• Foodelf on March 17, 2012

  I've made so many recipes from this book and Jill's unfussy approach to food and prep is evident everywhere. My copy of the book is festooned with sticky notes and placemarkers. Just a few I make and love and are very popular with guests: Tuna & White Bean Toast (p.11), Catalan Tomato Bread (p.29), Little Egg & Ham Pies (p.33), Mediterranean Vegetables (p.50), French Cafe Salad ... Heaven! (p.57), Roast Pesto Chicken (p.90), Crash Hot Potatoes ... now immortal! (p.99), Espresso Prunes w/Caramel Yogurt (p.184)

Notes about Recipes in this book

• Baby fruit cakes

  • Connichr on April 21, 2013

    Never fails. Always a great standby

• Baked spaghetti

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Nice & simple enough to make. Used only about 400g spaghetti though - and it works. If use 500g as the recipe states, think there will be too much pasta and the sauce won't coat the pasta enough.

• Caramel salmon and lime

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Absolutely brilliant - superb!

• Catalan tomato bread

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Nice and easy accompaniment to make

• Chilli soy tofu

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Easy and nice. No need to heat the sauce on the stove, microwave for about 30 seconds - it works OK

• Crash hot potatoes

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Love this - easy variation to the usual roast potato - defo make this again and again

  • Breadcrumbs on March 11, 2016

    I've made this recipe on countless occasions, needless to say it's a house favourite. Great with any variety of herbs atop. Outstanding.

  • SashaJackson on April 07, 2017

    Excellent, go with almost anything and make a yummy canape too. Be warned that when you squash them, it looks like an absolute disaster! but turn out brilliant once cooked.

• Haloumi, tomato and beans

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Verry yummy - definitely would make this again

• Little chocolate cakes

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    VERY, VERY chocolatey. Too dry, sticks in your throat. Maybe I will try this again to make sure I didn't leave it in the oven too long before I write it off completely

• Sesame mangetout

  • sharifah on November 13, 2011

    Very easy accompaniment to make, and yummy too. Refreshing and simple. Would defo make this again

• Sweetcorn shot soup

  • sharifah on December 12, 2011

    Substituted the onion with white parts of spring onions for onion-allergic guest, and it worked really well. Sweet, savoury really yummy soup. Followed the recipe to the letter - very simple to make. Very nice winter starter - would make this again

• Tuna and white bean toast

  • Breadcrumbs on March 11, 2016

    Another house favourite that I've made many times. I always add extra lemon juice. Quick and easy, perfect if impromptu guests arrived as it's prepared with pantry ingredients.