Trifle with an Italian twist - Simple and scrumptious - home-made custard, double cream, avoiardi (sponge finger) biscuits, tin of cherry filling, amaretti biscuits, amaretto liqueur, Line the bottom of a 2-litre glass bowl with the savoiardi biscuits, filling any gaps.; Drizzle 4 tablespoons of the amaretto liqueur over the biscuits. Add the cherry filling [...]
Parmesan biscuits - Melt in the mouth nibbles. Perfect with pre-dinner drinks - unsalted butter, egg, Grated parmesan, plain flour, A grating of nutmeg, Sesame seeds, paprika and dried rosemary to decorate, Take the butter out of the fridge and leave it to soften.; Mix the soft butter and grated parmesan together.; Add the flour, [...]
Orange and olive oil cake - Light and fruity sponge - large eggs, orange, preferably organic, A little butter for greasing, plain flour, golden caster sugar, olive oil, baking powder, Icing sugar, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 180˚C/160˚C fan/gas 4; Grease a loose- bottomed 22cm cake tin with a little butter and line the base with baking [...]
Custard - So much better than instant! - full fat milk, eggs, vanilla extract, caster sugar, cornflour, Put the milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil, Remove from the heat and set aside.; Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with the sugar and vanilla until light and frothy. Beat in the flour.; Add [...]
Banana cake - A delicious way to use over-ripe bananas - unsalted butter, softened, large eggs, very ripe bananas, light muscovado sugar, golden caster sugar, ground hazelnuts, plain flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, dark chocolate chips, demerara sugar, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 170˚C/150˚C fan/Gas 3; Butter the loaf tin or line with baking parchment.; Peel the [...]
Spaghetti all amatriciana - A classic warming pasta dish from Rome with cheese, bacon and tomatoes. - unsmoked pancetta or streaky bacon, grated pecorino romano cheese, spaghetti, olive oil, dry white wine, clove garlic, tinned plum tomatoes, Chilli flakes, Sea salt, black pepper, - This classic warming pasta dish from Rome with cheese, bacon and [...]
The Lemon Squeezy rhubarb crumble - An indulgent treat the whole family will enjoy - rhubarb, orange (preferably organic), unsalted butter, wholemeal plain flour, rolled oats, soft brown sugar, PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 190˚C/170˚C fan/gas 5; Wash and top and tail the rhubarb and cut the stalks into 5cm pieces. Zest and squeeze the orange.; Put [...]
Salad of pan-fried mackerel and new potatoes - Simple, nutritious salad with a zingy dressing. A good balance of carbs and protein and on the table in 40 minutes. - baby new potatoes, fresh cucumber, radishes, fresh mackerel, filleted (ask the fishmonger), handline-caught from an MSC-certified sustainable source, lemon, Greek yogurt, wholegrain mustard, Scrub the [...]
Salmon mousse crostini - Easy but impressive nibbles, perfect for any sort of party. - smoked salmon, ricotta, double cream, sprig dill, loaf rye bread, black pepper, Salmon caviar, Blitz the smoked salmon and ricotta in a food processor or blender.; Wash and finely chop the dill. Add to the ricotta and salmon mixture with [...]
Pasta and aubergine bake - Rich tomato sauce with aubergines and mozzarella. Sure to become a family favourite. - aubergines, diced pancetta, mozzarella, short pasta such as penne or rigatoni, onion, cloves garlic, passata (pureed, sieved tomatoes), A pinch of dried oregano, olive oil, red wine, Grated parmesan, Sea salt, black pepper, Rinse the aubergines [...]