LEEK, POTATO AND THEN SOME SOUP

Some soups are just never going to die. Tomato, minestrone, mushroom, they are all classics that are always going to be loved for century's to come. One other such classic is the leek and potato soup. A winter warmer that is always going to put a smile on your face during the cold latter part of the year. That doesn't mean it needs to be boring and to prove it, here is my version which adds in a few little extras to elevate this humble dish is to something a little bit more special. 

EASY PEASY MUSHROOM AND ONION GRAVY

You may of noticed the gravy on some of my recipes recently. In my eyes you can't have a Sunday Roast or Bangers and Mash without lashings of mushroom and onion gravy. Now the best chefs out there would tell you that the best gravy uses all the cooking juices from your roasted meat and two veg but not all of us are Michelin star chefs so for those of us who would rather reach for the tub of gravy granules, here is my simple guide for turning a humble vegetable stock into something a little bit more special.

GORGEOUS GLAMORGANS

If there is one thing I have always wanted to try and make from scratch it is veggie sausages but I was always scared to do as I've had a few failures in the past when comes to things that require frying. 9 times out of 10 they tend to just fall apart in the pan. However, with the success of my onion bhaji's the other day my confidence was at an all time high so I gave these Glamorgans a go and let me tell you; it was another winner! These cheesy wonders flavored with garlic, chive, thyme and mustard turn veggie bangers and mash into something truly wonderful.

IDIOT PROOF ONION BHAJIS

I love onion bhaji's and for years I have tried to make my own at home but every time I've tried they have either fallen apart in the pan or been too stodgy. Yesterday however I finally achieved it, a tasty and delicious bhaji that is so simple to make. All you need is some flour, onions, baking powder and spices. Whisk them together and then deep fry and depending on how quick you can heat your oil you can have 12 yummy crispy treats on your dinner table in less than 30 minutes! If an idiot like me can make them then I'm sure that you all will be able too as well!

ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE AND MORE ORANGE CAKE

I'm no marmalade fan. Something about the taste of it just doesn't appeal to me whatsoever so I've

never been able to partake in a traditional marmalade cake. That was until I discovered Robinson's squeeze orange fruit shoot jam. It's an orange jam that actually tastes like oranges! Well this was a revelation for an my first thought was "I have to make an orange flavored cake with this" and golly gosh it was yummy. Not only is there jam inside but also orange juice, zest and candied peel so if your not a fan of orange this really isn't the cake for you!

CHOCOLATE ORANGE MINI MUFFIN MADNESS

The other day I invested in a mini muffin tray in order to make some mince pies for work (in September! I know!). Obviously I had to use it for it's true purpose of making mini muffins first (you know just to test that the trays work!) and with an orange sitting in the fruit bowl acting as my inspiration, these mini chocolate chip and orange muffins were born. Chocolate orange is one of those flavor combinations that just works however you utilize it and these babies are no different. They are little nuggets of tasty goodness!

"READY FOR WINTER" VEGGIE HOT POTS

Can you believe that it's September already? It won't be long now until those cold early evenings start drawing in so its time to prepare those autumn/winter classics that are perfect for warming you right to the core. For me, it doesn't get more classic than the hot pot! Oodles of tender carrot, parsnip and mushrooms cooked in a herby, boozy broth with sweet chestnuts and quorn mince all hiding under a blanket of thin and crispy potato slices. When it comes to comfort food, this hot pot is pure bliss on a plate!

GRANNY TIGG'S WEDGES

This month Flavourly box came up trumps this month with the inclusion of a bottle of Tigg's Amazing original dressing. This unique sauce was created by Granny Tigg and can now be seen doing great things at markets and farm shops up and down the country. Its packed full of zingy tomato flavors and I decided to experiment and instead of just using it as a dipping sauce, I used it as a marinade for some of my famous wedges. The results were amazing and I just had to share my guide on how to make them with you, it would be a crime for me not too!

HERBY MUSHROOM MEDLEY PASTA

You don't always need to pile hundreds of ingredients into a dish to make it a stunner. Sometimes the simplest of concoctions can turn out one of the best meals you will ever eat. This mushroom pasta creation is one of those. It's literally a mix of chestnut and porcini mushrooms and herbs, fried in butter and then poached in stock until reduced. Mix in the pasta of your choice and garnish with a final flurry of fresh parsley leaves and in less than half an hour, a little plate of perfection is on your table ready to dive into! 

CURRIED CAULIFLOWER (NO CARB) RICE

Lots of people out there are always looking for ways to be more healthy with their diets and one of the latest crazes that I've seen on TV and in books and magazines a lot recently is cauliflower rice! By blitzing up a whole cauliflower into itty bitty pieces you can create the illusion of rice grains but without all those pesky carbs. It doesn't have to be bland and uninspiring though. All you need some coconut oil, curry powder and fresh coriander leaves and you can lift this simple side dish right up to the next level!