Spiced pearl couscous with chickpeas & egg

Photo: Ruth Barry

This is inspired by a dish my mother-in-law made for me. It’s a quick cook supper, on the table in under half an hour, and not too heavy on the washing up. It makes a hearty main dish on its own, but it would work equally well as a side dish or as part of… Continue reading Spiced pearl couscous with chickpeas & egg

Fennel, tomato, basil & parmesan frittata

I’ve been feeling a little uninspired in the kitchen lately, bored by the intense heat of this incredibly dry summer. When it’s so hot outside, I don’t want to turn on the oven or have a steaming pot on the stove, but endlessly planning two meals a day without much cooking has left me rolling… Continue reading Fennel, tomato, basil & parmesan frittata

Pea soup with roast potatoes & a soft boiled egg

I’d been warned that the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles wouldn’t be especially scenic. Though Highway 101, which meanders along the coast, is spectacular, the fastest route is the I-5, which cuts a straight line through hundreds of miles of the Central Valley. For most of the way it’s a dual carriageway, and… Continue reading Pea soup with roast potatoes & a soft boiled egg

Soy roasted butternut squash, green veg, rice & scallion egg

Although I love sweet vegetables, I enjoy them most when they’re in savoury dishes. I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie, I will never understand the sweet potato casserole with marshmallows served at Thanksgiving, and I’ve never been moved to add beetroot to chocolate cake. I enjoy my dinner most when it’s in balance: sweetness… Continue reading Soy roasted butternut squash, green veg, rice & scallion egg

Beetroot, feta & dill frittata

Even though I love it, I’m always hesitant to cook with beetroot. I have it in my mind that it takes forever to cook (it doesn’t take that long), but the worst thing is that it’s soooooo messy. When I was making this, I thought I managed to clean all the splashes of bright pink… Continue reading Beetroot, feta & dill frittata