Tagliatelle Toscana with Parma ham

Friday, 14th December 2012

Based on Delia Smith's One is Fun, p 126. Fry onion and aubergine then add tomatoes, garlic, basil and tomato puree. Let this cook down to a sauce. Add some chopped olives.
Cook the pasta then mix in butter, Mozzarella and Parmesan.
Put the pasta in a dish, cover with a layer of Parma ham cut up into bite size squares, top with the sauce and then more Parmesan. Bake for 10 minutes.
Delia's recipe was for 1 so I doubled the ingredients, and ended up with enough food for 3 at least. A very substantial and filling dish but also very good.

Fennel Risotto

Monday, 10th December 2012

Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food page 204. I make this risotto often for myself and its always a winner, although this was the first time I tried it with fresh fennel. I also added some fennel salami at the end, because I had it. I have a tendency to overdo the parmesan, but not this time. Delicious.

Veal shoulder with red wine, bacon and onion sauce

Saturday, 1st December 2012

This wasn't the right cut of meat for quick cooking in the pan and it turned out pretty chewy. The pasta with cream and a selection of mushrooms included some dried mushrooms, which I hoped would beef up the flavour, but they came out chewy too. Ah well.

Roast chicken and red cabbage

Sunday, 25th November 2012

I've had some lovely roast chicken recently but, sadly, this wasn't it. It came out rather dry and greasy. The cabbage was just stir-fried with onion, and could probably have done with more cooking time.

Chicken and peppers in rice.

Friday, 23rd November 2012

Brown the chicken and quickly fry the slice peppers then set aside. Fry the rice with onion and then add wine, stock and tomatoes, bring to the boil and return the chicken a peppers. Simmer until the liquid has mostly gone.
I server this with a salad of leeks, sliced red pepper and olives, and anchovy stuffed mushrooms. The salad was delicious and definitely the best part.

Stir-fry chicken and red peppers

Thursday 15th November

OK for a TV dinner, but not very memorable.

"Loukaniko" greek lamb burger

Saturday, 10th November

This is actually a sausage recipe from the Hunter, Angler, Gardner, Cook website. But since I don't have the means to stuff sausages I just did them as little burgers. My mincer produces a very fine mince, so the burgers come out quite solid, but the mix of lamb, pork, spices and orange zest made a lovely flavour. I cooked double-fry chips and made some fresh tzatziki to go with them.

Feast of ham, salami and cheese

Friday, 2nd November 2012

This is what we have if we want to stay in but can't be bothered to cook. Plus wine naturally!

Grilled lamb steak and kidneys

Thursday, 1st November 2012

Veal shoulder in red wine sauce

Friday, 26th October 2012

To start, smoked brown trout and goats cheese on black bread. Pan fried veal with a simple red wine reduction, roast potatoes and sauteed mixed peppers and onions.