This is a rediscovered family favourite. Not sure why I’d forgotten about it, or why it came up in conversation with my mum recently, but  once remembered it’s reestablished itself on our midweek menu very quickly indeed. Probably because it’s so simple to make and tastes amazing – I’m sure there’s a degree of nostalgia […]

In a short series of pie posts (two, to be honest), I thought I’d share my very easy approach to Shepherds/Cottage pie. And a real quick cheat’s version. Again, start with a pan of spuds. Gently fry a finely diced onion and carrot for about five minutes, then add mince (lamb or beef depending on […]

I don’t really know what to call this. Shepherd’s pie – made with lamb. Cottage pie – a dish of leftovers eaten by rural people, who lived in cottages. So what do I call my version of this classic British dish that I make with diced pork? I’m going for Pigsty Pie – there’s a […]

I know a lot of people think it’s minging, but I’m a big fan of corned beef. In a sandwich with brown sauce on crusty white bread – heavenly. So I also love a bit of corned beef hash. Which made me think about what else could be hashed. There’s usually a pack of smoked mackerel […]

I’ve been enjoying BBC’s The Good Cook over the last couple of weeks. I first came across Simon Hopkinson a couple of years ago when I’d noticed his book ‘Roast Chicken and other Stories’ kept appearing at the top of  lists of  chefs’ favourite books or best cookbooks. At the time I’d never heard of […]

It was quite strange to find out in my 20s that what I’d eaten all my life as spag bol was really nothing of the sort. It was ragu and it’s supposed to go with wide pasta. And since I’ve discovered a more authentic version of Bolognese I’d got out of the habit of making […]

[tweetmeme source=”easyteas” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D With a bag of prawns in the freezer I’m never more than 10 or 20 minutes away from something that feels fairly celebratory for tea. And more often than not, that’s a midweek curry, normally korma or something a bit Thai. I spotted this recipe for Kerolan prawns in a recent […]

[tweetmeme source=”easyteas” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D This is my version of a rich, silky Carbonara. A bit of low fat creme fraiche supplies the creaminess so that clearly cancels out any calories from the cheese and bacon. I’m sure that’s how it works, isn’t it? I always keep a few little packs of diced pancetta in the […]

[tweetmeme source=”easyteas” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D All over Prague, restaurants served delicious richly spiced grilled meats and kebabs. My inner carnivore was in heaven but I couldn’t work out the spicing. There was come citrus, a little chilli, garlic and herbs. Not to be beaten by the mystery I headed for the market near to our hotel […]

[tweetmeme source=”easyteas” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D It might be considered a bit boring, but I love anything from the cod family. Thick, flakey and meaty roasted cod crisp battered haddock with chips – thanks to a stint living in Yorkshire haddock’s still my preferred chippy choice. Just typing those words is making me hungry – not helped […]