Potato and Parsley Gnocchi

Ingredients
1 Kg Potatoes (scrubbed)
1 Egg (beaten)
4 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped)
300g Plain Flour
Butter (for frying, optional)
Salt and Pepper
Parsley+Parmesan to serve

Equipment
1 Large Pan (1/2 filled with boiling salted water)
1 Potato Peeler
1 Potato Masher
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Slotted Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Cook Your potatoes for 15-20 minutes until they are soft, drain, rinse under cold water, peel and then mash them in another bowl
   
2. Stir in the egg, parsley and a good bit of seasoning, then add the flour, a tablespoon or so at a time (you may not need all that much flour, it depends on the variety of potato) until you have a dough that is not sticky.
3. Divide your dough into 4 equal balls then roll them into sausages about 2-3cm thick, you now want to cut the rolls into 2cm long chunks, then drop them into boiling water until they float.
4. (you have the option at this stage to fry the gnocchi in a little butter to give a realy golden look but it's not necessary) Serve with black pepper, parmesan shavings and chopped parsley

Serves 4

Rosti and Bacon

Ingredients
500g Potatoes (leave the skins on but wash well)
6 Rashers Bacon (chopped)
45g Butter
Salt and Pepper
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 Large Pan (1/2 filled with boiling salted water)
1 Frying Pan
1 Chopping Board
1 SHARP Knife
1 Cheese Grater
1 Firm Spatula

The Good Bit

1. Cook your potatoes for 10 minutes then allow to cool, peel them and then grate them.
2. Now fry your bacon off in a splash of oil for 3-4 minutes then add 1/3 rd of the butter until it begins to bubble then add your potato. Season the mixture well and stir for 3 minutes, then press it down firmly with your spatula and cook for 9 minutes without stirring.
3. Next you want to place a plate over your frying pan allowing you to flip the rosti on to it, once on the plate, add the last knob of butter to the frying pan, bring to a bubble then slide your rosti back into the frying pan. Press down firmly again and cook for another 6 minutes. Serve (if you skewer your rosti, it should feel tender when cooked)

Serves 4

Omlette in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

1 Onion (finely chopped)

2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)

4 Eggs (beaten with a pinch of salt added)

150ml Milk

1 Tablespoon Fresh Rosemary (chopped)

150ml Vegetable Stock

1x400g Can Chopped Tomatoes

75g Gruyere (diced)

Grated Parmesan to Serve

Crusty Bread to Serve

A Knob of Butter

Equipment

1 SHARP Knife

1 Chopping Board

1 Frying Pan

1 Plate

The Good Bit

1. Fry your onion and garlic in the butter for 4-5 minutes until soft and beginning to colour then add your eggs, gruyere and milk and make an omlette (leave it to cook until it is almost firm all over the top surface) lift out and roll up on your plate and cut into inch wide strips.
2. Add the tomatoes, stock and rosemary to the frying pan and bring to the boil, allow to simmer for 10 minutes then add the omlette slices, warm through for 3-4 minutes then serve with a sprinkle of grated parmesan on top and crausty bread.

Serves 4

Honey and Pistachio Nests

Ingredients

225g Pasta (spaghetti strands are best)

115g Butter

175g Pistachio Nuts (chopped)

115g Sugar

115g Honey (clear is best)

150ml Water

2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice

Greek Yoghurt to Serve

Equipment

1 Pan (with boiling slightly salted water in)

1 Pan

4 Ramekins

1 Baking Tray

The Good Bit

1. Start by cooking your pasta in the slightly salted water unti it is tender (follow packet instructions, but 8 minutes is usualy about right, try a piece to see!!) once cook, drain, toss in the butter and allow to cool a little.
2. Preheat your oven too 180c 350f gas 4. Now divide the pasta into 8 equal quantities, line the bottom of your 4 ramekins with a portion of pasta each, press it in well, top these 4 pots with half of the nuts, then push in the other 4 portions of pasta.
3. Bake these four pots on a baking tray in your oven for 45 minutes, in the meantime bring the sugar, water and honey to a boil in your other pan over a genbtle heat, turn the heat down a little and simmer for 10 minutes until all the sugar has dissolved, now add the lemon juice and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
4. Allow your nests to cool, then tip them onto your serving plate, drizzle over some of the honey syrup and sprinkle with the remaining nuts, top with a dollop of greek yogurt.

