It’s not hard to see why this salad is a stone cold classic – it’s delicious, substantial, easy to make and appears to contain all known food groups. If you’re lacking in any particular ingredient just leave it out, or substitute with anything you have to hand – once you have tuna, eggs and green… Continue reading Salad Niçoise
Author: jo_tofts
Persian love cake
Persians may well love cake, but I love cake too, and I love this one because it’s a mix of pistachio and rose flavours (two of my favourite flavours), lemon and orange, and it satisfies my love of all things pink and green. No need to make it in a bundt tin really, although that… Continue reading Persian love cake
Red wine onion gravy
Way way way back in 1999, we spent Millennium Eve in London partying with my younger sister and a bunch of her friends, and the evening started with this meal (it ended up by Tower Bridge watching fireworks and dancing the night away). Anyway, what we learnt that night is that it’s all about the… Continue reading Red wine onion gravy
Simit
How do you keep 3 small children entertained when traipsing around Istanbul catching up with friends (and when those 3 small children don’t speak Turkish)? Well, according to my parents c1980 you give them some simit and they’ll be happy. Available absolutely everywhere from street stalls and sellers that wander about touting their wares, these… Continue reading Simit
Pastéis de nata
It was love at first bite when I encountered one of these beauties in Portugal while on a work retreat 4 years ago – they are a custard tart pastry delight. Give me one and a cup of coffee and I’m pretty much ready to tackle anything and consequently they’re definitely on my approved pre-breakfast… Continue reading Pastéis de nata
Rose Margarita (Rosarita?)
Although I’ve never lived there, I’ve definitely inherited a taste for all things Turkish from my father, and a love of all things rose is one of them. I think if given the chance the only thing I’d ever have on toast is rose petal jam (marmite comes second) and I’m quite partial to rose… Continue reading Rose Margarita (Rosarita?)
Chocolate brownie pear pudding
Uh-oh. This may well be the most amazing pudding EVER. Squidgy chocolateyness with pears, flaked almonds for a bit of crunch, and then more chocolate. Enter at your peril! Just to top it all off it can be prepared in advance and frozen as a whole or in portions, then flung into the oven when… Continue reading Chocolate brownie pear pudding
Chicken arrabbiata stew + dumplings
I’m starting to think that my family will eat almost anything if I fling a dumpling on top of it – but actually none of us needed any encouragement to eat this stew because it’s delicious. It would also work well served with pasta, on top of a baked potato, over rice even. Clearly the… Continue reading Chicken arrabbiata stew + dumplings
(Not) Red Velvet Cake
Ever wondered what a) the fuss is all about with red velvet cakes or b) how the redness can possibly make a difference to the taste or overall enjoyment of the cake? Well, here are your answers – it’s a delicious moist cake that my family love, the redness doesn’t improve the taste at all,… Continue reading (Not) Red Velvet Cake
Charcuterie platter
Clearly not an actual recipe – this is an assembly job that makes for an utterly enjoyable weekend feast with minimal effort, and guarantees that your dog will stick by your side just in case any cheese or meat might come their way. I’ve put a list below of ideas to go on such a… Continue reading Charcuterie platter