A food blog for honest cravings

Crave it. Cook it. Well.

Cravenwell is full of recipes for the things you actually crave: gooey, crunchy, fiery and cosy, made with good ingredients and a little care. No guilt and no diet talk, just really good food.

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The recipes

What are you craving?

Pick a plate and we'll show you what to make. Every recipe is short, forgiving and written for real kitchens on real weeknights.

A bowl of macaroni and cheese30 min
Cosy · Featured

Rainy-evening macaroni cheese

A proper cheese sauce, a sharp cheddar, a spoon of mustard and a crunchy top. The bowl you want when the window's steamed up.

By Nell Ashworth · serves 2–3Get the recipe →
A brown and black chocolate cake10 min
Sweet

Molten mug brownie

For when you want one brownie, not a whole tray. Microwave, spoon, done.

Serves 1Recipe →
Two bowls of chocolate pudding with raspberries20 min + chill
Sweet

Dark chocolate pots

Three ingredients and a fridge. Silky, rich and topped with sharp raspberries.

Serves 4Recipe →
Fried fries on a white ceramic plate45 min
Salty

Crispy oven fries with lemon salt

Soak, dry, roast hot. Crackly outside, fluffy inside, with bright lemon salt.

Serves 2Recipe →
A close up of a bowl of popcorn10 min
Salty

Stovetop popcorn, three ways

Better than the microwave bag, and it takes about the same time. Classic, cinnamon or cheesy.

Serves 2–3Recipe →
A bowl of ramen topped with a halved egg, chili and scallions15 min
Spicy

Chili-crisp ramen, upgraded

A jammy egg, chili crisp and spring onion turn instant noodles into dinner.

Serves 1Recipe →
Stir-fried noodles with vegetables on a wooden platter20 min
Spicy

Garlic-chili stir-fried noodles

Sizzling garlic, chili flakes, soy and a splash of vinegar. It's faster than takeaway.

Serves 2Recipe →
Pasta in a white ceramic bowl25 min
Cosy

One-pot tomato pasta

Pasta, tomatoes and garlic cooked together in one pot until glossy, with only one pot to wash up.

Serves 2Recipe →
A bowl of soup with an egg on top15 min
Cosy

Silky egg-drop soup

Hot stock, ribbons of egg and spring onion. Like a hug in a bowl, ready in 15 minutes.

Serves 2Recipe →
The Craving Club

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Just in time for the weekend: one tested recipe, one shortcut and one reader's craving answered. It's free, delicious and easy to unsubscribe from.

  • 1 recipe
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  • 1 reader craving
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A woman in a floral shirt holding a black ceramic mug Bread on a white ceramic plate
About Cravenwell

Cravings deserve good cooking.

Cravenwell puts together two ideas: "crave", because wanting something delicious is normal, and "well", because what you crave deserves to be made well. Real butter, good chocolate, fresh garlic and a little attention.

We're home cooks, not chefs. Every recipe is tested in an ordinary kitchen, written in plain language and built to forgive the odd mistake. If it's not worth craving, it doesn't go on the blog.

No guiltFood is food. Enjoy it.
Tested twiceEvery recipe, in a real kitchen.
Short listsFew ingredients, big flavour.
Nell Ashworth · cosy & sweet
Diego Ramírez · salty snacks
Yuna Seo · spicy & noodles
Reader reviews

Cravings, satisfied.

Sample
★★★★★

"The mug brownie has saved many a Tuesday night. Gooey in the middle, done in a minute. Dangerous knowledge."

Fiona McAllisterReader · Belfast
Sample
★★★★★

"I asked for a spicy noodle recipe with what was in my cupboard, and the Craving Club answered it the next Friday!"

Arjun MehtaSubscriber · Bengaluru
Sample
★★★★★

"The one-pot tomato pasta is now our Sunday tradition. One pot, twenty minutes, and everyone wants seconds."

Chloé BernardReader · Montréal
Send a craving

What should we cook next?

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× A bowl of macaroni and cheese
Cosy

Rainy-evening macaroni cheese

A proper cheese sauce, a sharp cheddar and a crunchy top.

30 minServes 2–3By Nell Ashworth
You'll need
  • 200 g macaroni
  • 30 g butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 450 ml milk
  • 150 g mature cheddar, grated
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (optional)
Method
  1. Cook the macaroni in well-salted water until just shy of tender. Drain.
  2. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Whisk in the milk a little at a time and simmer, stirring, until it thickens.
  4. Take off the heat and stir in most of the cheese and the mustard. Season.
  5. Fold in the pasta. Eat it as it is, or tip into a dish, top with the rest of the cheese and the breadcrumbs, and grill until golden.
Well-made tip: take the sauce off the heat before adding the cheese, so it melts smoothly instead of turning grainy.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× A brown and black chocolate cake
Sweet

Molten mug brownie

One brownie, one mug, about one minute.

10 minServes 1By Nell Ashworth
You'll need
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or oil
  • A few chocolate chunks
Method
  1. Mix the flour, cocoa, sugar and salt in a large microwave-safe mug.
  2. Stir in the milk and melted butter until smooth. Push the chocolate chunks into the middle.
  3. Microwave for about 60–75 seconds. Microwaves vary, so start with less; it should still look a little soft in the centre.
  4. Let it stand for 1 minute (the mug will be hot), then dig in.
Well-made tip: a small pinch of flaky salt on top makes the chocolate taste even deeper.

