Thai-Scented Chicken Soup

This is chicken soup, but with all the fresh and vibrant flavours of a Thai green curry. If you’re a little under the weather, this is exactly what you want to be eating. The soup must be served absolutely piping hot, like a just-made cup of tea or a punishingly hot bath. Otherwise it missesContinue reading “Thai-Scented Chicken Soup”

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”

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”

Sweet Potato and Carrot Crisp

This recipe is a relic from my favourite Christmas cookbook of the 90’s (The Canadian Living Christmas Book, Copyright 1993, if you can get your hands on a copy). It’s an absolutely genius side dish that appears on my Christmas and Thanksgiving tables every year, without exception. You might expect my loyalty to this ratherContinue reading “Sweet Potato and Carrot Crisp”

Spiced Squash, Lamb and Spinach Phyllo Pie

A great way to use up leftover lamb, this pie is packed full of vegetables, spices and different textures. While the various stages take a little time to complete, none are hard, and the end result is infinitely rewarding. As a bonus, next time you have vegetarian guests to feed, simply omit the lamb forContinue reading “Spiced Squash, Lamb and Spinach Phyllo Pie”

Moroccan Spiced Vegetable Stew

Fresh, fun, and a little surprising, this healthy weeknight dinner is quick to throw together and tastes fantastic. No excuse not to get your 5-a-day! Don’t be tempted to skip the pine nuts – they add necessary texture and nuttiness that makes the whole thing really work. Feeds 4 Ingredients 1 tbsp butter½ tbsp oliveContinue reading “Moroccan Spiced Vegetable Stew”

Shrimp Fried Rice to Jazz Up Your Leftovers

Should you find yourself with a load of leftover cabbage, carrots and peas from your Sunday roast dinner, give this a go for a quick and healthy Monday night supper. The shrimp can easily be replaced (or indeed, augmented) with any leftover meat you may have lying around. You don’t need much of anything –Continue reading “Shrimp Fried Rice to Jazz Up Your Leftovers”

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”

Speedy Spanish Stew

A healthy weeknight dinner to the rescue. Feeds 4 – 6 Ingredients 110g cured chorizo, casings removed and chorizo chopped into small cubes Small drizzle of olive oil 2 medium onions, diced Salt and pepper 4 large cloves of garlic, minced 2 bay leaves 56oz tinned chopped tomatoes 2 x 400g tins of butter beans,Continue reading “Speedy Spanish Stew”