But first ...

... an insignificant piece of kit you might think – say hello to your new best friend - the julienne peeler - every serious cook should have one!

Here's another thing that gets on my nerves – entirely related to shop bought coleslaw – carrots either sliced so finely they are mush or so chunky and uneven you have to make an unscheduled trip to the dentist – without being ridiculous your slaw should be of a similar size.

Carrots bleed if you grate them – not to mention pebble dashing every nook and cranny in your kitchen – how is it possible that grated carrot can jettison so far?

Ta dah – enter the julienne peeler.

Here it is, along with the uniformly sliced strips of carrot it produces :

A neat piece of kit and inexpensive too.

The result of all your hard work looks like this :

Of course you could, if you prefer, dust off one of the gazillion attachments that belongs to your food processor/mixer for which you paid an exorbitant price and, if you can remember which bit goes where, use the slicer cum grater. Oh and create a washing up mountain the size of Everest … I exaggerate of course!

Next up … my invention called Chicken Gallimaufry!

The sides ...

… a slightly different slaw :

I thought I'd zhuzh the basic slaw, introducing flavours and textures which will definitely enhance the recent dishes and those that will follow.

Coronation Slaw

110g white cabbage, finely sliced – approximately

one third of a medium size cabbage

1 carrot – peeled and sliced with a

julienne peeler

1 spring onion – 15g finely sliced

salt and black pepper

30g ready to eat apricots, finely diced

30g sultanas soaked in mango and apple juice

50g mayo

50g sour cream

1 tsp mild curry powder

squirt of lime juice

1 tbsp mango chutney

If there's one thing I hate it's the huge lumps of woody cabbage you always find in shop bought coleslaw.

If you are of a similar mind and decide to try this recipe, I promise you that attention to detail is worth the effort. Here's what I mean :

First up slice a “cheek” of cabbage – a sharp paring knife is the best piece of kit – smaller and more easy to control – with care!

The recipe given will give you a box of slaw – measuring approximately 11cms x 6.5cms x 5cms. One box lasted me a week, a spoonful here and a spoonful there – you'd be surprised how well it fits as a side to lots of main dishes and particularly as part of a sandwich.

Coming up … hints, tips and photos

The final flourish – the dressing …

… and a few hints and tips

The dressing … to go with the chicken tikka salad

Who would have thought you'd be drizzling a quintessential Italian combination of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar – a marriage we already know is made in heaven – with another Indian classic – tandoori chicken tikka.

The dressing

4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

1½ tbsps balsamic vinegar

1½ tsps brown sugar

¼ tsp coarse black pepper

¼ tsp cumin powder

pinch of salt

Whilst the chicken is cooking, with a whisk mix together all the dressing ingredients and leave to one side.

Now it's complete with the dressing drizzled!

Now it's looking even better – there are some dishes that just scream “eat me I'm delicious!”

A few thoughts so far :

I'd wear gloves when you coat the chicken – turmeric and chilli will stain your hands as well as equipment.

Make sure your “oven tray” has sides – unless you have a burning desire to clean your oven!

I used soft dark muscovado sugar in the dressing.

I marinaded the chicken from 11am – 7.30pm. It's very important that you cover the chicken marinade and keep it in a cold place. If you keep it in your fridge then bear in mind it's raw chicken and as such should be kept on the bottom shelf and more importantly that it is kept away from cooked food.

When the chicken is cooked I know you'll want to taste it – cook's privilege after all – a lot depends on your palate and that of your guests but tasted on its own you may find it a tad hot. I'd suggest that before you rush to judgement wait until you've assembled and tasted the completed salad.

A word about the “heat” of the spices. Remember recipes are meant to be a guide they are not set in stone. If you find the spices too powerful don't let it put you off – try reducing the green chilli paste, turmeric and red chilli powder from 1½ tsps to 1 tsp each.

It's personal taste after all – it's whatever suits you.

There's more to come ...

Now for the salady stuff …

… it really depends on your choice or what you've already got in the fridge.

I foraged in the fridge and I rescued :

Half a bag of baby new potatoes

(if you can get Cornish so much the better)

cooked, peeled and then cubed – approximately

8 potatoes

Iceberg lettuce – broked into small pieces

small sweet mixed peppers, de-seeded and sliced

finely

cherry tomatoes, halved

one medium sweet variety onion, sliced

finely

I chose a large white shallow bowl for the salad and began with the lettuce and then sprinkled the remaining salad ingredients, topping with the chicken pieces and finally drizzling with the dressing.

