Tag Archives: comfort food

Mushroom, Lentil & Red Wine ‘Shepherd’s’ Pie… (He’s a veg shepherd. Obvs.)

The crisp cold and frosty season is well and truly upon us.  The air is cold and the sky is blue, which can provide light relief from the January blues…  The stillness of winter reminds us how important rest is though.  Pacing ourselves, and taking time to be still, whether that’s sitting with a warmContinue reading “Mushroom, Lentil & Red Wine ‘Shepherd’s’ Pie… (He’s a veg shepherd. Obvs.)”

Roast Butternut Squash & Sage Lasagne

Sometimes, only pasta, baked in cheesy sauce will do.  Laced with nutmeg, layered with smooth seasonal roast butternut squash and herby tomato sauce… Served with baby spinach and rocket and eaten until it’s gone… because really, it’s never as good tomorrow, and I probably wont fancy it then anyway… digging my fork in the dishContinue reading “Roast Butternut Squash & Sage Lasagne”

It’s the Sweet, Spicy, Splendid Smell of Christmas Eve, The Christmas Ham!

Cooking it all day long is Sooooo Christmas!  It’s a ritual and a tradition on Christmas Eve… It fills the house with sweet smells and warmth.  The whir of the oven warming while the pan bubbles on the hob.  It melts in the mouth once it’s cooked and it’s as good cold as it isContinue reading “It’s the Sweet, Spicy, Splendid Smell of Christmas Eve, The Christmas Ham!”

Lasagne & Roast Potatoes Anyone? Or Herby Red Lentil Lasagne…

It wasn’t until I was a grown up that anyone questioned our standard family supper of lasagne and roast potatoes… It gives me quite a giggle to think about it now!  What a carb fest, extreme comfort food!  Although I’ve dropped the addition of roast potatoes from this dish, I do often make a lasagne,Continue reading “Lasagne & Roast Potatoes Anyone? Or Herby Red Lentil Lasagne…”

Roast Garlic & Potato Salad… A Hearty Winter Warmer…

This is a really warming, salty, hearty salad, the kind of salad that winter evenings call for…  We spent the morning hiking around Box Hill, about 6 miles in all up and down, a bit of a mash up of the stepping stones walk, box hill hike, juniper top trail and happy valley trail… ItContinue reading “Roast Garlic & Potato Salad… A Hearty Winter Warmer…”

Roast Curried Squash and Cauliflower Dhal aka Waste Not Want Not

“Pumpkin sooooooooup….Owwwwwww” Groaned the kids when I told them what was for tea… To be honest I’m feeling a bit the same.  The best thing about eating seasonally is how much we enjoy the first ripe fruit or veg of the season, remembering last year’s recipes and creating something new.  It’s a creative challenge keepingContinue reading “Roast Curried Squash and Cauliflower Dhal aka Waste Not Want Not”

Arancini with Spicy Tomatoes and Black Eye Beans

This is truly indulgent, especially the day after risotto!  But what can you do when there are leftovers that need to be used up?  And, anything in breadcrumbs goes down well with the kids… I haven’t made Arancini other than with leftover risotto, and honestly I think this is the best way, it’s full ofContinue reading “Arancini with Spicy Tomatoes and Black Eye Beans”

Shiitake Mushroom and Thyme Risotto

Risotto follows roast chicken almost always in our house.  Once the chicken is more or less stripped of breast meat I boil the carcass to create a stock.  I have a slightly ‘war time’ attitude to waste.  Being only a generation removed, and the oldest child of a single mother my conscience will not allowContinue reading “Shiitake Mushroom and Thyme Risotto”

Roast Caramelised Autumn Veg Salad aka A Beetroot Affair to Remember

This is a beautifully warm, earthy salad… rich in flavour and texture.  I’ve got an abundance of gem squash at the moment thanks Jude, my allotment neighbour and still plenty of beetroot… Oh beetroot… In the words of Tom Robbins; ‘The beet is the most intense of vegetables…the murderer returned to the scene of theContinue reading “Roast Caramelised Autumn Veg Salad aka A Beetroot Affair to Remember”

Cheap as Chips with Bestival Sauce

This is a great side or snack… The kids love it and I love picking on it when they have it! Using olive oil, and cutting out any dehydrated potato or additional starch or flavour that can be found in commercial potato products, these take 25 minutes in the oven.  As quick as most frozenContinue reading “Cheap as Chips with Bestival Sauce”

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