Hearty Bean Stew
In honour of Rose Gray and all women everywhere who have achieved so much in their life, and to celebrate the Slow Food Movement we honour you with a delicious, simple dish using seasonally produced British ingredients. This is a good, hearty bean stew that can be made with or without meat.
Gloriously rich tomato and chicken pasta
This is a superb dish that's full of flavour, can be prepared in under 30 minutes and perfect for sharing with friends and family!
Serves 4
You will need:
2 chicken breasts, skin and bone removed and cut into cubes
4 shallots, peeled and sliced thinly
1 tin or carton of creamed or chopped tomatoes
1 chicken stock cube
1tsp paprika
1 sprig chopped parsley
Half a tsp celery salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for frying
400g pasta of your choice, I used Trottole which is curly and looks lovely
Some parmesan shavings to finish
1 courgette and 2 large mushrooms, both diced into small pieces
Preparation:
Heat about 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan and add the sliced shallots. Cook until soft then add the chopped chicken.
Pancake Day
I love pancakes or crepes (if you must, darling!) anytime of the year but when it comes to pancake day it's just a fantastic excuse to eat as much as you like without the usual guilt! As my sons always ask, "Does this mean we can eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner?" Who am I to disappoint??
French Crepes - You will need:
125g Plain flour
250ml Milk
2 Eggs
1 tbsp Caster sugar
45g Butter, melted then cooled slightly
Sunflower oil for frying
Paper towel
Preparation:
Put the flour and sugar in a large bowl, whisk in the eggs, gradually adding the milk to produce a batter with a double cream consistency, so not too runny or too thick. Finally, whisk in your melted butter making sure it is not too hot or the mixture will curdle.
Simple Bread Recipe!
Whoever thought that the task of making bread is quite possibly their worst nightmare needs to follow my recipe! I've made this gorgeous loaf of wholemeal and white bread in less than 20 minutes (excluding proving of course, where no effort is required from you!) and it takes about 30 or so minutes to bake!. So simple, delicious and much better than any shop bought bread could ever be.
Rhubarb Jam
I love Jam! And there's always a good reason to make some. Any month of the year is a good time for jam! Check your seasonal calender but early rhubarb is widely available in February at the moment.
Chocolate Heaven in a Cookie
These have got to be the most amazing chocolate cookies I've ever made, give them a go and you just wont be able to control the urge to eat them as soon as they're out of the oven!
You will need:
150g plain flour
Half a teaspoon baking powder
35g cocoa powder
150g dark chocolate, at least 60% cocoa
110g butter
200g dark brown soft sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
300g milk chocolate chips
Method:
Preheat oven to gas mark 5/180*C.
Sieve the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
Warmed Roasted Vegetable and Feta Cheese Salad
This is just so divine and tastes amazing. It can be a real crowd pleaser and eye-catching too! Enjoy!
You will need:
1 x 500g Chantenay carrots (mini) or 4 large carrots cut into thick batons
3 large parsnips, cut into thick batons
3 red onions
100g mushrooms
100g green beans
1 pack feta cheese
Thyme and parsley
1 tsp all-spice
Olive oil for roasting and frying
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to gas mark 6/200*C.
Creamy Roasted Vegetable Hotpot
I call it a hotpot, you might call it a tray bake or a veggie style lasagne..
Leek and Potato Soup
Everyone's got their version of leek and potato soup and this is mine. I like to put celery in mine for extra flavour and it adds a slight peppery taste.
Scotch Pancakes with Maple syrup
These are delicious anytime of the day and kids and adults will love them alike! Enjoy with maple syrup, golden syrup, honey, nutella, fruit, cream..
