Teisen Nionod — The Savoury Welsh Onion Cake

Layered with simplicity and love, Teisen Nionod is a traditional Welsh dish that transforms pantry staples into something extraordinary. 

Think tender potatoes, sweet onions, and lashings of butter — baked slowly until golden and crisp on the outside, soft and melting inside.

Rooted in the culinary traditions of South Wales, Teisen Nionod is both a side dish and a star in its own right — one of those quiet heroes that deserves far more fame.

Humble Ingredients, Hearty Results

This dish calls for just a few components:

Thinly sliced potatoes

Sliced onions

Butter (and lots of it!)

Salt and pepper

Sometimes a little stock or bacon fat for extra flavour

Layered and baked slowly, the flavours mingle and intensify, giving you crisp edges and creamy centres. It’s a dish that rewards patience and celebrates the beauty of Welsh produce.

Regional Twists

While Teisen Nionod is most commonly made in Glamorgan and surrounding counties, you’ll find a few variations:

Carmarthenshire: Adds a splash of chicken or vegetable stock for extra richness

Cardiganshire: Uses dripping or lard instead of butter for a deeper flavour

Modern takes: Add leeks, cheese (like Caerphilly or cheddar), or even mustard

Perfect Pairings

Teisen Nionod is a perfect partner to:

Roast lamb or pork

Faggots and onion gravy

Laverbread and bacon

Or simply served with buttered cabbage and a poached egg for a vegetarian supper

Recipe: Teisen Nionod (Welsh Onion Cake)

Ingredients:

4 large floury potatoes (e.g., Maris Piper or King Edward)

2 large onions, thinly sliced

75g unsalted butter, melted

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Optional: 100ml stock or 50g grated Caerphilly cheese

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

Peel the potatoes and slice them very thinly (a mandoline helps).

Grease a round baking dish and layer potatoes and onions alternately.

Season each layer with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of butter.

Pour over any remaining butter (and stock if using).

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Uncover and bake a further 30 minutes until golden and crisp on top.

Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving in generous wedges.

A Taste of Hearth and Home

Teisen Nionod is proof that the most soul-satisfying dishes are often the simplest. It brings together the frugality of Welsh cooking and the indulgence of comfort food — a tray of golden warmth that belongs on every table.

Coming next: Welsh Griddle Bread — A Pan-Baked Heritage Loaf

Tatws Popty — North Wales' Roasted Potato Delight

Wales is no stranger to hearty, comforting potato dishes, and Tatws Popty might just be one of its best-kept culinary secrets. 

Hailing from the north, this dish is as warming as the mountain air is bracing — a rustic traybake of roasted potatoes, onions, and lamb, all cooked together in a single oven dish.

Its name literally means “oven potatoes” (tatws = potatoes, popty = oven in North Welsh dialect), and it remains a beloved staple of Gwynedd and Anglesey family kitchens.

The Charm of Simplicity

Tatws Popty is the kind of meal that cooks slowly while you get on with your day. Traditionally made on a Sunday and cooked low and slow in the Aga or oven, it rewards patience with a meal that’s golden, crispy on top, and tender throughout.

No fancy tricks or obscure spices — just quality ingredients and time.

A Taste of the Land

Most traditional versions include:

Welsh lamb shoulder or chops

Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes

Carrots, onions, and sometimes parsnips

A little stock or water to help it roast gently and create that melt-in-the-mouth texture

The flavours meld beautifully, with lamb fat gently basting the vegetables as they roast.

Regional Notes

Gwynedd

Includes thick-sliced potatoes in layers

Uses fresh rosemary or thyme when available

Served straight from the pan with crusty bread

Anglesey

Meatless versions exist (for Lenten meals or budget cooking)

Often cooked in lard or dripping for extra richness

Recipe: Tatws Popty

Ingredients:

4 large potatoes, peeled and thickly sliced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 onion, sliced

500g lamb shoulder, chopped or left in chops

2 tbsp oil or lamb dripping

250ml stock (lamb or vegetable)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

In a large roasting tin, layer the potatoes, carrots, onions, and lamb.

Drizzle with oil or spoon over lamb fat, season generously, and pour in the stock.

Cover with foil and roast for 1 hour.

Uncover and roast for another 30–45 minutes until everything is golden and crispy on top.

Serve hot with steamed greens or buttered cabbage.

One Tin, Full Bellies

Tatws Popty is honest food. There’s no need to dress it up — it’s Welsh comfort at its finest. Perfect for feeding a crowd, warming up after a walk in the hills, or just soaking up the joy of a weekend roast with minimal washing up.

