The uncertain weather makes me want to get the soup pan out. Even though some of our days are warm, the evenings are still chilly and soup with a side of crusty bread and a salad makes a delicious dinner. Below are two soup recipes which will keep you going until spring really does hit.   Ham and Pea Soup   2 packages dried peas, green, yellow or both 1 large onion, chopped small 2 carrots, chopped small 2 celery sticks, chopped small 4 whole garlic cloves 1 ham shank  ...
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If you have noticed that every third person you talk to at the moment has a cold, the flu or a sore throat, you are not alone. My family kids me that my signature smoothie recipe is really a superfood and I serve it at this time of year to ward off all the bugs that come home from school. There is no real recipe as the ingredients really do depend on what you like and what you have to hand. The basics though are a massive dose of fruit made cold and creamy in a blender with a little plain yogurt....
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The game this Sunday, or rather THE game this Sunday, promises to make the evening take on a Super Bowl sense of occasion. I shall be out all afternoon but still want to serve a tasty treat in front of the TV. I plan on cooking the same dish that I cooked for last year’s big game, as again, I have to be out all afternoon. My kids are thrilled as they have been asking for a repeat all year.   Pernil   1 joint of pork, preferably from the shoulder, often called Boston Butt,...
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I wonder how many New Year resolutions have already been broken. I am still persevering with mine which was to cook more fish and seafood dishes. By the end of 2008 it had become obvious that some people were more adept at cooking accounting books than anything we could actually eat. I have made a pledge to myself to use fish at least once, but aiming for twice, a week. First stop mussels. This is a great time of year to cook mussels, they are easily available and don’t expire in the...
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If there are any cooks in your life who are in need of a gift I have some suggestions. Below I list three books that I have enjoyed this year and used countless times already, they will be on my kitchen shelf for many years to come.                 A Platter of Figs by David Tannis could almost be described as a coffee table book. I suppose it is not large enough, but the pictures are gorgeous. This...
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2 oranges 2 cups white sugar 2 cups water          1 3.5oz bar of good quality chocolate, I use dark Lindt   Wash and wipe the oranges and cut off the tops and bottoms. Make 8 vertical cuts through the peel but not the flesh of the orange and carefully remove the rind keeping it in whole sections. Slice the rind into strips about ¼ inch to 1/3 inch wide. In a large saucepan cover the rind with cold water and bring to the boil over medium...
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My family always exchanges homemade gifts for Christmas. This year my children are making chocolate dipped candied orange rind. It looks attractive and tastes delicious, is easy and is not the kind of thing that many people would make for themselves. We have some in the fridge already, on standby for gift giving! If you plan to make gifts this year, be sure to pay attention to the presentation. You want your gift to taste homemade but not necessarily to look as though it is. I buy an excess...
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