This dish is ideal for a lunch or a supper - you can make it your own - add more ingredients the salad and serve with a flat bread of your choice – you don't have to make them if it's too much pressure!

Here's a guide :

Experiment with colours – have a look at the small sweet peppers!

Now it's looking even better - there are some dishes that just scream “eat me I'm delicious!”

Next up – the final flourish ...

A photo-guide to the method …

… for the chicken tikka

Now for the salady stuff ...

It's always difficult ...

… to get it right when the weather is hot!

A warm “salady” dish I think fits the bill.

This “salady dish” is excellent hot or cold - it stands perfectly well on its own but better still as part of a party table. It's convenient in that you can marinade overnight and just pop into the oven when you're ready.

Here goes :

Tandoori chicken tikka salad

Serves 4

700g (1lb 8oz) chicken breast, cut

into chunks

Marinade

1½ tbsps ginger and garlic paste

½ tsp salt

1½ tsps green chilli paste

2½ tbsps white vinegar

5 tbsps vegetable oil

1½ tsps turmeric

1½ tsps red chilli powder

1½ tsps cumin powder

2 tsps garam masala

160g (5½ oz) Greek yoghurt

or low fat version

For the dressing

4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

1½ tbsps balsamic vinegar

1½ tsps brown sugar

¼ tsp coarse black pepper

¼ tsp cumin powder

pinch of salt

In a bowl mix the chicken pieces with the ginger and garlic paste, salt, green chilli paste and the white vinegar and leave to one side.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the oil and turmeric. Add the red chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala to the bowl then mix well before adding the yoghurt. Combine the mixture thoroughly.

Add the chicken pieces to the yoghurt mixture. Use your hands to ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated in the yoghurt marinade. Leave the chicken to marinade for at least an hour. You can leave it in the marinade overnight, this way the chicken will absorb all the flavours thoroughly.

Once the chicken has been marinated, place the pieces on an oven tray. Cook in a pre-heated oven at 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 20-25 minutes.

If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan version you can use Quorn pieces.

Next up a photo-guide to the method ...

Fettuccine foto guide!

 

Heat the butter and the cream

together

Add the Parmesan and heaps of

black pepper

The bowl

The bowl with petit pois

I didn't have any fettuccine in my pantry but I did have spaghetti – if you're not fond of “ribbony” types of pasta just choose your favourite.

You can adapt this to a plant based recipe using:

1 tbsp Flora Plant unsalted butter

200ml Elmlea 100% Plant Double Alternative

to cream

50g Parmesan alternative – for example

Violife Parmesan style

The best of it is that essentially it's veggie but you can adapt it to suit everyone – adding cooked chicken and/or diced chorizo, gently cooked in a dry frying pan so that it releases the residual oil – you could serve in separate bowls on the side.

The simple things in life are the best!

I could go on but have decided, lest you get bored, coming up we've got stuff for summer and in particular, what to cook in hot weather!

Crostini munching

For those who aren't aware, crostini are small slices of bread, whereas bruschetta gives larger, more rustic slices. In other words, you can make small or large as suits the appetites of your guests. The smaller version is used as a canapé and sliced ciabatta is perfect - part baked baguettes work well too – larger sourdough loaves, sliced and toasted would satisfy larger appetites.

It's back to my lists again, but you'll see that it can be as easy or as complicated as you'd like to make it.

Ciabatta, baguettes or sourdough, sliced.

You can buy part baked baguettes, sliced – a gluten free option

is also available and works very well and you won't taste any

difference

Garlic (fresh or paste)

Olive oil

Tapenade*

Pesto*

Tomato puree*

Toppings

Finely chopped chilli – red and/or green

Goat's cheese – cubed or sliced

Any Italian cheese – e.g. Dolcelatte or Gorgonzola, cubed

Parmesan, Pecorino, Grand Padano (grated), Mozzarella and Taleggio

Olives, pitted and chopped

Mediterranean vegetables, roasted and diced

Parma ham, cut into small triangles, twisted into a cone shape

Salami, as for Parma ham

Anchovies, chopped finely

If you are using garlic paste add olive oil and mix to a paste. Spread sparingly onto the bread, then add any option marked * above. Complete with toppings of your choice – two – three – don't overload.

Whatever you choice of toppings chop, roast or dice ahead, place in small boxes, cover and fridge ready to dress your bread. My tip would be to top your crostini straight onto a baking sheet, lined with baking parchment, cover with cling film and set aside, keeping cool – fridge if you have room.

Pre-heat your oven 180fan/200c/Gas 6. Cook for 3-4 minutes (set your timer!) until golden and crispy.