Celebrating VE Day with Classic British Food and Drink

Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marks the formal end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945. It’s a day of remembrance, gratitude, and celebration—a moment to reflect on the resilience of a generation and the joy that followed years of hardship. 

One way we can honour this occasion today is by recreating the flavours of that time, paying tribute to the foods that brought comfort and community to wartime Britain.

Wartime Cooking: Making Do and Mucking In

During the war, rationing defined everyday meals. Ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and meat were in short supply, leading home cooks to get creative with limited resources. Communities pulled together to grow vegetables in "Victory Gardens", and recipes were adjusted to stretch rations and reduce waste.

Traditional VE Day Foods to Try at Home

Recreating a VE Day spread offers a tasty nod to history, blending nostalgia with simple, comforting flavours. Here are some traditional dishes and drinks that capture the spirit of the time:

Woolton Pie

Named after Lord Woolton, the Minister of Food, this hearty vegetable pie became a symbol of wartime ingenuity. Made with root vegetables, a white sauce, and topped with a mashed potato crust, it’s still a delicious meat-free option today.

National Loaf

This government-mandated wholemeal bread replaced white bread during the war, as it was more nutritious and used less refined flour. It’s dense, filling, and ideal for serving with a good wedge of cheese or jam.

Eggless Sponge Cake

With fresh eggs scarce, bakers turned to clever substitutes. Vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and dried egg powder made it possible to still enjoy a slice of sponge cake. Add a dollop of jam and you’ve got a classic treat.

Carrot Bicuits

These naturally sweet biscuits used grated carrots to replace sugar. Surprisingly tasty and easy to make, they’re a nod to how creative wartime bakers became.

Drinks of the Era

Beer

While many luxuries were hard to come by, beer was never rationed and remained a symbol of celebration. Raise a pint of traditional British bitter or mild ale to toast the end of war in Europe.

A Proper Cuppa

Tea was vital to morale, and despite rationing, it was carefully managed to ensure everyone could enjoy their daily brew. Whether black or with a splash of milk, a warm cuppa was—and remains—a national comfort.

Hosting a Modern VE Day Tea Party

Why not bring friends and family together for a VE Day garden party or afternoon tea? Hang up some bunting, put on a playlist of 1940s hits, and serve a spread of wartime-inspired treats. It’s a chance to honour the past while enjoying the simple pleasures of good food and good company.

Final Thoughts

VE Day is more than a date in the history books—it’s a celebration of resilience, togetherness, and hope. Through the food and drink of the time, we can connect with those who lived through it and reflect on how far we’ve come.

Have you tried any wartime recipes or hosted your own VE Day celebration? Share your stories and photos in the comments or tag us on social media!

Is Your Pop Potty About Peanut Butter? Then please read on!

Because That's Food and Drink has received some news about an utterly perfect present for him, for this Father's Day.

Then we have the perfect nifty gifty for you this Father’s Day. 

Introducing their new, limited edition PapaLife jars. Packed to the brim with thei delicious Crunchy Original Roast peanut butter, packed with a fresh look that’s befitting for the perfect Pa. This is, we think, the perfect way to say ‘YOU ROCK’ this Father’s Day.

PapaLife jars will go on sale in Waitrose priced at £4 from May 21st through to 17th June. 

You can also find it in selected Sainsbury’s stores from 28th May to 17th June, priced at £2.75.

Celebrating International Day for Biological Diversity with Food and Drink

Image Courtesy Yolanda Díaz Tarragó & Pixabay

Each year on 22 May, the world marks the International Day for Biological Diversity — a time to reflect on the vital role biodiversity plays in our lives, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. 

As food lovers, one of the most powerful (and delicious) ways we can honour biodiversity is through our plates and glasses. 

This year, why not celebrate with dishes and drinks that showcase the rich variety of ingredients our planet provides?

Here are some ideas for biodiversity-friendly meals and beverages that you can create and share:

1. Cook with Heritage Grains

Modern agriculture often relies on just a few staple crops, but there are hundreds of traditional grains that have nourished cultures for centuries. Experiment with:

Spelt or einkorn flour in homemade bread or pasta

Red or black rice in a vibrant grain bowl

Freekeh or teff in a Mediterranean-style salad

These grains support agricultural diversity and are often grown in ways that are more environmentally friendly than mass-produced wheat or rice.

2. Embrace a Rainbow of Pulses

Beans, lentils, and peas are not only protein-packed and budget-friendly, they’re also biodiversity heroes. Mix and match:

Heirloom varieties like speckled pinto beans or purple podded peas

Chickpeas for homemade hummus or a spicy chana masala

Beluga lentils for a textured salad or warming stew

Pulses enrich the soil they grow in and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers, making them great for sustainable farming.

