I fear the spring may take me…

Here is a comprehensive list of things I have eaten in the last 36 hours: 1.5 bananas 1 piece of toast with spread 3 pieces of toast (crusts cut off) with a scraping of Philadelphia light 11 Tuc biscuits a handful of Maltesers red grapes 1/3 portion of oven fries (only the really crispy bits)…

Triple-Decker Brownies

The problem with brownies is that they are life-ruiners. They ruin people’s lives. One minute you’re happy and carefree, doing yoga in the sunshine in your pyjamas — and then suddenly you’re sacked out on the floor, chocolate around your mouth, a third brownie in your hand with no idea how it or you got there. Or…

Roasted Chickpea & Basa Curry

My favourite thing about the fish ‘basa’ is that autocorrect, my mum, the postman, and almost every other resident of the United Kingdom believes that I mean ‘bass’. I do not. I mean basa. It’s a kind of catfish, it’s absolutely awesome smoked, and it’s generally much cheaper than cod or haddock; it’s become more popular…

Pan-fried Gnocchi with Pancetta & Sage

The one marvellous thing about abandoning Isla for an evening of wine-based debauchery with my friend who lives round the corner is that she eats meat. I can eat meat.  Meat.  I love vegetarian food and I’m kind of obsessed with tofu (which you may have noticed by now) – given that I no longer eat…

Teriyaki Tofu Donburi

Let’s get this out of the way first: I have stretched my birthday out for as long as possible, culminating in the following photo being taken this weekend: I just think it’s important for you to see this image, so that we can balance out how new-age and wholesome this recipe seems at first glance….

Vanilla Iced Coffee

Nothing like an unseasonably cold spring to make you yearn for iced coffee, sunglasses and denim shorts. (Note: please do not try and consume sunglasses or denim shorts) Vanilla iced coffee is ridiculously easy to make and can be jazzed up any way you fancy; Bailey’s or Thornton’s liqueur adds a kick for a more…

Top Ten Cheats, Money-Savers & Shortcuts

Do you like having an easy life? I sure do! I used to think that cooking something tasty (especially for other people) meant that I had to pull out all the stops; I had to buy the finest veal and serve it cooked sous-vide on a bed of salad leaves plucked from my very own…

The Easiest Tomato Soup You Will Ever Make

I’m not counting tinned soup here, so don’t get saucy with me, ladies and gentlefolk. I’ll know if you’re getting saucy with me, mark my words. I have saucy senses. Just a quick one today, folks – I’m off for a walk with my better half in the jiffiest of jiffies, but I find myself wanting…

Birthday Blog (& French-Style Lentils with Halloumi)

HELLO IT IS MY BIRTHDAY. Yes, I have successfully aged an entire year in the space of a day; yesterday I was a year younger, and Science will attest to this. Streamers, balloons and party poppers are all welcome in my home for this ONE DAY, so use that knowledge wisely. Please use the front…

Smoky Fish & Lentil Winter Stew

Tonight I was going to make soup, but then I had one of those moments when you realise your entire brain has melted out of your ears (completely ruining your upholstery) and you’d planned something else for dinner only the night before. And you’d taken something out of the freezer. You’re trapped. You must eat the…