Posts by: jocasta

Hello Mrs Woof Woof! Thanks - am going to casserole it - we've got the weather for it! By the way, wish I'd taken my slow cooker on holiday, after all... The accomodation had only 2 burners and a microwave/combination oven - which I'm sure would have been fine if I'd wanted to devote a day of the holiday to reading the manual!

Just found some chopped topside in my freezer but am confused about what I can cook with this cut. Casserole, pie? **or** should it be kebabs?

Hello - only just read this so it's too late for your dinner party but you might still be interested. i've read this recipe recently but can't remember where. However, the trick seems to be that you let the egg and breadcrumbs dry and then dip them again, then dry, then again! This builds up a good crust! Apparently, you are advised to make loads since it's a bit of a faff and freeze the ones you don't need. Might try them myself this week!

Hello Mrs Woof Woof
Thankyou so much for replying. Not sure about the accomodation - might check. I did think about taking my own but think my husband would flip! Whilst I know a slow cooker would solve my problem, I didn't really want to start browning things. I feel more inclined to bung everything in the pot (well it is a holiday!) So we might be eating a lot of Nigella's chicken with lemon, thyme and garlic. Mind you with this weather, we might be glad of braised steak and hearty casseroles too! Thanks again and happy cooking!

We are going to London for the weekend and have tickets to see Billy Eliot. we are staying close to Covent Garden. Any ideas for lunch or dinner in the area? The choice seems overwhelming... We are very easy to please Indian, Moroccan, French, Modern British - anything really.

We are going to London soon for the weekend and have tickets to see Billy Eliot. we are staying close to Covent Garden. Any ideas for lunch or dinner in the area? The choice seems overwhelming... We are very easy to please Indian, Moroccan, French, Modern British - anything really.

Hello
Husband and I are going on a self-catering holiday next week to the Lake District and there is a farmshop in the village. I am delighted about this as I live and work in a town and don't drive so don't often get the chance to shop at such places. So can anyone suggest any one pot meals that I can prepare in the mornings then put in the oven when we come in at the end of the day. Ideally, dishes which will look after themselves. Thanks !

Hello
I relise that this will sound very pretentious but I am in big trouble and would appreciate it if someone could help me. I've just had a lovely new kitchen fitted with granite worktops. To my horror, I can see the outline of the whole of the base of a le creuset pot on one of the worktops - 2 silvery lines which won't wipe away. I haven't got round to buying any specialist cleaning product for granite yet, so recommendations would be appreciated. But is it likely that I have permanently marked the granite because of the heat of the pan? I thought granite was indestructible? many thanks

Hello Livewire
Thankyou so much for this! I should have thought of it myself and I really appreciate you typing in the instructions.
Happy Cooking!

Hello
Just wanted to say, I've made the Rachel Allen version several times - dead easy and smells divine - in my book this makes it perfect. Also used her recipe for the accompanying couscous. Give it a try!

Hello
I've made some small (200ml ramekins) Christmas puddings to give as gifts. I steamed them for 3 hours but have forgotten how long the recipient will need to steam them for before eating! I don't want to make extra work for people so, can they be microwaved at this point and if so, how long for? Also, please say whether your answer is based on experience or is advice - which will still be gratefully received! Thanks

Many thanks - think I'd be more upset at the thought that Nigella was wrong, than me!

Last night I tried to cook Nigella's version of sticky toffee pudding. It was meant to be one of those magic puddings where you pour boiling water over a sugar toping and hey presto!

It just wouldn't cook! I am sure I used the right ingredients in the right amounts etc and the oven's ok. So, as I've read other posts about mistakes in recipes, I just wondered whether it had happened to anyone else? Or even whether other people have tried it successfully - in which case, I'll try again. Thanks and keep posting - I really look forward to my daily visit.

Hello
On Saturday I am cooking a green Thai chicken curry for 8 people but don't know what to offer for dessert. I have looked at Thai recipes - but nothing really appeals (sorry!). Would like something that's impressive but not creamy as I think this will be too much after the curry. It would be great to prepare it ahead too!
Am also getting nervous that someone won't like coriander or coconut! Is there a Thai beef dish without these ingredients that I could also do. Again, best if I can make ahead. Thanks very much!