Whilst ironing, getting the Children ready for school and trying to rush down my morning cup of coffee I was watching the BBC News as I always do and there was a very interesting report that claimed that the typical Briton has 15 cookbooks featuring more than 1,500 recipes, but tends to stick to the same seven meals each week. According to this report, many UK households rely on seven easy to cook recipes, these included pasta with sauce, stir fry, spaghetti bolognese, omelette, stew, shepherd’s pie, and roast meat and vegetables.
 
Olly my Son found this rather amusing looking across at my vast array of cookery books and magazines and said “we never have the same thing ever”! I was rather proud of this statement and had a big smile on my face.
 
It’s sad but true but Hubby and I do plan each weeks meals with military precision. I buy ever month, Delicious, Good Food and Olive, on top of this I do have a rather gorgeous collection of cookery books and I can’t think of a better present to receive than a gorgeous cookery book. Armed with these we sit and plan each nights meals. Everything is seasonal and we rarely eat the same thing twice unless it’s a real family favourite. There is also hardly any waste as we only buy what we need and eat it fresh.
 
I feel rather sad that even with all the cookery shows that are on our TV’s people are still not being inspired to cook. I love that we sit down every evening as a family and enjoy a home cooked meal together. I hope that it is a tradition that carries on with my children.
 
Buon appetito
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
  • 2 onions , finely chopped
  • 350g parsnips , cut into sticks
  • 300ml vegetable stock
  • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 2 tbsp clear honey
  • few thymesprigs
  • flat-leaf parsley , to serve (optional)
Heat half the oil in a large frying pan or shallow casserole with a lid. Brown the chicken until golden, then set aside. Heat the remaining oil, then cook the onions for 5 mins until softened.
 
Nestle the thighs back amongst the onions and add the parnips. Mix the stock with the mustard and honey, then pour in. Scatter over the thyme, then bring to a simmer. Cover, then cook for 30 mins (or longer, see tip) until the chicken is tender, then season. Serve with steamed greens. I was lucky enough to have some lovely french beans growing in the garden that Luca kindly picked for me.
 
If you’ve got time, this casserole will gently bubble away for up to 90 minutes. The meat will be very tender and fall away from the bones.
 
So easy, so warming, very seasonal and tastes yummy, and you know me, I love a good one pot meal.