Monthly Archives: December 2011

…and my blogging year ends

Last year I discovered the secret to true relaxation, at least these days. I was spending Christmas in the States and not only could I not use my iPhone, not without incurring huge charges anyway, but I also decided to … Continue reading

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Christmas begins…

Today has been a day devoted to food. I am spending Christmas with friends, so I thought I’d better make some contributions. First I soaked fruit for the second Dundee cake of the week (Delia’s), made mince pies (Delia’s mincemeat; … Continue reading

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Rib-sticking, warming and filling leek, potato and bacon bake

The oven is your friend I wrote yesterday, even when the washing machine is not. This time last year my roof terrace was being ripped up and replaced to stop it leaking into my neighbours’ kitchen (it started the day, … Continue reading

Posted in Potato recipes, Seasonal store cupboards, Winter vegetables | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The oven is your friend: roast pork belly with braised red cabbage

If ever there was a week when fast and easy food was required, it’s this one. Most people will be finishing work, or travelling, or writing and buying the last Christmas cards and presents or, poor sods, all of the … Continue reading

Posted in Pork recipes, RIver Cottage Everyday, Riverford Farm Cook Book, Winter vegetables | Tagged , | 6 Comments

An easy pre-Christmas pad Thai for the chronically disorganised

I have my Twiglets and my Mini Cheddars. I have stocked up on Roka Cheese Crispies and some delectable smoked duck. I even have a large tin of Quality Street. However, I seem to have missed the Wine Society’s Christmas … Continue reading

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Birthday treats: Dan Lepard’s pear turnovers

A little off-piste post today. It’s my birthday and, well, it’s all about the treats. First, a little light baking: Dan Lepard‘s delicious and never-before-tried sugar-crusted pear turnovers. Easy-peasy and just yum with a homemade latte. No, I didn’t spend … Continue reading

Posted in Cake recipes, Short and Sweet | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Mushrooms with lemon, garlic, parsley and potato purée

I proofread the new edition of Richard Mabey’s Food For Free last week and I was rather in awe of the number of delicious things that can be had for nothing in the British countryside. First published in 1972 years … Continue reading

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An amazing leek and Parmesan soup

What lingers in your fridge? What are the foodstuffs that you either a) always have too much of and/or b) hang on to because it/they will, of course come in handy at some point? I am guilty of always having … Continue reading

Posted in Cheese recipes, One pot, Soup recipes, The Kitchen Diaries | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Roasted poussin, or chicken, with lemon and sumac

I went to a party to celebrate (rather than, as is more usual, launch) Dan Lepard’s Short and Sweet the other night. It took place in the newest Comptoir Libanais, in South Kensington, a very simple yet striking restaurant, canteen-like … Continue reading

Posted in Arabesque, Chicken recipes, Claudia Roden, One pot, Yotam Ottolenghi | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Baked onions with cream and Parmesan

One of the quickest, and to be fair yummiest, dinners on the planet has to involve buying a ready-roasted chicken from the supermarket rotisserie and eating it with some salad. But, although that’s fine in the summer, in the winter, … Continue reading

Posted in Nigel Slater, The Kitchen Diaries, Winter vegetables | Tagged , , | Leave a comment