Last Minute Mincemeat & Mince Pies

Mincemeat is a traditional sweetened filling which has altered down the centuries.  It no longer contains minced meat (originally mutton or pork), of course, but most mincemeat includes shredded beef or vegetarian suet.  Mincemeat is relatively easy to make, but sometimes time is tight and this is a useful shortcut.  This is an easy version for improving on [...]

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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 [...]

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Basic Recipe: Tortilla Omelette – with Bacon, Mushroom & Spinach

Last year on holiday in the French Basque country the Spanish influence was clearly visible on the menus and in the supermarkets.  One of these was the Tortilla, sometimes called a Spanish Omelette – a Spanish word being used just over the border.  In Italy the word used for this type of dish is Frittata.  The French word is, [...]

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Eggs Flamenco

The family felt that this had an ‘All day breakfast’ feel to it and it certainly would not be out of place as a ‘brunch’ meal as well as being a tasty and not to heavy main meal.  It was listed in the book as a substantial snack, but I served it as a light supper dish on [...]

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Pork Sausages Indian Style

This recipe has made a welcome re-appearance in our house having not been made for several years.  It is relatively simple to make, with the very little extra work of cooking with fresh/frozen ginger, garlic and ground spices being well worth it: it beats a ready made sauce from a jar any day!  You know exactly what you [...]

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Smoked Salmon, Fennel & Onion Quiche

This recipe was scribbled down from the television while I was watching Delia Smith’s new How to Cheat at Cooking series when it first aired last year. I have the original 1971 How to Cheat at Cooking paperback but there is nothing as posh as smoked salmon in it, as far as I can remember!  
Delia’s demonstrated recipe [...]

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Roast Mixed Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar

This colourful vegetable assortment, which can be varied as you wish, is a good accompaniment for a roast dinner and is especially useful (and easy) if you are entertaining for Sunday lunch as preparation can be done in advance.  The vegetables used can vary according to season, or availability, though I suggest that onion is an essential starting point unless you [...]

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Spicy Chicken with Chickpea Couscous

Adapted from a recipe cut from our local newspaper, the Waltham Forest Guardian and a very quick and simple supper dish, once the oven is up to temperature. The original is a Waitrose recipe which I have since found on their site.
The original recipe suggested a vegetarian alternative, replacing the meat with butternut squash or [...]

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