Serves 4

Lemon Mascarpone Cheese Cake

Ingredients

50g Butter

150g Ginger Biscuits (crushed)

25g Stem Ginger

500g Mascarpone

2 Lemons (zested and juiced)

100g Caster Sugar

2 Eggs (separtated)

Fruit Coolis to Serve (cook 400g soft fruit (such as reasperries, strawberries, blackcurrants with 2 tablespoons of water for 5 minutes, cool and then press through a sieve, stir in 1 tablespoon of icing sugar (taste and add more if needed) et voila, fruit coolis!!

Equipment

2 Mixing Bowls

1 Balloon Whisk

2 Pans (if you are making the coolis)

1 Sieve (only if you are making the coolis)

1 Tablespoon

1 Wooden Spoon

1x10 Inch Cake Tin

Greaseproof Paper

The Good Bit

1. Start by pre heating your oven too 180c 350f gas 4, then line and grease your cake tin. Melt your butter in the panand then stir in the crushed biscuits, press this mixture into the bottom of your cake tin. (I put this in the fridge at this stage but it's not necessary)
2. In one of your mixing bowls beat the mascarpone, lemon zest, juice, sugar and egg yolk until you have a smooth mixture. Then in the other bowl whisk the egg whites until they are stiff.
3. Now fold in 1 tablespoon of your egg whites into the cheese mixture just to loosen it up then gently fold in the rest, poor this mixture onto your biscuit base and cook for 40 minutes.
4. Serve With a good helping of the coolis (or any topping you wish, cream, icecream it's up to you)

Serves 4

Tuscan Pudding

Ingredients

75g Dried Mixed Fruit

250g Ricotta Cheese

3 Eggs (yolks only)

50g Caster Sugar

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder

2 Oranges (zest only)

Butter (for greasing only)

Creme Fraiche (optional, for serving)

Equipment

4 Ramekins (or pudding dishes, they make a nice shaped pudding)

1 Bowl (half filled with warm tap water)

1 Balloon Whisk

1 Large mixing Bowl

1 Sieve

1 Zester

The Good Bit

1. Preheat your oven 180c 350f gas 4, soak your dried fruit in the warm water for 10 minutes and grease your ramekins/pudding dishes with the butter.
2. Whisk your egg yolk, cinnamon, ricotta cheese and half your orange zest together, drain the fruit and stir this into the ricotta mixture, spoon into your ramekins/pudding dishes.
3. Bake for 15 minutes, the pudding should be firm but not golden (give them a little shake to test) Decorate with the remaining orange zest and serve. You can also serve chilled and a good dollop of creme fraiche goes really well this.

Serves 4

Rabbit in Cider (rabbit is traditional at easter)

Ingredients
900g Rabbit Joints (or 1 medium rabbit jointed)
25g Butter
2 Onions (chopped)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
225g Bacon (cut into chunks)
225g Mushrooms (sliced, you can grill them first for extra flavour but that is optional)
1 Tablespoon Plain Flour
275ml Cider (dry not sweet)
275ml Stock (vegetable or chicken)
1 Sprig Thyme
6 Juniper Berries (optional but add a nice tanginess)
A Splash of Oil
Salt and Pepper for Seasoning

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
1 Large Casserole

The Good Bit

1. Start by heating the butter and oil in a flameproof casserole and frying the rabbit joints quickly to brown them all over. Now remove them to one side and fry the onions, garlic and bacon for about 10 minutes.
   
2. Next sprinkle in the flour, stir and cook for a minute before gradually stirring in the cider and the stock, at this stage add the rabbit joints, together with the thyme and crushed juniper berries and bring to simmering point.
3. Then add the sliced mushrooms and a seasoning of salt and freshly milled black pepper. Cover and simmer the rabbit very gently for about an hour, or until it's tender.

Serves 4

Easter Biscuits

Ingredients
110g Caster Sugar (plus extra for dusting)
110g Butter
1 Egg (separated)
225g Plain Flour
A Good Pinch Mixed Spice
55g Currants
30g Candied Peel
3 Tablespoons Milk

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Metal Spoon
1 Sieve
Baking Parchment
1 Wire Rack

The Good Bit

1. Preheat your oven to 160c 325f gas 3 and grease the baking parchment then cream the butter and sugar in your mixing bowl until light and fluffy with the spoon and beat in the egg yolk
2. Sieve the flour and fold into the mixture together with the mixed spice, currants and candied peel then add just enough milk to make a stiff dough.Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut out the biscuits with a pastry cutter. Place them on the prepared baking parchment and bake for about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and brush with the egg white, sprinkle with a little caster sugar and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes until they are a pale golden brown. Remove from the tray and cool on a wire rack.

