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hey lolly
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  • Lolly’s Kitchen
    • Food + Drink
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Home / Personal

Personal

Real talk, quiet thoughts, and moments I want to remember. The human side of everything.

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Personal

Dear Diary. Flexitarian Recipes. When Appetite Comes Back

heylollyFebruary 1, 2026January 29, 2026

A reflective January spent cooking meat-free led me towards flexitarian recipes, fish, vegetables, soups and satisfying seasonal home cooking that genuinely suits winter.

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fridge organisation ideas hey lolly
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Dear Diary. Fridge Organisation Ideas and Shelf Psychology

heylollyJanuary 20, 2026January 14, 2026

What we can see, we cook. A gentle look at fridge organisation ideas and the quiet logistics behind delicious, thrifty meals.

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Dear Diary — A Quieter Plate with January Healthy Recipes.

heylollyJanuary 1, 2026December 9, 2025

Dear Diary — Jan 1st. I’m leaning into healthy January recipes that feel bright, veg-forward and properly comforting. Expect quick dinners (often under 30 minutes), less meat and fish, and food that’s genuinely delicious.

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Food + Drink Personal

Notes on a Stress Free Christmas Dinner.

heylollyDecember 18, 2025December 9, 2025

Somewhere between the first supermarket advert and the tinsel aisle, Christmas lunch starts to feel like an exam. This is my little love letter to a stress free Christmas dinner: a gentler, more human way to feed the people you love, with smoked salmon tart, celeriac soup, pork and stuffing roast bombs and pigs in blankets that don’t cost you your sanity.

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Personal Restaurant Reviews

Plates by Purnell’s Review

heylollyUpdated on November 27, 2025November 26, 2025

Plates by Purnell’s review, gorgeous dining room, good service and plates that look the part but were pricey, underwhelming and forgettable.

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Personal Restaurant Reviews

Piccalilli Nottingham Review. Candlelit Comfort in a Hidden Courtyard

heylollyNovember 19, 2025November 16, 2025

This Piccalilli Nottingham review covers a softly lit dining room tucked off the city centre, plates of treacle-baked ham, bright, sharp fish and a chocolate, coffee and whisky sponge that almost finished me off. Warm service, understated elegance and food I’d happily eat again.

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Personal Tips + Resources

October Store Cupboard Staples. Pantry-to-plate, anytime.

heylollyUpdated on October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

The jars and tins I actually cooked with this month: capers + anchovies, coconut milk, white miso, butter beans, dark chocolate and banana-maple PB, my October store-cupboard staples, with links to the recipes.

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Personal Restaurant Reviews

Pici Nottingham Review. Mini Pasta Plates That Are Authentically Delicious!

heylollyUpdated on October 30, 2025October 29, 2025

This Pici Nottingham review finds a room built for appetite: generous ā€œminiā€ plates, hot-from-the-pass pacing, and staff who keep things human. Consequently, it’s the kind of place where ā€œone more plate?ā€ feels inevitable and yes, I’m already plotting a return.

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Dear Diary. The Stillness Between Seasons at Clumber Park Walled Kitchen Garden

heylollyOctober 15, 2025October 14, 2025

Autumn at Clumber Park’s walled kitchen garden – mist, apples, and that gentle pause between abundance and rest.

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Personal Restaurant Reviews

Passan’s Nottingham Review. A Confident Take On Modern Indian Dining

heylollyUpdated on October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A fresh take on Indian dining in the heart of Nottingham. In this Passan’s Nottingham Review, Hey Lolly dives into smoky monkfish, standout chaat, and a dining room that balances modern polish with old-world charm.

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Join the club → Get my Free Seasonal Food Guide today and never run out of ideas for what’s fresh and flavourful.

heylolly.uk

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ³ Easy + Delicious Cooking
🌱 Plant-Packed • Seasonal • Flexitarian
āœˆļø Travel Stories on The Blog
šŸ‘‡ Browse Recipes + Kitchen Tips

āš ļø Warning: making dumplings from scratch is dange āš ļø Warning: making dumplings from scratch is dangerously addictive. 🄟

One minute you're rolling wrappers…
Next minute you've made 150 Asian potstickers and feel like a dumpling artisan. 🤌

Golden crispy bottoms, juicy filling, chilli soy dip.
Honestly… worth every single  fold. āœØšŸ”„

