Stilton, Apple and Dried Cranberry Salad

The last few days have felt like spring has finally sprung.  The sun has been out, the odd quick shower but it finally feels right to be getting into the garden, planting seeds and sorting out my vegetable patch.

The sudden abundance of green turns my mind to salads and delicious tangy Stilton with sweet apple, dried cranberries, bitter walnuts and so many lovely leaves.  I do love a salad which is layer on layer of flavour and texture and this is it.

Chorizo and Mushroom Pan Fry

This is a great brunch recipe and gluten free if you don't chose to eat it with toast.  The kind of recipe which will sort you out and wake you up with enough gentle spice to tingle the tastebuds.

Sea Bass with Ginger Dressing

After a run I wanted something healthy but not too healthy.  There is something delightful about a sweet, sticky, spicy dressing with a salad, like the good stuff almost cancels out the bad stuff.  Kinda.  Ah just go with it, this tastes great.

Recipes I go back to again and again

I used to have a blog called "Mamacook" which was intended to have recipes for babies and toddlers.  As my son grew up, his diet was wider than many adults so it became difficult to come up with specific "kids" recipes.  I always liked making recipes which appealed to me anyway and these are some which I still love to cook, often just for me.

I hope you enjoy these tried and tested recipes as much as I do.

Individual Fish Pie

Oh when will the weather warm up?  It still feels right to be having cosy wintery food like pies and stews.

Fish pie is one of those dishes which is great for kids, great for adults and great for that transition between seasons too.  Lovely cheesy fish and mashed potato.  Yum!

The Eat Well Guide

The eat well plate in the UK has been superseded by the "Eat Well Guide".  For those of you that don't know, the eatwell plate was an infographic (produced before we started calling them infographics) to give guidance on what to eat.

So this is the new version.  I should say now that I'm not a dietitian but I am interested in dietetics and food.  My opinion on here is no more valid than any other blogger but it is my opinion.

The best place to start in reviewing it is probably to compare it with the old version and here it is:

Individual Cottage Pie

This was made at the request of my son who loves his traditional food.  I have to admit it was pretty lovely.

This is an unusual recipe for me because it makes 3-4 small portions but it's easy to freeze before baking with the mashed potato on top, then defrost prior to cooking; add the cheese and bake.

Crayfish and Spinach Linguine

I was so hungry.  I had done a 3 mile run after breakfast of yogurt and I was so hungry.  I love linguine, love it, love it, love it.  It has a delicious way of being easy to cook but still keep al dente.  I always think we should rethink pasta as well.  It doesn't have to be covered in thick gloopy sauces, it can be light, fresh and super quick.

I came up with this idea realising I wanted to eat within 10 minutes (my linguine were cooked in 6) and wanting a bit of something tasty and lovely.  The small crayfish I used were inexpensive and so tasty and juicy.  You could always use prawns though if you prefer.

Cinnamon Fruit Smoothie

Desperately looking for something healthy for breakfast this morning I remembered I had a bag of frozen fruit in the freezer.  A smoothie might not sound like the most obvious of winter breakfasts but it's nearly spring and the cinnamon makes it feel somehow cosier on these crisp mornings.