I can’t tell which magazine I ripped this out of any more – I’ve had it for years and it always gets dusted off for special occasions. They are lovely warm or cold and perfect with a drink or two. They make a great starter or lunch with a big green salad and I guess you […]

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 […]

This is 20 minute tea that came about from a Friday-night need for something quick to cook with fish. It’s mostly ‘store cupboard’ ingredients too which helps in a busy week. I used a smoked haddock fillet (a favourite at the moment) but I’d make this with cod or coley too I think. Maybe even a […]

I make this a lot. Anything with mash needs onion gravy, it’s perfect with sausages and it worked really well with the recent faggot recipe. It’s inspired by a brilliant book – Just Like Mother Used to Make by Tom Norrington-Davies. It bears little resemblance to the original now after a few years of playing about with […]

Faggots and peas for tea has been a recent discovery. They were a favourite of my dad’s for a Saturday lunch but I always thought they were pretty grim. On a whim about a year ago I tried some from the butchers at the local market – they’re amazing! This weekend they didn’t have any […]

The veg chaps at the market have been selling big bunches of basil all summer with leaves as big as spinach. So I’ve been making a lot of pesto (very simply parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, basil, olive oil whizzed together) and looking for different ways to use it. This one’s a lovely, light casserole. The meatballs […]

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 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 […]