Pesto fusilli with courgettes Aromatic basil (used to make the pesto) is believed to calm the nervous system. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 4 (with pesto leftovers) Easy/prepare ahead Pesto fusilli with courgettes 300g (10oz) fusilli 1 potato, peeled 2 courgettes, sliced 85g (31/2oz) frozen peas For the pesto 85g (31/2oz) … Read more
New ideas for midweek or weekend for a couple or a crowd. Simple stylist and something new to inspire, with fresh seasonal flavours. 2 New Roasts Ideas to make a special lunch even better! Herbed loin of lamb with mint sauce Chop the herbs just before cooking, so they retain their vibrant colour A very … Read more
Garden writer and cook Sarah Raven, 49, tells Emma Pritchard about the flowers that have marked the memorable moment in her life. Sarah is married to writer Adam Nicolson, and has two teenage daughters and three stepsons. She lives at Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, where she runs courses in cooking, flower arranging, growing and … Read more
Sweet potato and Peppadew tortilla Make this tortilla for supper, then enjoy the rest for lunch the next day. Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Serves 8 Easy/prepare ahead Sweet potato and Peppadew tortilla 750g (1lb 10oz) sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 2tbsp olive oil 2 onions, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed … Read more
5. 310°F / 154°C: Maillard Reactions Become Noticeable The Maillard reaction turns foods brown and generates mostly pleasant volatile aromatic compounds. You can thank Maillard reactions for the nice golden-brown color and rich aromas of a Thanksgiving turkey, Fourth of July hamburger, and Sunday brunch bacon. If you’re still not able to conjure up the … Read more
She’s a woman who has a dream Tracy Stone, 49, is managing director of Gant. She lives in London with her second husband and has two grown-up sons from her first marriage. “I never intended to work in retail, but I was a hard-up young mum, so I went and got a Saturday job. I … Read more
Spring vegetable stew Packed with gorgeous fresh veg – almost your 5 a day in one pot Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Serves 4 Easy/prepare ahead Spring vegetable stew 1tbsp olive oil 4 shallots or 1 medium onion, peeled and finely sliced 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 100ml (4fl oz) dry … Read more
Rosemary Mashed Potatoes This simple mashed potato recipe uses the microwave for cooking the potatoes. If you’re in the anti-microwave category, consider this: cooking a potato—or any other starchy root vegetable—requires gelatinizing the starches in the vegetable. For this to occur, two things need to happen: the starch granules need to get hot enough to … Read more
Woman aged 40-plus are reinventing life today. The result? There are no rules about the way we live the second half of our lives, as our fascinating new research and compelling interviews show… You might be married, single, divorced or remarried. Perhaps you’re the breadwinner, on a board, working part-time or running a business and … Read more
Cauliflower and leek soup with gremolata Cauliflower is perfect when you want a creamy soup without calorie-laden cream. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Serves 4 as a main, 6 as a starter Easy/prepare ahead/freeze Cauliflower and leek soup with gremolata 35g (11/4oz) butter 1 large onion, chopped 1 leek, chopped 2 garlic … Read more
Can’t shake your daily chocolate fix? Find out what your body really needs and beat those snack attacks for good. Craving chocolate? We hate to burst your bubble; there is no such thing as chocolate deficiency! Craving chocolate could be a sign of low magnesium levels, because raw cacao is a good source of this … Read more
Sautéed Greens In a sauté or nonstick pan preheated over medium heat, add: 1 bunch Swiss chard, collard greens, or other hardy leafy green vegetable; stems and thick veins removed, and sliced into 1″ strips 2 tablespoons (26g) olive oil (enough to coat the pan) Using tongs, quickly toss the greens to coat them with … Read more
Warm puy lentil, butternut and beetroot salad Keep the skin on the butternut squash – it’s where all the nutrients are found. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Serves 4 Easy/prepare ahead Warm puy lentil, butternut and beetroot salad 1 large butternut squash, deseeded and cut into chunks 2tbsp olive oil 500g (1lb … Read more
Boots your health by eating seasonally with Amanda Hamilton’s top shopping tips “Seasonal eating and its benefits for your health have long been recognized by ancient medical systems, in particular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As we move from winter into spring, now is the perfect time to consider how the food you eat plays a … Read more
Collagen Experiment If all this talk about collagen and texture isn’t gelling for you, do the following experiment. Take a few pieces of beef stew meat, and proceed as though you’re making beef stew. Once your beef is in the slow cooker, set a timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove a few pieces … Read more
“I have to admit that when making my own commitment to cook and eat more veg, and indeed to write this book. It was a little hard to shake off the meat lover’s niggling prejudices,” says Hugh. “The cookery I have embraced here is more democratic and the recipes are often a harmonious blend of … Read more
The internet Advantages and disadvantages Almost all children ages eight to 17 use the internet. Now is your opportunity to influence your child’s online behavior while he is young and likely to comply. This gives you an opportunity to get things right in preparation for years of internet use, so that you can maximize the … Read more
Spatchcock chicken with gremolata A spatchcock chicken is a chicken that has simply had the backbone cut out. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Serves 6 Easy Spatchcock chicken with gremolata 1.5kg (3lb 6oz) free-range chicken, spatchcocked 1tbsp olive oil Juice 1/2 lemon For the gremolata Handful each flat-leaf parsley and tarragon, roughly … Read more
Q: What can I do to manage video gaming safely with my two sons? A: Help your boys to choose age-appropriate games and websites by taking into account each individual child’s temperament and developmental stage in your decision-making. An energetic, fiery child may well get over-excited and a little aggressive after playing a war game, … Read more
Feeding a crowd doesn’t mean you can’t serve an impressive main everyone will love. Lemon-and-herb crusted rack of lamb Pine nuts add a lovely creaminess, and supply zinc, which balances blood sugar. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Serves 4 Easy Lemon-and-herb crusted rack of lamb Small bunch mint, leaves only Small bunch … Read more