a year of dinners: 2015

KEY: N = NEW | 5:2 = 5:2 | J/F = JOE/FRANK COOKS | R = REDUX [freezer / leftovers]

December
01 tue sarah raven’s chicken puttanesca
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
02 wed asian home gourmet: chicken rendang J/F
03 thu grilled lamb cutlets + red tomato dahl
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
N + 5:2
04 fri burritos – old el paso style
05 sat don’s bbq butterflied chicken with carolina sauce + don’s coleslaw
06 sun oven-baked chicken curry
(from: abc delicious: love to eat)
N
07 mon spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
5:2
08 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
09 wed stuffed and baked ricotta shells
10 thu serbian baked beans [redux] R
11 fri ropa vieja
12 sat coconut red beef curry
(from: donna hay: beef, lamb + pork)
13 sun bbq butterflied lamb
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
14 mon lamb cutlets with herbed crust + spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
15 tue slow-cooked lamb sugo [redux] R
16 wed red beans + rice [redux] R
17 thu red lentil tikka masala with rye roti
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
18 fri take away: thai power
19 sat lamb salad with spinach, goat’s cheese and chickpeas
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
N
20 sun crying tiger beef with dipping sauce
(from: abc delicious: love to eat)
N
21 mon chipotle chicken
(from: marie claire: spicy)
22 tue bbq new york steak with sauteed cauliflower
23 wed gumbo [redux] R
24 thu date night (king lear): west village hotel
25 fri roast chicken, kipflers roasted in duck fat, slow-roasted veg, homemade gravy + first ever pavlova!
26 sat welsh rarebit N
27 sun date night (anniversary): feijai
28 mon birthday(s) celebration: public house petersham
29 tue coconut beef curry
(from: abc delicious: love to eat)
N
30 wed harira
(from: women’s weekly: the weekend cook)
31 thu mustard and herb beef wellington
+ pear and blue cheese salad
(from: donna hay: the instant cook)
N
November
01 sun beef rendang
(from: donna hay: the new classics)
N
02 mon lemony, prawny pasta
(modified simple cream pasta with lemon + basil from: donna hay: the instant cook)
03 tue roast chicken breast + roast veg (free-styled) 5:2
04 wed slow-cooked lamb sugo [redux] R
05 thu lamb cutlets with herbed crust + spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
06 fri gumbo [redux] R
07 sat salami pizza
(base from: marie claire: kitchen)
08 sun welsh lamb pie
(from: pies: sweet and savoury)
09 mon don’s corned beef (method mostly from charcuterie : the craft of salting, smoking and curing)
+ loads of veg + a cheesy sauce
10 tue chicken tagine with preserved lemons and saffron
(from:
mimi spencer: fast cook)
11 wed jamie’s shiner bock chili [redux] R
12 thu piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
13 fri best ever bolognaise [redux] R
14 sat lamu chicken
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
15 sun don’s fried chicken + garden salad
(from: an amalgam of recipes on the InformationSuperhighway)
N
16 mon gumbo [redux] R
17 tue hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
18 wed salade tahitienne
19 thu chicken thighs with masala + raita
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
20 fri jamie’s shiner bock chili [redux] R
21 sat roast chicken + kipflers roasted in duck fat + (first time ever) HOMEMADE GRAVY! N
22 sun red beans + rice
23 mon spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
24 tue lime chicken salad, szechuan style
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
25 wed lemony, prawny pasta
(modified simple cream pasta with lemon + basil from: donna hay: the instant cook)
26 thu skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
27 fri (birthday!) alpen magrone (originally from the sbs website – now vanished)
28 sat steak, guinness and cheese pie
29 sun clay pot pork
30 mon west texas stacked enchiladas
(from homesick texan)
October
01 thu panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
02 fri osso bucco [redux] + pasta bowties R
03 sat dinner out: herring room
04 sun jamie’s shiner bock chili
05 mon carne asada
(an amalgam of recipes from the InformationSuperhighway)
06 tue blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
07 wed zaatar lamb with lemon spinach and haloumi
(from: donna hay: beef, lamb + pork)
08 thu chicken thighs with masala + raita
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
09 fri red beans + rice [redux] R
10 sat chicken, olive + lemon tagine [redux] R
11 sun bbq butterflied lamb
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
+ spicy potatoes
(from marie claire: spicy)
N
