| Something for the Weekend |
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Something for the Weekend is published by Quadrille. Its USP is that all the recipes are for 8+ because that's about the number of people who sit round the table at a dinner party or family Sunday lunch. The recipes are uncomplicated and, most importantly, can either be prepared in advance or cooked to a stage where they need only minimum last-minute attention. Starters are given in narrative-style, and are largely stylish assemblies, such as pastrami with celeriac remoulade; feta with water melon and habas fritas; deli-grilled vegetables with hummus; or dressed crab with cress ‘soldiers’.  Main course chapters involve 'proper' cooking, albeit the recipes are clear and easy to follow. Urban Peasant Food is an unpretentious collection of easy braises and stews. Ossobuco; venison and chestnut stew; well-buggered lamb; chicken, squash and garlic stew; and guineafowl a la montanesa are some examples. Big Roasts does what is says on the tin, with recipes for roast sirloin of beef: hot glazed ham; and roast duck with sage and onion sauce, as well as the more adventurous but still doable Asian-style slow-roast pork belly or merguez and spinach-stuffed saddle of lamb. Footless Food includes recipes for chorizo-stuffed squid; gurnard, clam and saffron bourride;aubergines au gratin; squash and red onion upside-down tart; interesting couscous; and, yes, cauliflower cheese. Big Cakes and Confections is packed with show-stopping desserts that include tiramisu cake; hazelnut meringue and blackberry cake; rum baba; classic apple crumble; and Italian baked Alaska. Finally, there is a panoply of easily assembled desserts in Fudge-It-Nicely Puds that will tax no one but please everyone. |