Transfer to a serving plate and pass to the hungry hoards, pausing only for the accolades!

If you'd like to make your own paste ...

The Tart - a plan, the prep and a photo or three!

The plan is to make the pastry case in the middle of the week when I have time and then wrap and freeze. I can promise you that this pastry recipe is the easiest you'll make and is very kind – by that I mean that you have to work very hard indeed to make a mess of it!

I'll weigh out the cheeses, they can all go into the same bag and then fridge, ready to add the remainder of the filling. The onions can be softened, boxed and fridged, ready to use.

On the morning, combine the filling ingredients, take your pastry case from the freezer, add the filling, cover and fridge until you're ready to bake. To serve your tart warm you need to bake it for 40 minutes and allow for resting, so you need to work backwards from when you're expecting your guests to arrive. If all else fails set your kitchen timer, just in case you get sidetracked!

Here's the pastry case

Here it is again, wrapped ready to freeze

Hey presto – the freshly baked tart!

This tart is excellent as part of a salady supper or of a larger get together with sharing plates – a perfect accompaniment for a summer party!

Comfort food in the summer!

I like hot stuff with cold stuff and so the obvious to me is “a pie”. Comfort food in the summer – here's a couple of ideas to tempt you.

How about a lid-free “pie”… in other words a tart! It doesn't need a lid – the wholemeal pastry on the bottom and the richness of the filling are enough.

This is a great addition to your summer repertoire and not a sign of that eggy consistency that you get with quiches.

I don't normally “blow my own trumpet” but on this occasion I will – if you're a cheese lover it'll be right up your alley!

Here's the recipe :

Three Cheese Tart

Serves 6

The pastry case

8oz/225g Wholemeal Flour

4oz/110g unsalted butter – sliced, cubed or grated

Pinch of baking powder

Ice cold water to bind

The filling

2 medium onions, chopped

knob of butter, drop of rapeseed oil

12oz/350g grated cheese, 4oz/110g each mature

cheddar, Red Leicester and Gruyere

1 egg, beaten to bind

Black pepper

ice cold water to bind

Grease and line a 9”/22cm dish or spring clip tin. Cling film to wrap.

For the pastry case, use a food processor if you have one, pop in the flour, baking powder and butter and blitz until breadcrumbs. Add a drop of ice cold water and pulse until the pastry comes together - do not over do it. Tip the pastry out onto a sheet of cling film, using the film gather the pastry together into a ball and fridge for 30 mins.

Soften the chopped onions in the butter and rapeseed oil.

Add the cheese, onions, black pepper and beaten egg, set aside and fridge until you are ready to roll!

Roll out your pastry and fridge again until you are ready to bake.

Pre-heat your oven to 180fan/200c/Gas 6.

When you are ready to bake put the chilled filling into the chilled pastry and bake for 35/40 minutes until golden.

Leave the tart to cool, ideally serve it warm. If you cut into the tart when straight out of the oven the cheese filling will ooze – you need to leave it to settle – warm is what you want.

This tart is excellent warmed the next day – if you're fortunate enough to have any leftovers!

Coming up a plan, the prep and photos ...

A perfect compote …

… strawberry!

I hope you've found your strawberry idea – it's by no means exhaustive just food for thought.

Finally in this short series ...

You have a choice here – to blitz or not to blitz this is the question – simply, if you are going to blitz and pass the strawberries then you needn't hull them. If you intend leaving the compote as is then I would hull them at the beginning of the recipe.

Strawberry compote

500g ripe strawberries, hulled

4 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp lemon juice

Cut the strawberries in half – or quarters if large – place in a large saucepan with the sugar and lemon juice. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer. Cover and cook for 3/5 minutes until dark in colour and syrupy. Compote can be store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Again you can split the batch into two and freeze one for a rainy day.

If you prefer a smooth compote blitz and pass through a sieve.

Perfect with the ice cream – or on a scone (not blitzed) with clotted cream.

Next up … comfort in the summer!

Then there's the ice cream ...

There's only one thing wrong with home-made ice cream you need an ice cream maker – or so they say – there are delicious no-churn versions out there and the following recipe is an example – and easy!

No-churn strawberry ice cream

The recipe will give you 960g

750g/1½lb strawberries

juice of two lemons

1 x 397g condensed milk

300g light brown muscovado sugar

Top the strawberries, cut in half or quarters if large then blitz to a purée, add the lemon juice. Tip the blitzed berries into a large sieve and allow the purée to pass through. As you're passing the strawberries there's no need to hull the berries.

