low budget

celeriac remoulade with fresh mackerel

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I have been meaning to put this recipe on the blog for ages, it’s just so delicious because the combination of the flavours of the mustardy, lemony dressing cuts through the oiliness of the mackerel and just tastes great. The celeriac remoulade recipe is from The Ivy cookbook and I added some chopped chives. It’s a really delicious lower carb meal or delicious with roasted sourdough if you prefer and mackerel is not only packed with omega3 oils which are really good for you but it’s also budget friendly.

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easy chocolate fondant torte

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this cake looks more like a tart without the pastry than a cake, but because it’s so rich and chocolatey it’s perfect. It’s really fondanty and crisp on the outside. You can also make a dairy free and/or a gluten free version too if you prefer. It’s delicious with red berries and vanilla ice cream or with whatever you prefer and it’s all from store cupboard ingredients.

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cherry sorbet

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I love cherries in anything, and this delicious sorbet is all raw. I buy a bag of frozen stoned dark cherries from the freezer department in my local Sainsbury’s (they are only £2.00 for 500g which is a bargain) 

The sorbet is beyond easy to make, no churn and I like to serve it with biscotti and or some shaved dark chocolate on top… or just garnished with fresh cherries.

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fried egg sandwich with mushrooms and pink pickled onions

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I was commissioned by a bread company to come up with three recipes using their bread and this is one of them. It’s a delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch or snack. It’s got lots of flavour with the pickled red onions and the fried egg with the crunchiness of the bread.

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polpette di melanzane (eggplant meatballs)

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This Italian recipe is a fantastic meatless version of meatballs, they are absolutely amazing and packed with flavour and perfect if you love aubergines, like me. Also they are great if you are having a dinner party or date night (just halve the quantities for two) I absolutely adore them.

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pasta con le sarde

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A traditional Sicilian recipe for pasta with the amazing flavours of fennel, anchovies, saffron, wine, pine nuts and lemon with crunchy bread crumbs on top. I searched high and low for fresh sardines but my fishmonger said they were out of season, so I used good quality tinned ones in olive oil and they are absolutely fine. I make mine with spaghetti Nero but any long pasta works.

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leeks roasted with parmesan and breadcrumbs

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This leek recipe is excellent as a side dish to a roast, or with fish. Although leeks can be a bit stringy it’s worth it as the flavours of the leeks roasted with the parmesan, garlic and bread crumbs is delicious and leeks and Parmesan according to anti ageing doctors I have been reading about claims that they boost your bodies own collagen production which helps reduce wrinkles…who knows but it’s delicious anyway.

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aubergine pizza

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This pizza recipe looks great, and best of all it tastes great too. The aubergine works really well cooked this way and becomes creamy and slightly sweet. The flavour of the mozzarella is boosted with a bit of parmesan and the red onion… once prepped the pizza takes about 6 minutes to cook… so if you are entertaining you can prepare them in advance and bung them in the oven just before you want them. Brilliant with a green salad and a glass of Italian red wine.

For the links to my pizza dough and sugo just click on them and it will take you to the recipes.

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italian spiced almond courgette cake

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This cake is Italian American in origin and it’s super moist thanks to the courgettes and the olive oil. Its packed with spices, is dairy free and has a tangy lemon icing. I tweaked it to be a bit healthier with whole meal spelt flour, and added poppy seeds to the icing. It’s perfect with a coffee for breakfast or at teatime… but would make a great birthday cake too.

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