I love food and that’s why I love cooking! Who can resist the smell of melted cheesy garlic bread or fish and chips at the seaside? The sight of that bakery shop window with its warm inviting sugared doughnuts, sausage rolls and apple pies? That luxuriant mouthful of chocolate mousse or perhaps the irresistible aroma of barbequed grilled steak wafting through the air on a lazy summer's afternoon? 

It’s fair to say I have a passion for food, and I consider myself very fortunate. As a little girl my mum taught me how to cook and before the age of 10 I was baking bread, making cheese biscuits and preparing suppers such as bacon, liver and onions. My mum gave me a confidence which stayed with me and since those early days I have studied cooking professionally, I have trained at Cheltenham Ladies college, and I have worked as a chef.

I’m happy to say our love of cooking continues to this day as mum and I regularly cook together. We experiment with new recipes – with varying degrees of success! Cooking is creative; it appeals to our senses, and a shared delight of tasty food brings people together. Whichever way you look at it, cooking is an adventure and one to be enjoyed.

My mum says anyone can cook, and I agree. When you have to factor in dietary requirements, allergies and preferences, cooking can suddenly seem a very complicated task, but it doesn't have to be. In my family we have a vegan, a vegetarian, a gluten intolerant, and allergies, and I can reassure you that scrumptious cooking can be very simple, and the joy of cooking is available to everyone.

If you are looking for a dessert for your summer parties, look no further that my Baked Apple Surprise – a firm favourite in our family. It's super simple, gluten free, vegan and delicious!

Ingredients:
4 large Bramley cooking apples 
4 large handfuls of frozen berries
2 teaspoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 190°C.

2. Rinse and dry the apples. Using a sharp knife, slice the tops off the apples and remove the cores to create a cavity inside.

3. In a bowl mix together the cinnamon, brown sugar and frozen berries.

4. Place the apples on a baking dish and stuff them with the cinnamon, sugar and frozen berries.

5. Pour 250ml (or an average mug) of boiling water into the baking tray around the apples.

6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the apples are soft.

7. Serve with vegan or dairy cream or ice-cream depending on your preference, and top with crushed pistachios.