Olive Magazine

Comfort food is at its best when it soothes the body, is pleasing to the eye, and doesn’t cost much. So, this month, it’s about smart but easy flavour combinations that wake up the palate and instantly brighten the last winter months. Here are four fabulous ways to make more of a few simple ingredients this February. Heat up some olive oil and sprinkle in a little ground turmeric and dried chilli, then drizzle over some fried eggs, chickpeas and kale (page 48). Fill a mini pumpkin or squash (page 39) with a fragrant (effortless!) prawn curry, adding a squeeze of lime to give it some extra zing. Use storecupboard staples such as fish sauce, rice wine, vinegar and ginger to transform white fish into a very special supper (page 30). Pickled jalapeños, mint…

CRAVING Brunch doesn’t get much better than this Californian-style oven-baked apple and almond pancake – known as a Dutch baby – from Where the Pancakes Are. Turn over to try the recipe, and follow our favourite eating-out trends using the #olivecraving hashtag on Instagram Where the Pancakes Are’s apple and almond Dutch baby Dutch babies are a Californian take on the baked pancakes German immigrants brought to the US. We’ve made this into one large dish but you can also make two using a smaller pan. SERVES 4-6 | PREP 15 MINS | COOK 45 MINS | EASY 1 Bramley apple, cored, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks1 Cox apple, cored, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks1½ tsp demerara sugar½ tsp ground cinnamon60g unsalted butter, plus 1 tsp120g plain flour3 eggs240ml whole milkgrating of nutmeg,…

in season this month brussels sproutscodforced rhubarborangessalsifyswedeturnipswinter cabbage Curried swede and coconut soup A winter warmer that’s perfect served with crusty bread. SERVES 6 AS A STARTER OR 4 AS A MAIN | PREP 5 MINS COOK 40 MINS | EASY | LC 2 tbsp olive oil1 onion, roughly chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped900g swede, peeled and roughly chopped400g sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped2 tbsp mild curry powder½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)400ml tin coconut milk900ml vegetable stock1 tsp lime juice2 tbsp finely chopped coriander 1 Heat half the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 4-5 mins or until just beginning to soften. Season, then stir in the garlic, swede, sweet potato, curry powder and cayenne, if using. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 mins or until fragrant. 2 Pour most…

Cacio e pepe risotto SERVES 4–6 | PREP 20 MINS | COOK 45 MINS | EASY Cacio e pepe, that classic combination of cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, is showcased here in a risotto. You’ll have more cacio e pepe butter than you need for this recipe — which is good! Roll the left-over butter in baking paper and foil to form a sausage and keep it in the freezer. You can then cut off slices as you need them to flavour-bomb everything from steaks to steamed greens. 1.5 litres chicken stock or vegetable stock2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve1 small onion or 2 shallots, finely diced440g arborio or carnaroli rice125ml white wine120g crème fraîchesmall bunch of chopped flat-leaf parsley (reserve some leaves to garnish)100g parmesanCACIO E PEPE BUTTER200g…

What is effortless ? Easy on the eye and simple to make, thanks to shop-bought ingredients and no fiddly techniques. These recipes can be made ahead or require 30 mins or fewer of prep – they’re go-to ideas for entertaining special guests. What’s on the menu Paprika crisps and fennel crudités with mojo verde Baked squash with red curry prawns Espresso martini crêpes Play around with your choice of dippers – opt for carrots, cucumber, broccoli, breadsticks or whatever crunchy snacks you have to hand effortless buys Visit shop.olivemagazine.com for a unique selection of goodies, guaranteed to make your cooking even more fun. World of Zing salted caramel espresso martini is available on the Olive shop and is a great liquid dessert when entertaining. Paprika crisps and fennel crudités with mojo verde SERVES 4 | PREP 10 MIN | NO…

Sausage, lentil and apple bake This is a great all-year-round dish – the apples and cider make it beautiful and warming for autumn and winter but equally bright enough for spring and summer. In winter, I like to serve it with some bread and, in summer, a hearty green salad with plenty of fennel and more apple. Even if you are only cooking for one or two people, I urge you to make this one as the leftovers are even better. SERVES 4 | PREP 15 MINS | COOK 45 MINS | EASY | LC 2 small onions, cut into wedges through the root 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes1 tsp olive oil, plus extra for the sausages8 good-quality sausages (pork or chicken work well)1 chicken or vegetable stock cube200ml cider or apple juice1 tsp…