Recipies

1. 

   Chicken Wrapped in Courgette Ribbons

   4 chicken breasts, skinned 3 courgettes Salt and freshly grated black pepper Vegetable or olive oil You will also need 8-10 wooden skewers. This dish can be prepared in advance. Soak the skewers in cold water for one hour before use. Cut the chicken breasts into 2.5cm (1in) pieces. With a potato peeler, peel ribbo...

2. 

   Raspberry Icecream Cakes

         Makes nine cakes 225g (8oz) butter, softened 75g (3oz) Icing sugar 200g (7oz) Self Raising flour 50g (2oz) cornflour 3 tablespoons milk A few drops of vanilla extract Fresh raspberries or jam Whipping cream (for decoration) 9...

3. 

   Roast Lamb (or Mutton) Marinated in Red Wine and Juniper Berries

   1 leg of lamb (or mutton) For the marinade: 1 onion, chopped 2 small carrots, chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 bay leaf 2 sprigs thyme 3 sprigs parsley 2 sprigs rosemary 10 juniper berries, crushed ...

4. 

   Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Sesame and Lemon Butter

   es 4, as a starter 700g (1½ lb) purple sprouting broccoli 20g (¾ oz) sesame seeds 75g (3oz) butter, softened Juice of 1 lemon 1 small French stick Salt and pepper Preheat the oven 180°C (350°F, Gas 4). Roast the sesame seeds in the oven for about 10 minutes unt...

5. 

   Smoked Chicken and Avocado Salad with Strawberry Sauce

   2 ripe avocados 2 smoked chicken breasts 225g (8oz) hulled strawberries 100ml (3fl oz) olive oil 50ml (1½fl oz) sunflower oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Raspberry vinegar or sugar to taste First make the strawberry sauce: Using a blender or processor, puree the st...

6. 

   Summer Fruits Roulade

   er Fruits Roulade Serves 6 75g (3oz) ground hazelnuts 3 eggs 60g (2 ½ oz) caster sugar 275ml (½ pint) double cream 1 large punnet of summer fruits Preheat the oven to 180C (350F, Gas mark 4). Line an 18cm x 30cm Swiss roll tin with parchment paper. Brush with a little oil or butter. Beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and have doubled in volume....

7. 

   Skewers for a sizzling summer

   MY annual leave of absence from major kitchen duties during Wimbledon fortnight looks like being considerably extended by the demolition of our existing kitchen before a complete refit. "Duncan the builder" is jetting off on honeymoon midway through the work so I can foresee the barbecue being in constant use whatever the weather. For a party last year I successfully spit-roasted a ...

8. 

   South Downs Steak and Ale Pie

   s one large pie for 6-8 people 1.35kg (3lbs) chuck or braising steak 2 large onions 4 tablespoons plain flour 2 x 500ml bottles of ale, the darker the better 3 tablespoons soft brown sugar 2 sprigs of thyme 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 150g (5oz) mushrooms Beef dripping or oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 450g (1lb) puff pastry Cut the steak into cubes. Chop the onio...

9. 

   Pasta with Sausages, Onions and Mustard

   a with Sausages, Onions and Mustard Serves 4 450g (1lb) sausages 2 large onions 4 tomatoes 2 tablespoons grain mustard 450g (1lb) pasta 275ml (half pint) chicken or vegetable stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper A tea cup of frozen peas (optional) Oil Bring a large pan of water to the boil and throw in the pasta with a big pinch of salt. C...

10. 

    Quince, celeriac and a DIY childrens' treat

    GOLDEN apple of Hesperides, given by Paris to Aphrodite and leading to the downfall of Troy, is generally believed to have been a quince. I have to remind myself of this romantic ancient Greek imagery as I make my way to our solitary quince tree - which flourishes just beyond the chicken plucking shed and next to the public lavatories of the neighbouring cemetery. However it is a journey well wor...