It's raining and cold, so the only thing for it is to bake a batch of cookies. Making snickerdoodles is a guaranteed cheer-up activity. They don't require unusual ingredients (no need to nip out in bad weather), they make the house smell warmly of … [Read more...]
Baked winter squash with tomato, onion and camembert
My recent experiments with Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's pumpkin gratin led me to this shortcut version that makes use of the same winning combination of winter squash, tomato and onion. For a main-course meatless meal, or a lovely starter, add some … [Read more...]
Duck legs braised in red wine
The cooler weather invites those gamier meats that are at their best in autumn and winter. Duck legs from farmed birds are rich and delicious, easy to cook, and not too expensive. In France they are made into the famous confit, slow-cooked immersed … [Read more...]
October in Cambridge: apples and squashes
"All this colour and crunch. It’s better than living in an Impressionist painting.” October is the golden month, its honey sunlight on a blue-sky-day giving even ordinary scenes a radiant glow. Grasses, leaves, nuts and berries: everywhere there … [Read more...]
20-minute melanzane alla parmigiana
This is one of those ideas I kick myself for not thinking of earlier. We adore eggplant parmesan – aubergine parmesan – or as they actually call it where it originated, melanzane alla parmigiana. I make a big festive dish of it at least once … [Read more...]
Late-summer recipes
Skip to recipes The dog days are passed, but we hope for one or two last barks. We know it’s coming, but we’re not yet ready to hand over to autumn. No need, just yet, for summer’s exuberance is still here in the late-summer harvest that is … [Read more...]