Moussaka

Moussaka is a bit like a Greek version of lasagne but instead of pasta layers and beef mince, you use aubergine layers and lamb mince. I had always imagined that moussaka was really difficult to make and had been putting off doing it for quite some time. But after looking through various different recipes I [...]

Parma Ham Risotto

Risotto is much easier than you might think. I was initially put off by reports of having to stir it for an hour or some such myth – most arborio rice these days simply takes 20 minutes of stirring and makes a cheap and easy meals if you just have it with onion, peas and [...]

Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is relatively easy to make, but it does involve a long time spent stirring to stop the rice sticking. However, it is filling, tasty and a great alternative once the usual old recipe get boring.

Ingredients

Arborio rice
Stock (I just used a stock cube)
Handful of chopped mushrooms (any sort will do)
Seasoning

Method

Following the instructions on the packet, [...]

Basic Pizza Base (no yeast)

This is one of the most basic pizza base recipes I could find. It doesn’t contain yeast, which can be fiddly – especially when helping children to cook.
It is quite biscuity, and not that much like a “real” pizza base, but for those of us with little time, and no yeast, it makes for a [...]

Croissants

Croissants are tricky to make but well worth the effort. They require the French culinary virtues of patience, precision and delicacy. Some patisserie chefs spend many years in apprenticeships learning the intricacies of pastry making. Set aside some time to enjoy making croissants rather than trying to rush them off when you’re hungry.

Ingredients
625g strong bread [...]

Orange Marmalade

Marmalade is a Portugese invention that originally began with quince hence the root of the name “marmelo”. However, it has been adopted as thoroughly English fare, gracing traditional breakfast tables up and down the country and considered a national dish. It is more tart than jam and considerably more difficult to make – hence the [...]

Caesar Dressing

Caesar salad has become immensely popular over the last few years, though most people no longer include the anchovies and prefer to include chicken and bacon. If you have the time, it can be interesting to try making the dressing for yourself instead of off the supermarket shelves.

Ingredients

1 fat garlic clove
1 anchovy fillet
1 egg yolk
1/4 [...]

Parmesan Baskets

On New Year’s Eve we went to a friend’s for dinner and were amazed by the construction of some parmesan funnels filled with cream cheese and prawns. I don’t like prawns at all but this dish was delicious. Parmesan baskets can be used as a fancy presentation device for salad, seafood and savoury mousse.

Ingredients

1 cup [...]

Funghi al Forno

This is stuffed mushrooms. Another recipe from my aunty in Rome. Fiddly but delicious. A good starter.
Ingredients
10 large mushrooms
Salt
Olive Oil
Garlic
Parsley or Coriander
Breadcrumbs
Red Chilli or Parmesan Cheese
Method
You need about 10 quite large mushrooms. Clean them with kitchen roll (no water), cut out the stalks, and put them to one side. Put the mushroom heads brown side [...]

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

This is the heaviest meal on earth. Always serve a little bit less than you normally would because the cream, eggs, cheese and red meat quickly finish people off. I got this recipe from an aunt in Rome who hasn’t held back on the full ingredients. There is a healthier version here.

Ingredients
500g / 1lb Spaghetti
5 [...]