These mini ham terrines are spiked with cornichons and capers and gosh, they are good. They make perfect individual portions either as a generous starter or, with some crusty bread, salad and pickles, a light lunch or supper. Continue reading
Autumn is nearly upon us and it’s been so unsettled it took the farmer nearly a fortnight to harvest the wheat field at the bottom of our garden. Nonetheless I’m clinging to the end of summer and the hope of more sunshine between the downpours.
If the weather is hot and you don’t want to stand over the stove for too long, or if you’re like me and just can’t face reality, this recipe is perfect. It’s lively with sweet/sour/salt/hot flavours and requires the minimum of cooking. Continue reading
I made some merguez sausages recently – proper ones, with lamb and spices, stuffed into actual sausage skins. They were fabulous. But it occurred to me, brainbox that I am, that most people don’t have the time or inclination to make their own sausages, or indeed possess a sausage stuffer. So this is for you. You’re welcome. Continue reading
Saltimbocca means ‘leap in the mouth’, presumably because it’s so good your tastebuds jump for joy. Like so much Italian food, it’s the simplest of dishes, its impact relying on good ingredients and precise cooking. Continue reading
Hand on heart, I’ve never seen so many hams in my life, even at a rugby international. Wall to wall and floor to ceiling, the curing rooms at Salumificio Viani were ham-packed. (Sorry.) Continue reading
Pies and tarts and crumbles are wonderful, but rhubarb works brilliantly in savoury recipes too, so I sprang to attention with quivering whiskers when a friend told me she’d used it in a sweet and sour stir-fry. Continue reading
Cotechino is an Italian sausage traditionally eaten at New Year. Simmered, rather than fried, it is sliced into rings and served with lentils, the round shapes of each symbolising coins and therefore hopefully good fortune for the coming 12 months. Continue reading
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
A rack of pork is a splendid thing and makes an eye-catching and generous Sunday lunch. Cooking chops en masse this way ensures they come out perfectly succulent. Like yours better done? Eat the end ones. Prefer your pork a bit pinker? Plump for one from the middle. Continue reading
A bit like a schnitzel but with a nutty, zesty, herby crumb, these take minutes to make and cook and are really quite addictive. Serve them with lots of lemon to squeeze over. Continue reading