Supper for a Song by Tamsin Day-Lewis

Tamsin Day-Lewis's latest book is excellent post Christmas, when your pocket has been stretched and you are looking to curb costs. This is hard times cooking but you wouldn't guess that from looking at this beautifully illustrated book with recipes that sing with flavour and reward doubly on the comfort front. It just shows that with a little resourcefulness and some forward planning, you can cook up a feast without breaking the bank.

It's all about making the Sunday roast working through into the following week, transforming leftovers into silken soups as well as some spectacular signature dishes that you'll quickly adopt into your own repertoire. One such recipe is scallops poached in pea custard, which Tamsin has adapted from a recipe of Rowley Leigh's, a delicate combination of pea puree with whole scallops beneath, that have been poached gently to perfection. Or for a hearty meal, try a variation on Anna del Conte's Parmesan potato cake with mozzarella and prosciutto. The Afghani orange scented lamb with chickpeas, turmeric and dill would be a refreshing change to poultry. For a celebration, you could try the stuffed pork fillet with figs, Marsala and black pudding. Easy to prepare and cook with looks that will have your guests wondering how you managed to fit everything in.

For a tomato glut, try the stove top dried tomatoes, which you can do using the warming plate on an AGA or the warming drawer of a conventional oven. Halve cherry tomatoes and spread out cut size facing upwards on a baking tray. Add slivers of garlic, thyme, seasoning and olive oil. As the tomatoes start to wrinkle, turn over and repeat the process until they're dry but not shrivelled. This should take about twenty-four hours. Once cool, place the tomatoes in sterilised jars, cover with olive oil and seal. Store in a cool place and use them within four months.

Some of Tamsin's recent titles have been cut and paste jobs and it is good to see her back on form with new recipes that meet our cost conscious times.

Publication Details:
Quadrille
£20
ISBN 184400743X
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