Like our British trifle, the Italian tiramisu has many variations and no-one can agree on a definitive recipe. Claudia Roden’s version, which I learned to make as a teenager, uses eggs, rum, a single layer of sponge and chocolate sprinkled on the top only. This decadent espresso martini tiramisu recipe from Olive magazine (see theirContinue reading “Tiramisu”
Category Archives: Vegetarian
Double Dips
Two recipes in one post again this week because neither feels substantial enough to justify a post in itself. There are countless possible variations upon both of these dips and you should feel free to experiment. As a snack or appetizer they can be accompanied by raw vegetables, toast, pitta bread or tortilla chips. TheyContinue reading “Double Dips”
Aubergine Parmigiana
This dish makes a great vegetarian alternative to lasagne. It has umpteen variations, particularly in the pre-cooking of the aubergines, and there isn’t necessarily a ‘correct’ way of making it. My version has evolved from a recipe in Sophie Grigson’s book ‘Food for Friends’, which inspired many meals I cooked at university. Grigson recommends steamingContinue reading “Aubergine Parmigiana”
Treacle Tart
Allegra McEvedy is both a brilliant cook and a dear friend. Her wine bar Albertine supplied our lockdown wedding anniversary dinner back in May – it was amazing – and several of her recipes are firm family favourites. This one crossed our radar after we watched Allegra on Economy Gastronomy (BBC2, 2009) and, with aContinue reading “Treacle Tart”
Apple crumble & custard
Here’s another one adapted over the years from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Cuisine Bon Marché (see Red Cabbage ). There are countless possible variations with the fruit and/or topping: you should feel free to experiment, and don’t worry about being precise with your quantities. Home-made custard is lush but shop-bought has its own particular ‘charm’ – orContinue reading “Apple crumble & custard”
Chocolate brownie pie
This recipe, by MasterChef finalist Hannah Miles, was published in the Times in 2015. Rich and moreish, it has a crust made from crushed Oreos and the filling gets a more ‘grown-up’ flavour from the shot of espresso coffee. Quite simply delicious – and perfect for Easter. Serves 8 Ingredients For the pie crust250g Oreos100gContinue reading “Chocolate brownie pie”
Carluccio’s Carrots
In 2001, just before I went on maternity leave, one of my Year 9 tutees gave me a signed copy of Antonio Carluccio’s newly-published book ‘Vegetables’. His simple recipe for carrots with garlic has accompanied almost every roast dinner we have eaten since, and is the reason I break out into a cold sweat whenContinue reading “Carluccio’s Carrots”
Greek Bean Stew
Take the plunge and dip into your stockpile with this cheap, nutritious combination of store-cupboard ingredients. It requires some forethought (soaking the beans overnight) but you could use tinned ones if you forget. Serve with bread or turn into a complete one-pot meal by adding 2 large handfuls of pasta 20 minutes before the endContinue reading “Greek Bean Stew”
Bruschetta
Roasted pepper and cannellini bruschetta This uses fridge and store cupboard staples that keep well, and it never fails to delight guests. Ottolenghi’s original recipe calls for dried cannellini beans, which require overnight soaking and long cooking, but I’ve found that canned beans work just as well. Apart from the toasting of the bread, allContinue reading “Bruschetta”
Raitha / Tsatsiki
Two recipes in one post this week, because they are variations on the same theme. I usually make raitha with thinner yoghurt and grated cucumber, and I don’t add garlic. The cooling effect of the yoghurt here works well to offset the strong spices of an Indian meal. For Tsatsiki (Greek) or Cacik (Turkish), IContinue reading “Raitha / Tsatsiki”
Years of Practice 