3. Choose Local and Seasonal Produce

Support your region’s unique biodiversity by shopping locally and seasonally. This might include:

Spring greens like wild garlic, asparagus, or purple sprouting broccoli

Lesser-known veggies like kohlrabi, salsify, or rainbow chard

Foraged foods like nettles, elderflowers, or sea beet

Try a local produce box delivery or visit a farmers’ market to explore what’s available in your area.

4. Brew Biodiverse Beverages

Get creative with drinks that champion biodiversity:

Herbal teas made from native or foraged ingredients like mint, chamomile, or elderflower

Fruit shrubs (vinegar-based cordials) using seasonal berries or orchard fruits

Craft ciders or beers from small-scale producers who use heritage apple or barley varieties

Even a simple cup of single-origin coffee or tea can be a nod to preserving traditional growing methods and plant varieties.

5. Try Artisan and Raw Milk Cheeses

Industrial dairy production often relies on just one or two cow breeds. Artisan cheesemakers, however, often work with native or rare breeds and traditional techniques that support microbial and animal diversity. Look out for:

Lincolnshire Poacher (from British Friesians)

Stichelton (raw milk blue cheese)

Goat and sheep cheeses made on small, biodiverse farms

Pair with seasonal chutneys and homemade oatcakes for a truly celebratory spread.

6. Bake with Forgotten Fruits and Nuts

Bring biodiversity to your baking with unusual or underused ingredients:

Medlar jam tarts or damson cakes

Hazelnut and cobnut biscotti

Quince upside-down cake or wild plum crumble

These forgotten fruits often grow well in less intensively farmed orchards or hedgerows, encouraging wildlife as well as flavour.

Final Thoughts

Food is one of the most direct ways we interact with the natural world. By choosing diverse, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients, we not only support healthier ecosystems but also rediscover the joy of variety in our meals. This International Day for Biological Diversity, take a moment to taste the difference biodiversity makes — and maybe even share your creation with friends, family, or on social media to spread the message.

What biodiversity-friendly ingredients will you try this year?

The Easiest Bread and Butter Pudding (With a Jammy Twist!)

There’s something utterly comforting about a proper bread and butter pudding. 

It’s the sort of humble dessert that brings back cosy childhood memories, fills the kitchen with a creamy, vanilla-scented warmth, and turns a few basic ingredients into something truly magical.

Today, I’m sharing my easiest-ever version of bread and butter pudding — no faffing, no fancy extras — just simple goodness. 

This version uses sliced buttered bread, a generous slathering of jam, a single egg, and a dreamy mix of evaporated milk and cream. It’s perfect when you want pudding without a big shop or a long prep time.

What You’ll Need:

4–6 slices of white or brioche bread (slightly stale is best)

Butter (enough for spreading)

Jam (raspberry, strawberry, or even marmalade – your choice!)

1 egg

150ml evaporated milk

100ml double cream

1–2 tbsp sugar (optional, depending on your jam)

A little vanilla extract or cinnamon (optional)

Demerara sugar for sprinkling (optional, but delicious)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 170°C (fan) / 190°C / Gas Mark 5.

Butter the bread generously, then spread jam on each slice. Cut them into triangles or halves, depending on your dish.

Layer the slices in a small baking dish, overlapping slightly and tucking them in snugly.

In a jug, whisk the egg, evaporated milk, double cream, sugar (if using), and a splash of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon.

Pour the custard mixture gently over the bread, making sure all the pieces are soaked. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the bread absorbs some of the liquid.

Sprinkle a little demerara sugar on top for a lovely golden crunch.

Bake for 25–30 minutes until the custard is just set and the top is golden and crisp at the edges.

To Serve:

Serve warm with a drizzle of extra cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or just as it is. It’s also lovely cold from the fridge the next day (if there’s any left!).

Why This Recipe Works:

This pudding is a great way to use up bits of bread and half-empty jars of jam. The evaporated milk adds richness without being too heavy, while the cream gives it that proper pudding feel. And with just one egg, it stays light and custardy.

It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Have a favourite jam or a nostalgic pudding memory? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your creations — I’d love to see your twists on this classic!

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Really Cheesy Father’s Day Box launched

Created to help cheese loving Dads discover more of the UK’s incredible, wonderful artisan cheesemakers, the Really Cheesy Father’s Day Box delivers a hand-picked selection of award-winning cheeses and accompaniments, with a pair of ‘Really Cheesy’ socks thrown in for good measure.

