I have a bit of a habit of perusing international grocery stores, getting a “little” over excited and probably (definitely) buying too many things. I often spot items that I not only don’t know how to cook with, but often not even recognise, so in my excitement to learn, they get added to the shopping […]
Beetroot and Kumquat Salad with Quinoa
Over the last few years my dad has planted a number of wonderfully ornate kumquat trees, and it got me thinking of what else you can do with them, apart from a pretty smashing marmalade. If you haven’t eaten kumquats before, it may seem a little odd that you are primarily eating citrus peel, but […]
Scruffy Pumpkin Dumplings with Cavolo Nero
One cold, drizzly night last week, faced with a fridge of odds and ends in dire need of being used up, this dish was born. Half a container of pumpkin puree, a handful of lovely cavolo nero I had bought from the farmers market, one lonely mushroom and a sad tomato combined to make what […]
Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)
The humble eggplant has to be up there with my favourite vegetables, although in saying that I don’t think there is really a vegetable I don’t like. The way an eggplants flesh transforms when you stick it in a blistering hot oven or over a hot grill is truly magnificent. There are so many counties […]
Spanakopita (Greek Spinach and Feta Pie)
Those of you who know me may be aware that I was “slightly” obsessed with Greek food as a kid. Every single birthday I wanted to go to a Greek restaurant, eat pickled octopus and dolmades and finish the meal with a healthy serving of Ekmek Kataifi. Normal kid stuff right…. Although my taste may […]
Ottolenghi’s Chermoula Eggplant with Bulgar and Yoghurt
In these last few weeks of being cooped up at home a lot, I have enjoyed using this time to embark on numerous cooking projects. One of these weeks I primarily cooked from Yotam Ottolenghi’s books (of which I have several, and they are all wonderful). With a local Turkish store still being open I […]
Hot Cross Buns
Easter is upon us! And I guess it could be said that this is not a particularly “normal” Easter, but I still believe a tray of soft hot cross buns can only make it better. For many lucky people, these are easily available in the supermarket (although homemade is still clearly the winner), but for […]
Ramya’s Chana Masala Rice
This recipe was given to me by a good friend that has taught me an incredible amount about the wonders of Indian food. Although this is not per se an Indian recipe, it is a great use of Indian flavours, and a fantastic example that something like the spice blend chana masala, can be used […]
Beef and Guinness Pie
Coming towards the end of my little Irish evening recipe roundup, it would definitely not have been complete without something containing Guinness. As I’ve always been partial to a good old beef and Guinness stew, I thought I would take it up a notch by turning it into a pie. This recipe of course works […]
Moroccan-Style Lentil Soup
For the next round of lentily goodness I present you with this Moroccan-style version. In typing this I realise that I have quite an affinity for many forms of soupy lentils, particularly in cold weather, and this recipe was probably the one that really got me into brown lentil soups. Although it is pretty basic, […]
