I’ve been in a cooking funk for a while, so what I do when that happens is return to my all-stars. Those recipes that I return to time and time again. A safe bet, a reassuring hand on the shoulder, something you know will still work if you’re missing a spice, or forget it’s on the stove for an extra few minutes. You’ll no doubt have heard me mention these before, but I feel it’s time for a refresher.
Upon reflection they’re all quite cold weather inclined, and it’s no coincidence this is the time of year I feel least inspired in the kitchen. Everything feels more of a chore in winter, does it not? So, rest assured these don’t require too much heavy lifting, and they’re fairly budget friendly. A missed ingredient here or there won’t kill them either, so don’t feel like you have to trudge to the shops in the rain. Use your discretion here.
Here they are:
A shameless self promotion, but this is seriously a recipe I cook SO often. Every time our freezer stash runs out I make a fresh batch. Something about making your own stock feels so damn smug, but it’s really easy. Promise.
Thai Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup
This is a dish I’ve been making some iteration of since my uni days. My current recipe has my slightly bougier later in life addition of Church Farm curry pastes, which are just so damn delicious.
Bon Appetit’s Best Bolognese
This week, for the bolognese I didn’t add wine as I wanted Raf to eat it. Is this a thing? Can anyone confirm? Can you add wine to kids food if it cooks off? Please comment below. Anyway, left that out and added bone broth instead - same with the pancetta, as I couldn’t find it - and I used leftover cream from Maddy’s chicken & greens pie instead of milk. Still great. It’s a lot less tomato-ey than my ‘Nonna would roll in her grave’ bolognese, so it’s nice when I want to change things up!
The reason why one dish in all of my photos doesn’t have cheese, by the way, is because my husband doesn’t eat cheese. *I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!*
Maddy Trueman’s Chicken & Greens Pie
This is a 10/10 meal that Raf laps up every single time I cook it (and so do we). IMO the Careme pastry is a non-negotiable. Yes, I know it’s more expensive, but as with a lot of things — it’s just worth it. Served here with even more greens.
Anna Jones’ Lemony Lentil & Crispy Kale Soup
I’ve probably made this dish 100 times. It’s like a Dahl, but less - pungent? spiced? - so I feel like I can stomach a lot more of it without going to bed feeling like a puffer fish.
Alison Roman’s Chickpea Stew
Again, my tally for this dish is probably in the centuries. I make it for myself, and for friends when they’re sick/rundown/tired/postpartum — mainly because it’s cheap, easy and impressive!
Ottolenghi’s Confit Chickpeas
Similar to the above, I suppose, but even EASIER to pull together. I usually double or triple the recipe as it’s so minimal effort so why not make a mega batch? It freezes well, and you just need to whip up the herby yoghurt fresh. In a pinch, a blob of the plain stuff will work fine. I like it with mango chutney as well.
Finally, three special mentions this week that are new recipes I’ve tried - but may just make their way into regular rotations.
Vietnamese Caramelised Lentil Bowls
I didn’t get a photo of these, but they were a winner. A benefit of my boomer tendency (spending time on Facebook - just for Marketplace, I swear) I stumbled across this hidden gem of a recipe.
As per the start of this email, this cake by
is 12/10. It came out of the oven looking burnt (my oversight, juggling 10 things at once, as per) but it was moist as hell on the inside. We LOVE a forgiving bake.
Spicy Pork & Refried Bean Soup
This was such an unexpected delight! I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I think I was searching ‘high protein dinners’ or something — and this came up! It’s rather unctuous (thanks to the refried beans & pork) and very hearty. Delicious too, with maximum flavour and pretty minimal effort. I served it with a bowl of corn chips, and topped with radishes and little chunks of cheddar cheese.
Finally, here’s a few reccs for this week:
These Pinky & Kamal grippy socks. I’ve been going to reformer pilates every weekday morning since I signed up to a membership at my local studio. I usually hate those grippy socks as they’re always so tight, so I go without. But THESE are the perfect fit for someone with a more *ahem* sturdy ankle and calf, like myself. I got these for slouching around in too, and they’re equally great. I’ve just seen they’ve opened a Melbourne pop-up in my neighbourhood, so I’ll definitely be going back for more.
Since Natalie so generously recommend me in her tres chic Substack,
I’ve been reading hers closely — and these Miu Miu-esque sandals were one of those things I’d pressed checkout on sooner than you can say DUPE! I know it’s not the season, but $10 = a no brainer. Thank you Natalie!Like everyone I’m watching Too Much (Netflix) — in the words of my very wise friend, it’s ‘just enough’ — and like probably no-one I continue to suffer through And Just Like That. The Every Outfit recaps make it worth my while.
I am going to do a full crime TV-show round-up soon because there are just SO MANY GOOD ONES. But most recently I watched One Night in Idaho (Prime Video), which is simply devastating but a well-done documentary that gave much well deserved time to telling the lives of the innocent, far too young victims of this tragedy. Long Bright River (Stan) was also excellent. I believe Amanda Seyfried to be an incredible actor.
I also made these Blackberry & Lemon Immunity Gummies for Redsbaby, if you fancy giving them a try.
Until next time,
Zoe x