwave seen below. With its wooden handle and button accents, cool grey colourway and sleek lines I thought that perhaps this compact 700w microwave might suit a stylish gent such as myself!

Russell Hobbs RHMD714G Scandi Grey Digital Microwave

The Russell Hobbs Scandi Grey Digital Microwave is a relatively recent addition to the highly regarded Russell Hobbs range of microwave ovens, but it has already amassed an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from well over 100 reviews. For me, that is a great result and one that might easily persuade me to purchase this model from the many other microwave oven choices available.

Of course, style is nothing if the actual product does not suit my needs so let’s take a closer look at the features that this rather classy microwave offers:

  • 17 litre internal volume
  • 700W microwave power
  • 5 microwave power levels plus defrost function
  • 8 auto cook menus
  • Express cook function
  • Fits a 10.5″ round plate
  • Wood and chrome accents
  • Mirror finish door front
  • Energy efficiency rating D
  • Available in Grey (pictured) and White
  • Recognised and respected household name
  • Great value at £69.00*

In our household we really only use the microwave for quickly heating up food that has just been cooked (so we get a pipping hot dinner) or for cooking foodstuffs that might take too long on our electric hob. We almost never buy microwave ready meals or takeaways as we cook homemade dinners every night so our requirements of a microwave might be quite different to yours.

What suits our needs

With the Russell Hobbs microwave here, I immediately like the look of some of its features, such as the Express Cook function and the clear digital display. The Express function is something that we would use a lot. Occasionally we might use the defrost mode, and we do cook baked potatoes in the microwave too so I expect that our needs would be fully covered here as this microwave oven has 8 auto cook menus. These cooking modes usually offer options for the most common foods available.

This microwave handily takes 10.5″ diameter plates which is a bonus as some 17 litre microwaves struggle with plates that size, and the 700 watt power is enough for most people, including us. I think that the RRP of just £69.00* is very good indeed and great value is something that always sways my decisions!

What doesn’t suit our needs

Despite this Russell Hobbs microwave looking great and being very highly rated there are a few things which may stop me from buying this as replacement from my ailing model.

Firstly is the size. We currently have a 20 litre capacity microwave oven and this is a little smaller, however this machine does take 10.5″ plates so my current crockery does fit in okay. There are only two of us in our home so 17 litres should be perfectly adequate.

The second issue is that my partner prefers to have numbers to press as she inputs the time as opposed to a dial that you turn. This doesn’t bother me but I have to ensure that she is happy using the microwave oven too.

Lastly, and some what surprisingly, is that this microwave is only rated D on the energy efficiency scale. Microwaves are given an energy efficiency rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient and for a 700 watt model I would expect this rating to be better, however as our microwave is used for such short times I would not expect to see this having much of an effect on my electric bill.

Final thoughts

Will I buy the Russell Hobbs Scandi Grey Digital Microwave to replace my current microwave? Perhaps.

I am very tempted by its looks but I think that the lack of a numerical pad to input times will annoy my partner and I want her to be happy with using the product as much as me. This small detail, which is entirely personal in nature, does not at all detract from what looks to be a superb microwave oven that I am sure will be a fantastic purchase for many other buyers!

Maybe I’d better keep looking… Fortunately Amazon UK has me covered!

*Please note: Any prices shown are subject to change at any time.

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine – Filter Coffee at its Finest

Posted by & filed under Editor's Choice.

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine

I you love filter coffee and are looking for the very best filter coffee machine available, then look no further than the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine. With a retail price of £79.99 but often available for less than £50, this filter machine has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 4,100 genuine buyer reviews – that’s solid testament to the sheer quality and robustness of this coffee machine.

As you can see from the image above, the Melita Look IV filter coffee maker is available in either black or white so you have a choice of which colour might suit your kitchen or office better. Its 1.2 litre water capacity means you can make up to 10 large cups or 15 small cups of coffee so it really is excellent for the workplace also.
The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine
What’s so special about this Melitta filter coffee machine is that it has a thermal insulated jug with reinforced double wall interior, very much like a flask, to keep the coffee hot so it does not have a hot plate as is commonly found in filter machines. There are two advantages to this. Firstly, it uses no electricity to keep the coffee hot, and secondly, as the coffee is not continuously being heated from the bottom, it cannot burn and ruin the flavour. The manufacturers state that this coffee machine will keep its contents hot for 2 hours, but buyers have found that this is a huge understatement. Reviewers say they find that the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine can keep their coffee hot for 4, 6 or 8 hours, with one purchaser happy to report that even after 13 hours, the coffee was still perfectly drinkable and produced steam when poured into his cup! Quite a feat.

