Category: Food And Nutrition

Okra (Abelmoschus esculantus) is one of those vegetables folks just love to hate. Also known as gumbo, bamia, quingombo, and bhindi, this vegetable becomes a slimy mess if it isn’t prepared properly. Ingredients 2 1/2 pounds (1 kilogram) okra, young and very fresh, or frozen 1/2 lemon. juiced 1 large onion, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large tomato, ripe, peeled and cut in small cubes […]

These days, turkeys come fresh, frozen and somewhere in between. That “in between” category is courtesy of a recent USDA ruling on labeling. “Fresh” turkeys have to be stored at 26 degrees Fahrenheit or above; frozen turkeys have to be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. But what happens to the turkeys stored between […]

Homemade Scotch eggs are a world away from shop bought versions. They’re worth the effort for a special picnic treat. Ingredients 4 large free-range eggs 275g/10oz sausage meat 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 spring onion, very finely chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper 125g/4oz plain flour, seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 free-range egg, beaten […]

While I could never have a recipe in any book I wrote that I didn’t love inordinately, this is just one of those special ones that fills me with a sense of glad-hearted awe. It’s not too much to claim for it: it’s almost ridiculously easy to make – I relish the quiet ceremony of […]

Ingredients For the chicken and stuffing 4 onions, peeled, quartered 8 fresh sage leaves 125g/4½oz fresh breadcrumbs 40g/1½oz butter, plus extra for brushing 1 free-range egg yolk pinch freshly grated nutmeg salt and freshly ground black pepper 100ml/3½fl oz water 2 x 1kg/2lb 2oz free-range chickens For the gooseberry sauce 4 tbsp caster sugar 100ml/3½fl oz water 1 lemon, zest only 250g/9oz gooseberries, topped and tailed […]

Our masala chicken recipe is so good – dieting or not, this is one of our favourite recipes. Ingredients For the masala chicken marinade 6 cardamom pods 2 tbsp cumin seeds 2 tbsp coriander seeds 4 whole cloves 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 tsp ground fenugreek 2 tsp ground turmeric 1 tbsp paprika 1-2 tsp hot chilli powder (the more you use, the spicier the dish) ¼ […]

Sabrina Ghayour’s Turkish-inspired spiced tepsi kebap is baked in the oven and makes a brilliant midweek meal. Ingredients For the tepsi kebap 500g/1lb 2oz lamb mince, about 20 per cent fat 1 onion, minced in a food processor and drained of any liquid or very finely chopped 2 large garlic cloves, minced ½ red pepper, cored, seeds removed and very […]

Ingredients 200g/7oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 200g/7oz golden caster sugar 3 large free-range eggs (organic if possible) 50g/2oz plain flour or white spelt flour 125g/4½oz ground almonds 2 lemons (juice of 1 and finely grated zest of 2) For the icing 1 lemon, juice only 5-6 tbsp icing sugar Method Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease the base and sides of a […]

Ingredients 85g/3oz plain flour 100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened 75g/2¾oz soft light brown sugar 50g/1¾oz caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 75g/2¾oz dark chocolate chips vanilla ice cream, to serve Method Start by heat-treating the flour to kill any bacteria. This can be done in the microwave, in a frying pan or in the oven. If using a microwave, tip the flour onto […]

Ingredients 600ml/1 pint strong, hot espresso coffee 120g/4oz caster sugar To serve 300ml/10fl oz double cream 1 vanilla pod, split lengthway, seeds scraped out 1 tbsp icing sugar Method Put a shallow baking dish (about 1litre/1¾ pints capacity) into the freezer. Stir and dissolve the sugar into the coffee over a low heat. Set aside to cool. […]