The joyful exuberance of Mexican culture has always appealed to me but it was the sound of a hundred beating drums that first drew me to downtown Austin one hot and sultry Sunday morning. It was late October and a time of celebration for the Mexican people who were gathering together to pray for, and remember,…
Tag: Eggs
Roast Chestnut, Mushroom and Oloroso Sherry Tart
A nigh on perfect Andalusian tart for a bright autumnal Sunday lunch. All butter pastry encased around caramelised red onions, wild mushrooms, roast chestnuts, fresh lemon thyme and gently stirred with fragrant oloroso sherry and a generous knob of butter. I put some pieces of creamy citrusy Caerphilly cheese on top of this one just to…
Mallorcan Orange, Almond and Fig Cake
So many of you have asked for the recipe for this super moist gluten-free Mallorcan orange, almond and fig cake which often features on my restaurant menu. It is inspired by the fields and fields of fragrant blossoming orange and almond trees we passed through as we travelled via the extraordinary antique train – El Tren…
A Sumptuous Spanish Tortilla
I’m trying – really trying! – to get back in the mode of recipe writing because it’s so important to me to enable you to re-create my food at home and I love to see your photos. So here we go then, here is the recipe for my gorgeous Spanish tortilla. You can prepare the…
Basque Country Apple Tart
This recipe is inspired by the generously filled apple tarts and pies that, during the autumn months, hit the bars and restaurants of the Basque Country where the terrain is given over to orchards for cider making. Awareness of Spain’s crisply tangy sidra is relatively low in the UK but, like everything else related to fermentation and brewing, it’s catching on fast. I for…
Turkish-style Baked Eggs with Biber Salçası
Here’s a very quick one for you. I’m dashing about all over the place right now so, for supper last night, I threw together these Turkish-style eggs. It’s another perfect dish for these cooler autumnal evenings or brunch. Ingredients 1 tsp cumin seeds A splash of extra-virgin olive oil 450g jar of roasted red peppers, drained…
Lebanese Za’atar-roasted Vegetable and Halloumi Filo Pie with Dill & Lemon Zest
I’ve started making proper Sunday lunches. It’s not something I’ve ever aspired to do but my husband is from Yorkshire, a county where tradition rules. So, what to pair with a mountain of crispy roasted potatoes and the ubiquitous Yorkshire pudding? This is a constant challenge for me, a vegetarian cook whose heart resides on the shores…
Provençal Lemon-baked Ricotta and Gruyère Omelette with French Tarragon and Fresh Chives
As I write this, the sun is shining softly through my open kitchen windows. I can hear birdsong and, in the far distance, the hum of the first grass cutting. Can it be that this long winter is finally receding into history? I am so ready for the brightness of spring and this is evident…
Bebek Börek, a Spinach and Feta Filo Pie
During the winter months, the beautiful Istanbul suburb of Bebek sits quietly on the European shore of the Bosphorus as if waiting for an errant lover. It was once the favourite resort of Ottoman aristocrats who built their grand summer houses here, dozens of beautiful white jewels glittering against a backdrop of verdant jade. Not many remain…
Acre Amba Sauce
Amba sauce. When I think about it, I feel utter love because it’s such a beautiful thing. If Amba were a man, I would run away with him. My first experience of this Iraqi sweet and sour mango condiment was as I sat on the harbour wall in the Crusader town of Acre north of Haifa in Israel….
