This picture is a bit misleading because I cheated and used vac-packed ready-cooked chestnuts, but if you’d like to start from scratch and roast your own, have at it. Continue reading
Chestnut and Mushroom Soup
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Grilled Pineapple with Mint Sugar
I know, this is rather a summery dessert for this time of the year, but at least it’s served warm and it’s lovely after a spicy main course.
I needed to cut back my Moroccan mint before winter and didn’t want to waste the pepperminty leaves, so I made some mint sugar then had to decide what it would go best with. If you’re anything like as lazy as me, you’ll love this, an impressive-looking pud with minimum effort. Continue reading
Beef Short Ribs with Quince
Yes, yet another quince recipe, but it’s a good one. Faced with a glut, I’ve been searching my historical British cookery books for a meat-and-quince recipe but can’t find one, which is odd when you think we’ve been cooking these gloriously perfumed fruits since medieval times. Our ancestors seemed to use them exclusively for sweet dishes but if you know different, I’d love to hear from you.
So today’s dish is based on the fragrant Persian/Iranian stew Khoresht-e Beh. Continue reading
Baked Quince with Mead
Quince have been used in British kitchens since (probably) the 13th century and mead’s history goes back even further, so I’ve gone a bit medieval on you today. The flavours complement each perfectly, the sweetness of the fermented honey drink cutting the astringency of the quince. Continue reading
Quince, Maple and Pecan Verrine
A verrine is simply a layered dessert, or sometimes an appetiser, served in a small, usually straight-sided glass. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but for puds something fruity, something crunchy and something creamy usually works. Continue reading
Pig’s Cheek Pie
There’s apparently a pig’s cheek pie on the menu at Tom Kerridge’s new restaurant at the Corinthia Hotel in London. Sadly, this isn’t it. I haven’t been there and judging by the prices quoted in a recent review (£33 for fish and about 12 chips) I probably can’t afford it. But I really liked the idea, so I made my own. Continue reading
Seafood and Sweetcorn Chowder
Our family loves potatoes. My late father-in-law was a distinguished physician but it was remarkable how many of the sympathy letters we received after his death, regardless of whether they were talking of his career or his kindness, also recalled fond memories of going down the garden with him to dig potatoes. Continue reading
Damson and Apple Cheese
We have masses of damsons this year, one of my favourite stoned fruits. Rather than endless pots of jam, I decided to make a damson cheese, which we love to eat with actual cheese.
A fruit cheese is denser than a jam, softer than a fruit leather. If you’re familiar with membrillo, or quince cheese, you’ll get the idea. Damsons are easier than quince to source and I reckon the result is just as good. Continue reading
Cherry and Almond Tartlets
This is a cheat’s version of cherry and almond tarts, knocked up almost entirely from ready-made ingredients. They are so good though … make them before the stoned fruit season is over. Continue reading
Miso-Marinated Salmon with Ginger Noodles
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been under the cudgel work-wise recently, so quick suppers like this one have been a boon. I don’t have a microwave (I know)* and I’m not a fan of expensive and sugar- and salt-laden ready meals, so it’s good to be able to whip up something that’s as tasty as it is nutritious. Continue reading
