Ingredients: 250g spaghetti 2 cloves garlic, chopped pinch of dried chilli flakes small handful chopped parsley (optional) Method: Cook the spaghetti in plenty salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, in a small frying pan pour in a good amount (about 4 tbsp) good extra virgin olive oil. While the oil is still cold, put in […]
Ingredients: 1 small red onion, finely sliced 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 6-8 ripe cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved or quartered (1 x 400g) tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed Small handful of parsley, chopped Juice of half a lemon Extra- virgin olive oil 150g-200g smoked mackerel, skinned and broken into chunks Salt and black […]
Ingredients: olive oil 150g broccoli, cut into small florets large clove of garlic, chopped 3 tbsp pine nuts 1 red chilli, chopped (can also use pinch of chilli flakes) splash of white wine a couple of fresh tomatoes, chopped 200g orecchiette fresh parsley, chopped parmesan cheese, grated to serve Method: Bring a large pan of […]
Ingredients: 1 large chicken breast, cut into strips 1 small clove garlic, chopped 100ml white wine 150ml double cream 120g blue cheese (Dolcelatte is ideal), cut into cubes handful of parsley, chopped some grated parmesan 200g tagliatelle a small handful of toasted pine nuts to garnish Method: Proper comfort food but with a bit of […]
Ingredients: olive oil 200g lamb mince 1 carrot, cut into small dice 2 cloves garlic, chopped about a tsp of finely chopped fresh rosemary 100ml white wine 4-6 cherry tomatoes, halved salt and pepper 200g tagliatelle parmesan to serve Method: Heat the olive oil in a casserole pan and brown the mince, breaking up any […]
Ingredients: 1.5 litres chicken or vegetable stock Salt and pepper 500g very ripe plum tomatoes (can use tinned) 50g butter 2 tbsp olive oil 1 head celery, white tender parts only, finely chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped 300g risotto rice […]
Ingredients: 1.5 litres chicken or vegetable stock salt and pepper 175g ricotta cheese 3 tbsp olive oil 1 medium red onion, finely chopped 300g risotto rice 100g fresh basil leaves, finely shredded 100g parmesan, grated Method: Heat the stock and check for seasoning. Break up ricotta with a fork. Heat oil in large pan and […]
It’s hard to beat risotto for comfort food, this pumpkin risotto has a great sweet flavour. The butter and parmesan at the end is essential.
Ingredients: 200g Risotto rice 1 litre of good quality chicken or vegetable stock 1 onion finely sliced A glug of white wine or marsala 25g of unsalted butter 25g of grated parmesan Method: Put the stock in a pan and bring to a simmering boil. Blanch the asparagus spears in the stock for a couple […]
Ingredients: 2 medium sized potatoes, sliced (width of a pound coin) 6 slices of thin pancetta, finely chopped Half a red pepper, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 1 clove of garlic, chopped 1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional) Half a cup of frozen peas a handful of fresh parsley, chopped (optional) Olive oil for […]
Ingredients: 400g mascarpone 4 eggs, separated 4 tbsp caster sugar 2 tsp espresso 8 tbsp weak coffee 3-4 tbsp Marsala, brandy or rum about 20 Boudoir biscuits 2 tsp cocoa powder 2 tsp finely ground coffee Method: In a large bowl whisk the egg yolks until they go pale. Add the mascarpone and beat together […]
Ingredients: 568ml double cream 140ml milk 140g caster sugar 3 sheets gelatine 3 tbsp rosewater Method: Bring the cream, milk and sugar to the boil, turn down and simmer for 5 mins or until reduced by a third. Soften the gelatine in cold water. Squeeze out the extra water and put the gelatine in a […]
Ingredients: A little butter for greasing 25g amaretti biscuits, crushed 500g ricotta 4 eggs, separated 3 tbsp plain flour 250g golden caster sugar Finely grated rind of 2 oranges 5 tbsp Cointreau or Grand Marnier 300g blueberries Juice from one of the oranges Method: Butter a 25cm round springform cake tin and dust with the […]
Ingredients: Tiramisu: 1 sheet leaf gelatine 90ml hot espresso 50g caster sugar 3 large egg yolks 150g mascarpone 50ml whole milk 75ml double cream Espresso granita: 150g caster sugar 250ml water 200ml espresso, cooled 70ml chicory essence (Camp coffee) Mascarpone sorbet: 50g caster sugar 100ml water juice of half a lemon 25g liquid glucose 500g […]
Ingredients: 2 vanilla pods 1 bottle amarone or Barolo wine 225g sugar Small cinnamon stick Zest and juice of 1 orange Small bunch of fresh thyme 8 comice pears, peeled and base removed 250g butter, cubed Method: Preheat oven to 190C. Split the vanilla pods and remove seeds. Put seeds and pods into a casserole […]