Two things coincided to make me tackle a simplified version of this Italian classic – it featured on the brilliant Jamie’s Comfort Food and a box of lovely SO Organic goodies arrived from Sainsbury’s for me to try including arborio rice, Pinot Grigio and Balsamic vinegar. So I was all set for a saffron risotto […]

I can’t stop eating burgers at the moment. Brilliant burger joints are popping up all over Cardiff and with the sun out I want to BBQ every night. For me, there are just two secrets to a great burger at home – keep it simple and don’t overcook it. Very simple, in fact – the […]

It’s past the season for casseroles really, but with its chorizo, lemon and parsley this stew is light enough for a long sunny evening. And there are few dishes which aren’t improved by the addition of some fried chorizo. There are only  a few main ingredients and minimal preparation required. Start with the cubed beef – put […]

After years of messing about with charcoal I finally gave in and bought a gas BBQ last year. It’s brilliant – cooking outside so much more now it’s easy. I’ve had my eye on a smoker box for a while though to add in a bit more of the authentic BBQ flavour and also to […]

After I posted my fake rabbit meatballs I had a tweet from Barbara Kaiser introducing me their Austrian cousin fake trout – Falsche Forellen as the locals call it. As with the rabbits, the trout in the name is merely a smokescreen – what we’re really talking about here is the long lost ancestor of the Findus […]

Don’t usually share work things here but couldn’t resist this one. We’ve just launched a competition to find the very best festive Welsh Beef recipe in the run up to Christmas. There are some fab prizes – including some on-the-spot ones for anyone following the competition online. If you’re interested in finding out more pop along to the […]

I spent a brilliant year at uni in Germany which left me with a lasting appreciation of German food. And I still get spoken to in German by waiters around Europe – must stop ordering Pils and sausages wherever I go on holiday. And looking a bit German. My German flatmate introduced me to Falscher […]

We shouldn’t really be doing slow-cooked anything – it’s August for heaven’s sake. But as it’s been the suckiest ‘summer’ since records began I’m still making nice big warming pies. This was a great alterative to a Sunday roast – it’s very simple to cook, but does need to sit in the oven for a […]

There was a brisket joint at the butchers last week – it was cheap, looked good and with a Bank Holiday looming, I figured it was bound to be slow-cooking weather. So in the inevitable pissing rain, I  went searching for a recipe this morning. I’ve never cooked it before and my only real reference point was […]

I’d never seen oxtails until the butcher had some a few weeks ago. I had to give them a go and the only thing I knew about them was they needed very slow cooking. I have to say though, I think this might be one of my favourite things I’ve cooked for a long time. I […]