Author: Hannah R Freeman

I am a food writer, photographer, food stylist and author living in the absurdly beautiful Wye Valley (with the more-than-occasional foray to my family's second home in Gascony). A member of the Guild of Food Writers, I have been a freelance food writer for over 10 years. My particular interests include the history of food, low carb living, French cuisine (particularly that of the South-West), European cuisine and all aspects of British food and drink. I also blog about country living, homemaking, travel, fashion and lifestyle. I have always championed regional food, particularly that of my native Welsh borderland and am passionate about sharing my love of food with others, and encouraging the next generation to try new foodie things.

Finding a new ‘normal’

I find myself writing my first post in extraordinary times on a fine spring day, which Winnie the Pooh would undoubtedly declare ‘blustery’, but look at the trees…they have begun to unfurl their tiny leaves, the blossom is out and all is fighting against the elements…and winning. Just as we, the world, is fighting against…

Midweek Musings – Nourishing the body and soul under lockdown living.

So, it has been over year since I last added to my blog. It’s been a difficult year, but now, more than ever, I see the need to use technology, not only to communicate with others but also to hold myself accountable. These past few weeks have been challenging for everybody. We have been forced…

Seasonal Rhubarb, Mandarin and Saffron Cake

A delicious and gluten-free treat, perfect for afternoon tea or buried in fresh custard after a hearty Sunday lunch, my rhubarb upside-down cake is enhanced with pomegranate and rosewater, saffron and sweet mandarins. Recipe: serves 8 Cake 3 medium eggs 165g butter 165g light brown sugar 1 bunch of rhubarb, leaves removed 180g self raising…

New Year, Old Me…..just paying more attention to Time and Balance

New Year, Old Me. Must we subscribe to the ‘health’ trends of January or seek overall individual happiness? Balance and Time win out! #balanceandtime

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: ‘Vegging’ out at Christmas

I personally find the Christmas standard veg offering rather boring, ‘boiled’ or ‘roasted’ (aside from potatoes) seems so unimaginative and it doesn’t take much more time to ‘pimp’ those everyday vegetables up to new heights. I enjoy all veg, I try and stick to seasonal choices, however, aside from the somewhat more exciting spiced red…

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: the cheesecake of cheesecakes.

Many of us will look to that extra cheese course after Christmas lunch, and then there has to be enough cheese in the house to take you through to the new year. I have already covered the history of stilton in my diaries but now I’d like to share with you a few of my…

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: a change from turkey…my partridge (or pheasant) in a pear tree

Many people are becoming much more experimental in the kitchen and, where once, turkey or goose took centre stage, now there are many different options for the Christmas table. Aside from a good joint of beef, leg of lamb or meltingly soft slow-cooked pork shoulder many people look to game – especially in smaller households,…

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: just a little trifle, please!

Christmas is now the only time of the year I make trifle. Growing up it was a mainstay of my grandmother’s birthday and Christmas tables, but the tradition now firmly sits within the festive period. There’s something wonderfully decadent about the layers of creamy comfort, the hit of booze and the digging down to the…

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Getting ahead with Christmas, a Duo of Sublime Stuffings

Things which are time consuming relating to the Christmas Lunch are far better done early and the advantage of a good sized freezer makes preparing for Lunch extremely simple indeed. I like to serve two stuffings. One meat, and cooked separately from the bird, and one to stuff in the neck cavity, to take on…

The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Fuss Free Canapés with a Welsh Twist

Last year my sister published her first book and asked me to make some canapés for the launch. I didn’t have much time to prepare, so wracked my brains for something quick, easy and delicious. I am extremely proud of my Welsh heritage and, as I have mentioned before, am a great believer in the…