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 […]

They say ginger’s good for the digestion – so here’s a cake that’s both a sweet treat and an antidote to a bit of seasonal over-indulgence! It’s darkly sticky from the treacle and if you make it in advance, it’s even better after a few days – richer and stickier if you wrap it in […]

You know those slightly sad-looking bananas that get left at the bottom of the fruit bowl? Don’t waste them – they’re a perfect excuse to make cakes. These are really nutty with a lovely sticky fruitiness and little bursts of melting dark chocolate. They’re a great (occasional!) breakfast treat too. You need: 2-4 ripe Fairtrade […]

I’m not a fan of the cakey, heavy brownies that seem to be the standard now – this version is darkly chocolatey, pleasingly gooey and nuttier than a squirrel’s breakfast. I cut this recipe out of The Week about two years ago and I’ve been messing about with it ever since to get it just right. According […]

You can’t beat a home-made pie – it’s up there with soup and a cracking roast in terms of ‘most comforting things to cook’ in my book. And it doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, thanks to frozen pastry. Turkey or chicken and ham pie is a fantastic way to turn leftovers into […]

I’m not sure why, but every so often, the conversation in the office comes round to chicken Kiev. Everyone loves it – there’s a distinct sense of general excitement if someone’s having Kiev for tea. In recent years I may have progressed to the M&S variety, but there’s still a place in my heart for […]

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 […]

Shoulder of lamb (and pork, for that matter) is one of those cheaper cuts that becomes amazing if it’s slow-roasted. This Moroccan-style lamb is absolutely stunning – I can say that in all modesty cos it’s not my recipe. It’s one from a recent Olive from the Doukan restaurant in Wandsworth. I’ve tinkered with it […]

[tweetmeme source=”easyteas” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D I’m writing this on Saturday morning so naturally thinking about the weekend breakfast choices. I often make this for a treat on the weekend as it’s a nice change from the usual suspects. I’m justifying  including it here as it’s a lovely light dinner dish too – quick, very little work […]

Seems a bit silly doing a post about mash, but it’s one of my favourite things in the world. So, chop the spuds up – smaller than for boiled so they cook quicker and are easier to mash. Boil in salted water until a knife goes into the middle easily. Drain well.