Where’s the fire?

“Your motor’s gone love,” said Steve-the-plumber, not to be confused with Steve-the-fish who, funnily enough, sells fish, or indeed Steve-the-DH. You know it’s winter when your central heating packs up. Which is annoying, since if you are like DH, winter is when you turn the central heating on. Despite being out on the beach at Westgate on Saturday in shirt sleeves and a sunhat, there is no doubt that winter is here. I have been wearing sweaters since Monday, and am trying to remember where on earth I have put the electric blanket. If things change so quickly on the weather front, I want to be fully prepared.

But whilst I wait for heat, I have run away to the kitchen to find solace in Nigella-esque pursuits in the kitchen. At which point, I should give major kudos to Silvana, who pointed me in the right direction when I had cooking block. The smell of supper is bubbling up the stairs, soothing away the stress of my day as I type. If he’s lucky, there might even be leftovers for Steve-the-plumber when he returns tomorrow. To switch off my system, replace the motor, and get it all going again. On the plus side, at least I’ll be able to tell prospective buyers that the system has recently been ‘serviced’!!

Cod with chorizo cassoulet

2 pieces of cod (thanks to Steve-the-fish)
10cm piece chorizo, chopped
red onion, chopped
carrot, peeled and sliced
2 beetroot, chopped
4 cloves garlic
glass red wine
tin chopped tomatoes
tin cannelini beans
handful fresh rosemary, torn
bay leaf
seasoning

1. Fry the chorizo until it starts to give off it’s pungent liquid, then bung in onions, garlic and carrot and cook for a few minutes.
2. Add wine and reduce. Stir in tomatoes and beans.
3. Add herbs and season then leave to bubble until carrots are tender.
4. Heat some oil in a frying pan until very hot. Cook cod for a few minutes on each side.
5. Spoon cassoulet into a bowl, top with cod and a sprinkle of parsley.
6. Enjoy with glass of gutsy red wine.

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