Launched by The Real Cheese Project as part of its mission to showcase and protect Britain’s diverse landscape of artisan cheeses, the Really Cheesy gift set aims to get Dads across the UK re-thinking their cheese habits, while they tuck into a box of hard, soft, goat’s and blue cheeses made by producers doing better things for the planet, animals and local economies.

Each box will contain four cheeses that have recently scored big wins at the British & Irish Cheese Awards, including; Anster by St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, a delicate, pale, crumbly cheese that was named Best Scottish Cheese 2025; Brighton Blue by High Weald Dairy, a mild and mellow blue which took the title of Best Organic Cheese 2025; Clara by Harvey & Brockless, an ash-coated goat’s cheese that won Best English Cheese 2025; and the Gold medal winning St.Jude by St.Jude Cheese, a lactic style cheese, with a mould-ripened rind and smooth paste.

Four accompaniments will be provided so Dads can mix and match with pairings. Traditional favourites come from Tracklements, including Caramelised Onion Marmalade and Fresh Chilli Jam, while Celtic Salt with Honey and Wildflower Runny Honey from Malik’s Honey might give his taste buds a little more to think about.

Completing the selection, Cornish Sea Salt Thins from Popti Cornish Bakehouse provide the perfect vehicle for a curd nerd’s night in, while The Real Cheese Project’s limited edition ‘Really Cheesy’ socks will give Dad something to enjoy when the Father’s Day cheese feast is over.

While helping to broaden Dad’s cheese horizons, these boxes will also help support artisan cheese in the UK. 5% of all profits go into a Real Cheese support fund, donated to initiatives that protect, develop and progress real cheese in the UK.

The Really Cheesy Father’s Day Box can be ordered from www.therealcheeseproject.co.uk, priced at £65 including delivery. Gift boxes must be ordered by 8 June for delivery before Father’s Day.

Celebrate World Cocktail Day with These Easy-to-Make Drinks at Home

World Cocktail Day, celebrated annually every 13th May, is the perfect excuse to shake, stir, and sip your way through some of the most beloved cocktails from around the world. 

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a curious beginner, there’s something deeply satisfying about crafting your own drink at home.

To help you mark the occasion in style, we’ve rounded up a selection of simple yet delicious cocktail recipes you can try in your own kitchen. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to experiment.

A Brief History of World Cocktail Day

World Cocktail Day commemorates the publication of the first definition of a cocktail in 1806, which described it as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Today, cocktails are a global phenomenon, ranging from classic concoctions to bold, modern mixes. The day is part of World Cocktail Week, a celebration of the art and enjoyment of cocktail culture.

Five Easy Cocktails to Make at Home

1. Classic Mojito (Cuba)

Refreshing and zesty – perfect for spring and summer.

Ingredients:

50ml white rum

1 tbsp sugar

Juice of 1 lime

A handful of fresh mint leaves

Soda water

Ice

Method:

Muddle the mint, sugar, and lime juice in a glass.

Fill the glass with ice, pour over the rum, and top with soda water.

Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.

2. Espresso Martini (UK)

A modern classic for coffee lovers.

Ingredients:

50ml vodka

25ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)

25ml freshly brewed espresso

Coffee beans (for garnish)

Ice

Method:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

3. Whisky Sour (USA)

A smooth, tangy drink with a silky finish.

Ingredients:

50ml bourbon or Scotch whisky

25ml lemon juice

15ml sugar syrup

Optional: egg white for froth

Ice and a cherry or orange slice to garnish

Method:

Shake all ingredients (dry shake first if using egg white, then with ice).

Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Garnish with a cherry or orange slice.

4. French 75 (France)

Elegant and bubbly – perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients:

25ml gin

15ml lemon juice

10ml sugar syrup

Champagne or sparkling wine

Lemon twist for garnish

Method:

Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice.

Strain into a flute and top with Champagne.

Garnish with a lemon twist.

5. Bramble (UK)

A fruity and floral modern British classic.

Ingredients:

40ml gin

15ml crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)

20ml lemon juice

10ml sugar syrup

Ice and fresh blackberries to garnish

Method:

Shake the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice and strain into a glass with crushed ice.

Drizzle the crème de mûre over the top.

Garnish with blackberries and a lemon slice.

Cocktail-Making Tips for Beginners

Invest in the basics: A shaker, jigger, and strainer can make a big difference.

Fresh is best: Use fresh fruit juices and herbs where possible.

Taste and tweak: Don’t be afraid to adjust sweetness, acidity, or strength to your liking.

Celebrate Safely

Whether you're celebrating solo, hosting friends, or toasting virtually, remember to enjoy responsibly. You can also try non-alcoholic versions or use quality alcohol-free spirits for an inclusive celebration.

Cheers to World Cocktail Day – and happy mixing!

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