Dad's Cuisine

Chestnut, bacon and cranberry loaf Sweet and savoury come together in this chestnut, bacon and cranberry loaf. A delicious, seasonal cake that's perfect for those chilly autumn days. Chestnut, bacon and cranberry loaf Autumn has crept up on us. It's hard to explain why we are constantly surprised by the changing of the seasons, but every year we exclaim and complain how chilly and dark it's getting, as if this is the first time it's happened and the universe is pranking us.  But this year, we aren't complaining. In a time where everything is uncertain and we're all having to adapt to a new way of living, it can be comforting to honour the season's rituals and welcome a change that is familiar.  In our family, autumn heralds a period of long walks and foraging in the forest for mushrooms and chestnuts.  After all, eating seasonal foods is good for your health and great for your wallet.  Now, I'm not overly confident when it comes to mushrooms; I can't...

No matter how much your family claims to hate cauliflower and broccoli, they'll be eating great florets of the stuff with this easy recipe for cauliflower and broccoli cheese Cauliflower cheese Cauliflower cheese - also known as cauliflower gratin - is possibly the most comforting dish known to mankind. I exaggerate, perhaps. But there's something so homely and reassuring about cauliflower cheese. It's a wonderful winter warmer, is great a side dish to a roast dinner and is a tasty choice for a quick lunch.  I don't know many (any)  people who would stand up and  claim cauliflower as their favourite vegetable. Yet, as the main ingredient in this dish, it's a winner. I've combined it here with broccoli because you can never have too much leafy veg, and I think the splash of green is appealing and breaks up the visual b landness of an otherwise monochrome dish. Cauliflower and broccoli cheese   And as they say, the secret is in the sauce. This easy recipe for c...

A BIT ABOUT ONIONS Onions are used so often in cooking that their benefits are often overlooked, yet there's so much more to them than meets the (teary) eye! Onions are highly versatile root vegetables that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and bursting with flavour. What's not to love? As well as Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6 and sulphur, onions contain fibre and add flavour to dishes like curries, lasagne, soups, stews and everything in between.  Let's take a closer look at that most humble of kitchen staples: the onion. Cooking onions Onions come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. The most common are yellow, white and red. Red onions are great for adding a touch of color to your dishes, and their mild flavour makes them an ideal addition to salads and dips. Chives, shallots and leeks are also part of the onion family, while spring onions have a lovely mild and sweet flavour. A great many people enjoy eating raw onions ...

COOKING WITH DAD After Mum's passing, we are using the kitchen as a way of dealing with our grief.