Contains gluten and dairy. Swap in plant milk and oil if you need to.

Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× Two bowls of chocolate pudding with raspberries
Sweet

Dark chocolate pots

Three ingredients, a fridge and a little patience.

20 min + 2 h chillServes 4By Nell Ashworth
You'll need
  • 150 g dark chocolate, chopped
  • 200 ml double cream
  • Pinch of salt
  • A handful of raspberries
Method
  1. Put the chopped chocolate and salt in a heatproof bowl.
  2. Heat the cream until it just steams (don't boil), then pour it over the chocolate.
  3. Leave for 2 minutes, then stir gently until smooth and glossy.
  4. Divide between 4 small glasses and chill for at least 2 hours. Top with raspberries to serve.
Well-made tip: use chocolate you'd happily eat on its own. With only three ingredients, each one matters.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× Fries on a white ceramic plate
Salty

Crispy oven fries with lemon salt

Crackly outside, fluffy inside, no deep-fryer needed.

45 minServes 2By Diego Ramírez
You'll need
  • 2 large floury potatoes
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp flaky salt
Method
  1. Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Cut the potatoes into even sticks.
  2. Soak them in cold water for 20–30 minutes, then dry them very well on a towel.
  3. Toss with the oil and spread out on a tray in a single layer, not touching.
  4. Roast for 30–35 minutes, turning halfway, until deep golden.
  5. Rub the lemon zest into the salt and sprinkle it over the hot fries.
Well-made tip: give the fries plenty of room on the tray. Crowded fries steam instead of crisping.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× A bowl of popcorn
Salty

Stovetop popcorn, three ways

About the same time as a microwave bag, and much better.

10 minServes 2–3By Diego Ramírez
You'll need
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 60 g popcorn kernels
  • Classic: melted butter + salt
  • Sweet: cinnamon + sugar
  • Cheesy: finely grated parmesan + black pepper
Method
  1. Heat the oil in a large lidded pan over medium-high heat with 3 kernels in it.
  2. When those pop, add the rest, cover, and shake the pan gently every few seconds.
  3. When the popping slows to a few seconds between pops, take it off the heat.
  4. Tip into a big bowl and toss straight away with your chosen topping.
Well-made tip: keep the lid slightly ajar so steam escapes. That keeps the popcorn crisp, not chewy.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× A bowl of ramen with a halved egg, chili and scallions
Spicy

Chili-crisp ramen, upgraded

Instant noodles, but make it dinner.

15 minServes 1By Yuna Seo
You'll need
  • 1 pack instant ramen
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp chili crisp (to taste)
  • 1 spring onion, sliced
  • A splash of soy sauce
  • Sesame seeds
Method
  1. Boil the egg for about 6½ minutes, then cool it in cold water and peel. The yolk should be jammy.
  2. Cook the noodles with about half the seasoning packet, which is plenty with the chili crisp.
  3. Stir in the soy sauce and spoon the chili crisp over the top.
  4. Add the halved egg, spring onion and sesame seeds.
Well-made tip: a small knob of butter stirred into the broth makes it rich and silky.

Chili crisp often contains soy and sometimes peanuts. Check the label.

Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× Stir-fried noodles with vegetables
Spicy

Garlic-chili stir-fried noodles

Faster than a takeaway, and you choose the heat.

20 minServes 2By Yuna Seo
You'll need
  • 200 g noodles (egg or wheat)
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 carrot and a handful of greens
Method
  1. Cook the noodles, drain and rinse briefly. Mix the soy, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and chili flakes and stir for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the carrot and greens and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Add the noodles and sauce and toss over high heat for a minute until glossy.
Well-made tip: garlic burns fast. Have everything else ready before it goes in the pan.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× Pasta in a white ceramic bowl
Cosy

One-pot tomato pasta

Everything in one pot, until glossy.

25 minServes 2By Nell Ashworth
You'll need
  • 200 g spaghetti
  • 250 g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • About 600 ml water or stock
  • A handful of basil
  • Parmesan, to serve
Method
  1. Put the pasta, tomatoes, garlic, oil and a good pinch of salt in a wide pan.
  2. Pour in the water or stock and bring to a boil.
  3. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the liquid has become a glossy sauce. Add a splash more water if it gets dry.
  4. Tear in the basil and finish with parmesan.
Well-made tip: the starch from the pasta thickens the sauce, so keep stirring and it will come together.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →
× A bowl of soup with an egg on top
Cosy

Silky egg-drop soup

Like a hug in a bowl, ready in 15 minutes.

15 minServes 2By Yuna Seo
You'll need
  • 750 ml chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 spring onion, sliced
  • A few drops of sesame oil
  • Pinch of white pepper
Method
  1. Bring the stock and soy to a simmer.
  2. Stir in the cornflour mix and simmer for a minute until slightly thickened.
  3. Stir the soup in a slow circle and drizzle the beaten egg in a thin stream to make silky ribbons.
  4. Turn off the heat. Add the spring onion, sesame oil and white pepper.
Well-made tip: pour the egg slowly and keep stirring gently. That's the secret to fine, silky ribbons.
Made it? Tell us how it went.Send a note →