Chorizo and chickpea stew

This evening’s humble supper started from a loop of Spanish chorizo, and grew into this stew, as I gathered ‘red’ ingredients – red onion, red pepper, red chilli flakes – from the foodhall of M&S. Surprising really, as I find that place distinctly uninspiring, as all fresh produce, aside from maybe the fruit, is overly [...]

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Bill Granger’s lime, paprika and honey glazed chicken

I don’t think it’s necessarily been a conscious decision, but I’ve never before considered cooking anything by this scarily sunny, Aussie chef. He is all things wholesome and happy personified, and quite frankly slightly unnerving. But healthy British cynicism aside he does always tend to cook really appealing, but health conscious food – all great [...]

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Sam and Stelios’ stuffed courgettes (revised)

I spent Sunday lunch with my BFF and her hubby, a lovely Greek doctor, who since whisking her off to Greece and back and immersing her in a culture so richly associated with family and food, has helped to transform her from a packet popper into the wonderful Greek domestic goddess she is now. S’s [...]

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Smoked seabass almost nicoise

Smoked seabass is a new discovery. I came across it in the virtual aisles of Ocado and thought I’d give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed. A little of the seabass’ subtlety may be lost, but I enjoyed it. The consistency of the eggs and optimum bite to the asparagus are central to this salad.
 
Serves [...]

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Broad beans with parma ham

Having recently acquired a garden, my in-laws by proxy have been encouraging my enthusiasm by kindly turning up on our doorstep bearing gifts of geraniums, tomato plants and packets of salad leaf seeds etc. Having noted my enthusiasm, but also my lack of any actual real gardening, they have tried to introduce me gently into [...]

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Courgette and Quinoa salad

This recipe is a true goosenarg concoction. For those of you who don’t know the term, goosenarg means the bits and pieces in your fridge that need using up, and aren’t obvious pan-fellows. This recipe came from just those humble beginnings, but was a big hit with my 8 year old daughter. The fact that [...]

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Pot-roasted Chicken in White Wine and Redcurrant Jelly

This recipe is from the Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine, sadly, my favourite read these days. I’d like to pretend I have the time or capacity for something more intellectually challenging but I’d be lying –  activity of choice these days is a long bath with the eagerly awaited, latest edition. From Candide to cupcakes in a few [...]

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Porcini red rice (re-revised)

Ingredients

Olive oil, a glug
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic
About 5g dried porcini mushrooms
About half a 500g packet in total of mixed red and wild rice (I use ‘Red Camargue and Wild Rice’ from Waitrose)
1 chicken stock cube
Enough water to cover

Method
Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan such as a Le Creuset, if possible. Fry [...]

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