Recipes

Green Sauce, aka Bagnet Verd

Green Sauce, aka Bagnet Verd

MY FIRST SUBSTACK!   I want to get better at writing, so here's my first substack! My hope is that you'll find some things I find interesting... interesting too. At...
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Courgettes, Borlotti Beans and Green Sauce

Courgettes, Borlotti Beans and Green Sauce

I've never tried to breed courgettes, but apparently they shag like rabbits. Given a little space to make their own, they'll give you lot back. Probably why they're inexpensive, and why you...
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Courgette White Parmigiana

Courgette White Parmigiana

If I were to compile a list of ultimo midweek dinners it would be lasagna, then possibly parmigiana in second spot. It's essentially lasagna's vegetarian cousin. What it lacks in...
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Tomato and Nectarine Soup

Tomato and Nectarine Soup

Only worth making this if you can find really nice tomatoes and nectarines. They need to be super juicy and at the peak of their season. I get mine from...
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Beetroot, Lentils, Rocket, Feta, etc.

Beetroot, Lentils, Rocket, Feta, etc.

I've nicked this one from the great Nigel Slater. I always assumed beetroot was a winter veg, but no - in season from July through til Christmas. Apparently roasting it...
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Pantesca Salad

Pantesca Salad

This is a typical dish from the island of Pantelleria (south of Sicily), from which it takes its name. Pretty simple to make and the potatoes give it good sustenance so...
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Summer Minestrone

Summer Minestrone

If I’ve made a roast chicken on the Sunday, a minestrone using the stock is my favourite thing for a nourishing Monday night dinner. Minestrone is more of concept than an exact recipe. You really can chuck anything in there.
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Gnocchi alla Norma

Gnocchi alla Norma

A twist on a Sicilian classic. Super simple one but will take an hour-ish. Good to make use of the summer glut of aubergines. Burrata is admittedly a bit flash, parmesan would be a sensible substitution.
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Chilled cucumber soup

Chilled cucumber soup

Heatwave scran. No cooking required, super simple and quick to make - essentially just a smoothie. Mega refreshing, though not very filling - if you’re still a growing lad (like me), would make a lovely palate cleanser.
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Baba Ghanoush

Baba Ghanoush

As tasty as it sounds and tastier than it looks. Like hummus, but aubergines. And tahini, lemon, olive oil, garlic. The skill to a good baba is getting that perfect balance between these ingredients.
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Tomatoes and peppers on toast

Tomatoes and peppers on toast

Does what it says on the tin, really. Good things on toast. Featuring loads of sherry vinegar (the superior choice of the vinegars) and our very own Saint Rosalia olive oil.
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Pasta con zucchini e ricotta

Pasta con zucchini e ricotta

What’s that? Another simple pasta recipe? The best thing about treating yourself to really good seasonal ingredients is that you rarely need to do much to them.
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Fresh tomato pasta

Fresh tomato pasta

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Tomato season is officially here and I’ll be eating big ones, small ones, massive ones and odd ones all summer long. Pasta al pomodoro is one the best ways to enjoy the simple pleasures of good tomatoes. Those tommys are so good that the only thing we’re cooking here is the pasta. Tutto fresco.

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Sicilian Christmas salad

Sicilian Christmas salad

Insalata di Natale aka “Christmas salad” from the great Giorgio Locatelli's ‘Made in Sicily’ Serves 4-6 -80g pine nuts -10 whole green olives in brine -sea salt and freshly ground black...
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Rice and Cabbage Soup

Rice and Cabbage Soup

This is good, honest scran. Food to put hairs on your chest. Food to give you that bit of grit you’ll need to survive this winter. Rice and cabbage soup, recipe...
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Panzanella summer salad

Panzanella summer salad

Panzanella! The green of the basil, the white of the bread and the red tomato. Tastes like summer in Tuscany. You'll need good quality, ripe tomatoes and some stale bread.
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Aubergine Parmigiana

Aubergine Parmigiana

Recipe from the Towpath cookbook. Serves 4-6:
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Sausage Ragu

Sausage Ragu

The ideal WFH recipe. Warming your little cockles as it simmers for 3+ hours, filling the air with its heady scents. A welcome excuse to pick up the wooden spoon every now and then for a leisurely stir, or to watch some bubbles blister the surface 💁🏻‍♂️
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