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Recipes for the enthusiastic home cook
Lamb with Anchovy, Garlic & Rosemary is a classic flavour combination found in both France and Italy. In this recipe, it comes in the form of a rich stew. Chunks of tender lamb plus a little belly pork, pancetta or bacon are joined by cannellini …Read more
Batata Harra literally means spicy or hot potatoes. This is my wonderfully moreish version, based on the Lebanese classic. Traditionally deep-fried, I prefer the convenience of roasting the diced potatoes. Dressed with a mix of garlic, spices, herbs and lemon, I think it’s a light, …Read more
Chicken with Mushrooms, Bacon, Garlic & Spinach makes an easy, flavour-packed dinner. Moist, tender chicken thighs with a crispy skin, plus spinach, in a garlicky, buttery broth flavoured with smoky bacon and earthy mushrooms. All it needs is some potatoes, grains or, to increase the …Read more
Za’atar is a versatile Middle Eastern spice blend that’s a useful addition to your kitchen cupboard. Eat it with bread and olive oil, sprinkle over roasted vegetables, salads, eggs or yogurt, in marinades or as a dry rub. While za’atar is becoming more widely available, …Read more
Labneh is a creamy, Middle Eastern style yogurt ‘cheese’ that’s easily made at home. All you do is strain plain, full-fat yogurt for 24-hours until it’s rich and soft like cream cheese. Great for spreading or dipping into, you can flavour it how you like …Read more
Coconut & Lime Cake brings together a classic flavour combination in a light and fluffy treat. The moist, buttery cake has a great balance of sweet coconut and tart lime, and is coated in a simple lime icing. Perfect for dessert or afternoon tea with …Read more
Karniyarik is a Turkish dish of soft baked aubergines stuffed with meat in a tomato sauce. My version includes lamb mince spiced with cumin, cinnamon, and chilli, topped with the traditional slice of green pepper and tomato. Served with rice or bulgur pilaff, a salad …Read more
Empanada de atún is a traditional pie from Galicia, up in Spain’s north west corner, where I’ve enjoyed it many times. Filled with tinned tuna, onions, peppers, olives and hard-boiled eggs in a tomato sauce, the simple ingredients nevertheless create a pie that’s incredibly good. Best …Read more
Homemade Elderflower Cordial is simple and delicious. Make this delicately perfumed drink using foraged flowers found between late May and mid-June. Besides a bowlful of flower heads, the only other ingredients you’ll need are lemons, an orange, sugar and water. Recipe adapted from River Cottage. …Read more
Turkish Eggs with garlic yogurt, or çilbir to give its Turkish name, is a strangely addictive little dish. Gently poached eggs sit on thick and creamy, garlic-scented yogurt, topped with a drizzle of melted spiced butter. Perfect for a light meal on its own, or …Read more
Fresh Mint & Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is probably my favourite flavour of ice cream. And whether you have an all-singing, all-dancing ice cream maker, a simple one like mine, or none at all, this creamy, fresh and indulgent treat is really easy. …Read more
Cheesejacks are moreish little bites of oats baked with cheese and whatever seasonings you fancy. A crispier version of savoury flapjacks, I love them with drinks or just as a tasty nibble on their own. Adapted from The Cranks Recipe Book. CHEESEJACKS & …Read more
Apricot & Almond Scones take a classic combination and use it to flavour wonderfully light, American-style scones. Dried apricots are soaked to bring them back to plump lusciousness and are complemented by flaked almonds and a touch of almond extract. Heavenly with a light drizzle …Read more
Pasta with Sardines & Fennel is my take on a Sicilian classic, but using convenient and easily available tinned sardines. Fresh fennel, fennel seeds, lemon and garlic are joined by raisins and pine nuts. Topped with crispy mollica breadcrumbs or ‘poor man’s Parmesan’, Pasta with …Read more
Five Spice Pork Belly is a rich blend of cubed pork braised in a spicy tomato sauce. As well as Chinese flavours like five spice mix and Shaoxing rice wine, there’s a Thai influence too. The best of both worlds! Try Five Spice Pork Belly …Read more
Salsa Verde with Roasted Cauliflower is perfect for those who love robust flavour. With powerful ingredients like garlic, capers, herbs, & optional anchovies, this Italian cold sauce can enliven so many dishes. In this post I give you my version of Salsa Verde & I …Read more
Beer & Cheese Bread with Oats is a hearty, rustic loaf that’s full of flavour. It’s perfect for eating with cheeses, meats and pickles or alongside soups and stews. In this post I show you how to make it using my easy, no-knead overnight method …Read more
Raspberry & Coconut Scones might just be my best ever scone. Bursting with juicy raspberries and with the sweet taste of coconut brought by desiccated coconut, coconut milk and a light coconut drizzle, I think they’re irresistible. Use fresh or frozen raspberries in these American-style …Read more
Mint Cordial, made with just fresh mint, sugar and water, is a refreshing drink on a hot day. Try it over ice and topped with sparkling water or use it in mojito style cocktails with rum, vodka or gin. If you’re blessed with …Read more
Dandelion Syrup made at home is an interesting little project if you’ve plenty of pesticide-free flowers. Use the golden, delicately flavoured syrup as you would honey: over pancakes, at breakfast with yogurt or oats. Indeed anywhere you want to add sweetness with a little intriguing flavour. …Read more
Sourdough Potato Bread has great flavour, a moist, open crumb, and a wonderfully chewy crust. Inspired by an Italian recipe, I make it with my easy no-knead, overnight method which produces a sensational loaf of bread. Wonderful eaten just as it is, spread with butter, in …Read more
One Bowl Meals are a great way of eating a variety of different foods including loads of vegetables. They’re also perfect for using up leftovers plus odds and ends of veg, helping you reduce food waste and save money. Take a look at my examples, …Read more
Sourdough Crackers are a satisfying way of using up excess sourdough starter. But I think they’re so good it’s worth making extra starter just so you can bake them. Great on their own as a tasty nibble, or eat with cheese, dips or as a …Read more
Blueberry & Lemon Scones, studded with juicy fruit & flavoured with zingy lemon zest, are a not-too-sweet, easy to make treat. Use fresh or frozen blueberries in these American-style scones. To most Brits, a scone is something you slice through the middle and …Read more
Cheese & Ham Scones with Wild Garlic are great when you fancy a change from classic cheese scones. Still with plenty of cheese, they’re also studded with little morsels of ham. When wild garlic is in season, I love the subtle flavour it brings. At …Read more