The many benefits of this filter coffee machine include:

  • Useful timer feature
  • Durable and easy to hold jug
  • Thermal insulated jug to keep contents warm without a hot plate
  • Adjustable coffee intensity
  • Descaling program, calcification display, and programmable water hardness level
  • Machine washable detachable filter
  • Auto-off feature
  • 1250ml tank to make 10 large cups (125ml) or 15 small cups (85 ml)
  • Highly respected manufacturer
  • Great value, especially when on offer

An advantage that this coffee machine has over its competitors is the use of a glassless jug. Breakages are common with filter coffee glass jugs so this machine eliminates that problem. What’s more, this coffee machine uses standard No. 4 coffee filters found in supermarkets as well as online, or you can use a permanent coffee filter instead. This is just another reason why buyers love this coffee machine so much. Descaling is also a breeze with the built in descale program which automatically tells you when you need to descale the machine and does it for you once you have added a descaling tablet or other descaling fluid.

Finally, and perhaps the most important reason that buyers love their Melitta filter coffee machine, is the taste and quality of the coffee produced. Almost everyone mentions how wonderful the coffee tastes in their reviews, and even a few coffee snobs are bowled over by this machine – a true sign of how great the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine really is! Get yours today!

30 of The Best Fish and Seafood Cookbooks

Posted by & filed under Kitchen and Lifestyle.

Grilled FishMost health services and dieticians around the world would suggest that we don’t have enough fish in our diets. The NHS recommend that we increase our intake of fish and shellfish to at least two portions a week, including at least one of oily fish, such as sardines or salmon. This is because fish and shellfish are a great source of vitamins and minerals, and oily fish is particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids which can help keep your heart healthy.

In our household we eat fish at least once a week, but I must admit that we don’t eat enough oily fish, although we both like sardines and mackerel, so this is something we will look at. I like all fish, but my partner is less keen, saying that she doesn’t like fish that “tastes like fish”! The biggest problem we have with fish is how to cook it. One memorable time I made a fish stew, following the recipe carefully, only for us to both get food poisoning and being laid up in bed for a week. It scared me somewhat.

After this ‘episode’, I now only buy frozen fish and put it in the oven to cook, so yes, I definitely need help when cooking fish. The following fish and seafood recipe books are those that I have thought about buying and I think will help my fish cooking no end. They are all highly rated and offer the reader lots of information of different types of fish and how to cook them in a myriad of mouthwatering ways. I hope that these books help you cook fish too – and to expand your menu at home, which I’m sure could do with having more fish in it!

Fifteen Fabulous Fish and Seafood Cookbooks

Here are some of the best fish, shellfish and seafood cookbooks that I have found on Amazon UK. I have tried to include a variety of cooking styles here – from resturant style dishes to snack bites and everything in between. In this list of fish cookbooks I have not included sushi cookbooks as I feel that this would require an entire article in itself as there are so many cookery books available on this exciting type of food.

Some of the cookbooks here only have recipes whilst others also include fishing and cooking stories, or information on fish and fishing.

The Big 10 Fish & Seafood CookbookThe Big 10 Fish & Seafood Cookbook
Good Food: Fish & Seafood DishesGood Food: Fish & Seafood Dishes
The Whole Fish CookbookThe Whole Fish Cookbook
Tom Kitchin's Fish and ShellfishTom Kitchin’s Fish and Shellfish
Fish, Indian Style: 100 Simple Spicy RecipesFish, Indian Style: 100 Simple Spicy Recipes
The Seafood Shack: Food & Tales from UllapoolThe Seafood Shack: Food & Tales from Ullapool
J Sheekey FISHFish by J Sheekey
Fish by Tom AikensFish by Tom Aikens
Fish: The Complete Fish and Seafood CompanionFish: The Complete Fish and Seafood Companion
Prawn on the Lawn: Fish and Seafood to SharePrawn on the Lawn: Fish and Seafood to Share
The River Cottage Fish BookThe River Cottage Fish Book
Leith's Fish BibleLeith’s Fish Bible
Hook Line Sinker: A Seafood CookbookHook Line Sinker: A Seafood Cookbook
Mediterranean SeafoodMediterranean Seafood
North Atlantic SeafoodNorth Atlantic Seafood

Rick Stein Cookbooks

You can’t talk about fish or seafood cooking without mentioning Rick Stein. He has published over 25 books and has appeared in countless TV shows. He creates fantastic recipes from fresh, local ingredients, and is known predominantly for his fish dishes and his love of the sea. Below you will find most of his fish and seafood cookery books, but I have also included a couple of his travel & cookery books as they are such a good read and full of interesting cultural insights.

Rick Stein - 100 Fish and Seafood RecipesRick Stein – 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes
Rick Stein - Fish & ShellfishRick Stein – Fish & Shellfish
Rick Stein's Taste of the SeaRick Stein’s Taste of the Sea
Rick Stein - Coast to CoastRick Stein – Coast to Coast
Rick Stein's Seafood Lovers' GuideRick Stein’s Seafood Lovers’ Guide
Rick Stein - English Seafood CookeryRick Stein – English Seafood Cookery
Rick Stein's SeafoodRick Stein’s Seafood
Rick Stein's Seafood OdysseyRick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey
Rick Stein's Fruits of the SeaRick Stein’s Fruits of the Sea
Rick Stein's Complete SeafoodRick Stein’s Seafood
Rick Stein's Mediterranean EscapesRick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes
Rick Stein’s Secret FranceRick Stein’s Secret France

Pescatarian Cookbooks

If you didn’t know, a pescatarian is a person who doesn’t eat meat but does eat fish. Because fish is packed with vitamins and minerals, and is also a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, the pescatarian diet has some great health benefits. Although fish is often praised for its benefical properties against heart disease, the oils in fish are also helpful to fight cancers, ease depression, relieve arthritis, and they’re also good for your skin. If you are a pescatarian, here are just three books (of many) that may offer you some exciting new recipe ideas.

