I’m not a salad person. Trust me, I wish I was. I want to be the kind of lady who is happy to eat for fuel and little else. But I am not. Yes, I do like quite a few vegetables well-enough but you’re not liable to find me vibrating over my love of dandelion greens or endive. I treat vegetables as compliments to something richer, and more often than not, fattier. Something refreshing, bitter, or astringent to provide contrast rather than being the main event. This is why you don’t see all that many salads on Rhubarb & Cod. Most of the time I just surrender to the convenience of a bagged salad or a pile of greens with a drizzle of a hastily made vinaigrette. But every now and then, I make truly epic salads. And today’s Crispy Avocado Kale Salad is one such salad.
Sticky Toffee Pancakes with Blackberries

These Sticky Toffee Pancakes are an anomaly. And no, it’s not because they’re pancakes of the sticky toffee variety. I’ve seen other (potentially better) versions of this breed of pancake elsewhere. No, what makes these pancakes strange is the fact that I made them. Oh sure, I’ve made pancakes before but this is a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. I’m much more of a savory brunch human, I’m pretty much a savory person no matter the mealtime. But for some reason when my brain landed on the concept of Sticky Toffee Pancakes I decided I had to make them mine. So I did and now you’re looking at them.
Saag Paneer Dip with Naan Chips

I know most people start off their posts with claims that their recipe is so easy the raccoon equivalent of a toddler could make it. But I’m not going to do that. It’s not that this Saag Paneer Dip is difficult, it’s not. But it can be fussy, or it could not be. Allow me to explain what I mean by that. This recipe can be very easy or very difficult depending on your mood. If you’re feeling your gourmand fancy, you can make the paneer and the naan from scratch and milk cooking this recipe for a day or two. Or if you’re unwilling to spend two days making a dip, congratulations! You’re a sensible human being, would you mind telling me what it’s like?
Hazelnut Brownies with Frangelico Ice Cream

When it comes to dessert, I have terrible taste. And by “terrible” I mean trashy. Sure, I may make fancy desserts, but deep down all I want are wine gums. A bag of Sour Patch Kids is the fastest way to my heart. And for that reason, I don’t think I’m cut out for adulting. I seem to be downright rubbish at it. This year for my birthday, I classed it up a bit and ask for my weight in these fancy gummies in lieu of a birthday cake. But if I do find myself in the mood for a dessert that has actually seen the inside of an oven, 9 times out of 10 it will be a warm brownie situation. And these Hazelnut Brownies with Frangelico Ice Cream are the best warm brownie situation I could dream up.