Tagliatelle with Cherry Tomatoes, Chilli and Rosé

A summery pasta you can knock up in no time. But don’t let its simplicity fool you – it pays back tenfold in flavour, which seems to build as you eat. The rosemary gives a deep, background herbal hit that makes a nice change from the more front-and-centre basil or parsley. I make this asContinue reading “Tagliatelle with Cherry Tomatoes, Chilli and Rosé”

Warm Lentil Salad with Sausages

This is an easy and nutritious meal, perfect for the colder months. If you’re in the market for something a little more elegant, substitute the sausage for pan-seared salmon and drizzle with garlic aioli. Serves 6 Ingredients 1kg cherry tomatoes500g puy lentils (dried weight)1 onion, peeled and halved2 bay leavesOlive oilSalt and pepper2 tbsp redContinue reading “Warm Lentil Salad with Sausages”

Prosciutto Roll-Ups

My all-time favourite festive snack, next to sausage rolls, of course. Sweet, salty and crisp, these attractive nibbles make a fabulous appetizer passed around just as they are. Or, add a pile of these to a festive grazing board for a special treat. Ingredients 1 pack of good quality, ready-rolled puff pastry Honey mustard (orContinue reading “Prosciutto Roll-Ups”

Slow-Roasted Shoulder of Lamb

The whole point of a weekend is finding time to enjoy oneself, separate and apart from the monotony of a working week. While I often find that enjoyment in hours of pottering in the kitchen, sometimes I’d much rather be anywhere else. A slow-roasted shoulder of lamb will happily look after itself while I spendContinue reading “Slow-Roasted Shoulder of Lamb”

Linguine with Truffle and Mushrooms

This is a sexy pasta. Layers of flavour, fabulous textures and a hint of luxury – properly grown-up comfort. Feeds 2 Ingredients 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs Olive oil 20g butter 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper 200g mushrooms, sliced 2 slices prosciutto 200g dried linguine Parmesan Truffle oil Method: To make the pangrattato, heatContinue reading “Linguine with Truffle and Mushrooms”

Lentil, Beetroot & Feta Salad

A warm salad of lentils, beetroot, and salty feta with a sprightly sprinkle of mint. Makes a lovely lunch or side dish. If pressed for time, you can substitute a couple tins of cooked lentils (drained and rinsed) and a couple packs of pre-cooked and peeled beetroot (not the pickled stuff). It won’t be quite asContinue reading “Lentil, Beetroot & Feta Salad”

Rhubarb Fool

Lovely for breakfast or as a light dessert, this is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to eat rhubarb. Go for forced rhubarb, if you can, for the hot pink hue. Feeds 4 Ingredients 400g rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces 75g sugar (about half a cup) 400g thick Greek yogurt (plain,Continue reading “Rhubarb Fool”

Grapefruit and Avocado Salad

Fresh, vibrant and a bit unexpected, this is a dream winter salad. Before you make this, do ensure the avocado is ripe and the grapefruit is sweet. Otherwise, it won’t really work. Feeds 2 Ingredients 1 small head of lettuce, washed, dried and torn into pieces 1 large red grapefruit, segmented (see instructions below) 1Continue reading “Grapefruit and Avocado Salad”

Perfect Scrambled Eggs

I am comfortable going ahead with this ridiculously immodest title because this isn’t my recipe; it’s my husband’s, gratefully gained from a friend of his who, I’m sure, got it from someone else (not to impugn this friend’s fine cooking abilities and repertoire). But it really is the perfect scrambled egg. Rich, creamy and silky,Continue reading “Perfect Scrambled Eggs”

Citrus-Roasted Fennel

An unexpected combination that will really wake up the taste buds. The fennel takes on a bit of sour sweetness from the grapefruit, and the pulpy flesh of the fruit becomes jammy and sweet. In familiar company you can cut each grapefruit slice in half and suck out the fruit. (Does anyone find themselves inContinue reading “Citrus-Roasted Fennel”