Crab Bruschetta

Well, well, well. Consider me surprised. I can't claim credit for this one at all, it's Rich's creation. On Monday we fancied crab so Rich said he'd make something. I was expecting a crab and prawn linguine (honestly the only thing I can think of) but he came up with this beauty. Every Christmas he makes the starter for his family's Christmas dinner and this is a hot contender. It's good, seriously good. I've already made more for my lunch tomorrow. 

Serve 2 croutons for a starter, and 3 filled us up nicely as a main. This recipe makes 2-3 portions.

Crab:

• 2 x 240g crab (or use fresh if available) 
• 2 spring onions (finely chopped)

• 1 tbsp mayo

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)

• Half tbsp lime (fresh)

• 2 tbsp orange juice (fresh) 

• 1 tbsp cholula hot sauce 

• Salt and pepper

Salad:

• 1 and a half avocados (cubed)

• 1 tomato (cubed)

• Half tbsp lime (fresh)

• Half tbsp Tabasco 

• Half tbsp soy sauce

• 2 spring onions (finely chopped)

• Salt and pepper

Croutons: 

• Slightly stale baguette 

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper 

In separate bowls, mix together the crab and the salad ingredients and set a side. In a heavy-based frying pan, heat the oil. Slice the baguette into rounds and place in the pan. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and when brown on one side, flip over and toast the other side. 

Line up on a plate and pile on the salad and crab mix. Drizzle over olive oil, grind some pepper and voilà! 

Smoked Cod Risotto

By gum it's getting chilly isn't it? I always quite like this time of year: leaving work in the dark, wrapping up in big scarves and making hearty, soul-warming food. Risotto is one of my all time favourite dishes. You can whip out a box of rice from the cupboard, add some boiling water and stock cubes, then throw in anything you have in the fridge. It doesn't have to be fancy and it's a lot easier than people think too.

What you'll need:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion
• 150g risotto rice
• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock 
• A handful or two of peas
• 2 fillets smoked cod or haddock

(Serves 2)

Turn your oven to 180c. Melt the butter in a large, deep saucepan, or a wok is ideal. Thinly chop the onion (psst if you whizz it in a blender you get the job done a lot quicker and no tears!) and add to the pan. Keep on a low heat until softened.

When the onions are soft add the rice and stir until the sides have gone see through. It may not look like a lot of rice but trust me, it expands a lot! Turn the heat up slightly and add the stock a little at a time, you want it to bubble and the rice to absorb all the liquid.

While the rice is cooking wrap the cod fillets loosely in tin foil, place on a baking tray and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Check the rice periodically as you go, it should still have a bit of a bite to it, and add more water as necessary. When it is ready and the peas and stir for a few minutes to allow to heat through. If you want your risotto to be a bit creamier, add a spoonful of creme fraiche. Spoon into bowls and flake over the fish.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to do some Christmas shopping.

Mishkins: WC2

A few weeks ago now Holly, Rosie & I went out for dinner to celebrate Holly's 24th birthday. After much debating we settled on Mishkins, a kind of Jewish deli with cocktails. We were actually meant to go there for my birthday back in February but a hangover disaster meant we had to postpone. 

The dishes are based loosely around Jewish comfort food and oh man were they good. We got a couple of things to share - mac and cheese, some pork dogs and sliders. Coupled with a bottle of wine and it all went down a treat and the waiters are lovely too. 

October according to Instagram

How is it November already?! How has that happened? On the plus side, with Halloween over it means we can officially start embracing the Christmas spirit.

October, according to Instagram, revolved purely around food which possibly accounts for my new resolve to hit the gym and get some sort of fitness regime going before the January panic. It seemed to be a very much eat, sleep, work repeat kind of month and a weekend in the country was very much needed by the 17th. In blog news, this little page reached over 50,000 views which I am absolutely ecstatic about. Thanks so much to all of you who keep reading. This month I'm looking forward to lots of catch ups and possibly a trip to the roller disco. Watch this space.