In a delightful countryside reunion, beloved television presenter Holly Willoughby travelled to the Hampshire farm of her friend and chef Clodagh McKenna this week. The pair, who first met when Clodagh was a regular on the cooking segment of ITV's This Morning, came together to celebrate St Patrick's Day and share a cherished family recipe.
Their friendship, which has endured since their initial meeting, was cemented last year when Clodagh introduced Holly to her first ever pint of Guinness. Now, the 44-year-old presenter, who recently moved from London to a quieter home in the South East with her husband and three children, found herself back at the farm for a festive cooking lesson.
From Morning Tea to Midnight Snacks: Holly's Culinary Habits
When asked about her morning routine, Holly was unequivocal about her priorities. 'First thing in the morning, I'll have a cup of tea,' she revealed. Describing it as a simple cup with cow's milk and a plain tea bag, she admitted she cannot function properly without it. While not a coffee enthusiast, she often has one at 11am for an energy boost, and breakfast typically consists of porridge with cinnamon or granola.
Her approach to wellness is more about getting outside for walks with her golden retriever, Bailey, than consuming health-focused smoothies. 'The washing up alone is enough to stop me making some exotic smoothie,' she joked. 'Who can deal with a dirty blender at 7am?'
Her television-watching snacks, however, reveal a different side. She confessed to being a 'dark chocolate fiend', favouring varieties with sea salt and perfecting the art of dunking it in tea. More surprisingly, she has a soft spot for processed cheese slices, unwrapping and eating them straight from the packet, a habit she attributes to being a child of the 80s.
Family, Food Memories, and a Fussy Dog
Holly was full of praise for her husband Dan Baldwin's culinary skills, which he inherited from his Italian mother, Sandra. 'She was an incredible cook,' Holly said, noting that Dan can create sandwich 'masterpieces' while hers are basic by comparison.
At home, her gardening ambitions are currently focused on tomatoes, a passion inspired by her father's greenhouse. 'It's still my favourite smell,' she said, so much so that she even infuses the scent into candles for her lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon. She takes pride in her children being adventurous eaters who share her love for tomatoes and salt.
When it comes to condiments, ketchup reigns supreme for Holly, especially with skinny fries. She also endorsed brown sauce in a bacon sandwich and Worcester sauce on a cheese toastie. Her ultimate restaurant dish is a cheese soufflé or fondue, a passion born from a year spent as an au pair in Switzerland where she ate little else but food covered in melted cheese.
The conversation turned to hangovers, where Holly's cure is unequivocally a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with extra pickles and salty fries. She loves it so much that the drive-thru staff frequently take selfies with her. As for her dog, Bailey, she admitted the retriever has a sensitive stomach and is a poor guard dog, remaining completely chilled even when the doorbell rings.
A Festive Lesson and a Cherished Recipe
The main purpose of Holly's visit was to learn how to make a traditional plum pudding for her first Christmas hosting duties in her new home. Having never attempted one before, Clodagh invited her to the farm to teach her her mother's cherished recipe.
The detailed recipe involves soaking sultanas, currants, and raisins in whisky and orange juice overnight. The next day, the mixture is combined with butter, sugar, eggs, spices, almonds, and breadcrumbs before being steamed for a lengthy seven hours. 'Mix well, and make a wish!' the recipe instructs, adding a touch of magic to the festive creation.
To complete the day, Holly shared the secrets of her perfect margarita, which forgoes triple sec for a simpler blend of tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup, served with a salt rim but absolutely no chilli flakes.
