Baby, it’s cold outside. Let go of your gourmet endeavors this week and make a pot of something hot and sustaining, like this smoked mackerel kedgeree from Delicious Magazine. Prepare to thaw!

Ingredients

1. 1 tub of chilled pilau rice
2. 200g smoked mackerel
3. 50g butter
4. 4 sliced spring onions
5. 2 hard-boiled eggs
6. Coriander leaves

Method

1. Heat a tub of chilled pilau rice in the microwave according to the packet instructions.
2.  Meanwhile, remove and discard the skin from 200g smoked mackerel, then flake the fish.
3.  Melt 50g butter in a large pan, add 4 sliced spring onions and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the fish and hot rice, along with 2 peeled and quartered hard-boiled eggs. Season.
4. When piping hot, stir in some coriander leaves and divide between 2 plates.

Got company coming this festive season? Now’s the time (or so my grandma tells me) to start preparing. Whether you’ve got an army to feed or just a couple of hungry house guests, it’s good practice to give your recipes a test-drive before the big day.

Why not start with Gordon Ramsay’s smoked salmon parcels with fennel and apple salad? After all, in a season of indulgence, it’s best to stock the cupboard with the healthy ingredients first for guilt-free sampling.

Ingredients

• Approx. 400g sliced smoked salmon
• 450g light cream cheese
• 2 large tbsp crème fraiche
• 2 tbsp horseradish sauce
• 1 lemon, zest (leave some for garnish)
• ½ bunch chives (15g), roughly chopped

For the salad

• 2 large fennel bulbs or 3 medium sized
• 2 large apples, e.g Braeburn, washed
• 1-2 tbsp non pareille (small) capers, rinsed
• 3 tbsp chopped parsley, plus extra to garnish (optional)
• Juice from the lemon
• Approx. 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. To make the parcels, line small espresso cups or ramekins (approx. 80ml capacity) with strips of salmon. Allow a little of the salmon to drape over the edge of the cups – these pieces will then fold over the mixture to close the parcel.
2. Finely chop the excess salmon trimmings and place in a mixing bowl. Add the cream cheese, crème fraiche, horseradish, lemon zest and chives. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
3. Spoon into a piping bag and carefully pipe into the middle of each espresso cup. Fold the salmon edges back over the mixture to close the parcel.
4. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
5. Finely slice the fennel and place in a large mixing bowl. Grate in the apple (with the skin), being careful to avoid the core. Add the capers and 3 tbsp chopped parsley. Pour in the extra virgin olive oil, and the juice of ½ the lemon. Season with salt and pepper.
6. To serve, place the palm of one hand over the top of an espresso cup, turn upside down and shake the parcel out (it may be easier to release if first you use the tips of your fingers to very carefully pull the salmon away from the inside of the cup). Lay the smoked salmon parcel on your serving plate and arrange some fennel salad to the side. Add a final sprinkling of lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice to the salmon. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Now that crisp, wintery weather is making an appearance, it’s officially time for a little comfort food. Ideally, something easy to prepare after rushing home from a cold commute. A pasta dish, such as these Pasta Shells with Tuscan Tuna from Yummly.com, fits the bill nicely and is a breeze to make. I recommend using BC’s Best Canned Albacore Tuna, only $4.99 at the Cannery Store.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked medium seashell pasta (about 3 cups)
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (7-ounce) bags white albacore tuna in water

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain pasta in a colander over a bowl, reserving 2 tablespoons cooking liquid. Return pasta to pan. Add reserved 2 tablespoons cooking liquid, onion, and remaining ingredients; toss well.