Place the condensed milk and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high for 10 minutes. I used a hand whisk. Eventually the sugar is beaten into the condensed milk and will give you a ribbon effect. Set your timer and have patience – it's worth it. You can help your strawberry pulp through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon. Fold into your sugar and condensed milk and mix until combined. I split the mixture into two boxes. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving – no longer – it softens very quickly.

If you want a perfect scoop dip the scoop into boiling water and pat dry.

As the cook I think you're entitled to taste the ice cream ahead of serving. I confess I'm not a huge fan as a rule but I was intrigued so I took a teaspoonful as I boxed it – one word - “wow” - I ditched the spoon and took another, just to be sure.

Yum!

The Pastry!

If you want to make your own pastry - here's the recipe I used :

Rich shortcrust pastry

The recipe makes enough to line a shallow

23cm/9 inch flan tin

Serves 8

115g/4oz plain flour

55g/2oz cold unsalted butter, diced

25g (a scant 1oz) icing sugar, sifted

1 egg yolk plus 1 tbsp cold water

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar.

Lightly beat the egg yolk with 1 tbsp of cold water. Add to the flour mixture and mix with a round-bladed knife. Gather together to make a soft dough.

Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

Add 1 tsp pure vanilla extract to the beaten egg yolk and reduce the amount of water slightly – optional.

Bake at 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15 minutes or until they are golden in colour – leave to cool.

If you prefer individual tart cases then you'll get 12 based on using a cutter 7cms/2¾” in diameter from the recipe given. Prick the cases with a fork before baking.

After I'd rolled out the pastry I used my trusted tamper to ease the cases into the tin for an even shape.

If you don't want to make your own pastry cases you don't have to - you can buy ready-made either individual or a 23cm/9 inch tart case.

It's quick and easy and well worth the effort!

A hint and a tip

If you don't like the idea of making pastry then a shortbread stack would work well.

The mascarpone cream is also good enough to stand alone – by that I mean it's delicious enough with a bowl of fresh fruit.

Then there's the ice cream …

The Tarts!

This recipe is so old I can't remember when – probably as far back as 1986 ish. There's a reason I've kept it – it's easy but best of all – it's delicious!

Strawberry Tarts

Rich shortcrust pastry

as per the recipe given

Filling

250g mascarpone cheese

165g caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp lemon juice

Strawberries, hulled and sliced finely

Glaze

2 tbsp apricot jam, sieved

1 tbsp water

On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry thinly and cut into circles with a fluted 7cm cutter. Line two 12 tartlet trays – or place sweet shortcrust tart cases on a baking tray and prick bases. Bake at 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Beat together the mascarpone cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Place a tablespoon of cheese mixture in each tart.

Arrange the strawberries decoratively over the top.

Heat the jam and water in a small saucepan over moderate heat until smooth. Brush over tarts and allow to set before serving.

The recipe for the filling will give you sufficient for 24 tarts – perfect for a summer party dessert. Halve the filling recipe for the 12 tart cases or double the pastry recipe if you're going for 24!

These tarts are small, which is great, the size of a jam tart, so perfectly poppable into the mouth.

Use whatever fruit takes your fancy or mix it up – my fancy was strawberries, it's worth the effort of hulling – the finished article looks like this:

Now for the pastry!

Strawberries are superb …

 ... and a very flexible fruit!

A little prep is required if you want the best from your berries - I mention hulling your strawberries in “the Tarts” recipe to follow.

For those who aren't familiar, “hulling” is to remove the green leaf on the top and the stalk below – it takes a little time but is worth every second. You can buy a kitchen implement to do the job if you wish but using a paring knife is just as good - slice the tops off your strawberries and cutting carefully and gently, in a circular motion, carefully remove the stalks – it'll do the job just as well.

Here's what they look like :

Ta dah

I think you'll agree it's worth the trouble!

Now we can begin ...

Action plan!

Heat 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil in a pre-heated wok or large frying pan. I used a wok. Seal the fillet slices on either side quickly and then set aside – don't overcrowd – cook in batches. Add the onion and sweet peppers to the wok and stir fry for 2/3 minutes, then add the cooked potatoes, stir fry again for 2/3 minutes. Add the broad beans, asparagus and sealed, sliced fillet along with any residual juices. Finally add the stir fry sauce of dark soy, rice wine and sweet chilli sauce. Toss to stir fry for another 3 minutes.

Serve immediately in warmed bowls.

Here's the beginning of the photo-guide :

I wrote this with entertaining in mind so it would work for any gathering.

