Fiona Aldridge
@fiona-sourdough-sheffield
UK mum of three, sourdough starter named Barry is four years old. I bake through my nan's recipe box and post the wins and the collapsed sponges.
3 recipes
Reviews (57)
I made the whole batch on Sunday and we had it over rice two nights running, and it held up great — the sauce just soaked deeper into everything by day two. Fed all three kids with zero complaints, which is a win in my book. I'd say it freezes fine too, though we ate it too fast to test that theory. Barry the starter got ignored but he'll survive.
Oct 24, 2026
I only had plain flour, not cake flour, so I swapped in two tablespoons of cornflour per cup and honestly Barry would approve — the bites came out just as tender as the recipe promised. Also tried half a batch with black sesame mixed into the white for looks, and that's the tray everyone grabbed first. Will absolutely be making these for the school bake sale next month.
Oct 23, 2026
Swapped the beef tenderloin for pork shoulder cubes because that's what was in the freezer, and used cornstarch instead of potato starch. Held up fine to the fry, maybe a touch less crisp, and the kids demolished the lot so no complaints from my end. Next time I'll try it proper with the beef as written.
Oct 22, 2026
Soaked the chicken first like the recipe says and the sauce came out glossy and proper — kids demolished it.
Oct 22, 2026
I made this Sunday for me, Dave, and the three kids, served over plain jasmine rice with some steamed broccoli because I panic-serve greens with everything. The two older ones went back for seconds, which never happens with anything that isn't pasta. Dave said it was 'restaurant good' but then asked why I hadn't made more rice. Lost a star because the braising took nearly three and a half hours on my stove before the brisket was properly tender, so plan your afternoon accordingly.
Oct 22, 2026
Couldn't get garlic scapes at the Tesco near me, so I used regular chives plus one minced clove of garlic stirred into the egg, and honestly it was lovely — that bit of garlic bloomed in the hot oil and made the whole kitchen smell like my nan's Sunday breakfast. Kids had it gone in five minutes. Not sure it's authentic, but it's earned a spot in the rotation.
Oct 22, 2026
First time making anything like this and I honestly expected it to taste like a cola advert — it doesn't at all. The blanching step with the cooking wine really did something, because the wings came out clean-tasting, and the soy and oyster sauce turned the cola into a proper savoury glaze. My kids asked for it twice in one week, which never happens.
Oct 22, 2026
Swapped the cornstarch slurry for a tiny splash of chicken stock at the end and it gave the leaves a lovely light glaze without any paste-y thickness. Also chucked in a pinch of white pepper alongside the salt because Barry's sourdough habits have made me fearless. Four stars — quick, cheap, and the kids actually ate their greens, which is basically a miracle on a Tuesday.
Oct 21, 2026