Author Archives: thepaddingtonfoodie

Waste Not. Want Not. From An Italian Mama’s Kitchen. Pasta With Broccoli, Pancetta, Chilli And Garlic.

With three teenagers I always seem to be in the car. Driving them to one or another of their sport or extracurricular commitments. More often than not I’m stuck in traffic. Listening to the radio. The other day I happened … Continue reading

Posted in Pasta, Vegetables, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mid Week Dessert. Quick and Easy. Hot Apple Wonton Pies.

Tuesday night in our house is all about using up the contents of the fridge before our weekly grocery shop. This week’s inventory included half a packet of wonton wrappers left over from our weekend ricotta ravioli fix. Perfect for … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Fruit, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The 5-2 Challenge. My Fast Day Snack With Crunch. Oven Baked Beetroot Crisps.

Sweet, earthy beetroot. Perfect fast day food. High in fibre and antioxidants. Low in calories and fat with an  impressive energy count of only 45 calories per 100 grams. A cooler weather vegetable, beetroot also happens to be in abundant … Continue reading

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Pasta Making At Home. An Easy Cheat. Wonton Wrapper Ravioli Filled With Ricotta.

Ricotta ravioli are always are very special treat at our house. Soft pillows of lemon scented ricotta and parmesan cheese encased in silky smooth pasta. Traditionally made from scratch with long sheets of homemade pasta they can be time consuming … Continue reading

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My Asian Pantry Staple. Homemade From Scratch. Sweet Chilli Jam.

Chilli jam. Another of my pantry staples. Incredibly versatile, it can be used anywhere you need a sweet and spicy flavour hit. A key ingredient in one of our favourite meals, Thai Chicken Stir Fry With Sweet Chilli Jam and Cashews. Not … Continue reading

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The 5-2 Challenge. Winter Greens. Radicchio and Endive Salad with Fennel, Apple, Crisp Pancetta and Roasted Hazelnuts.

It’s mid winter and I’m craving salad. Winter greens are far more robust than their more popular summer siblings. Crisp with a crunchy texture and slightly bitter taste  my favourite winter greens have to be baby endive with its delicate, curly, … Continue reading

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Melt. Mix. No Bake. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Slice.

This slice couldn’t be easier. Melt. Mix. Set in the refrigerator. An easy no bake recipe made with pantry staples. Chocolate, peanut butter and cornflakes. Rich, decadent and incredibly moreish. Proof that sometimes the best recipes really are the simplest. … Continue reading

Posted in Chocolate, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The 5-2 Challenge. Cooking From Scratch. Home Made Yoghurt In A Jar.

I like to include yoghurt in my menu planning for fasting days. Relatively low in calories, high in protein it keeps me feeling fuller for longer. Most important for keeping the hunger pangs away. All yoghurts are excellent sources of protein, … Continue reading

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Sunday Night Dinner. Family Food. Italian Meatballs With Ricotta and Parmesan Cheese and a Rich Tomato Sauce.

Sunday night dinner after a busy weekend. Is there anything more comforting than meatballs in a rich tomato sauce? Perfect family food for a cold winter’s night. Our favourite meatball recipe features ricotta and parmesan cheese. The result? Meltingly soft … Continue reading

Posted in Beef, Pasta, Pork, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Old Fashioned Baking. Light and Delicate. Vanilla Butterfly Cakes With Strawberries and Cream.

I love old fashioned baking recipes. Uncomplicated. Down to earth. Practical. Using nothing more than basic pantry ingredients. This cupcake recipe is a staple in our house. A birthday party and afternoon tea treat resurrected from my childhood. Light. Delicate. Buttery. … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments