Briony's Picnic Picky Bits
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
38 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Heated treats: eight warm winter dessert recipes
(Pictured above) Cheap, easy and energy efficient, microwave baking has its upsides, the food writer Meera Sodha says. This salty-sweet chocolate mug cake is elevated into a rich and indulgent dessert with the addition of white miso paste. Be careful not to overcook it, lest it end up dry and rubbery. Sodha uses a plant-based cream on top, and it's just as delicious with vegan ice-cream. These caramelised bananas hit that sweet spot when you're craving a little treat but don't want to bake a whole cake. Grilled bananas are 'low effort, high-reward', Benjamina Ebuehi says, and with just three minutes on a pan, they are transformed into a crunchy, buttery delight. The classic combination of nuts and bananas makes this a simple, satisfying dessert. Bake these for the smell alone. Julia Busuttil Nishimura's buns are made with ground cardamon in the dough and cinnamon in the filling, making this a spicy delight. It's a recipe that requires a morning or afternoon, but it is a fun activity the whole family can get involved in. Ensure your heater is on to allow the dough to properly rise. Overripe fruit gets a second life in this quick-to-prepare dessert. Peaches (or any fruit that is looking too soft in your fruit bowl) can be transformed with a slather of honey and cinnamon and roasted in the oven for half an hour. What emerges is a golden, warm base that is then topped with coconut cream, crumbled gingernut biscuits and cinnamon. It's a light, tropical twist on a winter dessert, in a hopeful reminder of warmer days to come. There are many dishes that are hard to master, but thankfully Felicity Cloake's rhubarb crumble is not one of them. 'Perfection here is not difficult,' she writes. In her version, the sourness of the rhubarb is complemented by the buttery nutty crumble as it gets nice and jammy. This is a flexible recipe, she says, so any fruit can be subbed for the rhubarb. But as Cloake notes, make sure to adjust the sugar according to the sweetness of the fruit. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion According to Lara Lee's brownie connoisseur husband, these are the best brownies ever. The tamarind paste is heated with golden syrup, sugar, butter and cream and, as Lee says, it creates a distinctive 'sweetly sour profile that offsets the richness of the caramel'. In her recipe, gooey rivers of caramel lace the surface of the brownie, making every square delicious. No more fights over who gets the corner, middle or edge. Straddling the line between breakfast and dessert, Benjamina Ebuehi's galettes tick all the boxes for winter: they're warm, gooey and decadent. You'll need to set aside about three hours for the prep and cooking, but it's a perfect weekend-morning treat. The toffee-like filling combines honey, almonds, cream, sugar and butter. It's best served warm with a side of cold cream. A set and forget it pudding, Ravneet Gill's cherry bakewell pudding is a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort. The recipe has just four steps, so the hardest part is waiting for it to finish baking. The tanginess of the cherries and creaminess of the custard reminds Gill of the simple pleasure the dessert brought her in her first days of motherhood. She hopes it brings you the same comfort.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Homebase knocks £100 off ‘sturdy & stylish' egg chair that creates a ‘cocooned comfort haven' in your garden
HOMEBASE has slashed the price of it's on-trend egg chair, by a whopping £100. With temperatures set to soar to 30C again later this week, Brits across the nation will taking to their gardens to bask in the heat. 2 And what better way to enjoy the sunshine than by treating yourself to some brand new garden furniture. And although you may think that purchasing a new outdoor sofa set will be pricey, many retailers are currently reducing their garden tables and chairs. Homebase Egg Chair Homebase's Marisa Hanging Chair with Cushion comes in the viral egg chair design. The stylish outdoor chair has been slashed by £100, down from £199.99 to just £99.99. It comes with a soft plush cushion, to maximise comfort, and sways gently, helping to make you feel nice and relaxed. The sleek design will immediately elevate your outdoor space, and make you the envy of friends and neighbours. Plus, its rust, UV and water resistant, meaning it will last through the winter too. Homebase said: "Experience the epitome of comfort and relaxation with the Marisa Hanging Chair with Cushion. "Sturdy and reliable, this chair holds you securely- creating a cocooned comfort haven. Its soft cushions and gentle swaying motion provide optimal comfort whilst its stylish design adds a focal point to your outdoor space. "Whether you're reading a book or enjoying the scenic beauty, this chair offers a tranquil relaxation experience." The Range shoppers are going wild for a new garden buy that's set to be as viral as the Egg Chair but fits WAY more people and keeps you shaded too You can purchase the chair online, and have it delivered straight to your door, or find it in The Range stores that have Homebase garden centres. More garden furniture offers The chic set comes with a small table, perfect for placing drinks and picky bits on, and a corner sofa and cushions. The black and grey sofa comes in a either a two seater (135 x 71 x H64cm) or three seater (206 x 71 x 64cm) size, making it perfect for hosting small family gatherings. B&M has slashed the price of its New York Corner Set by £75, a saving of 21%. Top gardening trends of 2025 Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025. Matrix planting It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting. In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed. Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control. Chrysanthemum comeback I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme. The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border. Blended borders For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year. The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing! Must-have tool My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else. It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said! The sofa set, which was originally priced at £350, has now been reduced to £275. Tesco shoppers are currently rushing to stores to buy stunning "reduced to clear" garden furniture that's up to 40% off. Shoppers can get their hands on the Outsunny Foldable Sun Lounger that comes with a side pocket and headrest for £23.19. Reduced from £28.99, this lounger is great for relaxing outdoors. The side panels have been reduced to £25.59 and come in two different sizes, both of which have windows to let in that natural light.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The little-known British brand dressing the feet of Hollywood's leading men - from Daniel Craig to Ryan Reynolds
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more This summer it is all about comfortable, bold style with unique color combinations and reliable fabric compositions. That's why we think London Sock Company is the only place for men to shop for socks this season. London Sock Co. is a leading destination for luxury mens socks and they are welcoming the sunny season with bright new designs. From basics to tasteful prints, the collection features socks for every style and personality. Whether you are shopping for yourself or the special men in your life, London Sock Co. is the place to be right now and hurry because the brand new pairs are selling out fast. They're so popular they've hit the red carpet, spotted on top celebs, including stars such as Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, James Marsden, and Rami Malek (to name just a few). Simply put, these are the sock world's end-all, be-all, and they've more than earned it. You can even sign up for a subscription plan that delivers London Sock Co.'s very best to your doorstep on a regular basis. Ultimate Pastel Dash of Class, 15-Pair Box For anyone who is in major need of a full sock drawer reset — this massive, full-collection sock set is gonna be for you. Enjoy the full range of basic and bright colors that represent every season tastefully. From dark blues to vibrant pinks, there is a sock for every occasion in this set. Plus, with the London Sock Co. quality you can trust in your socks longevity! $336 Shop Walk of Fame, 3-Pair Box Still looking for the perfect summer sock drawer additions? Look no further! This cozy 3-pack of socks is made with ultra-soft fabric and a dainty designs. Perfect for work and special occasions, this set has just the right amount of personality. Rock any of these pairs this season for an effortless sophisticated look. $88 Shop Retro Pastels II, 3-Pair Box Sale price If you are looking for the best 'bang for your buck' — this set is 100 percent the way to go. This 3-pack comes with a perfect array of all the most fun colors in the collection and has plenty of practicality too. The pairs are retro crew cuts and work well with dress shoes and sneakers alike. Whether you are shopping for your husband, brother, or dad — you seriously can not go wrong with socks. $72 Shop