🄟🄢 Recipe now live on Hey Lolly. Link in bio or visit https://www.heylolly.co.uk/homemade-asian-potstickers-a-labour-of-love-worth-every-fold/ 

#AsianPotstickers #DumplingsFromScratch #HomemadeDumplings #PotstickerRecipe #AsianRecipes #FoodBlogUK #CookFromScratch #ComfortFoodIdeas #HeyLolly #HomeCooking
In the mood for a little dish and tell… This time In the mood for a little dish and tell…

This time it’s @the_ivy_collection and their famous Ā£19.17 1917 lunch menu.

A sunny Monday birthday lunch that quietly turned into something rather lovely.

Intrigued to know what we ordered and how much the bill really came to?

Head over to the blog to find out: https://tinyurl.com/2dnjk7v9 or link in bio

#nottinghamrestaurants #placestoeatinnottingham #nottinghamfood #restaurantreview #theivynottingham #ukfoodblogger #nottinghamcity #foodbloguk #eatingoutuk #heylolly
Cod you resist a bowl like this? šŸœ Fresh cod glaz Cod you resist a bowl like this? šŸœ

Fresh cod glazed in sticky yuzu–gochujang sauce, served over noodles with vibrant greens and peanuts. Ready in just 25 minutes!

Recipe now live on the blog. Link in bio.

Fish sourced at Fred Hallam-Ltd

#codrecipes #fishrecipes #noodlebowl #asianrecipes #gochujang #noodlesrecipe #easyweeknightdinner #seafoodrecipes #healthyfishrecipe #flexitarianfood šŸŸšŸœ
Bonjour, breakfast. šŸ“šŸž Ridiculously easy to make, Bonjour, breakfast. šŸ“šŸž

Ridiculously easy to make, but next-level brunch indulgence.Golden brioche soaked in vanilla custard, piled high with fruit and maple syrup.

Full recipe now live on the blog, link in bio.

#briochefrenchtoast #frenchtoastrecipe #weekendbrunch #brunchrecipes #easybreakfast #breakfastinspo #maplesyrup #brunchathome #foodbloggeruk #heylolly
šŸ‘‰ Cooked… not booked! šŸšŸ”„ There’s something deligh šŸ‘‰ Cooked… not booked! šŸšŸ”„

There’s something delightfully wicked about pouring vodka into a pan don't you agree?! What starts off undeniably alcoholic softens into a silky sauce that's rounded, robust and delicious! There's a reason why Italian food is up there with the best... even the most devoted of meat-lovers won’t miss a thing. Promise!

Finished with melting burrata and freshly smashed basil pesto, this Pasta Alla Vodka turns a quiet night in into the only plan worth keeping. Full recipe over on the blog (Link in Bio) 

#PastaAllaVodka
#VodkaSauce
#CreamyPasta
#VegetarianDinner
#ItalianInspired
#ComfortFoodRecipes
#EasyDinnerIdeas
#BurrataLovers
#MeatFreeMeals
#HeyLolly
In the mood for a little escape… šŸ¾šŸØ I spent a wee In the mood for a little escape… šŸ¾šŸØ

I spent a weekend at @buxtoncrescent  where the warm mineral waters met the crisp Peak District air in the beautiful historic spa town of Buxton that has so much to offer for a wonderful weekend away.

If you’re planning a mini UK spa break, I’ve shared the full review with insider tips, spa timings and everything worth knowing before you book.

šŸ‘€ Have you visited Buxton yet?

šŸ‘‰ Full review now live on the blog. (Link in Bio) 

#BuxtonCrescentSpa
#PeakDistrictTravel
#UKSpaBreak
#LuxuryStayUK
#RomanticEscape
#WellnessWeekend
#HistoricSpaTown
#SlowLuxuryTravel
#DerbyshireTravel
#StaycationUK
#HeyLolly
Bean keeping it simple šŸ«˜šŸ‘Œ The pleasure here is in Bean keeping it simple šŸ«˜šŸ‘Œ

The pleasure here is in the texture: the beans softening at the edges, the orzo giving body without heaviness, the pesto lingering just long enough to send you back in. Before long there are quiet slurps, a scrape of spoon against bowl, and that unmistakable moment when someone gets up for just a "little more" 

Full recipe now live on the site.  Link in bio or follow: https://www.heylolly.co.uk/white-bean-orzo-soup-with-kale-pesto/
šŸ› How to Make Chicken & Kidney Bean Keema āœØšŸ’› Swip šŸ› How to Make Chicken & Kidney Bean Keema āœØšŸ’›

Swipe through for the full step-by-step, from building that golden onion base to toasting warm spices, browning chicken, and simmering everything down into the thickest, cosiest keema. The secret? Creamy beans + gentle spice = maximum comfort with minimum effort.