Makes about 20

Hot Cross Buns (this one is tricky)

Ingredients
(For the Ferment Starter)
1 Egg (beaten)
215ml Water (warm)
15g Fresh Yeast
1 Teaspoon Sugar
55g Strong White Flour
(For the Dough)
450g Strong White Flour (plus extra for dusting)
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoon Ground Mixed Spice
85g Butter (cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing)
85g Sugar
1 Lemon (zest only)
170g Mixed Dried Fruit
(For the Topping)
2 Tablespoons Plain Flour
Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Golden Syrup (gently heated for glazing)

Equipment
1 Balloon Whisk
1 Small Jug (for the starter)
1 Sieve
2 Large Mixing Bowls
1 Lemon Zester
1 Tea Towel
1 Baking Tray
1 Knife (doesn't have to be sharp)
1 Large Plastic Bag
1 Piping Bag
1 Wire Rack
1 Pastry Brush

The Good Bit

1. (For the ferment starter) mix the beaten egg with enough warm water to make up approximately 290ml/½ pint of liquid. Whisk in the yeast, sugar and flour until the mixture is smooth and well combined, then cover and set aside in a warm place for 30 minutes.
2. (For the dough) Sieve the flour, salt and ground mixed spice into a large mixing bowl, then rub in the butter using your fingertips. Make a well in the centre of the mixture, then add the sugar and lemon zest to the well and pour in the ferment starter.With your hands, gradually draw the flour at the edges of the bowl into the well in the centre, mixing well with the ferment starter, until the mixture comes together as a dough.
3. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead lightly until smooth and elastic.Carefully work the mixed dried fruit into the dough until well combined.
4. Grease a large, warm mixing bowl with butter. Shape the dough into a ball and place it into the prepared bowl, then cover with a clean tea towel and set aside in a warm place for one hour to rise. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knock back the dough. Shape it into a ball again and return it to the bowl, then cover again with the tea towel and set aside for a further 30 minutes to rise.
5. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten slightly into a bun shape using the palms of your hands. Cover the buns again with the tea towel and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes.
6. Grease a baking tray with butter and transfer the buns to the tray. Cut a cross in each bun, almost cutting all the way through the dough, so that each bun is almost cut into quarters. Wrap the tray with the buns on it loosely in greaseproof paper, then place inside a large polythene bag. Tie the end of the bag tightly so that no air can get in and set aside in a warm place for a further 40 minutes to rise.
7. Preheat the oven to 240C/475F/Gas 8. Meanwhile, for the topping, mix the plain flour to a smooth paste with two tablespoons of cold water.
8. When the buns have risen, remove the polythene bag and the greaseproof paper. Spoon the flour mixture into a piping bag and pipe a cross over the cuts in each bun. Transfer the buns to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until risen and pale golden-brown. As soon as you remove the buns from the oven, brush them with the hot golden syrup, then set aside to cool on a wire rack.

Lenten Biscuits

Ingredients
110g Butter
110g Caster Sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
1 Egg (separated)
225g Plain Flour
30g Chopped Mixed Peel
55g Currants
Milk

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Baking Tray (greased)
1 Rolling Pin
1 Pastry Cutter (5cm diameter)

The Good Bit

1. In your mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy then beat in the egg yolk with a fork then fold in the flour, currants and peel, mixing well.
2. Pour in a little milk at a time, mixing well until the mixture forms a fairly firm dough, next roll out the dough to about 3mm/1/8in thick and cut into 5cm/2in rounds then place the rounds on a greased baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 180C/350F/Gas 4.
3. After 10 minutes, remove the biscuits from the oven and brush each one quickly with egg white and sprinkle with caster sugar. Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes more to finish baking then take out and put the biscuits on a wire rack to cool.

