October delicacies

This time of year makes me want comfort foods, warming foods and delicious foods. I am all about popcorn again. Popping some oil, a hint of salt and sugar into a pan, letting them heat and dumping in my corn kernels, lid on, then watching them pop away and finally gobbling them down.

I love my baking just now. Not just breads, but anything satisfying. How about some Blueberry Galette with Cornmeal Thyme Crust?

Or how about some meltilicious Julia Child's Croissants overhauled recipe?

Or finally how about a wonderful Treacle Sponge?

And let not forget that this is the time of year we feel justified in bringing out the slow cooker once more. Slow cooker Split Pea Dal
Slow Cooker Chiptole Pulled Pork
Slow cooker Braised Lamb-Shank

October foods include: Celeriac (I love this as a soup or a mash)
Kale - wonderful cooked in a low temp oven for 20 mins, until it is completely dry - eat as crisps, or in mash as colcannon
Cabbage, as above, or in soup
Aubergine - as baba ganush or grilled
Apples - juiced or as a crumble
Wild Mushrooms, as a risotto or a soup
Beetroot - I love this in so many ways, from risotto to pickling, to as it is with fish or meat
Chicory - I love this best as it is with hummus
Figs - beautiful raw and stewed
Fennel - I love this roasted or in a soup (sieve it though as it can be stringy)
Lamb (tagine or the slow cooked shank above), mackerel (grilled and served with beetroot), mussels (a steaming bowl with garlic and lemon, parsley and bread)

This time of year really packs a punch. Flavours are full on and varied. Enjoy the autumn. Stay warm and eat well xx


On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scotland about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback: The Island of the Mist is book 2 The Stone in the Sword is book 1 The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats: The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Winter is on its way

Winter is almost upon us, and we are already craving comforting, warming foods. We want casseroles, stews, curries, one pot wonders. Anything warm and cosy that will make life feel good.

Celeriac is a wonderful root vegetable at this time and if you haven't tried it I strongly recommend it just now, while its in season. Here are a few recipe ideas: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/search?keywords=celeriac

Another thing I love at this time of year is a pudding, or a scone, or a cake in the evening. One of my favourite cake/loaves is Date & Walnut and Nigella has a wonderful recipe for this: http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/date-and-walnut-loaf-1748

Finally a word on thrift regarding winter warmers. We bought a whole rabbit from the butcher last weekend and made a wonderful stew with half of it but the bones were terrible! Please be aware that if you are having rabbit there are many, many bones, some of which are tiny but could make you choke so please be careful.

We also bought a very cheap piece of lamb - the rib. This, stewed or casseroled over 2 1/2 to 3 hours with onions, carrots, garlic, cayenne pepper, stock and bay leaves is simply divine. The meat melts off the bones. I have never been a fan of ribs until trying this and it was so good we are serving it to guests this weekend. Add potatoes in for a filling meal.

On a vegetarian note, puy lentils are a fantastic staple. They are highly versatile and very good for you, hold their shape far better than red or dahl lentils and can be used for chilli's, casseroles and anything else! They will take the boldest of flavours so don't be afraid to try new recipes.

This looks to be a winter of bad weather and cold and/or wet nights. Stay warm and well fed x


On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scotland about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback: The Island of the Mist is book 2 The Stone in the Sword is book 1 The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats: The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Seasonal in October

October is a very abundant time of the year and while most people turn to pumpkins for the festivities, why not have a look at some other flavoursome vegetables, such as celeriac, wild mushrooms and cabbage?

Celeriac is the root base of a celery plant. It is unlike the celery stalk is many ways, from flaour, texture to scent. Personally, I can't eat celery but I love celeriac. Mixed in with potatoes as a mash or as a bed on which you cook your sea bass/duck etc. Have a go at this roast celeriac with marsala recipe.

Wild mushrooms are especially abundant this year and are packed with nutty goodness. How about this sauted wild mushrooms recipe?

Cabbage is exceptionally good for you. It can also be wonderfully tasty. It is inexpensive and very easy to cook, is highly versatile and really adds another dimension to a meal. One of my favourite meals is Bubble n Squeak.

Fruits this month include apples and sloe, and there is an abundance of game for a truly hearty variety in October.

On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

And you can still obtain the first book, The Stone in the Sword: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

What's in Season in December

December may appear at first glance to be a sparce month for flavours but this is completely not the case.

Cabbage, clams, clementine, goose, horseradish, kale, jerusalem artichoke, salsify, mussels, oysters, parsnip, pomegranate, swede, satsuma, truffle, sea bass, venison, wild duck and winkles are all in season at the moment.

You can still get:
Cranberries, apples, partridge, brussel sprouts, pumpkin, scallops, chestnut, celeriac and turkey this coming month.

Celeriac, the root of the celery, is a wonderful root vegetable. I cannot stand celery myself but a celeriac soup sets me up for the day.

1 celeriac
1 large leek
1 med potato
2 pints stock (veg or chicken, or 1 of each)
2-3 larges cloves garlic

Fry off veg in a drop of oil before adding sock, bring to boil then simmer until all veg soft (about 15-20 mins). Stand for a minute or two to cool off enough to blitz in liquidiser or with hand blender, return to heat for a min and serve. This lovely soup is silky smooth and doesn't require cream, so it's very healthy too. Enjoy!