Food for thought … here's another idea - a perfect supper for a duvet/box set day.

Or, how about a date night - making one huge plate to share … I'll leave that with you!

Now we're ready!

Here's my take on warm salads. I know that's a contradiction since salad is meant to be cold but rules are made to be broken. My warm salad is a “gallimaufry” - meaning jumble or a medley if you prefer!

Chicken Gallimaufry

Serves 2

2 chicken breasts, sliced at an angle

(from slow cooking a whole chicken)

2 tbsp rapeseed oil

350g red new potatoes, halved or quartered

should be 2cm ish

Half a lemon cut in half

135g baby leeks, topped, tailed and cut into 1.5cm pieces

1 tbsp tapenade - 15ml

110g fine asparagus

Salt and pepper

Chopped flat leaf parsley to garnish

Pre-heat oven 200fan/220c/Gas 7.

Put the potatoes and lemon wedges into the foil tray you set aside after the slow cooking (or a medium roasting tin if you prefer) and toss with 1 tbsp of oil, season and roast for 20 minutes.

Turn down the oven to 180fan/200c/Gas 6.

Snap the asparagus to remove the woody ends – they should be of a similar size - then blanch, plunge into ice cold water and pat dry. You can prep ahead if you wish, then box and fridge.

Toss the leeks in the remaining tbsp of oil and add to the potatoes. Add the tapenade and fold through. Bake for 10 minutes then add the blanched asparagus for 5 minutes, fold in gently.

Whilst the potatoes et al are baking warm the stock – you should get 250ml from your chicken after straining. (This recipe is based on a slow cooked whole chicken).

To assemble, divide the potatoes, leeks and asparagus between two large bowls – plates will do. Top with the sliced chicken breast – one breast per serving - and add a liberal drizzle of the stock. A sprinkle of parsley to garnish and a wedge of lemon too.

Photos up next!

Another warm salad – but something different!

This is a delicious dish – in addition to which it's quick and easy to prepare – it's a win win!

Warm smoked mackerel, beetroot and apple salad

Serves 2 – generous portions

350g new potatoes

2 tsp horseradish cream

100g sour cream

2 tbsp mayo

juice of 1 lemon

2 smoked mackerel fillets, skinned and

flaked (200g approx)

250g cooked beetroot, cut into small cubes

1 large eating apple - a Cox, Pink Lady or Granny Smith

black pepper

Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water until tender - drain the potatoes and cut in half lengthways. Whilst the potatoes are cooking mix the horseradish cream, sour cream, mayo and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with black pepper.

Add the mix so that it covers the potatoes and place on a serving dish. Then add the flaked smoked mackerel. Add the beetroot and the apple to complete!

It might sound like an odd combination but it works.

If there is any left, box it, fridge it and lunch it next day – result!

The dressing and a post script ...

The dressing … to go with the chicken salad

Who would have thought you'd be drizzling a quintessential Italian combination of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar – a marriage we already know is made in heaven – with another Indian classic – tandoori chicken tikka.

The dressing

4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

1½ tbsps balsamic vinegar

1½ tsps brown sugar

¼ tsp coarse black pepper

¼ tsp cumin powder

pinch of salt

Whilst the chicken is cooking, with a whisk mix together all the dressing ingredients and leave to one side.

A few thoughts so far :

I'd wear gloves when you coat the chicken – turmeric and chilli will stain your hands as well as equipment.

Make sure your “oven tray” has sides – unless you have a burning desire to clean your oven!

I used soft dark muscovado sugar in the dressing.

I marinaded the chicken from 11am – 7.30pm. It's very important that you cover the chicken marinade and keep it in a cold place. If you keep it in your fridge then bear in mind it's raw chicken and as such should be kept on the bottom shelf and more importantly that it is kept away from cooked food.

When the chicken is cooked I know you'll want to taste it – cook's privilege after all – a lot depends on your palate and that of your guests but tasted on its own you may find it a tad hot. I'd suggest that before you rush to judgement wait until you've assembled and tasted the completed salad.

A word about the “heat” of the spices. Remember recipes are meant to be a guide they are not set in stone. If you find the spices too powerful don't let it put you off – try reducing the green chilli paste, turmeric and red chilli powder from 1½ tsps to 1 tsp each.

It's personal taste after all – it's whatever suits you – enjoy!

The salady photos ...

                               Experiment with colours – have a look at the small sweet peppers!

                                              Now it's complete with the dressing drizzled!

Now it's looking even better - there are some dishes that just scream “eat me I'm delicious!”

The dressing recipe and a post script …