Makes 24 biscuits

Simnel Cake

Ingredients
175g Light Brown Sugar
175g Butter
175g Self Raising Flour
3 Eggs
25g Ground Almonds
2 Tablespoon Milk
100g Sultanas
100g Cherries (quartered, washed and dried)
100g Dried Apricots (chopped into small pieces)
100g Fresh Ginger (finely chopped)
1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
450g Golden Marzipan
3 Tablespoons Apricot Jam
1 Egg (beaten)

Equipment
Greaseproof Paper
1 Round Cake Tin 20cm
1 Wire Rack
1 Rolling Pin
1 SHARP Knife

The Good Bit

1. Preheat your oven to 160c 320f gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of an 20cm/8in deep, round cake tin with baking parchment, measure all the cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat well until thoroughly blended. Place half the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.
2. Take one third of the marzipan and roll into a circle the same size as the cake tin, place the circle on top of the cake mixture. Spoon the remaining mixture on top of the marzipan and level the surface and cook for about one and three-quarter hours or until golden brown and firm in the middle. If toward the end of the cooking time the cake is getting too brown, loosely cover with a piece of foil. Allow the cake to cool in the tin before turning onto a cooling rack.
3. When the cake is cool. Brush the top with a little warmed apricot jam. Roll out half the remaining marzipan to the size of the cake and sit it on the top. Crimp the edges of the marzipan and make a lattice pattern in the centre of the marzipan using a sharp knife. Make 11 even sized balls from the remaining marzipan and arrange around the edge
4. Brush with beaten egg and glaze under a hot grill for about five minutes, turning the cake round so it browns evenly, so the marzipan is tinged brown all over.
   
   

Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes

Ingredients
1 Block of Your Favorite Chocolate (only)
or
2 Mars Bars (only)
or
2 oz Butter
1 Tablespoon Golden Syrup
2 Teaspoons Cocoa Powder
Icing Sugar
And
Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes or Broken Shredded Wheat

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Pan (with enough water in to touch the bottom of your bowl when the water is simmering)
Paper Cake Cups

The Good Bit

1. OK we're doing 3 types here but they all work along the same principal. Melt your block of chocolate/2 mars bars/butter, golden syrup, cocoa powder in a bowl over the simmering water. If you are doing this the cocoa powder way, also add in enough icing sugar until you have a thick sauce.
2. Now add in the cereal of your choice, rice krispies, cornflakes or broken shredded wheat (this make excellent nests for easter treats) making sure to coat all the cereal, spoon out into your paper cake cups.
3. If you are going with easter treats, you may like to decorate them with a few mini eggs! chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before attempting to eat them, longer if you have the will power!

Saffron Bows

Ingredients
300g Pasta Bows
150ml Double Cream
25g Butter
75g Parmesan (grated)
1/2 Teaspoon Saffron Threads
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Sauce Pan

The Good Bit

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions (usually around 10 minutes), in the meantime, heat the butter in the saucepan, add the cream and saffron and bring to a gentle simmer.
2. Drain your pasta and serve, season your sauce, stir well and pour over the pasta, now sprinkle over a little parmesan.

Serves 4

Red Wine Risotto

Ingredients
300g Risotto Rice (long grain will do)
450ml Red Wine
600ml Chicken Stock
125g Butter
250g Mushrooms (sliced)
175g Parmesan (grated)
2 Red Onions (thinly chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (thinly chopped)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Spatula

The Good Bit

1. Pour the red wine and stock in your pan and bring to a gentle simmer, in the frying pan, heat up a little oil and add half the butter, gently cook the onions and garlic until they are soft (don't brown them)
2. Add the rice to the frying pan and stir well, now add the stock from the other pan until you just cover the rice, keep the liquid simmering and keep stirring, as the liquid soaks up, add a little more stock and keep stirring, keep this up, adding a little stock at a time until all the stock has been absorbed.
3. When you've got the point when you are half way through your stock, add in the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper, finally add in the butter when all the stock is gone and most of the parmesan, stir in and serve. sprinkle over the remaining parmesan.

Serves 4

Gnocchi and Pesto

Ingredients
1 Portion Pesto (made in september 2008 or in sauces)
500g Potatoes
175g Plain Flour
1 Egg (beaten)
Pinch of Grated Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper
Butter
Parmesan (grated)

Equipment
1 Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Colander
1 Potato Masher
1 Slotted Spoon
1 Serving Bowl (lightly buttered)

The Good Bit

1. Make your pesto first then get the potatoes on the boil for 10-15 minutes until they are soft enough to mash.
2. Drain the potatoes and the leave the pan on the heat a little longer to get rid of as much moisture as you can, mash them as well as you can so there are no lumps then beat in the flour and egg and season with nutmeg and salt and pepper.
3. Mix until you have a good dough, then with floured hands turn the dough out onto a floured surface and start to make little sausages about the the size of your thumb upto the first joint.
4. Add a couple of gnocchi to the water at a time and cook for 2-3 minutes until they float then remove them with a slotted spoon and and drain. Place all your gnocchi in a buttered serving bowl and dot a little butter on to them, sprinkle over the parmesan and then top with the pesto.