12 mon new york steak + shaved brussels sprouts salad with walnuts + apples
13 tue chorizo + tomato soup 5:2 + N
14 wed passage to india: chicken korma J/F
15 thu lamb cutlets with herbed crust + spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
16 fri chorizo in tomato, basil and onion sauce with penne
17 sat don’s BBQ butterflied chicken + bessie potato salad
18 sun best ever bolognaise
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
19 mon duck breast with celery, apples and pecans
(from: marie claire: fresh + fast)
20 tue chicken tenders with dijon marinade + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
21 wed pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
22 thu mexican chicken soup 5:2 + N
23 fri spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
24 sat date night: one penny red
25 sun slow-cooked lamb sugo
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
26 mon burritos – old el paso style
27 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
28 wed passage to india: chicken rogan josh J/F
29 thu chicken thighs with masala + raita
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
30 fri potato, spinach + salami frittata
(from: marie claire: comfort)
31 sat neil perry’s buffalo mozzarella lasagne
September
01 tue baked vegetable frittata
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2 + N
02 wed burritos – old el paso style
03 thu chicken thighs with masala + raita
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2 + N
04 fri beef stew with parsley dumplings
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
05 sat chili cheese fries!
06 sun date night: P G Gallaghers
07 mon pataks: spicy butter chicken J/F
08 tue lime chicken salad, szechuan style
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
09 wed panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
10 thu date night: pulled pork roll at sydney contemporary
11 fri red beans + rice [redux] R
12 sat neil perry’s buffalo mozzarella lasagne N
13 sun steak, guinness and cheese pie
14 mon zurich-style diced veal
15 tue chicken tenders with dijon marinade + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
16 wed lemony, prawny pasta
(modified simple cream pasta with lemon + basil from: donna hay: the instant cook)
17 thu skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
18 fri jamie’s shiner bock chili [redux] R
19 sat villis footy pies
20 sun gumbo using chicken fat+lard for the roux
(from: an amalgam of recipes on the InformationSuperhighway)
21 mon kung pao chicken
22 tue fast asian fish + garden salad 5:2
23 wed passage to india: chicken korma J/F
24 thu lamb cutlets with herbed crust + spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
25 fri cassoulet [redux] R
26 sat chicken, olive + lemon tagine
(from women’s weekly: the weekend cook)
27 sun standing rib roast + potatoes in duck fat
28 mon chilli con carne [redux] R
29 tue don’s BBQ butterflied chicken + garden salad
30 wed chicken tenders with dijon marinade + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
August
01 sat chicken with 40 garlic cloves (australian good food magazine: nov 2009)
02 sun minestrone
(from: marie claire: comfort)
03 mon best ever bolognaise [redux] R
04 tue lamb shanks with spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2 + N
05 wed linguine + prawns with roast chili oil
(from marie claire: comfort)
06 thu lamb cutlets with herbed crust
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
07 fri passage to india: chicken korma J/F
08 sat osso bucco + pasta
09 sun serbian baked beans
10 mon stuffed and baked ricotta shells
11 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
12 wed salami pizza
(base from: marie claire: kitchen)
13 thu coq au vin
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
14 fri chipotle pork ribs with chorizo and smoked paprika [redux] R
15 sat don’s BBQ butterflied chicken + don’s coleslaw
16 sun jamie’s shiner bock Chili N
17 mon spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
18 tue hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
19 wed chicken tikka masala (source unrecorded) J/F
20 thu piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
21 fri paella
22 sat welsh lamb pie [redux] R
23 sun lamb rogan josh
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
24 mon best ever bolognaise [redux] R
25 tue skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
26 wed chorizo in tomato, basil and onion sauce with penne
27 thu lamb cutlets with herbed crust + spiced beans
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2
28 fri west texas stacked enchiladas
(from homesick texan)
29 sat don’s BBQ chicken legs + bessie’s potato salad
