Sue's Recipes and Other Stories

Recipes, Travel and other Titbits

Spiced Spinach Soup (4)

A quick soup which is equally good served chilled in summer. The recipe is from ” Modern British Food” by Sybil Kapoor.

Miso Braised Mushrooms on Toast (2)

A recipe which takes mushrooms on toast ” to the next level” from Matt Tebbutt.

Cos Lettuce with Curried Prawns and Eggs (4)

This is a delicious first course or light main showcasing lettuce for the warmer months. Simon Hopkinson describes it as ” Coronation Chicken made with prawns, but every bit as good, if not more so.” It’s from his book ” Roast Chicken and Other Stories: Second Helpings “. Serve with plenty og good brown bread and butter. There will be ” essence” left over which can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks.

Cheddar and Caramalised Onion Jam on Sourdough Toast (4)

A jazzed up version of cheese on toast from ” Caravan : Dining All Day” by Miles Kirby, Laura Harper-Hinton and Chris Ammermann. The jam can be made up to three weeks in advance and stored in the fridge, making this easy to make on the day. Use a good sourdough bread and flavourful cheddar.

Toasted Smoked Mackerel Sandwich (2)

A delicious snack and a great way to incorporate more oily fish into your diet from Nigel Slater’s ” Real Food”.

Cheese Mash (2)

A good mash to serve on the side with some sausages, grillede bacon or grilled chicken. You can also make Double Cheese Mash by scooping the mash into an ovenproof dish , scattering with a good handful each of Parmesan and fine breadcrumbs, then baking in a very hot oven until the top is golden and fairly crisp. The recipe is from ” Real Food” by Nigel Slater.

Chilli Cheese Sourdough Toasties (2)

A very good toastie recipe from Waitrose. If you eat meat you can use a regular Nduja paste instead of the Ve-du-Ya.

Bean Chilli with Cinnamon and Bay (4)

A very good vegetarian chilli using tinned beans from ” The Art of the Larder” by Claire Thomson. The basic recipe can also be used to make a couple of variations- chilli baked under a blanket or cornbread or roasted in peppers with cheese and sour cream. Claire is bringing out a new recipe book on one pot bean dishes which will be published in Febuary 2025. I cant wait and have already preordered the book.

Bacon and Eggs with Apple and Parsnip (4)

A perfect brunch from ” The Abel & Cole Cookbook”. Serve with wholemeal toast.

Somerset Rarebit (4)

A very good version of rarebit ( or posh cheese on toast) from ” Good Things to Eat ” by Lucas Hollweg. I grew up in Somerset, and for many years cider was my favourite tipple, so Im always keen to find recipes that celebrate our local apples, cheese and cider.

Plum and Ginger Flapjack Crumble ( 6)

A recipe from ” Good Things to Eat” by Lucas Hollweg. He says that although not strictly a crumble, it is equally satisfying. The topping hardens into a delicious softly chewy layer on top of the fruit. Seve with cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tuna Fishcakes (4)

A tasty, quick ands easy supper. If you can, use tinned Spanish tuna, but any tinned tuna in olive oil will work. The recipe is from ” Lobster and Chips ” by Trish Hilferty- one of my favourite books on fish cookery over many years. Make sure you have some tomato ketchup to offer alongside.

Creamy Parsnip, Chestnut and Mustard Gratin (4)

A delicious side for Christmas (or indeed any other time of year) from Claire Thomson

Parsnip, Puy Lentil and Watercress Salad (4)

This simple combination makes a very good autumn salad. The recipe is from ” River Cottage Veg Everyday” by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall.

Smoked Haddock, Leek and Cheddar Fishcakes (3-6)

A winning combination for fishcakes from Rick Stein’s ” Food Stories”. Serve with some soft lettuce or green salad.