Comfort Food

In times of uncertainty, food can bring so much comfort. Right now, we have the opportunity to enjoy the making as well as the eating, whether you're preparing pasta from scratch or an invigorating, full-flavoured curry

FOLLOW THE SPICE TRAIL

A warming curry or a big bowl of stir-fried noodles is often what we turn to when we need a little TLC. There’s something about the spice and full-on flavours that make these recipes so satisfying

Slow braised beef & aubergine madras

Warming turmeric dhal with spinach

Sri Lankan-style devilled prawn curry

Curried beef koftas with kachumber salad

Red Thai chicken curry

Thai massaman lamb curry

Tofu chow mein

Satay chicken noodles with cavolo nero

HOW TO MAKE FRESH PASTA

Serves 4 as a main course

Step 1

Put 300g super fine 00 grade pasta flour and 3 large eggs in a food processor with a pinch of salt. Whizz until it forms a coarse crumb. Test the mixture by taking a little between your fingertips. It should come together easily and feel firm and a little tacky. If it is too dry add a little more beaten egg or a few drops of water. If it’s soft and sticky, add a little more flour

Step 2

Tip the mixture onto a work surface and knead into a dough. Carry on kneading for about 5 minutes, until it feels smooth and elastic. Wrap it in cling film and leave to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours). At this stage, you can freeze some or all of your pasta dough if you need to

Step 3

If you’re using a pasta machine, take 1⁄4 of the pasta dough (keeping the rest wrapped in cling film) and roll it out with a rolling pin until it is thin enough to fit through the widest setting. Run it through each setting of the machine once, cutting it in half if it becomes too long. Once you’ve reached the appropriate setting for your pasta, place it on a tray lined with cling film, keeping each piece separate. If rolling by hand, only flour the work surface if it really sticks

NO EGGS? TRY THIS SIMPLE PASTA RECIPE

Mix 500g plain flour with 100ml tepid water and a pinch of salt. Roll into a ball, cover and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Then hand-roll cherry-sized pieces into long, thin strands like fat spaghetti (called 'pici' pasta), or experiment with different shapes. Cook for 4-5 mins in a large pan of boiling water

CHOOSE YOUR PASTA DISH

Cacio e pepe

Fusilli with fresh tomato sauce

Spinach and ricotta tortellini

Easy bolognese

COMFORTING CLASSICS

Stews, pies and slow-cook recipes. Freeze any leftovers for another day

Harissa chicken with chickpeas and couscous

Chilli bean pie

Spanish-style chick pea and chorizo fish stew

Tamarind beef and mushroom casserole

Sweet potato, date and aubergine tagine

Slow roast lamb shoulder with root veg boulangère

Sausage and butter bean casserole with cauli rice

Cuban-style beef and olive stew

3 WAYS WITH... POTATOES

1. Easy mash

Boil potatoes until soft then mash and mix with a little butter and milk. Add a spoonful of mustard, softened leeks or cabbage for a twist. Serve as a side or to top a pie

Easy cottage pie recipe

2. Roast potatoes

Potatoes and oil are the basics you need, but you can use goose or duck fat if you have it, or add garlic and sprigs of rosemary or thyme

View recipe

3. Garlicky potato soup

Make potatoes the star of the show in this velvety soup flavoured with sweet garlic and onion. It’s a great way of using up older potatoes past their best

Make soup

3 WAYS WITH... CANNED TOMATOES

One-pot paprika chicken & orzo

Mix sweet tomatoes with smoky paprika, chicken and orzo pasta for a tasty meal that’s light on washing up

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Pasta sauce

A classic tomato sauce forms the base of many a pasta dish. Try adding roast aubergine, capers and a touch of chilli flakes

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Shakshuka

Eggs baked with peppers and canned tomatoes makes a hearty brunch dish. If you don't have ras el hanout, mix in any warming spices you can, such as cumin, cinnamon and coriander

View recipe