Serves 4

Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients
175ml Milk
30g Butter
60g Button Mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)
1 Tablespoon Plain Flour (level)
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Sauce Pan
1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan gently then cook the mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, next add the flour and cook for a further minute, stirring all the time.
2. Now gradually add the milk and bring to the boil (if you've been cooking meat or vegetables, any juice/stock you have left in any pans is a lovely addition) Keep on stirring until the sauce thickens, season and serve.
   

Cauliflower Cheese and Tomato

Ingredients
1 Medium Sized Cauliflower
30g Butter
30g Plain Flour
285ml Milk
115g Grated Red Leicester (or similar cheese, cheddar is fine)
175g Tomatoes (skinned, seeded and diced)
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan (1/2 filled with boiling salted water)
1 Sauce Pan

The Good Bit

1. Trim the stems from the cauliflower and place the stalks and floret in the boiling water for about 15 minutes, in the meantime melt your butter in the sauce pan and add the flour, keep stirring and cook for 1 minute.
2. Keep stirring whilst you gradually add the milk, gently bringing it to the boil, cook for 2-3 minutes then add 3/4 of the cheese and season. Drop in all but 1 tablespoon of the diced tomatoes and keep stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from the heat and keep warm.
3. When the cauliflower is done, drain it and then place in your serving dish, pour over the cheese sauce and the sprinkle over the remaining tomatoes and cheese, serve immediately, of grill to brown off the top, it's up to you.

serves 2

Welsh Rabbit

Ingredients
60g Butter
1 Level Teaspoon English Mustard Powder
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
30g White Bread Crumbs
2 Eggs (yolks only)
225g Mature Cheddar Cheese (grated)
5 Tablespoons Light Ale
4 Thick Slices of Bread
Sliced Gherkin, Tomato and Celery Leaves to Garnish
Freshly Milled Black Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Small Sauce Pan

The Good Bit

1. Melt the butter in the sauce pan first then stir in the worcestershire sauce, mustard, breadcrumbs, egg yolks, cheese and a good sprinkle of pepper, heat this whilst stirring continously and don't let it bubble, once the cheese has melted pour in the ale, stir then let it cool for 15 minutes.
2. Make yourself 4 slices of toast then spread the cheesy mixture on one side of each piece then stick back under your grill for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
3. Serve with a couple of slices of tomato on top, your celery leaves and gherkin at the side. Enjoy!
   

Jazzy Butter Sauce

Ingredients
3 Shallots (chopped as fine as you can)
100g Butter (softened)
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper (freshly ground is best)
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Pinch Of Salt
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 Frying Pan
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Fry off the shallots slowly for 6-8 minutes until they are soft and golden brown, leave them to cool for a couple of minutes.
2. Now gently warm up or beat your butter in the bowl to get it soft and add the shallots pepper, salt and mustard, blend in well then roll out on a piece of cling film and place in the fridge until firm and needed. Goes REALLY well with steak!!
   

Salami Tower!!

Ingredients
6 Slices Bread
50g Butter
50g Soft Cheese
4 Slices Salami
Lettuce (4-5 big leaves shredded)
Mayonnaise (I like the type with Dijon mustard mixed in)
1 Tomato (thinly sliced)
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Table Knife

The Good Bit

1. Start by mixing together in the bowl the butter and soft cheese. Spread 1/4 of this mixture onto your first 2 slices of bread, Put 2 slices of salami on each, top these with half your lettuce and then add a dollop of mayonnaise to each.
2. Now spread another 1/4 of the butter/cheese mix onto 2 more slices of bread and place these on your sandwich spread side down, then spread another 1/4 of the butter cheese mix on top and top off both sandwiches with the other half of your lettuce and a few slices of tomato, season with salt and pepper.
3. Finally spread the remaining 1/4 of the butter/cheese mix on your last 2 slices of bread and place butter side down on top of your sandwich, slice in half and serve a proper mans sandwich!

Serves 2