Apple Chutney (v)

I am in the thick of my Christmas hamper preparations. The actual contents are a suprise, but this is a new recipe so deserves to be blogged. Sometimes all you need with your cheese is a nice dollop of tangy chutney. And this one is lovely.

For 6-8 jars you need:
900g bramley apples, cored and chopped
225g onions, chopped
340g granulated sugar
425ml white wine vinegar
110g sultanas
3 tsp mixed spice
3 tsp ground corriander
3 tsp salt

Place everything in a preserving pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 60-90 mins, until a spoon drawn across the bottom leaves no trail. Spoon into sterilised jars and leave for 2 weeks until matured. This will keep for at least a year.

The Ultimately Boozy Christmas *ahem* Winter Solstice Cake

This is such a yummy cake. I truly think I have excelled myself this year (yes I know, pride cometh before a fall and all that but :P).

For a generous cake that makes an 8" square and 2 2" square cakes you need:
1.5 kilos mixed fruit e.g. currants, sultanas, raisins, mixed peel, cherries etc
500-700ml mixture of rum, brandy, whisky
225g butter
225g dark soft brown sugar
2 tbsp treacle
3 tbsp mixed christmas cake spice with orange peel (morrisons sell it... or use cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice and add some grated orange zest)
225g plain flour
4 eggs

Begin by soaking the fruit for a month. Yes a whole month. Place in a tub with the booze and leave well alone, save for shaking it once a day.

When you're ready to make the cake cream the butter and sugar and then add the eggs. Fold in the flour and spices and then add the fruit mixture. Mix well and place in the prepared tins. Bake the small cakes for 3 hours and the large one for 4 1/2 hours at 120 degrees. Leave to cool totally and then wrap. Cover as you wish :)

Quinoa, Pearl Barley and Celeriac Slow Cooker Stew (v)

This is another ridiculously easy one pot meal. If you are sans slow cooker then make it up and cook slowly for 45 mins or so instead.

For 4-6 people you need:
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 cup pearl barley
1-1.5 litres stock (use a little more if cooking on the stove)
1 celeriac, diced into 1cm cubes
3-4 carrots, peeled and thickly sliced

Fry off the onions in the oil for 5 mins or so. Add everything else to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with mash.

Drunken Fruit (v)

This makes a totally decadent and utterly delicious topping for ice cream/sorbet/swedish glace. Yum. Make a batch up and stash it a cool place. It'll keep for ags. But leave it *at least* a week before using... Top up with more rum or fruit as you use it.

For 8-10 portions you need:
1/2 cup sultanas
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup mixed peel
1-2 cups rum

Place the fruit in a clean tub and pour over the rum. You want enough to cover the fruit but not drown it. Shake daily for at least a week and then use as you wish.

Vegan Chorizo Pasta Sauce (v)

Yes I know this is an oxymoron; but I have such a thing for cured, spicy meats and really really miss them. This is a super speedy after work dinner recipe. Make sure you skin the tomatoes too, even though it's a bit of a faff it's so worth it and makes a much nicer sauce.

For 1-2 people you need:
6-8 plum (or any other) tomatoes, skinned, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 vegan pepperami (Holland and Barrett sell them)
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
pinch sugar
dash vinegar
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, crushed
175-225g pasta, cooked.

Cook the pasta. Meanwhile sautee the onion and pepperami in the oil for about 5 mins. Add everything else and reduce to a thick, pulpy sauce. Drain the pasta and mix in to the sauce. Scoff.

Slow Cooker Mincemeat (v)

I am falling seriously in love with my slow cooker. This recipe is great, very easy and no fuss at all.

For about 6-8 jars (so oodles of pies...) you need:
450g bramley apples, finely chopped (cored but not peeled)
225g shredded veggie suet
250g raisins
250g sultanas
250g currants
250g chopped mixed peel
250g glace cherries
50g flaked almonds
350g dark soft brown sugar
grated zest and juice of 2 lemons and 2 oranges
4 tsp ground mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 grated nutmeg
250ml southern comfort
250ml sweet sherry

Place everything into the slow cooker crock and cover with a lid and leave overnight to mingle. The next day, place in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours, stirring after about three to ensure all the suet melts evenly. Leave to cool slightly and then pac into sterilised jars. Use as you wish.

Home Knitted Yogurt

Please, only eat this wearing sandals and socks and a kaftan and being pretentious ;-)

For 4-6 servings you need:
500ml milk
25g dried milk powder
3 tbsp live yogurt

Heat the milk to blood temperature (or heat it to boiling and then allow to cool to blood temp) then add the milk powder and yogurt. Place in a thermos overnight and eat for breakfast the next morning. Feel smug.

