Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

16th January 202116th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but when it’s cold outside I want to eat spicy food; something with a bit of zing and kick. This recipe has been on the back burner until now purely because I hadn’t received a cauliflower in my weekly organic veg box delivery but as soon as I saw theRead more

My Week In Pictures - Lockdown 3.0 Week 1

My Week In Pictures – Lockdown 3.0 Week 1

9th January 20219th January 2021 - tara Leave a comment

Here we go again! Lockdown 3.0 started on Tuesday here in England. I did manage to get one evening in of live ballet classes with my primary-school-age children before resuming online from Tuesday which was lovely. A chance to reconnect with the children albeit briefly. Obviously, with lockdown 3.0 I haven’t been out and aboutRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In pictures #4

My Nine Best Things Of 2020

30th December 202030th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

2020 has been challenging for all. Work has been sparse for some and non-existent for others. Loneliness for many has become a real issue. There have been constant challenges thrown our way that has meant we have had to adapt and adopt new ways of thinking, working, socialising and exercising. For me, 2020 has givenRead more

Pigs In Puff Pastry Blankets - A wonderful Party Canapé

Pigs In Puff Pastry Blankets – A wonderful Party Canapé

22nd December 202022nd December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

(Ad) I was recently sent some sausages from my friends at HECK. These aren’t any old sausages though. Of course, they are delicious, we know that, but these sausages are doing good at the same time. With each packet, purchased HECK are contributing to a very worthwhile campaign to combat homelessness. I wanted to highlightRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In pictures #4

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In pictures #4

20th December 202020th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

Wow! Another week where our worlds get picked up and thrown down thus jiggling all plans once again. I guess in reality I was expecting a u-turn on the Christmas rules. It had to happen but why with less than a week to go? Why not last week when people could switch up/cancel plans/food deliveriesRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In Pictures #3

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In Pictures #3

13th December 202013th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

Happy Sunday friends! Are you feeling festive yet? With less than two weeks to Christmas I feel like I should be but I am not. I am excited for Christmas but I certainly don’t have that festive warm feeling yet. It may be because we don’t have our tree or it maybe because I don’tRead more

Gingerbread & Chocolate Chip American Style Cookies

Gingerbread & Chocolate Chip American Style Cookies

5th December 20205th December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

It’s been a whole year since I found myself in New York and it got me thinking about all those yummy sweet treats that the Americans do so well. Yes, I love a crunchy English biscuit but sometimes a doughy, soft American style cookie is just what a girl (or boy) needs. Am I right?Read more

Gingerbread Loaf With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Gingerbread Loaf With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

19th November 20201st December 2020 - tara Leave a comment

This sweet and spicy gingerbread loaf with spiced cream cheese frosting is a perfect alternative to Christmas cake for those who don’t like a fruit cake option at Yuletide. I do however love a traditional Christmas cake so will most probably make both! After all, it is the season to be jolly and this secondRead more

Cheesy Pumpkin Scones

Cheesy Pumpkin Scones

11th November 202011th November 2020 - tara Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but I love autumn. I particularly adore the warm and sunny autumn days with that special golden light that you only get at this time of year. The sun is low in the sky and the way it shines through the trees feels warm and cosy. With autumn in fullRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In Pictures #2

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In Pictures #2

8th November 20208th November 2020 - tara Leave a comment

For me, this week has been made up of two contrasting halves. I am pretty sure that for others based in England right now you may agree with me? Lockdown 2.0 started at 12.01 am on Thursday morning with many restrictions in place that we haven’t seen since the easing of the first lockdown inRead more

