Recipes from a passionate cook & foodie
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
In the heart of winter there is nothing more warming that a hearty soup. Other times one craves a slightly lighter soup which is packed full of vegetables and vitamins. I find this fills both needs in my book. I love its vibrant green colour which can give life to the most grey of days. If you really do need an emotional pick me up without all the fat and useless calories then this really is the soup for you. Ingredients:: 1 Large Onion 2 Medium Potatoes 2 stalks of … [Read more...]
I have always wondered why people continue to purchase runny lack lustre versions of this much loved, and extremely simple dish. My version is so simple, and yet so very tasty you will never buy another frozen version again. Sometimes I like to throw a little broccoli into the mix - adds an extra touch of goodness and colour to his much loved recipe. A really nice tip is to sprinkle a light dusting of parmesan or other hard cheese to the top (maybe even a very light dusting of toasted … [Read more...]
This Green Tomato Chutney recipe has been in my family for quite some time. I have not personally made it for a number of years - not since I was a child really. Namely because it is difficult to purchase green tomatoes (semi-recipe yes, but not green). We used to grow them when I was a child, but in the absense of a greenhouse we have been unable to grow them. I attempted this year, and finally came up with a reasonably nice crop of cherry tomatoes which I decided to use (unfortunately they … [Read more...]