About Me

Hello, I’m Jan — welcome to A Glug of Oil

From London to Shropshire (and a lot of cooking in between)

A little story about how I moved, how the blog began, and how food became my happy place.

I’m a Londoner who somehow ended up living in Shropshire with my husband Paul, a story long enough to fill another blog entirely, so best not to go into that right now. 😉 

Back in 2008, I started A Glug of Oil as a place to share the easy, flavour‑packed recipes I was cooking at home — the kind of real‑life meals made with simple ingredients, a bit of improvisation, and plenty of tasting along the way.

The kitchen has always been my happy place. I love cooking; I love eating (always hungry, am I). In the past, I’ve tackled fussy, complicated recipes- yep, been there, done that.

But I think everyday cooking should be relaxed and enjoyable — something you can throw together after work, on the weekend, or anytime you’re in the mood for something comforting and homemade.

How A Glug of Oil began

People often ask how the name A Glug of Oil came about. The truth is, I rarely measure exact amounts unless I’m baking — because baking is a science and needs precision, I do not have the patience for all that measuring! For most cooking, I go by instinct: a glug of oil, a knob of butter, a pinch of salt or a handful of herbs.

Why I cook the way I do 

I prefer a “taste as you go” approach, jotting down notes and making adjustments with a pencil, so I have the exact measurements ready when I write the recipe. If you’re curious about what a “glug of oil” or a “knob of butter” actually means, you’ll find more on the Measurements page.

What you’ll find on this blog

From simple everyday meals and comforting British classics to speedy midweek dinners, slow-cooker gems, air-fryer creations, and dishes bursting with flavours from around the globe, there’s something here for every taste and occasion. 

My focus is on fuss-free cooking, bold flavours, and recipes you’ll love making time and time again. So, if you need a quick dinner fix, a special weekend treat, or just a spark of tasty inspiration, you’ll be happy you stopped by.

Get in touch

If you ever have a question, a suggestion, or a comment you’d rather not post publicly, I’d love to hear from you.

Cheers, Jan x