Chicken & Lentil Stew

March 22, 2007 By Leave a Comment
chickenandlentilstew

I have to admit that a lot of the recipes I do are very much created on the cuff, it is my signature. I have never, not once, had any complaints about a dish... well, maybe once, but that was a resounding failure which you will not get to hear about. I love to create dishes with the ingredients I have to hand - its far more interesting than following a recipe directly - and I have to admit I prefer the cooking experience to be far more organic than most chefs make it (who, in my opinion, try and … [Read more...]

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Croquetas de jamon

February 19, 2007 By Leave a Comment
croquetas-jamon

I first had Croquetas de Jamon when I was on holiday in Nerja, Spain - granted back then they were of the store bought frozen variety but my god they were so very good! They were filled with Jamon de Serrano, a wonderful cured Spanish Ham (one of their greatest exports in my humble opinion). We would have them with a simple tomato salad for lunch. The salad would be drizzled with olive oil, sherry vinega and a light dusting of salt and pepper. Good things sometimes are the most … [Read more...]

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Roast Chicken with Pasta

February 19, 2007 By Leave a Comment
roast-chicken-with-pasta

I threw this dish together one evening when I had some leftover roast chicken, black olives and a selection of vegetables. It was the most wonderful dish I had eaten in a far while because I was living on a fairly tight budget at the time and, well, chicken was a luxury! I have to say that just frying off raw chicken would not have the same taste using pre-roasted has - especially if you have by chance kept some of those gorgeous heart stopping juices - which in this case I used to coat the … [Read more...]

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Pigs in Blankets

December 25, 2006 By 1 Comment
Pigs in Blankets

This was a request made during the course of the day via email. Pigs in Blankets are so exceptionally simple a recipe really is not required. Ingredients Cocktail Sausages [or other sausages sliced into 3 or 4 pieces] Streaky Bacon or Panchetta Instructions Wrap the sausage and other filling in the bacon or panchetta Roast for 30 minutes or grill for around 10 minutes Liven up by adding other ingredients - stuffing, apricots, or oyster … [Read more...]

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Perfect Roast Potatoes

December 25, 2006 By 1 Comment
roast-potatoes

There is nothing more wonderful on a traditional British sunday dinner than a pile of Roast Potatoes. That said, I am quite happy to take them as they come - served with cold homemade ham and coleslaw being a particular favourite of mine. There is really no secret to crispy potatoes - just follow these simple instructions and you will have the best tasting potatoes yet. Ingredients Floury potatoes [Cara or King Edward] Cut into egg size pieces. Duck or Goose Fat* *[Substitution with … [Read more...]

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Ham & Eggs Baked

December 24, 2006 By Leave a Comment
DSC_3971.preview_0

Baked Eggs encased in good ham is a real favourite of mine - done simply on a morning with cursty warm bread. Or this slightly more hearty cheesy version for a light lunch of tea. They are always a welcomed favourite in our household. Ingredients 1 packet of good ham 4 Organic eggs Wedge of Cheddar Wedge of Parmesan 4 small cubes of butter [optional] Salt & Pepper Olive Oil Instructions Make 4 individual or one large. I prefer using 4 small individual dishes. Lightly … [Read more...]

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Cranberry Sauce with Red Wine & Orange

December 24, 2006 By Leave a Comment
cranberry-sauce

This is my own recipe made up on the cuff one fine Christmas day several year ago. Its transpired transpired because I lacked a recipe at the time - and once we had it this way no other recipe would do. Once you have tasted homemade cranberry sauce you'll never buy the readymade again! Personally I love to experiment with my own ideas, and this was a definite winner with my family. Ingredients 1 orange 175g/5oz caster sugar 5 tbsp Red Wine [approximate, I tend to slosh red wine … [Read more...]

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Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

December 24, 2006 By 1 Comment
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Eat Arkansas

Brussel Sprouts have a bit of a raw deal as far as their reputation is concerned - but being the granddaughter of a vegetable grower I have always adored my veggies - especially brussel sprouts. I mean what would a traditional dinner be without a side order of these green gems? I particularly like tossed in olive and lightly fried bacon. But most recently, and this is an addition to this past I made in 2009, I came up with a Bubble & Squeak recipe which has them hidden within - and believe … [Read more...]

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Parsnips in Grain Mustard & Honey

December 24, 2006 By Leave a Comment
parsnips010307

My Grandfather used to grow parsnips in abundance, and they were always served at dinners in abundance.  My Grandfathers used to coated in goose fat and sprinkled with a light sprinkling of salt and freshly ground black pepper. They were the most delicious vegetables I had ever tastes as a child, and it is with some regret that parsnips bought today never really live up to expectations. That said I came up with a modification recently that really did lift the most lifeless shop grown offerings … [Read more...]

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Mushrooms with Garlic & Goats Cheese

December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Mushrooms stuffed with garlic and goats cheese

This is a dish I frequently serve as a starter, or to a vegetarian as a main course. The ingredients are fairly flexible, but I like to serve with French Goats Cheese. It is so simple, and very quick to prepare. Ingredients 1 large spread/flat mushroom per person Goats Cheese [French or Welsh] Salted Butter Olive Oil Salt & Pepper Cooking Instructions Warm some olive oil and a few knobs of butter in a pan, and place the spread mushrooms top side down. Lightly fry for 2-3 … [Read more...]

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