Heavy Soil

• ¼ cup of oil (light olive oil works well)
• 400g potatoes, diced into 1-2 cm cubes
• 100g jamón serrano (or pancetta or similar), cut into strips
• 1 large red pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 500g chopped tomatoes (peeled and chopped vine-ripened tomatoes are best)
• 100g trimmed asparagus spears, all except 4 chopped into 2-3 cm lengths
• 100g green beans (preferably fine green beans), chopped into 2-3 cm lengths
• 100g frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 eggs
• 100g chopped chorizo
• optionally, some chopped parsley

This is warming and filling, quick and easy to make, and is definitely a step above the normal bangers and beans. These quantities serve 2 normal people, or one very hungry one. I have tried this with pork & apple, Lincolnshire and Toulouse sausages, it worked great with all three. Bread and butter compliments it nicely.

• 4 sausages
• A couple of sprigs of thyme
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 can mixed beans, drained and rinsed

More »

This is quick to make, filling, and tasty. Vary the chilli and pasta to change the style. This recipe makes enough for 4, or two very hungry people.

• 4 leeks
• 250g punnet of mushrooms (chestnut mushrooms work best)
• 200g pack of cubed pancetta
• 300g pasta (fusili tricolore works really well)
• ½ of a 300ml tub of crème fraîche
• A heaped teaspoon of chilli flakes

More »

This is so simple, so easy – and makes a great starter. It also works well with bread and butter, and especially hot garlic bread.

• 1 punnet small tomatoes (cherry or pomodorino)
• 1 pack mozzarella
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Red wine or sherry vinegar
• A handful of fresh basil leaves

More »

This is my chilli recipe, tweaked over the last 15 years and now quite popular. More »