About

Regardless of the fact that I trained as a chef – a long, long time ago – my food writing is about what I cook and eat at home. At times it’s fairly simple. At others there’s usually some prep involved, especially with one of my many stocks – although they’re usually very straight forward. My dishes aren’t about the quickest way of cooking something. Rather, it’s about getting the most out of individual ingredients that, as a whole will give you a wonderfully balanced and delicious meal. And, with over 200 recipes developed I’m guessing I’m going to be busy on here!

As for piglet – well, that little grunter hovers around my mid-riff. Attached too firmly, for my liking, to my navel. It’s a rather rotund, well fed little thing that sometimes plays havoc with my keyboard. I’d advise that you quite simply ignore the little beast! :)

105 Responses to About

  1. Great blog, love your photography and recipes. Looking forward to the rest of your 200 recipes…!

  2. “It’s about getting the most out of individual ingredients that, as a whole will give you a wonderfully balanced and delicious meal”. I 100% agree with you!! I love your thought!! impressed!

  3. Hi there, just wanted to let you know that I’ve passed on a blog award to you at http://dinnerfornone.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/an-award-and-a-dilemma. I wasn’t able to find out whether you’ve already received this one before, so hope you haven’t!

    • Hi. No, I’ve never received an award before. And, like you, I get very few comments (to be honest I’m not great at leaving them – far prefer to respond). Not quite sure what these awards are for, though. Will have to check them out. Thank you!

  4. Love your blog! so I nominated you for a 7×7 Link Award. Cheers! :)

  5. I wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for an award! I think you deserve it!
    http://fortheloveoffeeding.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/an-award-you-say/#more-665

    • Can’t quite believe this page at the moment. Have to pinch myself that I’m actually on the right track. Like I said on your wonderful post, really appreciate this. Thanks, again, Villy!

  6. Pretty amazing pictures on your blog and definitely the recipes are on the same level.

  7. I’m so glad you came to my site b/c then I came to your site and I say that because I love your site! The pix are awesome and most of the recipes are ones that I think: I want to make that. Count me in for the long haul!

    • Hardly ever bother to use Flickr these days – far prefer WP. Having said that, you’re delicious recipe really jumped out of the group it was in. Hmm…good enough reason to use Flickr a bit more often! Thanks for your lovely comment.

  8. I just wanted to know that I really enjoy your blog, recipes and photography. I have nominated you for the Liebster award, (even though I’m not sure how many followers you have.) Just know you are appreciated!

    *** The Liebster, which means ‘favorite’ in German, is a way to recognize your favorite blogs that have fewer than 200 followers. What a great and supportive way to get the word out about up and coming blogs!
    When you receive the Liebster award, you are supposed to do the following:
    Choose five up and coming blogs to give the Liebster award to. Blogs must have less than 200 followers.
    Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
    Post the award on your blog.
    List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites. Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they’ve received the award.
    Share five random facts about yourself.

    • Thank you so much!
      There’s a bit of a coincidence here as I was awarded The Liebster several weeks ago, and haven’t managed to nominate 5 others as yet. I’d thought of you as one of them! Hmm, will have to choose someone else!
      And, thanks for your really nice comment.

  9. Thanks for stopping by my blog, gave me the opportunity to discover yours :-)

  10. Great blog Johnny! Thanks for stopping by mine! I did reply to your question on my post but forgot to mention that you can also add beef toungue (if you find it) to make the most traditional italian broth. I don’t use it myself, but I remember my grandma doing it.
    I love your recipes and your pictures are AWESOME!
    Ciao!
    Giulia

  11. Thank you for such a nice comment. And thanks for the info re meat to use. I don’t think I would go with tongue, though. Not keen on its flavour! In fact, I don’t like minestrone (something I had to make in first year) as even oxtail is too strong a flavour for me.
    Ciao!

  12. Pingback: gratitude, long overdue « humble feast

  13. Hey, I nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award. Check out the details here: http://lillysuesbitesandbrews.com/2012/07/21/summer-loving/

  14. Hi there, I nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award.
    http://unihomemaker.com/2012/09/27/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/

    All the best,
    Anne

  15. Hi, there!
    Just a quick note to let you know I shared your blog with my readers. I love your recipes and your photography. Here’s the link to the write-up:

    http://craftycooknook.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/a-big-thank-you-to-readers/

    Cheers! -Gwynne

  16. Boy, Oh boy… It just dawned on me that you are in the UK:) LOL :) I have only been to Yorkshire & Leeds in England … but I have to tell you the food was awesome:) It was very fresh:) and delicious… often times in the States we have produce that is fresh.. but delicious not so much so:) Anyway… You have a great blog:) I love your photos & food ideas:) Cook on, Chef!!!