Pescatarian DietPescatarian Diet
The Flexible PescatarianThe Flexible Pescatarian
One Pan Pescatarian: 100 Delicious DinnersOne Pan Pescatarian: 100 Delicious Dinners

Halloween Baking Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Posted by & filed under Kitchen and Lifestyle.

ScarecrowGetting involved in Halloween gives you the perfect opportunity to try out some new bakes and cake decorating ideas even if you don’t celebrate the occasion much yourself. There are colours to use and techniques to try that can really get your creative juices flowing. It’s not often that you can use black icing on a cake, or cookie cutters shaped like deformed body parts! Bats, witches and pumpkins aren’t exactly pretty so we tend to keep away from using them on our cake designs, but at Halloween, you can do whatever you want! Blood thirsty vampires – Check. Severed heads – No problem. Witches riding motorcycles with flames bursting from their cloaks – Sure, why not?!

So, if you’re putting together a Halloween Party this year, for kids or adults, below are a few suggestions for the baked goodies that you might be making. You can also find an extended list of recommended halloween party essentials in our spooky Amazon ideas list here.

Creepy Cookie Cutters

There are no end of Halloween cookie cutters available on Amazon UK, but below are some of the most often sold and reviewed. Many sets are very similar in what shapes they contain, so you may have to compare a few choices before deciding on which Halloween cutters to buy. Expect to find witches, bats, pumpkins, and ghosts galore!

Nuoshen 7 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutters SetNuoshen 7 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutters Set
7 Piece Large Halloween Cookie Cutter Set7 Piece Large Halloween Cookie Cutter Set
Joyoldelf 6 Piece Halloween Cookie CuttersJoyoldelf 6 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutters
10 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutter Set10 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutter Set
ZesNice Set of 10 Halloween Cookie CuttersZesNice Set of 10 Halloween Cookie Cutters
11 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutters Set11 Piece Halloween Cookie Cutters Set

Macarbe Moulds

Baking moulds – or molds – are great for chocolate treats, small bakes and ice cube shapes, but they can also be used to make non-food based items such as wax melts and soaps. Here we have a super collection of Halloween shapes that with make your children and party guests smile in delight – or scream in horror!

Whaline 4pcs Halloween Silicone Baking MoldsWhaline 4pcs Halloween Silicone Baking Molds
Homo Trends 4Pcs Halloween Mould Skull Ice Cube TrayHomo Trends 4Pcs Halloween Mould Skull Ice Cube Tray
BESTOYARD Halloween RIP Gravestone Mold Silicone Ice Cube TraysBESTOYARD Halloween RIP Gravestone Mold Silicone Ice Cube Trays
Kungfu Mall 2pcs Halloween Pumpkin Witch Ghost Silicone Chocolate MouldKungfu Mall 2pcs Halloween Pumpkin Witch Ghost Silicone Chocolate Mould
36 Shapes Halloween Chocolate Mould36 Shapes Halloween Chocolate Mould
Pack of 3 Halloween Chocolate MouldsPack of 3 Halloween Chocolate Moulds

Chilling Cupcake Accessories

There are countless ways to decorate and display your cupcakes, and here are a few of our favourites. Edible toppers are a great way to add intricacy to a simple cupcake, and you can dress up the sides with some spooky cupcake cases. Finally, why not display them perfectly with a monster-style cupcake stand?

35 Pre-Cut Edible Halloween Cupcake Toppers35 Pre-Cut Edible Halloween Cupcake Toppers
50g Edible Halloween Sprinkle Mix for Cakes and Cupcakes with Bats, Pumpkins and Ghosts50g Edible Halloween Sprinkle Mix for Cakes and Cupcakes with Bats, Pumpkins and Ghosts
Whaline 60 Pack Halloween Cupcake WrappersWhaline 60 Pack Halloween Cupcake Wrappers
LOKIPA 100 Halloween Cupcake Liner Muffin Wrapper CasesLOKIPA 100 Halloween Cupcake Liner Muffin Wrapper Cases
Halloween Cake ToppersHalloween Cake Toppers
Amscan Boo Crew Monsters 3 Tier Cupcake StandAmscan Boo Crew Monsters 3 Tier Cupcake Stand

If you would like more inspiration for Halloween baking or for your Halloween party you can find an extended list of recommended Halloween essentials in our spooky Amazon ideas list here.