Extract taken from River Cottage Great Roasts by Gelf Alderson
(Bloomsbury, £20 Hardback)
Photography © Emma Lee
Three Deliciously Comforting Autumn Recipes
The darker nights of autumn mean we all need delicious comfort food to keep our spirits up
In River Cottage Great Roasts, Gelf Alderson shares how to transform everyday ingredients into their more deliciously caramelised, roasted counterparts. Often only requiring one roasting tin and minimal prep, these are recipes that let the oven do the hard work. From easy weeknight dinners to show-stopping Sunday roasts and indulgent puds, here are three recipes to try.
Smoked Haddock with Potatoes, Spinach, Cream and Thyme
I love smoked fish and I’m fortunate enough to be able to smoke my own, but I appreciate this is unusual. Most good fishmongers and supermarket fish counters sell naturally smoked fish, which is pale yellow in colour. Avoid anything that is bright yellow, as this will have been dyed and most likely dipped in a smoke-flavoured cure rather than smoked properly. If you have any leftovers (which I doubt), thin down with a little stock the next day for a hearty chowder-like lunch.
Rolled Lamb Breast with Herbs, Lemon and Tomatoes
An under-rated cut, lamb breast comes from the same part of the animal as belly pork, which we know and love. Cooked well, it is tasty and tender, so give it a go. You need breasts from a decent-sized animal – consider asking your butcher for hogget breasts, which will be larger and meatier.
Fig, Fennel and Brandy Cobbler
Figs are an opulent fruit, packed full of flavour, and when you add a little brandy to them you have a real powerhouse on your hands. Try and select figs that are just ripe – if they feel overly soft, it can be a sign that they have started to rot.
