Spanish White Bean & Clam Stew (Fabes con Almejas)

This Spanish white bean and clam stew is a simple, deeply flavourful dish made with tender beans and fresh clams in a light, savoury broth. Known in Spain as Fabes con Almejas, it’s the kind of recipe that feels rustic but surprisingly elegant. I first had Fabes con Almejas in Oviedo, in northern Spain. White…

Mushroom Ragù

This mushroom ragù is rich, slow-cooked and deeply savoury — the kind of sauce that feels comforting without being heavy. Built using classic Italian technique, it relies on finely chopped mushrooms, olive oil, red wine and time to create depth and body. Rather than slicing the mushrooms, they’re chopped finely and cooked down slowly, allowing…

Traditional Carbonara

If there’s one pasta dish that’s endlessly misunderstood outside Italy, it’s carbonara. Creamy versions with bacon, garlic or onions are everywhere, but in Rome, carbonara is something else entirely — eggs, extra yolks, guanciale, pecorino, black pepper and pasta water. That’s it. This kind of cooking — where flavour comes from restraint rather than extra…

Clear-Out-the-Fridge Frittata

This is the frittata I make when I need to use things up before they go bad. A half capsicum, a few mushrooms, some asparagus that’s been sitting in the crisper a bit too long, good eggs from the markets — it all goes into one pan and gets finished under the grill. Sometimes I…

Kimchi Udon Noodles

This is the kind of dinner I make when I’ve left it too late to plan properly and still want something I’ll actually enjoy eating. Kimchi udon noodles come together fast, use what’s already in the cupboard, and hit that sweet spot between comforting and light. The noodles only need a few minutes in the…

Prawns with Nectarine Salsa

There’s something about summer that has me reaching for quick seafood dishes, and this one has become a new favourite in our house. I first made it after a beautiful market haul — perfectly ripe nectarines, bunches of coriander, and a bag of sweet medium prawns from Faros. It’s the kind of recipe that feels…

Duck Marylands with Cherry Vermouth Sauce

Every summer I arrive home from the markets with far more cherries than we can possibly eat fresh. It’s the perfect excuse to cook with them, and duck Marylands are my favourite way to lean savoury. The cherries soften into a bright pan sauce with thyme and vermouth, and the whole dish feels special without…

Pan-Seared Salmon with Mexican Salsa

Busy weeknights call for meals that come together quickly, and this Pan-Seared Salmon with Mexican Salsa is exactly that. It’s the kind of healthy salmon recipe you can pull together in under 30 minutes — fresh, vibrant, and satisfying without feeling heavy. Golden pieces of salmon meet a colourful Mexican-inspired salsa made with charred corn,…

Easy Kimchi Fried Rice with Bacon and Egg

There’s something deeply satisfying about a bowl of fried rice — quick to throw together, endlessly adaptable, and full of flavour. This Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice has become my midweek fallback: smoky bacon, spicy kimchi, and perfectly chewy day-old rice. The kimchi I used was a gift from my friend Tina McLeish, who makes her…

Quick Garlic Prawn Noodles (20-Minute Dinner)

We love noodles in my house — they make a regular appearance at least once a week in various forms, from stir-fries to soups. But this is the one I always come back to. These Quick Garlic Prawn Noodles are my go-to when the day has completely gotten away from me and I need something…