I am usually quite good at using up vegetables before they spoil. I wish I could be more like Alex, and plan my weekly meals, but I am much more of a reactionary cook based on what ingredients are present and what inspires me. Let me tell you, this is where Stephanie Alexander’s The Cook’s Companion […]
Tag: Vegetarian
Spicy Blue Cheese and Avocado Dip*
Blue cheese and avocado are easily two of my favourite hors d’oeuvre ingredients so I can’t understand how I overlooked the possibility of combining them into one magnificent dip. Of course, that’s what the professionals are for; providing flavour inspirations that test the boundaries and occasionally stumbling upon a jackpot like this. Sorry if I […]
Chocolate (Vegan) Olive Oil Cake
This cake is delicious. I was expecting a dense cake, and was surprised by its light and fluffy texture. I made this on a lovely lazy Sunday afternoon. When I first leisurely flicked through Nigellissima, I was instantly drawn to this recipe. It reminded me of the Vegan Chocolate Cake I love.If I had to […]
Caramel Pecan Slice
I rarely make a slice (or a bar as they are also known abroad). I’m not sure why that is, as I usually love the result and they are often much easier than they appear. I think it can be traced to a failed attempt at a caramel slice many, many years ago. This slice […]
Lazy Loaf from Nigella Lawson
Flicking through my latest cookbook purchase (Nigella Express – a little late, I know), I was interested to see a recipe for oat bread included in a booked titled Express, given that making bread is a notoriously lengthy process. Reading the recipe however, I can see how the ‘express’ section of the recipe comes into […]
Mexican Lasagna
Once again this recipe was first published by Nigella Lawson in Kitchen. It was always one of those recipes I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try but looked easy enough. I first made this in December. Mum was in hospital and I needed to make dinner for the rest of the week, without any […]
Blythe Danner’s Blueberry Muffins
I love muffins. They require very little effort but can be gloriously rewarding. There are so many recipes, endless combinations and it seems everyone has their own little secret. I remember in year eight Home Economics, our teacher said that muffins should only be stirred 6 times. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t mixed completely, but […]
Caramelised onion & blue cheese tarts from Stephanie Alexander
Or “how to turn a wedge of leftover blue-vein cheese into the most fantastic canapes” Blue-vein cheese is an acquired taste but in our house it is an essential addition to every cheese platter. Having bought this for a lazy, luxury friday night dinner, we found it too much to finish off between the two […]
Mel’s (Famous) Cheese and Basil Muffins
I collect recipes. I love talking to people about cooking, about techniques and there is nothing I love more than someone sharing their recipe. This trait is a gift from my mother. The title is a little misleading as it’s not my original recipe. My mother Maria, received this recipe from a parent of one of my sisters primary […]
Minestrone Soup
Sunday nights are usually lazy affairs, heralding as they do the dawn of a new working week. If I can summon the energy, I like to make something for my lunch over the coming week – a soup, a stew, a lasagna etc. Last Sunday I decided to make Minestrone soup, knowing my birthday was […]
A Tale of Two Kitchens 