Jason Goodwin: Naughty mandarins, the GIs who changed Chinese cooking and an app which almost beats reading
Our columnist picks not just his books of the year, but also his favourite app and YouTube video.
Food and Drink
Discover the latest in food and drink news, try our delicious and easy recipes using fresh seasonal produce and read our pub and restaurant reviews.
Here at Country Life we love to cook and we love to eat. Seasonality is important, whether you’re growing your own or visiting the farmers’ market for your ingredients – but we love to cook seasonally. Whether it’s our brilliant collection of elderflower recipes in the summertime, our ultimate sloe gin recipe in autumn or gorgeous roast goose recipes in the winter, we have collected the best seasonal recipes by ingredient on dedicated pages
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How to choose and appreciate your apples with the same care you'd use for a decent bottle of wine
Charles Quest-Ritson loves apples — but laments the fact that we simply don't have the same vocabulary to describe the fruit as we do for wine.
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The 'perfect whisky collection' is to go under the hammer — and it's expected to fetch £8 million
Almost 4,000 rare or unusual bottles, accumulated over the course of two decades by American businessman Richard Gooding, will go on sale next years and could fetch £8 million.
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Venison burgers with red-cabbage slaw and chilli mayo
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How to make a show-stoppingly festive Bailey's chocolate cake
Wow your harshest judges with Star Baker Edd Kimber's decadent chocolate cake, perfect for a Christmas pud.
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Nine books about cooking that make perfect Christmas gifts for foodies, from Nigel Slater's latest to a book that 'deserves a Michelin star'
Leslie Geddes-Brown devours the latest cookery books to hit shelves, from a study of Italian food to a tour of Britain via the medium of cheese.
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Alan Titchmarsh: The 'Hollywood A-listers' of the plant world are fussy, flouncy — and totally irresistible
Alan Titchmarsh waxes lyrical about the benefits of bulbs, and why disposing of them year on year might not be the environmental sin that it seems.
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The best mince pies in Britain 2019: Country Life's ultimate taste test
Mince pies maketh Christmas, but where will you find the very best? To save you the trouble, we’ve tried them all in the great Country Life mince-pie taste off.
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Christmas drinks gift guide: Seasonal spirits to bring good cheer
Whether you're keen to make your own infused gin, try a ten year old whisky or open a bottle of champagne with a bang, we've got something for you.
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A heart-warming minestrone soup with harissa meatballs, perfect for winter
It's really more of a full meal than a starter soup and definitely one to try as the days get colder...thank Melanie Johnson.
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A drink for all seasons: The Queen Mother's favourite £70-a-glass port, a 1970s party throwback and boozy Christmas baubles.
Our weekly round-up of the best new booze to try has it all.
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Revealed: The most dog-friendly pubs in Britain
Looking for a place to take your pet? The winners of the Rover Most Dog-Friendly Pub of the Year awards have just been announced.
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Recipe: Squab pigeon with berry sauce and poached berries
Adare Manor's head chef Mike Tweedie — who recently won a first Michelin star — shares a recipe that makes something glorious from the humble pigeon.
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Curious Questions: How do you make the perfect slice of toast?
Lightly golden, charred at the edges, hot and dripping with melted butter or cold with a thick topping of the stuff? Rob Crossan evaluates the ultimate way to make toast — and pays tribute to the men and women who made it our go-to snack of choice.
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The Bell at Stow: A beautiful bolthole full of Cotswolds charm, masterfully combining a rustic pub and a stunning boutique hotel
Alexandra Fraser continues her tour around the British countryside and discovers a hidden gem.
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A drink for all seasons: Five drinks for any given mood this Friday
Not sure what tipple tips your fancy tonight? Read our guide.
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Sticky sloe gin venison steaks with parsnip and spinach rösti
Thank Melanie Johnson for this deliciously seasonal addition to your recipe roster.
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Margot, Covent Garden restaurant review: A delight from carpaccio to tiramisu, plus a recipe for their venison tortellini
Dinner in London can sometimes be a bit of a rush, but it's worth taking the time to enjoy Margot to its fullest, as Alexandra Fraser discovered on a visit to Margot.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: How to throw a smashing last-minute dinner party
What do you do when you've forgotten that you invited the entire bridge club round until T-24 hours?
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How to make smoked, slow-cooked pulled venison in sticky sauce
