Joy’s lentil stew

My neighbour Joy is the kind of person who gives of herself utterly. Occasionally, she makes a big pot of something tasty and feeds family, neighbours, friends. The other night she knocked at my door with a still hot container of spicy-delicious lentils and roti. I have made no attempt to obtain the secrets of …

Raspberry Bakewell

As English as Bakewell tart. We used to eat it at school in Gt Yarmouth, smothered in custard. But hang on, isn't frangipane Italian? Made for St Francis? Chi sa? as they say in Bakewell. Ingredients For the pastry: 2oz/60g white flour, 1oz/30g butter, a squeeze of lemon juice, a small spoonful of brown sugar, …

Cheesy potatoes

I was trying to remember whether this dish was called Pommes Dauphinois or Pommes au Gratin or something else when I realised it was just plain old cheesy potatoes, the sort we ate all the time when young. It varies from the classic French recipe because of incorporating a white sauce instead of only cream. …

Clafoutis

I don't know whether you like to run down the contents of your fridge until nothing is left save a bit of milk, crème fraîche, eggs and a drawer of sprouting potatoes? And then think what to make? But I find it stimulating. The following two or three recipes all feature these ingredients to some …