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Recipes for the enthusiastic home cook
Beef Short Rib Ragu must be one of the best things I’ve made this year. The meaty ribs are cooked with garlic, wine, tomatoes and a few other goodies until meltingly soft. The beef is then shredded and added to the semi-pureed sauce to make …Read more
If you’re a porridge fan like me, then you’re going to love overnight oats. In this post I show you how to make Carrot Cake Overnight Oats – a nutritious, easy breakfast with all the flavour of a spicy carrot cake. Great for when you …Read more
I’ve called my Vegetable Noodle Stir Fry Pad Thai-style because its flavouring is very similar to the Thai original. But the big difference is that instead of the traditional rice noodles, I use thin julienned vegetables like courgette and carrot. Not only does this taste …Read more
Venison Stew is rich, comforting, warming and utterly satisfying. In short, it’s just what’s needed at this time of year, with Autumn turning to Winter. Even better, cook some traditional, fluffy Suet Dumplings on top of the stew and let them soak up all that …Read more
Split Pea & Ham Soup is a fabulous warming dish for Autumn or Winter. Packed with nutritious, fibre and protein-rich dried peas, plenty of vegetables and tasty ham, it’s top-notch comfort food. SPLIT PEA & HAM SOUP: A BRITISH CLASSIC Versions of …Read more
Cobb Salad is one of those dishes we rarely see in Britain. But I think this hearty, main course salad, a classic in its US home, is one more of us really ought to try. With chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and blue cheese, all …Read more
Corn, Red Pepper & Coconut Curry is subtly spiced, creamy and delicious. Inspired by the dishes of South and West India, it’s entirely plant based. Use fresh, tinned or frozen corn. I think Indian cooking must be the best in the world for inspiring, …Read more
Creamy Mushroom Risotto is classic comfort food. But in this recipe I show you how to make it even more special. Using a combination of fresh, dried and speciality mushrooms, it’s full of earthy flavour. Then, when the risotto’s cooked, I lay slices of rich …Read more
These Banana Chocolate Muffins are so easy to make, yet taste incredible. Light and moist, filled with banana flavour, chunks of milk chocolate and a hint of cinnamon. Best made with very ripe bananas, they’re a great way of using those brown bananas in your …Read more
Simple Lentil Soup must be one of the first soups I ever made. With ingredients I always have to hand – red lentils, onion, garlic, cumin, lemon – it’s easy to make a batch whenever I fancy something warming and comforting. The easy recipe can …Read more
I think you’ll love these homemade crusty bread rolls with a fabulously crunchy outside and a soft, open-textured crumb within. And the really great news is that there isn’t any kneading involved. Mix the dough in the evening and you can have fresh homemade crusty …Read more
Creamy White Bean Soup is incredibly easy to make but so satisfying. Its creaminess comes largely from beans such as cannellini cooked in stock and milk along with onions, celery and garlic. Pureed with a hand blender, the soup is rich and smooth even if …Read more
Vitamin Rich Salad with Tahini-Soy Dressing is just what’s needed at this time of year. With the onset of the season for coughs, colds and sniffles you’ll want to look after your immune system to help fight those bugs. And this colourful salad just happens …Read more
Smoked Mackerel Fish Fingers are so easy to make yet feel like a real treat. The crunchy breadcrumb coating surrounds a soft, rich mix of potato and smoked mackerel flavoured with lemon and spring onion. Who doesn’t love fish fingers? For me, they’re …Read more
These Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins are the perfect flavour combination. Tart, fruity raspberries studded throughout a buttery cake alongside creamy, sweet white chocolate. I guess it was only with the rise of the big US coffee shops across Britain that ‘muffin’ came to …Read more
Chunky and satisfying, Vegetable Tomato Soup is so easy to make. Infinitely adaptable by using whatever vegetables and herbs you have to hand. Add cooked beans or lentils to make it even heartier. THE SEASON FOR SOUPS & STEWS As I write this, the …Read more
I’ve called these tasty squares, packed with vegetables, feta cheese, herbs, nuts and seeds ‘flapjacks’. But they’re so much more than a savoury version of the popular oaty snack. Great hot or cold, I eat Vegetable Feta Flapjacks as a vegetarian main course with lots …Read more
Stuffed Breast of Lamb, filled with feta, red pepper and mint, turns an underused cut of meat into a delicious treat. I think it’s about time economical and tasty breast of lamb starting appearing on more tables. And this magnificent slow roasted dish might just …Read more
On chilly mornings I love this easy, creamy and delicious coconut porridge. Although fabulous on its own I like to top with fruit, seeds, nuts or nut butter for a nutritious, filling breakfast. To ring the changes, I sometimes flavour my Coconut Porridge by cooking …Read more
Fiery Harissa Dressing is fabulous drizzled over salads, falafel, roasted vegetables, meat and fish. Mixed with yogurt, hummus, tahini or mayo you can create a whole host of spicy dressings. Harissa Dressing also makes a great marinade for meat. WHAT IS HARISSA? Harissa is …Read more
Cauliflower Hash Browns are a lighter, low carb alternative to the traditional potato hash brown. But that doesn’t mean you need to compromise on flavour in this tasty recipe. I’ve recently transformed from someone who could take or leave cauliflower into one who eats it …Read more
Whether you’re new to the spicy North African dish of Shakshuka or already love it, you’ll want to try this incredible version. To the rich pepper and tomato stew with its topping of eggs, I’ve added merguez spiced meatballs to make it extra special. …Read more
An easy recipe for homemade Pitta Bread that will give you soft, delicious pockets every time. Fill with your choice of salad, falafel, meat, fish or vegetables or use to scoop up dips like hummus. HOMEMADE IS BEST I’m a bit of a fanatic …Read more
Deliciously creamy chia pudding makes a fabulous breakfast, snack or dessert and you’ll love this easy, overnight recipe. Great on its own or customize it by adding fruits, nuts, seeds or even a layer of smoothie. I’ve only recently got into chia pudding, …Read more
My first experiment with savoury flapjacks turned out even better than expected. These quickly and easily made squares, packed with courgette, onion, carrots, nuts, seeds, oats and cheese, flavoured with sage, are great for a snack, picnics and packed lunches. I’ve also discovered they can …Read more