Tuna Steaks with Noodles and Peppers

Dinner was quick and easy tonight. Seared tuna steaks with sliced peppers and noodles dressed with a soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and chilli oil dressing.

Plum and Blackberry Crumble

I love plum crumble, well I love all crumbles but plum is probably my favourite. The plums become rich and dense in their juices underneath the buttery crumble. I picked up some plums with the intention of making one, but then I saw the blackberries which looked absolutely delicious. Undecided, I picked up both for either a plum or blackberry and apple crumble.

However, the apples we had were too old to be used so I ended up throwing the plums and blackberries together. A sprinkle of vanilla sugar and some rubbing of butter, flour and sugar was all it took. 20 minutes in the oven and one of the simplest and best puddings was ready. The plums and blackberries worked fabulously together for a lovely autumn dessert. A combination I’ll definitely use again.

Fuel For A Night Out

I'm off out to a friend's hen night later so needed a filling lunch to soak up all that alcohol I'll be drinking.

I sautéed half an onion with a chopped garlic clove in olive oil, then added a pinch of dried oregano and four skinned and chopped tomatoes. I simmered the mixture until the tomatoes broke down. Then I seasoned and added about two tablespoons of cream cheese and a squirt of tomato puree.

Quick, cheap and cheerful.

Chicken In Madeira And Sour Cream Sauce

Sauté half an onion or a couple of shallots, finely chopped, in olive oil until softened and taking on some colour.

Add two chicken breasts sliced into strips and sauté until coloured. Add a wine glass full of Madeira and cook for a few minutes then add a 284ml pot of sour cream (or as close in volume as you can get) and the same amount of chicken stock. Season with salt and add a bay leaf then simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced and thickened.

Remove the bay leaf and stir in chopped parsley (optional). Serve with rice.