Tomato & Olive Tarts

I've been looking back at all my posts- mainly because i can never remember what i have cooked in past months & have to check that i'm not repeating myself. Something i do a lot in life. Just ask the Houseboy. I definitely got through ingredients phases, for a while it was Spinach, then Chorizo, then a brief dalliance with anything pastry related. I guess we all have our favourites, or more likely get stuck in a rut. I once tried to make something new each time i cooked dinner but realised that i had taken it too far when the Houseboy practically cried with relief after i served him Sausage, Peas & Mash. Occasionally less is more. I just really like more.     

So i have been busy eating as usual, actually while i talk about me & eating - for those who don't know what i look like - i'm not some demonic twenty stone fiend, although granted i like to see myself as Miss Piggy to the Houseboys Kermit, im a fairly normal looking lady. I just really like food (& could indeed stand to loose a few pound - but who doesn't) At the weekend we strolled round the corner to see our nearest neighbourhood friends The Squire & his lady friend Miss Windler. A couple who like food & wine as much as we do we were highly anticipating Sunday lunch & boy o boy we were not disappointed. Proceedings kicked off wit a retro baked Chicory & Parma Ham, a dish i haven't had in ages. Chicory is a vegetable which easily forgotten about which is mean as it's a fantastic choice. The main was a rich & hearty Osso Bucco served with Polenta. The meat was from Randalls Butcher in Fulham & was absolutely delicious. The marrow was wobbly, the meat tender & the sauce rich. It made me want to eat it everyday. Which would probably kill me within eighteen months but would be worth it. I made a dessert of Apple & Raspberry Crumble (recipe to follow) to finish up. As expected there was more than one alcoholic beverage served so needless to say Sunday evening was spent lying on the couch watching films & dozing. A perfect Sunday!

This is really more of a putting ingredients together sort of dish rather than a recipe, but it's very nice & great to serve as a starter or make them smaller & serve them as canapes. I'm not being lazy i promise, the next recipe will be more substantial, in the meantime, shush & go & make this.    

Ingredients:

serves 4. 

• 1 packet of ready rolled puff pastry
• 1/2 jar black olives
• 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes
• 3 spring onions
• 1/2 a garlic clove
• s&p

Method:

Pop a baking tray into a preheated oven of 200C. While it's heating up half the cherry tomatoes & black olives, finely slice the spring onions & crush the garlic. Mix them all together & season. Take the puff pastry & cut each person a postcard sized section. Prick all over leaving a border round the edge. Place the mix in the middle, brush the edges with a little milk. Using a spatula carefully place the 'puffs' onto the pre heated tray & bake for 20 minutes. Voila!

Roasted Aubergines

I'm slowly learning the benefits of quick & easy food. Sometimes i find myself in the kitchen for hours faffing around with dinner, which although i love doing, suddenly makes me look at the clock & realize it's 9.30pm. Celebrity chefs have long realized that many people do not have the time or inclination to spend hours over over food & Nigel Slater is probably at the foremost of this campaign (along with Jamie Oliver & a host of others but Nigel is one of my favourites) he's a huge fan of fresh & fast food, simply done. So over the last few weeks i have tried to cut down on kitchen time without compromising on goodness. Two of Nigel's most popular books are Real Fast Food & The 30 Minute Cook which are jam packed with lovely recipes which take no time at all. Saying that i think the reason i spend take so long in the kitchen is as soon as i'm almost finished something then i get an idea to make something else & all the pots & pans are out again. This coming week i'm going to try my hand at some new canapes (testing for this year Christmas party) That's right Houseboy, it's happening again, don't worry you are only on dishes this time. And hoovering. I will be doing some belated baking as i missed last weeks National Baking Week. Insert sad face here.

I was flicking through a Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall cook book in Waterstones the other day & a variation of this recipe popped out at me. I couldn't remember the whole recipe by the time i got home, but i reckon this is pretty close.

Serves 4 as a side. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 aubergines
• 2 cloves of garlic
• juice of 1 lemon 
• 1 red chilli
• handful of fresh mint
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• s&p

Method: 

Start by popping the oven on at 180C then cut the aubergines into rounds about 1cm thick, sprinkle lightly with salt & set aside for 30 minutes. 

Finely chop the chili & mint, crush the garlic & mix all together with the olive oil & lemon juice. Season.

After 30 minutes have passed blot off any liquid which has formed on the aubergine & roast in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes. Turning half way through. When they are done take out, layer on a plate & drizzle with the marinade.