Pasta Alla Norma – Sicily on a Plate: Perhaps this recipe would be better called Spaghetti alla Norma, since that’s the pasta I used. But, this is a classic Sicilian dish with a story. One of the most famous people from Sicily, Vincenzo Bellini was a great composer, particularly of Bel Canto Opera. A signature […]
Pasta Arrabbiata
The Easiest Pasta Lunch – Pasta Arrabbiata: I was sent some pasta from Cook Italian and wanted to see how good it was. In my view, the best way to test the quality of ingredients is to use them to make something very simple. But, the other joy of this recipe is that it forms […]
5-2 Diet Smoked Salmon and Filo Pastry Tart
Getting back to real life and a 5-2 fast day diet freak-out: It seems like a long time since I actually cooked anything myself. Of course, that’s not entirely the case but in the week before the trip to Abruzzo, I was frantically busy and when I did eat at home it was almost always […]
5-2 Diet Meal Planning and Recipes
More on Planning for 5:2 Diet Fast Days I’m really not good at meal planning. It’s probably because living along, I’m used to catering for myself in a kitchen foraging kind of way. At best it leads to inventive cooking. At worst it’s only me who gets to see and eat what ever I happen […]
5-2 Diet Hake with Tomato and Potato
Hake with Tomatoes and Potatoes for the 5:2 Diet: It’s turned very cold today and I’m keen to have a warm meal as part of my 5:2 diet fasting day. This is a low-calorie version of a dish I saw cooked by Paul Harwood at Boscastle Festival a few years ago. The flavour comes partly […]
Pumpkin Jam and Goats Cheese Tarts
Little Goatilicious Tarts from Capricorn: I had a problem today. One remaining goat’s cheese and a desire to make two different tart ideas. And, I was only making lunch for myself, I’m out tomorrow and away for a couple of days after that! So…I really didn’t want to cook too much food. Perhaps just one […]
Tomato Salad with Garlic Prawns
Ten Minute Suppers: I have a passion for real food. While there are some dishes which DO take time, there are also some real easy win things I make for myself when I don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. They don’t involve opening a ready meal box though I do have my own […]
Cod in Foil
Cod in Foil – Getting a little Fishy: You will find me posting quite a few fish recipes over the next few days because I was lucky enough to win a parcel of fish from DelishFish. I’m an unapologetic fish fanatic and I do love fish from Scotland because, of course, it’s where my father’s […]
Pan Fried Seabass on Wilted Spinach with Sauce Vierge
I’ve just had my kitchen redecorated. And that’s resulted in a clear-out of my recipe books – and rediscovery of some old favourites. Michel Guerard’s ‘Cuisine Gourmande’ was one of the first serious cookery books I bought for myself (along with a set of Elizabeth David books). I am ashamed to say I’ve hardly cooked […]