California cuisine seems to be enjoying renewed attention in the UK, not only for its multicultural fusion-cooking, but for its creativity with seasonal, interesting produce – thanks no doubt to our current interests in more adventurous vegetable … [Read more...]
Umbrian baked rigatoni with sausage and peas
This luscious baked pasta dish was served to us as a primo piatto ('first plate' or first course) on our summer holiday in Umbria. Pasta al forno bianca con salsiccia e piselli is rigatoni dressed with a parmesan-rich white-sauce flavoured with … [Read more...]
A Maytime menu to cook together: asparagus and pea ravioli, and coffee crème caramel
May: the landscape is never so alive with growth as it is now, life pushing ahead, making more of itself. It renews us too: our love for life and each other, our desire to connect with all this radiance. A friend was telling me recently as we … [Read more...]
Shepherd’s pie step-by-step
My recipe for this comforting family dish of lamb and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes is offered here by request, with step-by-step instructions. Simple and familiar as it is, it proved very popular recently with family of all ages for being … [Read more...]
Italian comfort: baked chicken with potato, tomato and parmesan
This dish is called 'Aunt Di’s chicken' in our house. It’s one of those comfort meals I grew up eating with the Italian side of my family and have made for many years since for my own family, for friends, and sometimes just for myself in the company … [Read more...]