    • Yes, at times we are fortunate here. Even vegetables in season can taste amazing. I’m lucky that I live in what is known as The Garden of England. In other words, the county of Kent. Local fruit and veg are so good, sometimes.
      Thanks for the kind words. Loving your blog, also.

  17. Hi , you have beautiful blog with great set of recipes! Would love to read your future posts!

  18. Thanks so much for your lovely comments on my food photos on Flickr. I wandered over to your profile which is how I found your blog, and I’m so pleased! My cooking philosophy is the same as yours, ie: “getting the most out of individual ingredients that, as a whole will give you a wonderfully balanced and delicious meal”. I just LOve food – everything about it! So I’m looking forward to discovering more of your delish recipes (I browsed through a few in detail and had a look at the tantalizing images in a few others!). Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and comment on my food photos – so very much appreciated

    ~ marie, the EpicureanPiranha

    http://www.EpicureanPiranha.com

    • Likewise, as in appreciated. So few people seem to have the time these days for proper comments. Even Flickr has changed since I joined about 3 years ago.
      Thank you for having a look at my blog. It’s always changing, like the seasons.

  19. Re-reading your “about” page and once again I giggle and chuckle reading about the little grunter! Love your blog but it always makes me HUNGRY!

  20. Hi, I love your blog and have nominated your blog for the Sunshine Award: http://bakingbohemian.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/the-sunshine-award/

  21. Finally I can award you great work as a blogger. Please pick-up your awards at http://chefdoru.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/what-a-week/

  22. Dear ★ Johnny ★,
    I have nominated you/your inspirational blog, for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
    Congratulations!
    Please pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/very-inspiring-blogger-award-2/
    Wonderful Holiday Season to you and yours!
    :D Fae.

  23. Hi !
    I ♥ your blog and I have nominated you with these two awesome awards!
    https://vinca11.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/being-awarded/
    It’s ok whether you choose to join in or not; just wanna thank you for the great blog that you put up. I’m totally enjoying reading your posts daily ♥

  24. I really like your blog so I decided to nominate you for the Blog of the year 2012 award :) Whether you would like to join in or not is entirely up to you, but I just wanted to let you know I really enjoy reading your posts!

  25. Dear ★ Johnny ★,
    I have nominated you, a wonderful supportive Blog Friend for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award!
    Congratulations!
    Please pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch and pay it forward at: http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/
    Have a Fantastic New Year 2013!
    :D Fae.

  26. I’ve nominated you for the “Blog Of The Year – 2012″ award. Pick it up at http://chefdoru.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/blog-of-the-year-award-2012/

  27. Happy Holidays ♪

    Dear ★ Johnny ★ ,
    I have nominated your generous blog with one more ☆ Blog of The Year 2012 Award!
    Congratulations, and thank you for your continuous support of passing on the nominations!
    Information/rules on the award is at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-2nd-star/

    Enjoy!!! :D Fae.

  28. The accolades just keep coming: I’ve nominated you for the “Blog of the Year 2012″ Award.You’re always a great read. All the best in 2013! http://wp.me/p1pWgv-c2!

  29. Congratulations Johnny, you have received your 6th ☆ for Blog of the Year 2012 award!
    Other than adding another ☆ to your current badge, I do not expect any action to be taken, or
    for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass it on). Just enjoy the additional star.
    Your blog has been awarded at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/blog-of-the-year-2012-5th-star/
    Enjoy! :D Fae.

    • Couldn’t help but notice that Samantha had awarded you yesterday. Yes, you are one of the few that I follow that I see with all 6 stars. There are several others, so it might be nice to award them. Thanks, Fae! Truly don’t feel that I deserve them.

  30. I am an impatient cook, I have been told I cook good but I cook fast, I worked as a server watching French Chef’s (mostly assholes) cook, so I learned from them. My rule is if I can make it myself, I would rather eat my own cooking, if I can’t I eat out. Case in point Eggs Benedict ~ Hollindaise sauce (way to much trouble) and I cant poach an egg. lol

    • I’m the opposite in that I just let individual ingredients do their thing. Whilst I get on with other stuff. The only exception is with risotto where I have to stay with the pan. That means the fridge gets cleaned!
      Poached egg: large deep saucepan with lots of water. Bring to almost boiling point, reduce heat, swirl water once, carefully crack egg into water and when it rises it’s perfectly cooked. Works for me every time. No salt and definitely no vinegar used!

