I first came across Nigel Slater when I was a graduate student. Towards the end of my time, I lodged with a family and so wanted to cook quick meals. A visit to a local book shop and I emerged with two paperbacks:
Real Fast Food and
Real Fast Puddings. The first is based around food groups - fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, bread. It's still a go-to book for fast ways to cook delicious meals with what you have to hand, including breaded scallops, pasta dishes and two of my favourite uses of bulgar wheat. In fact, last time we went on a self catering holiday, this is the book I packed. The second is based around seasons and includes the recipes I use most often for toffee sauce, chocolate sauce, custard, Christmas crumble (mincemeat, bananas, apples...Mmm...), sauce from Christmas pudding (my favourite use of left overs) and lots of non-banana bread recipes for ripe bananas.
However, one of my favourite recipes is for a salad. Now, I'm not the keenest salad eater around. I never liked it as a child - mostly because I didn't like lettuce. About ten years ago, I started eating various salad leaves and things (mostly for my health), but I'm still usually slightly reluctant. However, this salad is different - it's warm for a start. You cook puy lentils in water and heat up some frozen peas in olive oil (not water). Then you drain the lentils and add to the peas and mix in some lemon juice. I like this with goat's cheese, but it's also nice with chorizo (and cheese!) or probably salmon or chicken. A delicious, near instant supper that's good for you!
Happy cooking!
