Dish of the Day…
Atul Kochhar’s Jeera Chicken - The flavours in this curry are wonderful and smoky, with a background heat that isn’t overpowering. It was developed by the Indian community in Kenya and has been brought to us by the genius of Atul Kochhar in his brilliant … Continue reading
Nutty Pork Meatballs with Five-Veg Pasta Sauce - This recipe is inspired by something I cooked for my children from the new Ella’s Kitchen cookbook. It’s packed with great recipes for children, aged from the baby years to Tweens, which got me wondering whether I could give them … Continue reading
Dads’ Dining Club Review: Roganic, Blandford Street, London, W1 - Six times a year, four musketeer dads get together for a gastronomical night out. But there are times when three of us aren’t available. This is one such time. However, it would be a wasted opportunity to miss out on … Continue reading
Ready in 10…Super Simple Thai Green Leftover Chicken Curry - What could be simpler than taking a couple of tablespoons of Thai green curry paste, mixing it with a can of coconut milk, then chucking in some leftover chicken, asparagus and chopped red pepper? OK, OK, toast could be easier, … Continue reading
A Great Gift For Father’s Day: Simon Cave’s Manly Food - If you are a man who loves to cook, or are married to a man whose Nirvana is the kitchen, then food writer and blogger Simon Cave’s ‘Manly Food’ cookbook is a must-buy gift for Father’s Day. Fortunately, I don’t … Continue reading More from Reluctant Housedad…
Atul Kochhar’s Sumatran Lamb Kurma - I’ve adapted this recipe from Atul Kochhar’s wonderful ‘Curries Of The World’ book. His introductory note to this very mild, but tasty, Sumatran Lamb Kurma, goes: ‘The korma, or kurma, is thought to have originated in India but such is … Continue reading 
Ching He-Huang’s Yellow Bean and Honey Roast Chicken - One of my favourite Chinese cooks is Ching He-Huang. I got her ‘Chinese Food In Minutes’ cookbook sent to me a few years ago when I worked on a cookery magazine and I’ve used it at least a couple of … Continue reading 
Springbok Fillet wrapped in Parma Ham with Port & Cranberry Sauce - Springbok fillet has to be the most tender cut of meat I’ve ever tasted. It has the texture of pate and the taste of a mild venison. Utterly delicious. For such a lean meat, I was expecting it to be … Continue reading 
Cherry Blossom tree at my sons’ school. How beautiful is this? - OK, it’s not food, but it’s just as tasty to the eye. This magnificent cherry blossom tree is in the garden at my sons’ primary school. It was rather windy last night – and the effect is spectacular.
Slow-Cooked Chicken Do-Piaza - Do- Piaza translates as ‘two onions’ because that’s the number of times they appear in the cooking process. The first stage involves making a puree from onions, garlic and ginger. The final stage is to add lots of sliced onions … Continue reading 
How to get 2-for-1 tickets to Thorpe Park – the nation’s Thrill Capital (according to my 11-year-old) - Theme parks don’t do it for me. I’m a wuss, see. Prone to dizziness and screaming. Not a good look for a man approaching his 50th year. The last time I took my kids on an ‘adventure park’ ride was … Continue reading 
Posh Chicken, Chips, Mushy Peas and Chip Shop-Style Curry Sauce - Whenever I go to visit my dad in Manchester, I always make a point of going to the local chip shop. It has fantastic memories for me because when me and my three younger brothers were little boys, the Big … Continue reading 
Monica Galetti’s Organic Roast Chicken Thighs with Fennel and Lemon - All home cooks know that it’s sometimes hard to find inspiration for mealtimes, so when I was sent a selection of recipes by superchef and Masterchef: The Professionals judge Monica Galetti (she’s the scary one) to promote Organic. Naturally … Continue reading 
Should you eat that bacon? - Are you having a dilemma about eating that bacon butty this morning? Hesitate no more. • Thank you to my dear friend Sian for sending this to me. A true warrior.
Review: Walkers Baked Hoops and Crosses - The lights are bright. The scene is set. Two aficionados of the bagged baked snacks genre approach the table. The first, with deft fingers, pinches at the seal of the bag, then opens it with a pfftt of released air. … Continue reading 
Hare Fillet Pappardelle with Slow Cooked Mushroom Sauce - The flavour of hare fillet is intensely deep and gamey, with a texture that’s a cross between liver and venison. It requires minimal cooking or it becomes as tough as a soldier’s boot, so to make this magnificently rich and … Continue reading 
Review: Is chocolate-infused cheese a revelation or just revolting? - Is there such a thing as the Best of Both Worlds? You know the kind of thing: getting a massage while you’re watching the football; having a pint while your wife takes the kids shopping; pouring some cashews into your … Continue reading 
Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder with Fennel and Star Anise - This astonishingly tasty slow cooked pork shoulder is stuffed with fennel seeds, star anise, lemon and chilli. It is superb for Sunday lunch, but also delicious cold the next day in sandwiches. It’s also very easy to make. If you … Continue reading 
Sous Vide Beef Fillet with Pappardelle and Porcini Mushroom Cream Sauce - I find that when you only pan-fry an especially chunky piece of meat – such as this fillet of beef – the temperature at the centre of the meat is stone cold, while the exterior is perfect. This is where Sous … Continue reading 
Review: Star Trek Into Darkness - ‘Apserlutly awesome!!!’ Not my words, but those of my eight-year-old son, written in his school exercise book, after the lucky lad had the privilege of seeing a preview of this summer’s blockbuster event of the year, Star Trek: Into … Continue reading 
Review: Food Glorious Food winner’s Fragrant White Chicken Korma - The last time I had a ready-meal was a couple of years ago. A curry, I seem to remember. With a couple of bits of dried chicken, floating like islets in an ocean of vinegary sauce. Horrific. So when … Continue reading
