What to Cook Between Christmas and New Year

This is a special time of year when we all slow down, take stock, and look forward to a New Year. At this stage in the festivities, I want lots of comforting dishes that feel celebratory enough to feed friends and family without requiring a lot from me in return. If you’re in need ofContinue reading “What to Cook Between Christmas and New Year”

Spiced Falafel Burgers with Red Cabbage

A healthy, vegetarian and speedy dinner to feed four. Great if you need some real food, fast, or if you’re looking for a brief break from heavier winter fare. The red cabbage, gentle spice and sweetness from the carrot and apple give it a wintery vibe, but of course these are great any time ofContinue reading “Spiced Falafel Burgers with Red Cabbage”

Merry Meatballs in a Bread Bowl

Meatballs get a festive twist with redcurrant, rosemary, brandy and cream. Perfect as picky finger food for a party served in one large, hollowed-out loaf of sourdough with toothpicks for spearing, or as a main course in individual crusty rolls, next to some form of vegetable. The meatball portion of the recipe will make enoughContinue reading “Merry Meatballs in a Bread Bowl”

Old Fashioned Beef Stew with Dumplings

Delightfully old fashioned and frugal, this meal is comfort and joy in a pot. The stew is deliberately simple in its ingredients, so make sure you use the best quality beef you can find. It’s a cheap cut and you don’t need very much, so go for quality, here. Although I would make this toContinue reading “Old Fashioned Beef Stew with Dumplings”

One Pan Chicken and Chorizo Supper

Chicken supremes are boneless, skin-on chicken breasts with the wing attached. It’s a treat to have a little wing to gnaw on at the end, so give it a go if you wouldn’t usually pick up this cut. However, if you can’t find supremes, skin-on chicken breasts will obviously work just fine. Feeds 2 IngredientsContinue reading “One Pan Chicken and Chorizo Supper”

Smoky Barbeque Sausage and Bean Stew

Bowl food you can really cosy up with. This takes about 30 minutes to prepare, plus simmering time. A total bargain, effort-wise. Feeds 4 generously Ingredients Olive oil500g sausages (approx. 4 – 6, depending on size)1 large onion, diced2 bell peppers, diced2 – 3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped1 bay leaf1 small bunch of freshContinue reading “Smoky Barbeque Sausage and Bean Stew”

Greek Couscous Salad with Feta Yogurt Dressing

This is a fresh and zesty weeknight meal you can knock up in under 30 minutes – maybe even 20, if you get your act together. Feeds 4 Ingredients 2 skin-on, boneless chicken breastsSalt and pepper1 mugful (dried) wholewheat couscous1 lemonOlive oil1 red pepper2/3 cucumber2 handfuls cherry tomatoes½ small red onion (¼ of a largeContinue reading “Greek Couscous Salad with Feta Yogurt Dressing”

That Time I Roasted a Whole Duck

Chinese Peking duck with hoisin sauce, served with thin pancakes and slivers of fresh vegetables, is one of my favourite takeaway treats. It’s expensive, but I’ve never minded too much because I’ve always been rather intimidated by cooking a whole duck at home. I’ve seen a load of instructions for first dropping the duck intoContinue reading “That Time I Roasted a Whole Duck”

Tuscan Roasted Chicken

Low effort, summery and delivers amazing flavour, this bird has everything going for it. If you aren’t convinced yet, know that a spatchcock chicken roasts in less time than your standard bird and the flattened meat means the skin gets really crisp. Easy to carve, too. Spatchcock is just to say, remove the backbone fromContinue reading “Tuscan Roasted Chicken”

Rescue Me Pasta

I love this dinner for its lifesaving properties. Incredibly low effort, cooks in no time, and for me, does not require a trip to the grocery store (always a bonus). I keep these ingredients to hand at all times, including pairs of smoked bacon rashers in the freezer for just such an occasion. Save thisContinue reading “Rescue Me Pasta”