I must say that having been spoilt by my Mum's Italian cooking when I was a child, I have never been able to stand shop-bought pizza (or even restaurant pizza outside Italy).  Today I decided I had to try my fancy new induction oven, and make ho... Read more

Now this is completely idiot-proof, quick to make, attractive and delicious...   5 tbsp flour 4 tbsp brown sugar 3 tbsp oil (I use corn or olive oil) 2 tbsp milk 1tsp baking powder 1 egg 1 pinch salt 1 pinch cinnamon I apple,... Read more

I invented a recipe yesterday evening  - I wish I'd taken a photo.  I found huge mushrooms (about 4 inches diameter) at the supermarket, and bought two.  They look like the organic portobello mushrooms from Tesco that you can see here:... Read more

Well, off I went to make the speedy apple cake, only to find I had neither four apples nor wholemeal flour.  So I made it with one apple and one pear and plain flour - and it turned out delicious.  Only it took over an hour to bake, in my f... Read more

Many of you will have read my raves about the Casa Giumentina, my favourite B&B, which is in Abbruzzo.  When we were there last month, Mariangela, the owner, produced some exquisite tarts and cakes for breakfast.  Below is one of th... Read more

Serves 4-6   Courtesy Delia Smith: I love making this with the fresh basil from my garden. I put the cooked rice in a ring mould, cool it, turn it out, and fill the hole in the middle with cherry tomatoes.   Ingredients: • 225 ml ... Read more

  This is an Aynsley Harriet 'low fat' recipe, and is one of my favourites.   Serves 4   Preparation 25 minutesCooking time 25-30 minutes Ingredients   2 teaspoons vegetable oil1 large onion, roughly chopped3 garlic cloves... Read more

  This couldn't be simpler - if you'd like to make it a little more elaborate, add half a glass of white wine and a couple of spoons of single cream after step 2.  Being cholesterol conscious, I use soy cream and omit the parmesan, and it'... Read more

  The name of this pasta dish means 'whorish spaghetti' ... because it's hot, hot, hot!   Serves 2   Ingredients:   • 200 g spaghetti• a few drops olive oil• salt For the sauce: • 2 cloves garlic, fine... Read more

  (Serves 6 as a starter, 3 as a main course)   The very small sweet pawpaws are best for this easy dish - or you can use a mango!   Preparation time: 10-15 minutes   Ingredients: • 2 small red chillis• 30 ml whi... Read more