30 sun roast chicken wings with cracked pepper
(from: nigel slater: kitchen diaries)
+ spicy potatoes
(from marie claire: spicy)
31 mon pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
J/F
July
01 wed nachos! (from leftover carnitas! meat)
02 thu coq au vin
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
03 fri gumbo [redux] R
04 sat ropa vieja
(from women’s weekly: new casseroles)
05 sun chilli con carne
(from bbc good food: comfort food)
06 mon out to dinner at royal oak birchgrove spending our trivia winnings
07 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
08 wed braised oxtail with mustard + mash
(from: nigel slater: kitchen diaries)
09 thu beef daube
(from:
mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
10 fri lamb rogan josh [redux] R
11 sat gumbo using chicken fat+lard for the roux
(from: an amalgam of recipes on the InformationSuperhighway)
12 sun lasagne inspired pasta bake with lamb, bacon + pancetta
13 mon pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
14 tue blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
15 wed spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
16 thu skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
17 fri cassoulet [redux] R
18 sat new york steak + spicy potatoes
(from marie claire: spicy)
19 sun red beans + rice
20 mon paella
21 tue piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
22 wed best ever bolognaise [redux] R
23 thu hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
24 fri gumbo [redux] R
25 sat proscuitto and pea pasta gratin
(from: women’s weekly: best ever collection)
N
26 sun pasture-raised roast chicken + potatoes cooked in duck fat
27 mon blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
28 tue zaanse mosterdsoep
29 wed lamb cutlets with herbed crust
(from: angela dowden: the 5:2 cookbook)
5:2 + N
30 thu pataks: spicy butter chicken J/F
31 fri lamb shank and barley soup [redux]
June
01 mon new york steak + sauteed cauliflower + garden salad
02 tue skinny bouillabaisse (sans mussels)
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
03 wed lemony, prawny pasta
(modified simple cream pasta with lemon + basil from: donna hay: the instant cook)
04 thu chicken cassoulet
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
05 fri spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
06 sat best ever bolognaise
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
07 sun beef stew with parsley dumplings
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
08 mon chipotle pork ribs with chorizo and smoked paprika
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
09 tue lime chicken salad, szechuan style
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2 + N
10 wed passage to india: chicken tikka masala (mummy)
11 thu chicken tagine with preserved lemons and saffron(from:
mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
12 fri red beans + rice [redux] R
13 sat green chicken enchiladas
(from: homesick texan)
14 sun don’s fried chicken! + Don’s coleslaw N
15 mon new york steak + shaved brussels sprouts salad with walnuts + apples N
16 tue blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
17 wed kung pao chicken
18 thu basic boeuf bourguignon
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
19 fri lamb rogan josh [redux] R
20 sat BBQ butterflied chicken + bessie’s potato salad
21 sun welsh lamb pie
(from: pies: sweet and savoury)
22 mon potato + leek soup (better homes and gardens magazine: april 1993)
23 tue skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
24 wed farwell Joan dinner + trivia (we won!): royal oak birchgrove
25 thu hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
26 fri best ever bolognaise [redux] R
27 sat carnitas!
28 sun steak, guinness and cheese pie
29 mon coconut red beef curry
(from: donna hay: beef, lamb + pork)
30 tue harissa-spiked chicken with cous cous
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2 + N
May
01 fri pataks: spicy butter chicken J/F
02 sat potato + leek soup (better homes and gardens magazine: april 1993)
03 sun minestrone
(from: marie claire: comfort)
04 mon gumbo [redux] R
05 tue blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
06 wed alpen magrone (originally from the sbs website – now vanished)
07 thu chicken tagine with preserved lemons and saffron(from:
mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
08 fri melbourne: hu tong dumpling bar, prahran
09 sat melbourne: city wine shop
10 sun cassoulet [redux] R
11 mon red beans + rice [redux] R
12 tue chicken soup with rice
(this is what was written in the diary, but I can’t find the recipe anywhere – surely not 5:2 with rice!)
