Haddock with Capers, Lemon & Rocket

The capers, potato and flaky white fish make this simple and elegant meal almost evocative of fish and chips, but at a fraction of the calories. This makes a perfect lunch or light dinner, and you will be thrilled at how easy it is to throw together. Feeds 2 Ingredients 400g baby potatoes 2 haddockContinue reading “Haddock with Capers, Lemon & Rocket”

Beef & Broccoli

Stir-fried broccoli and water chestnuts are pretty much the reasons why I love a stir-fry. Paired with steak, oyster sauce and ginger, the end result is intensely savoury and satisfying. Feeds 2 Ingredients For the sauce: 1 dessert spoon of oyster sauce 1 – 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp honey 1/4 tsp ground gingerContinue reading “Beef & Broccoli”

Zucchini Parmigiana

When I’m trying to cut calories and eat as healthily as possible, I need lots of warm, comforting food to stave off any feelings of deprivation (or desperation). This really delivers. Hot, bubbly, full of vegetables, and ready in about an hour. I don’t claim any particular credentials in nutritional science, but I reckon aContinue reading “Zucchini Parmigiana”

Salmon, Fennel & Pepper Traybake

Fennel and peppers are the real stars here, making appearances in their various forms. The end result is subtle, sweet and fresh. You can eat the roasted lemon, too. Feeds 2 Ingredients 1 bulb of fennel, halved, core removed, then sliced 2 red peppers, de-seeded and cut into thick slices Two fist-sized potatoes, peeled andContinue reading “Salmon, Fennel & Pepper Traybake”

Mince Pie Twists

A twist on a Christmas classic. All you need for this recipe is shop-bought shortcrust pastry, a jar of mincemeat, an egg and some coarse sugar. Oh, and brandy cream (see tip below). This recipe isn’t about laziness, nor is it about making things into a festive shape just for appearances. (Though, it does haveContinue reading “Mince Pie Twists”

White Chocolate Cranberry Stars

A light, sweet ending to any festive meal. Normally I steer clear of white chocolate; its extreme sweetness is not my thing at all. However, when balanced with the tart cranberry, smooth cream and intense, fresh pomegranate, it really works. Ingredients 150ml double cream 75g white chocolate 4 tsp cranberry sauce Pomegranate seeds (to serve)Continue reading “White Chocolate Cranberry Stars”

Warm Salad of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, Feta and Dried Cranberries

A Christmassy salad if ever there was one. Feeds 2 as a light lunch Ingredients 500g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved through the stem Olive oil Salt and pepper Handful of pecans Handful dried cranberries 50g feta cheese Method: Roast the Brussels sprouts. Meanwhile, toast the pecans by adding them to a dry frying panContinue reading “Warm Salad of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, Feta and Dried Cranberries”

We Should All Be Eating Mussels

Mussels are one of my absolute favourite things to eat. They were actually the first thing I ever cooked for my (now) husband. He was dead impressed – and you will be, too. In addition to being really delicious, mussels have so much going for them. They’re cheap, elegant, easy and quick to cook, lowContinue reading “We Should All Be Eating Mussels”

Brandy Snaps

We’re all looking for ways to scale down our Christmas this year. So rather than baking three dozen cookies, how about a batch of brandy snaps instead? The recipe produces as few as eight of these elegant sweet cigars, though easily doubles or triples as well. Serve with your favourite digestif after a meal withContinue reading “Brandy Snaps”

Fig, Goat’s Cheese and Prosciutto Bundles with a Rosemary, Honey & Brandy Glaze

Accurately described as a TASTE EXPLOSION. Make these and pretend you’re the guy from Love Actually who hopelessly uses “Taste Explosion?” as a pick-up line. If you’re unsuccessful, at least you’ll have more of these for yourself. Makes 18 pieces Ingredients 9 Dried figs Goat’s cheese 6 Slices prosciutto Rosemary Honey Brandy (port or sherryContinue reading “Fig, Goat’s Cheese and Prosciutto Bundles with a Rosemary, Honey & Brandy Glaze”