Irish Pie (v)

So called cos it's basically colcannon...

For 2 portions you need:
1 onion
1-2 bunches kale
knob vegan marge
little sunflower oil
little soya milk
potatoes
salt and pepper

Cook the potatoes and make in to mash using some of the marge and the milk. Season. Meanwhile chop the onion and sautee in the marge and butter. Wash and finely shred the kale and add to the onions. Cover and wilt for 5 mins or so. Place in the bottom of an oven proof dish. Top with mash and bake in a hot oven for 20-30 mins.

Child's Hot Toddy

Lex moaned at me for not making him a hot toddy earlier in the week, so this is for him.

For one person you need:
1/2 lemon cut into thick slices
2 tsp honey
boiling water
a little love

Place everything in a mug and add the boiling water about 2/3 up the side of the mug. Mix well and then top up with cold water and love. Serve with a hug.

Cauliflower and Broccoli Risotto

This is a variation on the usual risotto bianco.

For 4-6 portions you need:
For 4-6 portions you need:
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
50g butter
2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for the squash
250g risotto rice
1 litre veggie stock
125ml white wine
salt and pepper
100g Parmesan, grated
1/2 head cauliflower
1 small head broccoli

Fry the onion in the oil and butter till soft and translucent. Add the garlic and rice and cook for a further 2-3 mins till the rice is lightly toasted. Add the wine and bubble off. Add the broccoli stalk (finely chopped) and then add the stock a ladle at a time till all absorbed and the rice is plumed up and delicious. About 10 ins before the end add the cauli and broccoli florets. Season and stir through a touch more butter. Serve with parmesan.

Risotto Bianco

This is the base to many a delicious risotto.

For 4-6 portions you need:
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
50g butter
2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for the squash
250g risotto rice
1 litre veggie stock
125ml white wine
salt and pepper
100g Parmesan, grated

Fry the onion in the oil and butter till soft and translucent. Add the garlic and rice and cook for a further 2-3 mins till the rice is lightly toasted. Add the wine and bubble off. Then add the stock a ladle at a time till all absorbed and the rice is plumed up and delicious. Season and stir through a touch more butter. Serve with parmesan.

Hugh's Pancakes

Apparently these scored an 8/10 on the Lex Pancake Scale (tm). Don't tell Hugh ;-)

For about 12 pancakes you need:
250g plain flour
pinch salt
2 eggs
600ml milk

Mix everything together and leave to rest, preferably overnight but for at least 30 mins. Cook as per usual and scoff with lemon and sugar. Yum.

Cranberry Chutney (v)

This is another St Delia recipe. Yes, we're having a Delia and not a Nigella Xmas this year...

For 4 small jars you need:
450g cranberries
1 red onion, diced
1 large cinnamon stick
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
350g demerara sugar
5 whole cloves
grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
425ml red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt

Place everything in a wide pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 45 mins or until the vinegar has evaporated. Pour in to sterilised jars and leave to mature for 4 weeks or so.

Cherry and Almond Mincemeat (v)

Yes. It's that time of year again... This is a variation of St Delia's Christmas Mincemeat.

For about 6-8 jars (so oodles of pies...) you need:
450g bramley apples, finely chopped (cored but not peeled)
225g shredded veggie suet
250g raisins
250g sultanas
250g currants
250g chopped mixed peel
250g glace cherries
50g flaked almonds
350g dark soft brown sugar
grated zest and juice of 2 lemons and 2 oranges
4 tsp ground mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 grated nutmeg
250ml southern comfort
250ml sweet sherry
125ml brandy

Place everything apart from the brandy into a tub and leave overnight to mingle. The next day, preheat the oven to 120 degrees and place the mincemeat mixture into an ovenproof dish and bake for 3 hours. Remove from the oven and mix from time to time as it cools to allow the fat to cover everything (this is what keeps it fresh). When it's cold stir in the brandy and pack the mincemeat into sterilised jars. Use as you wish.

Hot Toddy (v)

We had no lemons so this was made with oranges. It was nice. Use agarve nectar if you're vegan...

For one person you need:
1/2 orange cut into thick slices
1-2 tsp honey or 1tsp agarve nectar
Boiling water
1-2 shots whisky

Place the honey/nectar, oranges and alcohol in a mug. Pour over boiling water and leave to steep for 2-3 mins, crushing the orange as you do so. Sip and feel better.