It’s hearty without being heavy, perfect with rice or naan, and somehow tastes even better the next day 

(I'm honestly not judging if you want this for breakfast next day... I did.... 🌚🌚)

#HeyLolly #ChickenKeema #KidneyBeanRecipes #WeeknightComfort #GentleSpice #CosyEats #EasyDinnerIdeas #FoodBlogUK #HomeCookingWins #FlavourFirst #OnePanMeals #SaucyGoodness #ComfortFoodMagic
🄘 Herby Chestnut & Cheddar Beef CobblerāœØšŸ§€ Swipe t 🄘 Herby Chestnut & Cheddar Beef CobblerāœØšŸ§€

Swipe through for the full step-by-step, from browning the beef until it catches just right, to building that rich, glossy gravy and finishing with plump cheddar-and-chestnut cobbles that bake into pure winter magic.

It’s big-bowl, cold-night food: tender, herby, deeply savoury and topped with the kind of cobbles you’ll want to pinch straight off the dish.

Perfect for Sundays, snowy days, or any evening when you want dinner to feel like nothing but a bowl of pure comfort.

#HeyLolly #BeefCobbler #WinterRecipes #ComfortFoodSeason #CheddarTopped #SlowCookedGoodness #SavouryBakes #FoodBlogUK #HeartyMeals #ColdWeatherCooking #HomeCookingMagic
Cancel the dinner reservation… 🌚 Vodka cream orec Cancel the dinner reservation… 🌚

Vodka cream orecchiette, burrata and basil pesto - Going out was never really in the running… 🫢

#pastarecipe
#datenightdinner
#pastaallavodka
#pasta
#easyentertaining
January taught me something about how I like to ea January taught me something about how I like to eat. Less defaulting to meat and more attention to vegetables.

Cooking meat-free for the month wasn’t a rule, just a choice — one that led me towards fish, vegetables, beans, eggs, and a lot more curiosity in the kitchen 🄬🐟 I didn’t miss it the way I thought I would.

February feels like the moment appetite settles back in properly. Food that satisfies, without explanation, I’m looking forward to seeing what the seasons bounty will bring for February šŸ¤ŽšŸ’š

All the recipes from this month are now live on the site — link in bio šŸ”—

#SeasonalCooking #HomeCooking #VegetarianRecipes #FlexitarianFood #FoodDiary
January, you’ve been utterly delicious šŸ¤¤šŸ’› A month January, you’ve been utterly delicious šŸ¤¤šŸ’›

A month of meat-free cooking and flexitarian recipes I didn’t expect to love this much. 🫶 All recipes available on my site (link in bio) 

#Flexitarian
#VegetarianLife 
#SeasonalCooking
#FoodDiary
#HeyLolly
Stacked and Snacked 🄢🄜 Okonomiyaki with gochujang Stacked and Snacked 🄢🄜

Okonomiyaki with gochujang and a peanut dipping sauce that could frankly be bottled it tastes so good! 

These Japanese inspired savoury pancakes are a bit spicy, and surprisingly addictive. 

Cabbage doing the Lord’s work. This is a soft entry into Japanese flavours for the flexis, the fridge-foragers and the ā€˜I can’t be arsed with takeaway’ crowd.

悂恐悂恐 (mogu mogu) friends! 🄢🄜

Full Recipe on the site (lin in Bio) or visit: https://www.heylolly.co.uk/okonomiyaki-pancakes-with-gochujang/

#okonomiyakirecipe #japanesefood #japaneseflavours #vegetariandinner #weeknightcooking #flexitarianmeals #cabbagerecipes #peanutsaucerecipe #midweekmeals #brunchideas
In the mood for a little Dish & Tell? šŸ½ļø Come for In the mood for a little Dish & Tell? šŸ½ļø

Come for the champagne. Stay for the sax.

