Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash 005

This is a really simple and quick soup to make.  The spices give a lovely warm curry hint to the soup so it is ideal for the months that lie ahead.  For this recipe I used 2 butternut squash as they were a bit on the small side and with around 1.5 litres of stock/water […]

[Continue reading...]

Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup

  This soup was one of the first things I earmarked to try in Catherine Fulvio’s lovely new cookbook – I knew I would love it and have been making it regularly ever since.  What I particularly like about this soup is that thanks to the pancetta, beans and macaroni it could easily be served up for a light supper […]

[Continue reading...]

Homemade Sausages with Cider & Mustard Gravy

Sausages

   Bangers and mash must be one of the all-time great comfort foods which for me  instantly brings back memories of childhood.  This weekend I decided that instead of a Sunday roast I would make these lovely big rustic homemade sausages with some cider and mustard gravy.   This is a great way to feed the family – your […]

[Continue reading...]

WIN! “Kitchen – Recipes from the heart of the home” by Nigella Lawson

Image from www.nigella.com

This competition is now closed. Thanks to all who entered – your comments are  very much appreciated.  It was most difficult to decide on a winner so I asked my son to help me out and his choice was Lynn because she listed two of his favourites and also likes beans with her shepherds pie! Congratulations Lynn – […]

[Continue reading...]

Aubergine Parmigiana

Aubergine Parmigiana 027

This is one of the first recipes that I was determined to try from Catherine Fulvio’s wonderful book Catherine’s Italian Kitchen.  I loved the idea of aubergines and melting mozzarella with tomato sauce and this dish was every bit as tasty as it sounded.  It is so simple and the ingredients are very easy to […]

[Continue reading...]

Chorizo and Red Pepper Penne

Penne Chorizo 011

  A very simple and quick pasta sauce but so very tasty. This is a brilliant recipe for a quick midweek meal and by varying the ingredients, say by adding chilli, using pancetta instead of chorizo and using linguine instead of penne, you will have a versatile base for many different pasta dishes.

[Continue reading...]

Probably the best cookery competition in the world….

cully&sully

  I couldn’t quite believe my eyes when I first read about the fantastic competition launched by Cully & Sully, the people behind the lovingly prepared ready meals.  Chef Factor is offering one very lucky person the opportunity of a lifetime by awarding the winner a place on the 12 Week Certificate Course at the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery […]

[Continue reading...]

Twiced-Baked Cheddar & Chive Souffle, Beetroot & Spinach Salad with Walnut Oil Dressing

Souffle

When a vegetarian theme was selected for the Irish Foodies September Cookalong I instantly decided I would try to use some of our own produce and also cook something I hadn’t tried before.  We have some fabulous beetroot in the garden and a lot of eggs thanks to our lovely hens so I opted for a twice baked Cheddar and Chive Souffle with a […]

[Continue reading...]

Leek and Potato Soup

souffle & soup 006

Now that the days are drawing in and an autumnal chill is in the air soups will feature a lot more on the menu in our house.  There is something so very comforting about sitting down to lunch with a lovely warm bowl of soup, good for both body and soul.  This is the simplest of soups and […]

[Continue reading...]

Spices of India

I have to share this fabulous online Asian food retailer with my friends.  I have ordered twice now from Spices of India (www.spicesofindia.co.uk) and on both occasions have been seriously impressed with their array of products, efficiency and fabulously quick delivery service.

[Continue reading...]