Artichoke Risotto

4 tender globe artichokes (see method) 2 pints (1.2 litres) chicken stock 1 small onion 12 oz (350 g) risotto rice (e.g. arborio) 21h.floz (70 ml) dry vermouth or dry white wine 2oz (60g) unsalted butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1-2oz (30-60g) grated Parmesan cheese clove garlic, peeled and grated (optional) salt and pepper Bring [...]

Spicy Pumpkin soup

4 tablespoons ghee 3 chopped big onions 2 teaspoons curry powder 1/3 teaspoon crushed pepper 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 2 cups of milk 5 1/4 cups of chicken broth 8 cups of chopped roasted pumpkin 1/2 cup brown sugar 2/3 cup cream Melt the butter in a pan at medium [...]

Warm Bean Salad

1 lb (500 g) fresh or dried white haricot beans 1 small onion, peeled 1 medium-sized carrot, peeled 2 bay leaves 1 sprig rosemary, bound with kitchen string (see method) or pinch powdered rosemary 2 thick rashers streaky bacon, chopped 1 tbsp chopped parsley olive oil wine vinegar salt and black peppercorns If using dried [...]

Vegetable Stock

2 celery stalks with leaves 2 carrots I large onion 1 leek 1 potato few parsley stalks 1 bay leaf few peppercorns salt Finely chop the vegetables and place in a large saucepan with the other ingredients. Pour in 1% pints cold water, cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes then strain [...]

Spinach Moulds

9-10 oz (250-350 g) spinach leaves (net prepared, precooked weight, see method) 1 shallot or mild red onion scant ih oz (10 g) butter 4 large eggs 5fl oz (150 ml) double cream 5fl oz (150 ml) milk 11/4 oz (40 g) grated hard cheese salt and pepper These quantities are sufficient to fill four [...]

Braised Lentils

11b (500g) continental lentils 4 rashers streaky bacon 1 small onion 1 medium-sized carrot 1 leek, green part only 5 fl oz (150 ml) dry, white wine 8 oz (250g) tinned tomatoes, drained and seeded 2-2’4 pints (1.2 litres) vegetable stock or chicken stock 4 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper Rinse the lentils thoroughly [...]

Pili-pili Tomato Salad

11/4lb (600 g) ripe tomatoes 6 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley salt For the pili-pili hot relish: 4 oz (120 g) small fresh red chilli peppers 3 cloves garlic 1 large red pepper 1 medium-sized mild onion approx. 5 fi oz (150 ml) extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp salt You can buy [...]