cauliflower and broccoli soup

I have kind of a sweet deal with my flatmate Peter. I do all the cooking, he does all the washing up. But this also means that, as we mostly eat our main meal together at home I have to eschew a few ingredients that Peter can’t abide: brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and cucumber. And I LOVE all of those things. Anyhow, yesterday I cooked up a whack of fabada for him to, well eat, and also freeze for future solo lunches. So that was his cosy winter lunch sussed for today and I decided to give in to two of my favourite veg: cauliflower and broccoli.

I first made this soup during lockdown and found it sooo comforting but forgot to write it down. It’s simple and with very few ingredients, but today I also forgot (because it’s been so long!) that I used to add a small diced cooked potato to the mix to give it a bit of texture, so I steamed that separately after everything else was ready to go and added it. I also used these cute mini broccoli and cauliflower as it’s just for me. I reckon it’s no more expensive than having most of a massive and cheaper cauliflower rot in the fridge. ANYHOW. To make it totally vegetarian swap chicken broth for veggie broth, for vegans just omit the yoghurt topping. The sourdough croutons add great crunchy texture.

Ingredients and instructions below…

Continue reading

honey & co inspired bouikos

I kept hearing about the famous Honey & Co bouikos, and seeing photos of them posted on Instagram by my London friends, and it was driving me crazy, so at last I had to try them.  I came across a couple of recipes online and adapted them somewhat. For example, I left out nigella seeds since it’s unlikely I will find them in Sevilla, swapped chives for spring onion for the same reason, and then doubled the recipe, using slightly more feta and cheddar than the original. This will give you between 24-30 bite-sized triangles. Best eaten the same day, but you can also quickly crisp them back up again in the oven the next day.

Ingredients and instructions below…
Continue reading

tzatziki

So I hadn’t made tzatziki in probably, ohhhh, 35 years? But it got suddenly hot in Sevilla (42º) and it seemed like a nice fresh snack to have on hand. I used to always make this with plain greek yoghurt but since discovering the joy that is labneh, I decided to use that instead, though you need to plan ahead as the labneh needs a day or so in the fridge. Worth it if you have time as it gives the tzatziki a lovely creamier texture. I also prefer “half peeling” the cucumber (see pic below) as the skin can sometimes be a bit too chewy. And fresh herbs are a must. I did try a version with dried dill and… meh.

Ingredients and instructions below…
Continue reading

labneh

labneh (1)

So the first (and to be honest ONLY) time I previously had labneh was on a visit to Ronda in July 2012 and stayed at a small guesthouse run by a Lebanese woman called Anahid. She prepared breakfast for us which included fresh coffee and toasted rolls, gorgeous tomatoes with basil and olive oil… and labneh! I was so taken with it that I vowed to make it some day. And well, better late than never.  🙂

The inspiration came when I recently bought a Melitta coffee cone, as I remembered it was very handy for straining yoghurt when I used to make tzatziki back in Toronto and thought it would also be perfect for making labneh. I have since heard from friends on Instagram that paper towels in a colander @panepanna or a bra cup (!!!) @sledpress work just as well as the more standard cheesecloth method, but I like my little coffee cone. Labneh is excellent sliced and served on toast, and is especially delicious with fresh tomatoes, but I’m sure you will also find other uses for it.

Ingredients & Instructions below…
Continue reading