  31. Hi, Johnny! I finally got around to accepting the versatile blogger award nomination you gave me a while back. I gave your blog a shout out over at crafty cook nook. Thanks for thinking of me. :)

  32. Question: what do I call you? Johnny or Johnnysenough or Johnnysenough Hepburn? I keep wanting to name you in commenting but then realize that I’m not sure how to address you …

  33. What a great recipes within great photograph, Excellent blog!
    good job for you….

    • Thank you so much! I’ve just had a cursory look at your blog (will look in more depth another time), and already I’m impressed with your incredible looking fish dishes. I don’t have the chance of buy a lot of fresh fish here. The irony is I’m less than 5 minutes walk from the sea!

  34. Greetings from a far away land,
    I really love the quality of your photographs; they are both simplistic yet elegant and sophisticated and complement your recipes well. Great work and beautiful blog; I sincerely wish you all the best on your life’s journey.
    God bless

  35. Hi, I just stumbled upon your site and your blog is beautiful! I love the range of dishes and your photography is stunning!

  36. Omgosh everything looks so yummy, that little piglet must be happy all the time.

  37. Congratulations, Johnny! You have been nominated for:
    Super Sweet Blogging Award, One Lovely Blog Award & Very Inspiring Blogger Award
    I do not expect any action to be taken, or for you to generate a post, unless you wish to pass on the award(s).
    Your blog has been awarded at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/awards-february-2013/
    Enjoy! :D Fae.

    • -Thank you so much, Fae. Quite the honour.
      -I’m sort of making notes on accepting more awards right now, but I’m fast running out of ideas. So, it may take a little while to get them sorted. Bear with me!

  38. ciao! two awards for your most deserving luvFAB blog.
    don’t feel compelled to accept or decline. http://thebestdressup.com/2013/03/02/awards
    thebestdressup 

  39. Hi, JEH, just wanted to drop a quick line to let you know that I just love, love, love your blog! I discovered it through Anne’s (Unihomemaker) and so glad to have stumbled upon it! Love the pics — so gloriously moody and gorgeous — and the recipes are unique and intriguing, and I really appreciate your sense of humor =) Anyhow, look forward to your posts and all the very best! xo, Christina

  40. Pingback: Imported Italian Tuna & Bean Salad Gluten Free Recipe AND The Super Sweet Blogger Award | The Perky Poppy Seed

  41. Congratulations :) You are now a Super Sweet Blogger:) See this post for more details:) http://theperkypoppy.com/2013/03/13/importeditaliantunabeansaladsupersweetbloggeraward/

  42. Congratulation on a very nice blog and some very amazing photos. I really like the cosy and traditional style of your shots and recipes. Well done!

    Speak soon.
    Alessandro

    • - Thank you! I wouldn’t have necessarily thought of cosy as a way of describing my photos. Yet, I am working within a very confined space! As for the trad style, that’s more of a Winter look.
      - Thanks for the comment!

  43. Congratulations, Johnny, You have been awarded: Pirate’s Admiration Award & Wonderful Team Member Readership Award
    I do not expect any action to be taken, or for you to generate a post, unless you wish to pass on the award nominations. Your blog has been awarded at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/awards-march-2013/
    Enjoy the Awards! :D Fae.

  44. Glad to have found you through Fae. I share your belief that it isn’t about the quickest way of cooking — although I must confess that there are crazy nights when it is. :) Your photos featured on the blog are lovely.

    • Thank you. Yes, there are those nights when simple and quick are needed. I guess it’s one of the few advantages in cooking for one as I don’t have people waiting with hungry stares!

  45. Johnny, your recipes & photographs are fantastic – inspirational. You have inspired me to pull out the lentils and barley from the pantry. Keep up the great blog!

  46. To J and Piglet. I’ve nominated you (both) for yet another award… the Kreativ Blogger (badly-spelt-but-worthy-cause) Award. It’s right here in the midst of some salmon sashimi: http://laurasmess.me/2013/05/01/awards-and-acknowledgements-ii/

  47. Hey Johnny, I’ve nominated your blog, for a Liebster Award. You can find out about it here: http://marriedinmarrickville.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/nomination-the-leibster-award/
    Check it out & participate if you want – sharing the blog love…
    Love MIM.

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