Tagliatelli ragu

This ragu was cooked long and slow, and is probably one of the most "authentic" I have ever made - starting with big chunks of braising steak and bacon - stewed for ages in red wine, stock, veg and tomatoes.  The meat then shredded, veg chopped and returned to the stew.  Rich and meltingly tender.  Got the thumbs up from victim - but it's not every day you can spend 4 hours over a pasta dinner.

Burn's night

Well, you just have to - haggis, neeps and tatties and greens.  Favourite bit was neeps and tatties - victims favourite bit was "spreading the joy"  - or passing left over (mammoth) haggis over fence to lovely neighbours.  Trust us to get a Haggis for 10, for 2 ... was going to be more, but due to lack of organisation was low key!  The haggis for 10. would, in my estimation serve at least 12 - and more like 18-20.  Servings so far... 2 x "live", 2 x packed dinners for nuking, 2 x very happy dogs & very large plateful emigrated next door.

Just to note, weekend "victims" have reported that they didn't feel like victims - which, of course, is good - but is making me rethink the tone  of the narration - after all, it's only very rarely that we lock them in and force new foodstuffs upon them ;).

Extremely healthy carrot muffins, and poached pear

Surprise visit from victims with particular requirements - veggie and low fat/ low sugar.  So butter bean casserole, brown rice and cavolo nero followed by poached pear.  Too much chatting going on to remember to take pics at the time - but as I often do, I saved my pud and ate it cold today.  Victims had seconds of firsts, as it were, and gave the pears a big thumbs up.  Pears were poached in cranberry and blackcurrant juice with root ginger and cinnamon.  After eating mine today, even cold, I concur with their view.  Carrot muffins recipe came with organic veg box, and has been taken away as approval was so strong.  It was from Abel and Cole, so maybe it will be on the website soon. http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/

International Italian Cuisine Day

... but we were really late home, and starving, so were lured into Waitrose for standby pie.  The shame!  And it wasn't that nice either - wish I had stuck to plan A.

Healthy Sunday

You will eat vegetables... leek and potato soup, (3+); hunter casserole and steamed veg ... (onion, mushroom, pepper, celery, tomato, green beans, carrot, fennel, peas (9)) ... ha - 5 a day! ha! Gathered victims bemoaned lack of Sunday roast... tough folkies - this was better for you!

Old fashioned cherry cake

Best of the year so far - OK - it's only the 15th January, but it really is good.  More or less from Delia - but instead of almond essence I added zest of 1 lemon.  The cherries are organic and therefore without the old fashioned bright red colour - but trust me, are just as nice (probably nicer).  Tossing the sticky cherries in ground almonds and flour seems to have prevented them sinking.  Can't waint for some more tomorrow.  Also, will try to update blog more - organic box contains salsify and fennel - both of which surely deserve a mention.

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/sweet/old-fashioned-cherry-cake.html

Clementine muffins

The first foray into baking after the Christmas feeding frenzy.  These are low sugar, and are made with yogurt, so not too naughty, but give a bit of a sweet(ish) treat.  More or less from here:-
http://frenchfood.about.com/od/breadandpastry/r/Clementine-Muffins-Recipe.htm - but I didn't put sugar on the top - to save a few extra cals.