Cooking, Clicks & Canines

Real-life cooking and honest dog life — with a camera never far away.

Welcome to Cooking, Clicks & Canines — a practical, real-world corner of the internet for everyday meals, life with Dexter, and the little home habits that make things feel easier. Expect achievable recipes, budget-friendly ideas, dog-life posts that aren’t fluff, and photos from a life that’s actually being lived.

What you’ll find here

Posted on 29 September 20235 March 2026 by phodetheus

Easy meals, practical baking, and real dog life with Dexter and Tilly — plus warm photography running through it all. Start here.

Thin pancake mid-flip in a frying pan with steam, plus lemon half and a bowl of caster sugar on a wooden board.

Pancakes: A Short, Delicious History (Plus Two Foolproof Recipes)

Posted on 17 February 202619 February 2026 by phodetheus

There are a few foods that feel like they’ve always been there. Pancakes are top of that list. Every culture

A cosy, landscape photo of a glass jar filled with winter baking spice blend on a rustic wooden table, surrounded by cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, allspice berries, a small grater and a steaming mug with warm fairy lights in the background.

Your Winter Baking Spice Blend (Everyday Version)

Posted on 16 January 202616 January 2026 by phodetheus

Make your own winter baking spice blend with just three spices: cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. It takes 5 minutes, stores brilliantly, and adds cosy flavour to porridge, pancakes, banana bread, muffins, biscuits, crumbles and hot drinks — no guessing required.

Allspice: The One Spice That Tastes Like Many (But Isn’t a Blend)

Posted on 13 January 202613 January 2026 by phodetheus

Allspice isn’t a blend — it’s one spice with a flavour that acts like many. Learn what allspice tastes like, when to use whole vs ground, where it shines beyond baking, and how to avoid the “accidental Christmas” problem.

Bearded Collie working dog standing alert in a green field, showing its long shaggy coat and bright, intelligent expression

Bearded Collie: The Shaggy Brain Behind the Bounce

Posted on 1 January 20261 January 2026 by phodetheus

The Bearded Collie is a joyful, intelligent working dog with deep Scottish roots. Known for its energy, independence, and distinctive shaggy coat, this herding breed thrives with active owners who enjoy training as a partnership rather than a command-and-control exercise.

Freshly ground garam masala with whole spices including cardamom, cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper

Garam Masala: What It Really Is (and How to Use It Properly)

Posted on 31 December 202531 December 2025 by phodetheus

Garam masala isn’t curry powder. Learn what it is, what’s in it, when to add it, and how to make a fresher blend at home.

Freshly ground black pepper with whole peppercorns and a wooden pepper mill on a rustic surface

🌶️ Ingredient Spotlight: Pepper (More Than Just a Tabletop Afterthought)

Posted on 29 December 202529 December 2025 by phodetheus

Pepper does far more than add heat. From its long, surprising history to how and when to use it in everyday cooking, this ingredient spotlight looks at why freshly ground pepper quietly makes almost everything taste better.

Close-up of whole cloves in a wooden bowl on a rustic table, with cinnamon sticks and ground cloves in the background.

Cloves: The Tiny Spice With a Big Personality (And How to Use It Without Overdoing It)

Posted on 29 December 202529 December 2025 by phodetheus

Cloves are tiny but powerful — warm, sweet-spicy, and brilliant in both savoury and sweet dishes when used lightly. Here’s how to use whole vs ground cloves, what they pair with, how to store them, and a hero clove-infused béchamel trick that makes sauces taste properly “finished”.

A rustic wooden table with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon in bowls, star anise, and warm soft lighting creating a cosy, aromatic kitchen atmosphere.

🌿 Cinnamon – The Spice of Warmth & Wonder

Posted on 21 December 202521 December 2025 by phodetheus

Cinnamon is more than a festive sprinkle – it’s a historic, antioxidant-rich spice that brings warmth, depth, and nostalgia to sweet and savoury dishes. Explore its origins, best flavour partners, and a simple Cinnamon Maple Roasted Carrots recipe that turns everyday veg into something a bit magical.

A mature Greater Swiss Mountain Dog with a fluffy winter coat standing confidently in the snow beside a rustic wooden cart, with a Swiss Alpine chalet and mountains in the background at golden hour.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog – Is This Gentle Giant the Right Dog for You?

Posted on 10 December 202521 December 2025 by phodetheus

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a true gentle giant – calm, loyal, and deeply devoted to their people. This guide explores their history, temperament, training and grooming needs, health considerations, and what day-to-day life with a Swissy looks like in a typical UK home.

Fresh whole chayote with two sliced rounds on a wooden table, photographed in landscape format to highlight its pale green skin and crisp texture.

🌱 Chayote – The Crisp Green Veg You’ve Probably Walked Past (But Shouldn’t)

Posted on 13 November 202513 November 2025 by phodetheus

Chayote is a crisp, gentle-flavoured veg that’s been enjoyed for centuries but barely talked about in the UK. This Ingredient Spotlight explores where it comes from, what it tastes like, how to cook it, and why it’s worth adding to your meals — plus a simple, soothing chayote and ginger soup you can make in under 25 minutes.