Mushroom and Tahini Soup

This week I’ve cooked a fair bit, and have failed to write about it so apologies. Working from home should, in theory, give me more writing time but in fact it does the opposite, because I spend all day writing for work and then the almost scrivener brain gives up at the end of the …

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Pumpkin, Apple and Cabbage Stew

I'm not fond of the word 'stew'. It seems to denote something grey and overcooked when often it is neither of those things. Stews can contain layers of flavour and even though the colour may not be as full of sparkle as, say, a vibrant salad with pops of red and bright green, they can …

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Ricette Perfette’s Vegetable Loaf

Note: The featured banner image is AI generated. This inspired my own version, which doesn't use wheat flour. Essentially this is a lot of cooked and very well seasoned vegetables mixed into an egg and chickpea flour based batter then baked until firm. You could change up the veg, add a ton more spice - …

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Herby Lamb Cobbler

I even remember making this in 2008. I remember the taste, and how delicious it was. I'm glad I found the recipe again! I think it was a BBC Good Food one, hence the posh bits. 🙂 Ingredients1 tbsp sunflower oil (I used smoked olive oil)200g smoked streaky bacon , preferably in one piece, skinned …

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Easy Beans

Ok, yes, tinned beans are easy anyway, but sometimes you want more than just a plain bean. 1 tin butter beans Extra virgin olive oil 2 chopped fresh tomatoes, medium sized (PLEASE don't refrigerate your tomatoes, it ruins their structure) or 2 canned plum tomatoes, broken up 2 heaped tbs tomato puree 1/2-1 tsp salt …

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Beetroot Apple & Onion Chutney

I do not like beetroot. There. I said it. It has that earthy-too-close-to-mould taste and I find it tricky. However, when my Nan made this, I think it ended up on everything. It is wonderful on a cheese sandwich, but do remember you've been eating it... Beetroot, Apple and Onion Chutney (Nan’s Recipe, her words.) …

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Hot Caponata Vinaigrette Dressing

Inspired by the flavours in caponata, so Italians, don't shout at me. This is handy to use up the ends of aubergines, which is why I made it as I hate throwing anything away. The juices cry out for a good chunk of bread to mop them up. 10-15 ripe cherry or baby plum tomatoesExtra …

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Mix It Up Rice Pot

I make this all the time. Husband loves it, especially with frankfurters as they get their smoke flavour right into the rice. You can change up the spice mix, change the beans, not add beans, add peas not sweetcorn, or use grated carrot, any veg chopped small so it cooks in 15 mins. Add chopped …

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Fresh Spinach Pancakes (no wheat flour)

1 bag fresh spinach, chopped finely1 medium egg3 level tbs gram flour2 level tbs flax seeds, finely ground1/2 tsp dried yeast60g warm water1/2 tsp salt Add the water and yeast to the gram flour and whisk to get all the lumps out. Let it stand for about 15 minutes. It won't floof up much, but …

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Parsnip Cake – a take on Lo Bak Go

No, not a sponge cake. This is a delicious, savoury cake of subtly flavoured and spiced steamed parsnip. Those of you familiar with dim sum restaurants may know it as Turnip Cake, but Chinese Turnip is hard to get where I live unless I make a special trip. What I did have, however, was a …

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