Vegan Custard (v)

Yes this is a cheat. No, I don't care :P

For 2-3 servings you need:
300ml soya milk
4 tsp custard powder
4 tsp sugar

Mix the custard powder and sugar with a little of the milk. Heat the rest to scalding point and then pour on the custard powder. Mix well and serve as you wish.

Apple Crumble with Oaty Topping (v)

This is based on Jamie's recipe and is a good quick midweek pudding to fortify the soul and ward off against the cold winter horribleness.

For 3-4 people you need:
Crumble:
50g rolled oats
15g plain flour
20g caster sugar
35g vegan margarine

For the filling:
400g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered
50g vanilla sugar
1 tbsp water

Stew the apples till soft (takes about 15 mins). Blitz the margarine with the flour and sugar and then mix through the oats. Place the apples in an ovenproof dish and top with the crumble mix. Bake for 20-30 mins and serve with vegan custard.

Spinach and Tomato Pasta (v)

This is another quick after work meal that makes the most of the dregs of the veg box.

For 2-3 people you need:
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 pack spinach
1/2 punnet tomatoes, skinned and roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 tub vegan cream cheese
250g pasta
1/2 glass white wine
salt and pepper
splash olive oil

Cook the pasta. Sautee the onion in a little oil for 3-4 mins. Add the spinach and skinned tomatoes along with the garlic. Cook for a further 3-4 mins and then add the wine. Allow to bubble briefly and then add the cream cheese. Cook out. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the water. Mix the pasta with the sauce, adding some of the water if too thick. Serve.

Thai Green Curry Noodle Soup (v)

This is a very quick but delicious after work treat.

For 3 people you need:
1 can coconut milk
2 tbsp thai green curry paste
1 bag stirfry vegetables or assorted veggies (e.g. carrots, pak choi, onion, peas etc)
3 bundles rice noodles
1 pack marinated tofu
chopped fresh corriander to serve

Place the coconut milk and curry paste in a pan and heat. Add the noodles and vegetables and cook for 3-4 mins. Add the tofu and heat for a further minute. Serve in bowls topped with fresh corriander. Slurp with satisfaction.

Apricot Porridge (v)

Bored with the usual plain porridge, apricots make a nice addition and boost the iron content :)

For one person you need:
1/3 cup oats
2/3 cup soya milk
3-4 dried apricots, chopped roughly

Place everything in a pan over a gentle heat and stir till thickened. Eat. Fill fortified.

Hugh's Ten Minute Cookies

This recipe is from River Cottage Everyday. I don't think they are as nice as Nigella's chocolate cookies from Nigella Express, but they lasted all week for lunch boxes and were nice and chewy.

For about 16 cookies you need:
125g butter
100g caster sugar
75g light soft brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
150g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
100g chocolate (I like a mix of white and milk)

Melt the butter and leave to cool slightly. Mix with the sugars and then add everything else. Spoon on to greased baking sheets, well spaced, and bake for 10 mins at 150 degrees. Leave to cool slightly before moving them to a cooling rack, but not for too long or they will stick...

Spinach/chard/kale, mushroom, tomato and egg 'mess' (can be vegan)

What do you do when your veg box delivers too much spinach? Make this of course! It's a great brunch or light supper dish and nauseatingly healthy too with three of your five a day on one plate. Omit the egg for a vegan version

For two people you need:
1 bag spinach/chard/soft kale, washed and roughly shredded
1 red onion, sliced
1/2 punnet mushrooms, thickly sliced
salt and pepper
splash veggie worcester sauce
splash tabasco
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup small tomatoes, halved
4 eggs

Begin by sauteeing the onion in the oil for 2-3 mins. Add the spinach and mushrooms and cover to allow the spinach to wilt. Don't cook for too long as you want the mushrooms firm and not soggy.

Season with salt, pepper, tabasco and worcester sauce. If you want it vegan serve as is with bread/toast. If you want to add the eggs, make four hollows in the vegetables and crack the eggs in to them. Cover again and cook for 3-5 mins till the eggs are set.

Cheese and Egg Galette

This is my favourite galette filling. Pure comfort in a crispy, oozy bundle :)

For one person you need:
One galette
One egg
1/4 cup emmental

Place the galette on a large flat griddle pan. Sprinkle over the cheese and crack the egg into the upper middle. As the cheese melts and the egg cooks, fold in the sides of the galette and the bottom. Serve over easy or sunny side up depending on how you like your yolks.