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Simple pleasure come with molten cheese interiors! Simple pleasure come with molten cheese interiors! Try putting a little bit of the inside on the outside so your guests (guests? Who has guests these days!🤪) know what’s inside their toastie. A little spicy sausage, a few sage leaves, a piece of ham .. let me tell you... the ham and robust herbs go kinda crispy in the butter whilst the sandwiches toast and it’s a joy to behold! That textural thing is always a winner when it comes to food.. oozy cheese, crunchy corners and crispy, toasted saltiness in the form of ham, sausage herbs or anchovies! Omg - anchovies, I haven’t tried anchovies yet and why on Earth not!? They are literally my favourite thing. I am now craving a pizza inspired toastie with olives, tomato, capers and anchovies! When’s lunch?? 🙌🏻 Also, do you think I could make a toastie with left over Christmas mince meat and serve it as dessert with a scoop of ice cream? Votes in comments please.. yes or no? Shall I try? 🤷🏻‍♀️
Going out to get takeaway coffee is such a thrill Going out to get takeaway coffee is such a thrill these days. (Or in this case a rather yummy beetroot latte💗) Let’s face it, having the briefest conversation with someone other than those in your own household is a joy to behold. Thank you to all of the people I have spoken to this week other than Steve, and by all of the people I mean like 3. The lovely folk at @thepresshouseexeter and the lady in @zukiscaffetteria who gave me my latte for free because my loyalty card was full. Lord, I felt like I was winning at life in that moment I can tell you! 🤩
The prettiest of floofs, a socially distanced walk The prettiest of floofs, a socially distanced walk with a chum, hot chocolate and fresh out of the oven cardamom buns. Not a bad Saturday morning I must say. 🐶
I love anything personalised and it’s even bette I love anything personalised and it’s even better when you can eat it! You all know I love my food and proper bread with thick spread salted butter has got to be one of the simplest joys. Even better when the bread is still warm from the bakers oven and the butter begins to melt into the nooks and crannies of a well made sourdough. 🤤
At the end of last year the wonderful people at @st_sidwells started a crowdfunder to enable them to move to larger premises and so expand and offer more community driven projects. Alongside the bakery creating more amazing nutritious bread and affordable sweet and savoury treats, the cookery school will move into the new larger space too. I was one of 154 supporters who donated to the crowdfund to help make the move a reality and today I went to pick up my personalised loaf. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that the Bakehouse is now open on Sidwell Street just across the road from its old premises. If you fancy supporting a worthwhile business at this crazy time and beyond get your weekly loaf here. Not only are you supporting a local bakery but you are ensuring that people young and old, regardless of background or circumstance  have access to fun and affordable cooking lessons. 🥨
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 #community  #nonprofit  #giveback  #charity  #youth  #support  #volunteer  #local  #earthfever  #gettyimages  #givingback  #bread  #パン  #sourdough  #手作りパン  #bakery #perdonalised  #dough  #exeter  #inexeter #devon  #cake #homebaking  #cooking  #cook  #chef  #おうちごはん  #homemade  #料理
Golden hour with my precious girl. Lockdown 3.0, D Golden hour with my precious girl. Lockdown 3.0, Day 1. 🧡
Just taking in the last of the festive glow before Just taking in the last of the festive glow before I pack my Christmas tree decorations away for another year and hoover up the pine needles. I am never a fan of how empty the house feels afterwards. How do you think we will celebrate next year? Will it be over-the-top because we can or do you think it will stay small because we have come to appreciate the joy in simplicity? One thing I have learnt this year is that i actually enjoy the simple things in life. Truthfully, I think I always have. 🙏🏻 That being said will you just admire these larger than life decorations that @saraspetitecuisinebakes has in her window! I popped in this afternoon for a pick-me-up whilst taking a walk and couldn’t resist getting some snaps. Sara always manages to make her little shop so inviting. I can’t wait to see what her decorations will be with the promise of spring just around the corner. 🌱
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#festive  #ootd  #tistheseason  #friends  #happyholidays  #style  #london  #fun  #holidayseason  #christmaslights  #christmas2020 #instagood  #santa  #holiday  #lights  #photography  #fashion  #christmasdecor  #holidays  #christmastime  #happy  #festiveseason  #december  #xmas  #family  #winter  #merrychristmas  #christmastree  #love  #christmas
Starting the year with a beach walk, friends, fish Starting the year with a beach walk, friends, fish & chips and an ice cream. The best kind of start to a year! Funnily enough I did the same last year and the year before and the year before that.. am I predictable? Maybe, but why do any different when we are lucky enough to live in such a beautiful part of the country.
It wouldn’t be Twixtmas for me without a trip to It wouldn’t be Twixtmas for me without a trip to the moors. Trust me to bring some fizz so we could toast the end of 2020 on the top of the world. ( i.e Haytor 🥂) 
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#wild  #wildlife  #cold  #winter  #moor  #nature  #photography  #beautiful  #beauty  #dartmoor  #girl  #2020  #yearend  #browneyes  #likeme  #commentme  #england #top  #devon #face  #picture  #instaeyes  #wilderness #instaboy  #tarasbusykitchen #landscape  #selfie  #look  #style
My/Your top nine posts of 2020 via the @topnine.ap My/Your top nine posts of 2020 via the @topnine.app - looks like the best performing posts feature my ugly mug on the whole. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I am so glad that my picture of the beautiful Tudor house in Exeter trumped them all though. It’s such a wonderful building showcasing days gone by in my beautiful city. Thank you to all who have liked and commented on my page this year. I adore the insta community I have and the friends I have made. Have a very happy new year everybody! 🤍
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#photograph  #photos  #photogram  #photoofday  #picture  #photographers  #photographie  #photoftheday  #photodaily  #photographylovers  #photoaday  #photogrid  #photoshop  #fotografia  #photooftheweek  #photobomb  #photoday  #pic  #photochallenge
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© Tara Smith 2020