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Cream of Vegetable Soup is beautifully simple but so tasty. Full of vegetables like carrot, leek, and peas, it’s subtly flavoured with garlic and herbs. Despite the name, like most traditional ‘cream of’ soups, it doesn’t contain cream. Its velvety texture is thanks to a combination …Read more
I’m most definitely not one of those people who say that lunch is for wimps. For me, a decent meal in the middle of the day is vital. Not only does it physically revive you after a morning’s work and sustain you for whatever you’ve …Read more
Pane Cunzato is usually translated as ‘seasoned’ or ‘dressed’ bread. But this classic Sicilian sandwich with humble roots can be incredibly good. Made using good quality rolls, baguettes, or chunks from a large loaf, the base ingredients are simply olive oil, oregano, and tomatoes. Add …Read more
Semolina Baguettes are inspired by the famous breads of Sicily made with semolina flour. With a flavoursome, chewy crumb and sesame-topped crust, these rolls are perfect with your favourite fillings, or alongside soups and salads. Also excellent filled with the Sicilian classic of tomatoes, oregano, …Read more
White Flatbread Pizza with Ham and Mushrooms, rich and tasty, can be made with any cooked flatbread, bought or homemade, thick or thin. Topped with a simple white sauce, garlicky mushrooms, ham, and cheese, these easy individual pizzas are quick to make and perfect for …Read more
Refried Bean Quesadillas are a crispy, cheesy, melty and delicious delight. And incredibly easy too! Using either canned or made from scratch refried beans (I recommend my quick and spicy homemade version), simply spread some over a tortilla wrap, add plenty of cheese plus vegetable …Read more
Beetroot and Goat Cheese Toasts take a classic combination and turn it into something rather special. Quick to make but delicious and impressive looking, the tangy bubbling grilled cheese is served on toast with rocket, thin slices of earthy beetroot, garlicky Balsamic dressing plus toasted …Read more
Refried Beans or frijoles refritos are so easy to make at home. And super-quick when you start with tinned pinto, borlotti, kidney, or black beans. In this tasty version inspired by the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dish of mashed beans, there’s loads of spicy favour …Read more
Green Bean and Roasted Pepper Salad is subtly flavoured with garlic, parsley, and olive oil. It’s lovely served on its own with bread, served as a side, or eaten as one of several little dishes to enjoy together mezze or tapas style. This simple salad …Read more
Cucumber & Sesame Noodle Salad is quick, refreshing and utterly delicious. The only cooking required is your choice of noodles, making this salad especially good during hot weather. The noodles are tossed with shreds of cooling cucumber plus spring onions, whole coriander leaves and a punchy …Read more
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is healthy and delicious. With nutritious chickpeas, crunchy and juicy veg like red pepper and tomatoes, plus herbs, feta cheese, and a garlicky-lemon dressing, it’s perfect for an easy lunch or light warm weather dinner. This so-simple salad also works well as a …Read more
Simple Wholemeal Bread is a one hundred per cent wholemeal loaf that’s nutritious and full of flavour. Easy enough for beginners, it’s a versatile, everyday bread that’s great for sandwiches, toast, or eaten with soup and salads. Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links. If …Read more
Savoury Quick Breads include a wide range of bakes, most notably loaves, scones, and muffins. But what they all have in common is that instead of yeast, they’re made using raising agents like baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, or self-raising flour which already has them …Read more
Savoury Mediterranean Quick Bread is an easy but delicious loaf packed with classic Mediterranean flavours: courgette, roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, garlic, herbs like basil, plus nuts, seeds, feta and Parmesan cheeses. Made with self-raising flour and eggs, there’s no kneading and no proofing. …Read more
Smoked Salmon & Egg Salad is delicious, nutritious, and so quick and easy to put together. Protein-rich smoked salmon and boiled egg sit on a salad of lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red onion and radish dressed with a simple vinaigrette. Adding lots of punchy flavour are …Read more
Luxury Tuna Melt takes the ever-popular tuna melt to the next level. With rich tuna flavour, intense cheesiness from Parmesan and Cheddar, egg, plus piquancy from garlic, dill, pickle, mustard, and lemon, I think this really is the ultimate tuna melt. So you can pile …Read more
Corn, Cheese & Spinach Pancakes make a tasty weekend breakfast, brunch or even an easy dinner alongside a salad. As well as plenty of flavoursome cheese, there’s chilli heat, sweetcorn, plus spinach for vibrant colour. Try a stack topped with melting cheese and my Spiced …Read more
Chickpea Feta Salad Sandwich makes an easy and nutritious, tasty and satisfying lunch. Semi-smashed chickpeas are mixed with tangy feta cheese, crunchy veg, garlic and herbs, plus a little creaminess from mayo or yogurt, to create a sandwich filling that’s both healthy and delicious. Disclosure: …Read more
Corned Beef Rissoles are simple, economical comfort food: a soft filling of canned corned beef mixed with cooked potatoes and onions with a crispy golden breadcrumb coating. Great for a weekend breakfast or brunch with eggs or try them as a homely dinner with baked …Read more
Baked Eggs with Mushrooms & Kale is a tasty and healthy one-pan meal. Mushrooms and kale are sauteed in olive oil with garlic before you crack in a couple of eggs. Pop on a lid and a few minutes later you’ve a nutritious breakfast, brunch, or …Read more
Christmas Sausage Pies are individual cold pies of crisp shortcrust pastry filled with delicious herby sausage meat, onions, and chestnuts. Cooked in a 12-hole deep muffin/bun tin, these easy pies are perfect for your Christmas parties and buffets. Also brilliant all year round as a …Read more
Spicy Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew makes a satisfying, comforting bowlful. With an Indian-inspired mix of aromatics, whole and ground spices, this incredibly tasty but easy dish is packed with vegetables and pulses. Eat just as it is, with a dollop of yogurt on top, …Read more
Smoky Not-Baked Beans, spicy with smoked paprika, chipotle chilli flakes, and cumin, might taste like they’ve been lovingly simmered for hours. But they’re actually made in around thirty minutes with a simple base of tinned cannellini beans, onion, garlic, and tomato puree. Enjoy on toast, …Read more
Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup is incredibly simple but tastes so good. With a smooth, silky texture, it’s full of flavour without heavier ingredients like cream found in many versions. In fact, I think this pared-down recipe which allows the vegetables to shine, might be …Read more
Smoked Mackerel Chowder is a complete meal in a bowl with bags of flavour and lots of good things in every spoonful. In this thick, lightly creamy soup there’s chunks of fish, smoky bacon, onion, celery, leeks, garlic, potato, and peas, all flavoured with fresh …Read more