Simple tomato sauce for pasta – new recipe

A really simple tomato sauce with pasta is a pretty wonderful thing. But as is so often the case, ‘simple’ is not necessarily ‘easy’. But in this case, you are in luck, as this sauce is both, although it does require 40 minutes on a low simmer to get the flavours working. This recipe is […]

Week 7 2021 meal plan – heading into half term

A couple of weeks ago, I thought to myself that half term would not really make a huge difference to us: we’d still have to find ways to entertain Ioan and still work our full time jobs. But by the end of last week, both Ioan and I were well and truly sick to death […]

Week 5 2021 meal plan – a bump in the night

Headbutting a door … a bump in the night Our week started with an anniversary meal on Monday, followed by the usual monotony of lockdown, and ended with (quite literally) a bump in the night. Specifically Ioan’s forehead bumping into the side of his bedroom door at midnight (apparently he was trying to get to […]

Week 4 2021 meal plan – an Indian banquet with Kanishka (review)

I know it’s hard to believe as I look so incredibly youthful (joke), but Andrew and I have now been going out for 25 years. The anniversary is today (25 January, also Welsh Valentine’s Day, coincidentally), and I do have a very special anniversary meal I will be cooking tonight (I’ll tell you about it […]

Week 3 2021 meal plan – read the recipe properly

Whole lamb shoulder, not diced lamb shoulder My grand plans for a lovely lamb hotpot on a cold wintry day (a Cookbook Challenge from The Pie Room by Calum Franklin) were foiled by the fact I didn’t read the recipe properly, and didn’t buy the correct ingredients. I read 2kg lamb shoulder, immediately decided to […]

Week 2 2021 meal plan – and home school horrors

Working from home with a four year old Well it was never going to be easy, was it? But I won’t complain (too much) as the companies we work for are being very understanding, allowing us the flexibility to work and look after Ioan, and that’s not the case for everyone. Ioan is thoroughly enjoying […]

Three ingredient easy cheesy pasta for kids – new recipe

I say this three ingredient easy cheesy pasta is for kids, but it’s very tasty so perfectly suitable for adults too. The pasta has a rich cheese sauce made directly in the saucepan you have cooked your pasta in, meaning less washing up … always a bonus in my house. What are the three ingredients? […]

Beef and beer stew – new recipe

Beef and beer stew Beef and beer. Beer and beef. Two of Andrew’s favourite things, apart from me and Ioan, obviously. I think … so what could be wrong with beef cooked in beer? Nothing, I don’t think. Especially when it is cooked low and slow into this delicious beef and beer stew. Tender beef […]

The simplest curry – new recipe

The simplest curry, your way Chicken curry? Beef curry? Fish curry? Vegetable curry? Thai green, yellow or Massaman? This is the easiest curry you will ever make, with just a few ingredients you no doubt have in your house. In your mind to in your tummy within 30 minutes flat. Perfect for a mid-week meal […]