Leslie Back

WHO'S FOR COFFEE?

Coffee Revisted - A Beginner's Guide
Leslie Back explores all the nuances of coffee culture.

The glorious aroma of coffee brewing - a heady fragrance that seduces coffee lovers worldwide. 'Let's meet for coffee?' Warm words that draw friends together to enjoy the subtle pleasures of the perfect cup.

SYMPHONY OF OILS Part One and Part Two

An oil a day...how should we be using these symphony of oils?

There is a whole spectrum of oil; Cod-Liver, Grape Seed, Salmon, Avocado, Linseed (Flaxseed) and Sesame Oil. How should we be using these and are we making the optimum choice? Leslie Back points us in the right direction in her valuable two part series!

CHOCOLATE

"It flatters you for a while, it warms you for an instant; then it kindles a mortal fever in you," says Madame de Sévigné, the famous 17th-century letter writer. Chocolate was the rage and today remains as alluring as ever. Leslie Back gives us the scoop!

SALAD LEAVES
Leslie Back takes us behind the frills!

Enchanting, tantalising – once smitten by the charms of well-dressed salads you will find them indispensable. Crisp, green leaves are a vital part of our menu, especially during starch driven winter days. What lies behind these pristine leaves in their puffed out cocoons?

CHEESE TO CHERISH

The allure of cheese knows no boundaries. Whether dense, robust, strong and down to earth, creamy, delicate as a breeze, richly delicious or patrician and elegant. Cheese is a heavenly food to be cosseted, debated and deeply appreciated for the marvel it is and the intense pleasure it gives.

LET THE WORLD BE YOUR OYSTER

‘Only another oyster would find an oyster beautiful,’ wrote Dr R. Hedeen in his definitive book on oysters. But to the true aficionado oysters are a thing of beauty. Savour the sheer delight of a succulent oyster feeling it slip, like silk, down your throat - bliss!

SALT FRIEND & FOE

Salt has been around since before recorded history and is absolutely essential to our well being, our bodies can't function without it. The discussion rages on 'to salt or not to salt'?

BUTTER OR MARGARINE? That is the question!

Both have their passionate admirers and equally their detractors, there are those that have simply opted for olive oil and others who think that having neither is the answer!

ETIQUETTE REVISITED

Leslie Back views and reviews the niceties and nuances of etiquette in a new age. Are you challenged, confounded or simply puzzled? Read on....

MILK THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Milk is one of the staples of a balanced diet.
An unrivalled form of nutrition.
Do we need it and why?
Leslie Back explores one of nature's most valuable foods.

EGGS - A Small Miracle

From a simply boiled egg to greet the day to an extravagant high rising soufflé, eggs remain a small miracle.

Leslie Back in her overview, guides us through a maze of uncertainties and points us in the right direction.

The Lure of Balsamic Vinegar

Passionate opinions abound and there are a wide and bewildering range of prices and qualities. Sadly too, there are some balsamic vinegars that do not live up to their name.

Q & A A Two Part Series

Puzzled, mystified and driven to distraction. Why has the cake flopped, the mayonnaise separated and the pasta turned to glue? Leslie Back has the answer to some of these vital questions!

OIL FOR LIFE

Leslie Back takes SHOWCOOK on an intriguing journey from olive to oil.

Today, there is a positive passion for cooking with olive oil. This aromatic ingredient has long transformed and enhanced the simple dishes of the Mediterranean. Cooks worldwide, who have never developed the taste for olive oil, are now enjoying the rich smooth fruitiness of this unique oil.

TEA FOR TWO...

Enjoy a cup of tea with Showcook. For tea aficionados, from bush to bag and kettle to cup, you will find that TEA FOR TWO is an in-depth guide to the ceremonial art of tea making. Leslie Back pours us a fine cup.