** I don’t know about you but I am in need of some comfort. And I’m not just referring to the sudden slide from a sun-filled summer to an uncertain autumn. The daily punctures to reality as delivered by the news have me deeply unsettled and yearning for comfort in all forms: hugs with …
A hearty and rich cold weather comfort blanket of a recipe, with red wine, herbs, beans and wild mushrooms. Like any stew this vegan bean bourguignon gets better after a couple of days of flavour mingling, so make enough for leftovers. I’m feeling a bit sheepish. This is the longest I have gone without writing …
Enjoy this fuss-free, family-friendly vegan pasta dish for a midweek supper, or at the weekend with a glass of wine. Full of nutritious beta-carotene and quercetin, this healthy, creamy mac and cheese look-alike is full of the goodness of sweet pumpkin and tender roasted red onion. Make it gluten-free with your favourite g-f pasta shapes. A …
Nearly everyone and everything says that autumn has arrived: my flame-red Virginia Creeper climbing up the garage; the carpet of crispy oak leaves on my sad excuse for a lawn; excitable foodies on Instagram going pumpkin latte-mad; pull-out newspaper supplements with food porn shots of, yup, pumpkins. So I’m finding this warm weather really confusing. The shops are full of pumpkin this …
What do you do when Spring goes back into hiding? Do you flip on the heat? Invite your cat or dog onto your lap? Pull on your favourite sloppy (old and moth-eaten) wooly jumper whilst simultaneously switching on the kettle for a cup of tea? Dear reader, I have done all of the above. And, after …
This post is in support of the Waitrose #AutumnWarmers campaign. Details below. Have you ever had an idea that pesters you until you make it a reality? You go about your daily tasks, head down in work, or beetling about ferrying kids hither and yonder, but still the thought doesn’t leave you. It drifts into your …
Potatoes get more than their fair share of love. While not disliking potatoes, my grown up palate prefers other vegetables to this white, perfectly pleasant tuber. I do persist in buying potatoes – keeping them cool and dark like one is supposed to – but more often than not these are the vegetables that grow …
In ‘real life’ I cook for others. Not usually for more than 20 at a time, but occasionally it will be a more heart-thumping 30, or even 50. By. My. Self. I still get a little nervous when I accept the challenge of cooking for more than my comfort zone of 20 – which is my …
Gnocchi are ridiculously easy to make. Time-consuming, yes, but easy. To be honest I like a good-quality bought potato gnocchi. Every once in awhile I sling a pack or two in the shopping trolley, knowing I am halfway to a quick meal. Maybe heating up a homemade sauce I have pulled from the freezer to …
What an odd title. Deconstructed and Reconstructed Rhubarb and Fruit Crumble. A bit poncey sounding. It may conjure up a Meccano set of Heston Blumenthal wizardry to some. Or little dollops of fruit, crumble and custard artfully triangulated on a plate to others. It is neither. It is just my way of making crumble suitable for now …