5:2
13 wed west texas stacked enchiladas
(from homesick texan)
14 thu blackened spiced fish with cucumber salad
(from donna hay: the instant cook)
5:2
15 fri passage to india: chicken rogan josh
16 sat sour cream chicken enchiladas
(from: homesick texan)
N
17 sun smoky tortilla soup
(from: homesick texan)
18 mon zurich-style diced veal
19 tue piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
20 wed chorizo in tomato, basil and onion sauce with penne
21 thu beef daube
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
22 fri red beans + rice [redux] R
23 sat gumbo using chicken+bacon fat for the roux
(from: an amalgam of recipes on the InformationSuperhighway)
24 sun roast chicken, potatoes roasted in duck fat, sauteed brussels sprouts
25 mon pasta e piselli (good weekend magazine: march 21 1998)
with tiny pasta replacing lasange sheets
26 tue hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
27 wed best ever bolognaise [redux] R
28 thu panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
29 fri simmone logue pie + sausage rolls + garden salad
30 sat lamb shank and barley soup with lots of vegies (heavily modified)
31 sun pork, chicken and black-eyed pea cassoulet
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
April
01 wed kohinoor chicken jalfrezi J/F
02 thu beef daube
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
03 fri slow roasted lamb shoulder N
04 sat malt vinegar and bourbon sticky pork belly
(from: donna hay: the new classics)
N
05 sun ACK! did not document!
06 mon don’s BBQ ribs + don’s coleslaw
07 tue piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
08 wed potato, spinach + salami frittata (from: marie claire: comfort)
09 thu hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
10 fri pork, chicken and black-eyed pea cassoulet [redux] R
11 sat date night (elektra|orestes): toko
12 sun cider glazed pork loin
(from: marie claire: spicy)
N
13 mon bbq new york steak + garden salad
14 tue skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
15 wed spiced lentils with lamb cutlets
(from: marie claire: spicy)
16 thu chicken provençal
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
17 fri kung pao chicken
18 sat take away: capricciosa, gamberi + tre carne pizza from nom pizza
19 sun steak, guinness and cheese pie N
20 mon salade tahitienne
21 tue skinny bouillabaisse (sans mussels)
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
22 wed pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
23 thu chicken cassoulet
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
24 fri Joan’s birthday dinner: one penny red
25 sat red beans + rice
26 sun herbie’s full-bodied lamb curry
(from: recipe on the back of the spice mix)
J/F
27 mon lenards chicken enchiladas
28 tue sarah raven’s chicken puttanesca
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
29 wed chili con carne [redux] R
30 thu coq au vin
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
March
01 sun pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
02 mon slow-cooked lamb sugo [redux] R
03 tue sarah raven’s chicken puttanesca
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
04 wed burritos – old el paso style
05 thu piri piri chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
06 fri linguine + prawns with roast chili oil
(from marie claire: comfort)
07 sat BBQ butterflied chicken + bessie’s potato salad
08 sun duck breast with celery, apples and pecans
(from: marie claire: fresh + fast)
09 mon unspecified chicken curry J/F
10 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
11 wed best ever bolognaise [redux] R
12 thu hot paprika goulash
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
13 fri take away: thai power
14 sat lamb rogan josh
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
15 sun braised pork with pears and cider
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
16 mon roast tomato, salami + asparagus orzo
(from: marie claire: comfort)
17 tue fast fish pie
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
18 wed BBQ new york steak + sauteed cauliflower
