Category Archives: Soups & Salads

Leek and Potato Soup with Bacon, Whiskey and Cream

A hearty, earthy soup that will warm you up on a stubbornly cold day. The whiskey adds a subtle complexity that seems to bring out all the other flavours. Feeds 4 – 6 Ingredients 2 – 3 slices of smoked streaky bacon, thinly sliced1 tsp olive oil½ tbsp butter2 – 3 leeks (depending on size),Continue reading “Leek and Potato Soup with Bacon, Whiskey and Cream”

Herby Cucumber and Tomato Salad

A heavy scattering of herbs gives this salad a distinctly Eastern Mediterranean vibe. Eat alongside grilled meats, a roast chicken or spiced lamb for a fresh and vibrant side dish. Feeds 4 Ingredients 1 cucumber, quartered lengthwise and chopped1 x 330g packet cherry tomatoes, halved1 small red onion, finely dicedJuice of half a lemon1 tbspContinue reading “Herby Cucumber and Tomato Salad”

Christmas Coleslaw

Don’t dismiss coleslaw as a summer barbeque staple; it is a veritable celebration of winter veg, and this one is so very Christmassy. Serve with Christmas ham, a spiced pulled pork, cold leftover turkey, or simply alongside a steaming baked potato for an easy side dish everyone will love. Inexpensive for a crowd, too. YouContinue reading “Christmas Coleslaw”

Parsnip and Apple Soup

Garam masala, a prepared spice mix, is available at most grocery stores and gives a gentle spice to this soup. Although not quite curried, it’s warm, sweet, and spicy, and just the thing to take the chill off an evening. Feeds 4 – 6 Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped Salt andContinue reading “Parsnip and Apple Soup”

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

I have lots of ideas for using up leftover roast chicken, but now the weather has cooled and I’m in full-on soup mode, it’s chicken noodle soup for me, all the way. Even if all you have leftover is the carcass with nary a morsel of meat left on the bones, you still have whatContinue reading “Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup”

Refreshing Red Pepper Soup with a Shrimp, Chorizo and Fried Parsley Garnish

A cold summer soup in the right context is refreshing and really wakes up the taste buds. However, in the wrong context a cold soup is jarring and unpleasant. Pick your moment wisely. Serve as a first course on a hot day, in small portions, with this garnish. The hot and cold contrast is justContinue reading “Refreshing Red Pepper Soup with a Shrimp, Chorizo and Fried Parsley Garnish”

Couscous with Sweet Potato, Snap Peas and Mint

The sweet heat from the spiced sweet potato against the cool, refreshing mint and peas is a very summery combination – fantastic alongside some barbequed lamb or sausages. Also great on its own as a healthy lunch. Feeds 4 as a side Ingredients 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes Olive oilContinue reading “Couscous with Sweet Potato, Snap Peas and Mint”

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Last year during deepest, darkest lockdown I ordered a box of heirloom tomatoes from The Tomato Stall on the Isle of Wight. A far cry from the refrigerated packs of tomatoes available at the supermarket, these have so much flavour and taste of summer. What a revelation. We ate tomatoes in everything for almost anContinue reading “Heirloom Tomato Salad”

Vegetable & Noodle Salad with Cashew Satay Sauce

This is a really quick, easy and satisfying salad. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it’s a veg-packed weekday wonder. Feeds 2 Ingredients 1/2 cup cashews  1/4 green cabbage, core removed and cabbage thinly sliced 2 nests medium egg noodles  1 small head broccoli (1/2 if large), cut into florets 1 red pepper, de-seeded and slicedContinue reading “Vegetable & Noodle Salad with Cashew Satay Sauce”