Sweetcorn Pancake Fritters

This recipe evolved from some experimentation when I wanted to make some corn fritters to serve with Chicken Gumbo, although it was not difficult to work out a satisfactory recipe.  I wanted a fritter that involved shallow frying using a minimum of oil, rather than a calorie laden deep fried version.  (I do not own a deep fat fryer.)  After [...]

Read Full Post »

Hyacinth’s Salt Fish Cakes

I have eaten lots of Caribbean Salt Fish Cakes but my friend Hyacinth, originally from Jamaica, definitely makes the very best Salt Fish Cakes in E17!  They always ‘go like hot (fish) cakes’ when she brings them to church shared lunches.  One thing that makes them particularly good are that they are crispy outside, soft inside and most importantly, unlike [...]

Read Full Post »

Chorizo, Pepper & Couscous Stuffed Marrow

Having bought several marrows as they were very reasonably priced on the market, I searched through my books and on the web for some tasty ideas.  This one caught my attention, especially as it used both couscous, which is lovely as a vegetable stuffing and spicy chorizo sausage.  You could add some bacon to the couscous stuffing and top [...]

Read Full Post »

Baked Tomato Stuffed Marrow

Having bought a marrow on the market I wanted to find a simple recipe so I could stuff and bake it.  I found several online and eventually decided on this very simple meat free version.  It is worth spending time reducing the tomato mixture as this gives a really rich smooth sauce.  Don’t stint on the basil either [...]

Read Full Post »

Raw Beetroot Salad

Mostly we boil beetroot and serve it very plain as part of a salad, with or without a splash of vinegar.  In the past I made a delicious recipe where cooked chopped raw beetroot was used as part of a beef stew (lovely – must find that recipe and do it again!). I have also seen it used, grated, as an ingredient in [...]

Read Full Post »

Tuna & Bean Salad

This speedy Italian style salad can be put together in minutes using tinned tuna and, for speed, tinned beans. I used black-eye beans but haricot or cannellini beans could be substituted.  A good mayonnaise, home made if available, could be used as an alternative to the olive oil and lemon juice dressing but the beans should be [...]

Read Full Post »

Sweet Pepper Salad

I found this recipe, a previously pulled out page from a magazine, when hunting down some recipes for salads with a difference.  It is good to have some simple ideas to hand as an alternative or addition to the usual green leaves and cucumber salad mixture.  I love cold ratatouille almost more than hot ratatouille so I knew [...]

Read Full Post »

Special Pilaf Kedgeree

Kedgeree comes from Anglo-Indian origins, being conceived by the colonials of the British Raj in the 19th Century using the spices which were freely available in India. The recipe was then brought home to be enjoyed by Victorian families. It was, and still is, usually eaten at breakfast, more commonly now on restaurant menus, but it can also be a light main course or served in a small portion [...]

Read Full Post »

Prawn & Tomato Korma

This dish reminds me of one of my favourite Indian Restaurant starters, Prawns on Puri – where the spicy prawn mixture is served on puri (alternatively called poori or boori), a south Asian unleavened bread. I occasionally serve Indian food at Supper parties and this would be a good starter. Using a mild, ready mixed, [...]

Read Full Post »

Chilled Citrus & Melon Cocktail

This extremely quick and simple chilled fruit cocktail makes an ideal starter for a summer supper, but can be served at any time of the year, particularly before rich main and dessert courses.  It also makes a refreshing start to the day served as part of  breakfast or brunch. If serving at a dinner party, I always make plenty as any leftovers [...]

Read Full Post »