19 thu coq au vin
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
20 fri passage to india: mango chicken curry J/F
21 sat chilli con carne
(from: bbc good food: comfort food)
22 sun welsh lamb pie
(from: pies: sweet and savoury)
23 mon take away: open korea
24 tue baked pork tenderloin + roast veg
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
25 wed stuffed and baked ricotta shells
26 thu chicken cassoulet
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2 + N
27 fri pataks: chicken tikka masala J/F
28 sat NSW state election cheese feast
29 sun standing rib roast + potatoes in duck fat
30 mon west texas stacked enchiladas
(from homesick texan)
31 tue panko “fried” chicken + garden salad
(from: mimi spencer: fast cook)
5:2
February
01 sun pork, chicken and black-eyed pea cassoulet
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
02 mon lenards chicken enchiladas
03 tue baked pork tenderloin + roast veg
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
04 wed shepherd’s pie R
05 thu lemon-scented sticky chicken + green salad
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
06 fri (un-specified) chicken curry J/F
07 sat best ever bolognaise
(from: adrian richardson: meat)
08 sun cuban black bean soup
(from: women’s weekly: the weekend cook)
09 mon take away: open korea
10 tue lemony fish parcels + garden salad 5:2
11 wed linguine + prawns with roast chili oil
(from marie claire: comfort)
12 thu sarah raven’s chicken puttanesca
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
13 fri passage to india; chicken rogan josh J/F
14 sat hot date: fujiyama | dessert: bar italia
15 sun don’s BBQ chicken legs + don’s colesalw
16 mon lenards chicken enchiladas
17 tue new york steak + garden salad 5:2
18 wed gumbo [redux] R
19 thu skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
20 fri best ever bolognaise [redux] R
21 sat Joe/Frank birthday dinner: jamie’s italian
22 sun take away: thai power
23 mon harissa lamb cutlets + cous cous + mixed leaves
24 tue lemon-scented sticky chicken + green salad
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
25 wed paella
26 thu skinny bouillabaisse (sans mussels)
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
27 fri hot date: (obviously so memorable that we’ve completely forgotten where)
28 sat west texas stacked enchiladas
(from: homesick texan)
January
01 thu harissa lamb cutlets + cous cous + mixed leaves
02 fri london broil (flank steak) + sauteed cauliflower + mixed leaves
03 sat pulled pork + don’s coleslaw
04 sun bbq new york steak + slow roasted veg + bbq aparagus
05 mon lamb pie from nanima lamb
06 tue Hong Kong: tokoro robatayaki
07 wed Hong Kong: peking garden
08 thu Hong Kong: yamaton
09 fri Hong Kong: jasmine garden
10 sat Hong Kong: ming court
11 sun Hong Kong: nichigyu shabu shabu
12 mon Hong Kong: amazing bbq pork at hong kong qantas lounge
13 tue pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
J/F
14 wed fast asian fish
15 thu quattro formaggio + antica sopressa pizza
(base from: marie claire: kitchen)
16 fri penne arrabiata
with bacon from feather and bone
17 sat chilli con carne
(from: bbc good food: comfort food)
18 sun slow cooked lamb with parmesan and anchovy potatoes
19 mon paella
20 tue sarah raven’s chicken puttanesca
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
21 wed spice tailor: chicken tikka masala J/F
22 thu lemon baked fish parcels + roasted fennel + mixed leaves 5:2
23 fri pasta risotto with peas + pancetta
(heavily modified from nigella lawson: nigelissima)
24 sat don’s BBQ chicken + don’s coleslaw
25 sun lamb rogan josh
(from: women’s weekly: new casseroles)
26 mon gumbo using lard for the roux (seriously genius)!
(from: an amalgam of recipes on the InformationSuperhighway)
lard for roux idea stolen from the lovely amy
27 tue skipper soup
(from: fast diet: recipe book)
5:2
28 wed pataks: spicy butter chicken J/F
29 thu new york steak + roast veg + mixed leaves 5:2
30 fri take away: capricciosa, gamberi + tre carne pizza from nom pizza
31 sat hoppin’ john
(modified from glutton for life)
N