The Cottage Smallholder


stumbling self sufficiency in a small space


Easy rack of lamb baked in a tasty sweet savoury sauce recipe

Posted in Lamb | 9 comments

Easy rack of lamb baked in a tasty sweet savoury sauce recipe

Fred’s racks of lamb are always chubby, tender and a real treat. Yesterday I drove back from Essex to find Danny creating a new sauce for a chunky rack. We like to make our sauces in the same pan as the roasting meat. If we get the ingredients right it’s a lazy way to make a sauce and sometimes the sauce also tenderises the meat. This sauce has soul. It was a treat at the end of a long day. Combined with spinach and creamed potatoes (champ) it was superb. If you prefer a thick sauce, a little corn flour or potato flour could be...

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Lazy duck in apricot sauce recipe

Posted in Duck Goose and Turkey | 3 comments

Lazy duck in apricot sauce recipe

I often turn my collar up and haunt the condemned food section of Tesco. Sometimes I bag a real bargain. Often I find duck legs. The first time I swanked home with this gem Danny was forthright. “it’s all very well bringing home cut price stuff but do you know how to cook duck legs?” I had no idea. “Of course I do.” My mind whirled madly. “I’m going to cook them slowly with apricots.” His head remained cocked to one side. “And wine.” We were both stunned that I could so easily pluck...

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Special Boxing Day Breakfast (scrambled eggs with smoked salmon recipe)

Posted in Christmas, Fish and Seafood, Snacks Breakfast Lunch | 0 comments

Special Boxing Day Breakfast (scrambled eggs with smoked salmon recipe)

Just before I met Danny, I went to Ireland for the first time to attend a bread making course at the Ballymaloe Cookery School. For the duration of the course my sister and I stayed at the Shanagarry Guest House which was walking distance from the school, although I think we drove the 200 yards every day. Partly laziness but mainly on account of the breakfast, which was excellent and forced one to linger until the last possible moment. The couple who owned the guest house were charming. The husband was a rugby coach for the Irish team and...

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