Friday night at @coyacity delivered energy in spades. DJ, roaming saxophonist and very generous pours. šŸ¾ šŸ„‚

I’ve shared a full breakdown of what to expect, who it’s best for, and whether I’d go back. You know I speak from the heart! ā¤ļø Honest review now live. šŸ„‚šŸŽ· Link in bio. 

#COYACity #COYACityLondon #LondonRestaurantReview #WhereToEatInLondon #LondonFoodGuide #CityOfLondonEats #BottomlessBrunchLondon #LondonFoodie #LondonDining #EatOutLondon
Some trends disappoint. This one? Certified serve. Some trends disappoint. This one? Certified serve. šŸ„„ Japanese Cheesecake 10/10

@fage_uk 

#japanesecheesecake #biscoff #fage #greekyoghurt #healthydesserts
Spoon first šŸ„„ Questions Later… 🤤 Silky chocolate Spoon first šŸ„„ Questions Later… 🤤

Silky chocolate and sticky salted caramel chocolate pots doing the Lord’s work - this is your sign to make something dangerously good.

Full recipe on the site (link in the bio) 

#chocolate #saltedcaramel #chocolatedessert #nobakedessert  #easydessertrecipe
🌮 How to Make Cowboy Taco Soup (aka the smoky, hea 🌮 How to Make Cowboy Taco Soup
(aka the smoky, hearty, one-pot wonder that’ll make your weeknight feel like a rodeo) šŸ¤ šŸ”„

Swipe through for the full how-to — from charring your peppers and toasting bold Tex-Mex spices, to simmering it all into a rich, 35-minute bowl of pure comfort. 🌽🫘

Top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, coriander, and a big squeeze of lime — because this soup deserves a little cowboy flair.

#HeyLolly #CowboyTacoSoup #OnePotWonder #TexMexEats #SmokyComfort #QuickDinners #WeeknightRecipes #SoupSeason #EasyMeals #FoodBlogUK #CosyEats #ComfortFoodMagic #HomeCookingWins #FlavourFirst #DinnerDoneRight
Hash is such a power move. šŸ¤¤šŸ”„šŸ¤Œ It forgives your f Hash is such a power move. šŸ¤¤šŸ”„šŸ¤Œ

It forgives your fridge and rewards your laziness. Perfect for weekend Brunch. 

Brussel Sprouts get their redemption, the fiery Harissa keeps it interesting, the runny yolks tie it all together. 

Hot, messy, extremely repeatable.

Full recipe on the blog. (Link in bio)

#Egg #Harissa #BreakfastRecipes #PotatoHash #BrunchAtHome
Worth the Catch šŸŸšŸ‹ This salad doesn’t insist on b Worth the Catch šŸŸšŸ‹

This salad doesn’t insist on being eaten immediately, although of course I would never judge if you did. Just warm, it’s generous. Left to cool, the flavours just get better! 

And the next day, straight from the fridge, it becomes firmer, brighter and somehow even more delicious. The feta softens, the courgettes stay sweet, and the salmon flakes obligingly into the orzo without turning the whole thing into mush.

There’s lemon, tons of herbs and enough olive oil to keep the grains glossy rather than claggy. I like it for lunch, though I’ve been known to take a fork to it at breakfast with no regret at all.

Lovely to make, lovelier to return to!

#salmonorzosalad #salmonrecipes #mediterraneanrecipes #healthylunchideas #makeaheadlunch #fetarecipes #salmonmealprep #highproteinlunch #easyweekdaymeals #lunchbowlideas
Cream of cauliflower, dream of dinner. 🄣 Cauliflo Cream of cauliflower, dream of dinner. 🄣

Cauliflower and white bean soup for early evenings. Soft, warm and lifted with a daring dash of yuzu. I promise you, this one stays delicious and interesting all the wy to the bottom of the bowl!

Recipe now live on the blog. (Link in bio) or tap here https://www.heylolly.co.uk/cauliflower-and-white-bean-soup-with-yuzu/

#cauliflowersoup #whitebeansoup #souprecipe #vegetarianrecipes #healthycomfortfood #easyrecipes #winterrecipes #dinnerideas #weeknightdinner #cookathome
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