monkfish wrapped in parma ham with a black olive and tomato risotto.

A wholesome but light fish dish, perfect for the beginnings of Autumn. As part of my second recipe featuring Parma ham, I've put together a seafood and prosciutto ensemble, on a bed of black olive and tomato risotto. My first recipe, Parma ham, ricotta and basil bruschetta, showcased a delicate starter or canapé idea which would be perfect for party guests or a weekend lunch.

This risotto recipe is particularly great for a dinner party main, where you can make ahead the monkfish wrapped in prosciutto di Parma, allowing the Mediterranean inspired risotto to bubble away on the stove.

pressure cooker tandoori lamb with coconut and turmeric rice.

From paellas to puddings and risotto to ribs, who knew there was so much you make in a pressure cooker? Long gone are the days of noisy pressure cookers squealing on your Granny's stove; they've come a long way since then. Safe and smart, the Prestige Smart Plus Pressure Cooker include a visual pressure indicator that raises to indicate when the cooker is at pressure, as well as a directional pressure regulator to ensure safe release of steam away from you.

They're a real time saver too, usually knocking off a third of your usual cooking time. The results are impressive too, keeping meat and seafood delicate and tender, rice fluffy and vegetables flavoursome. The lid seals in nutrients too, which is always a bonus.

A spicy tandoori lamb recipe with coconut and turmeric rice, all made in the slow cooker. All in less than15 minutes.

six reasons to visit parma.

 

Parma. Found in the Emilia-Romagna region, this Italian city is a must-travel for foodies, adventurers and history lovers alike. Before my trip, I lost track of the people asking me what I'd be doing in Palma, Majorca. But no, this is far from it's Spanish soundalike, this lesser known Italian haven is more familiar than first thought. Remember delicious platters of thinly sliced Parma ham, boxes of Barilla pasta or that twist of Parmigiano-Reggiano to finish your dish? Well, this is where it all hails from. And I'm not surprised why they're so proud about it. 

As a guest of the official Prosciutto di Parma consortium, I spent three days exploring this lovely part of Italy. If you're keen to visit too, here are a few things to tick off your travel to-do list...

bakewell tart cheesecake.

In the Midlands we're pretty spoilt for food. With Leicestershire as the home of Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese, breweries in Burton-on-Trent and the amazing curry houses in Birmingham and Leicester, there really is so much to choose from.

A particular favourite of mine is the Bakewell tart, or pudding, which hails from the Derbyshire town with the same namesake. The puddings and tarts are a little different in recipe and texture, but they both have that delicious medley of almonds and cherries that I can't get enough of. If you've read my recipes or scrolled through Insta before, you'd know I'm pretty obsessed with any adaptation of my beloved tart. So when Leisure cookers challenged me to make a twist on a classic regional dish at my next dinner party, I knew I had try a Bakewell cheesecake. My mixer and range cooker are my best friends in the kitchen so I couldn't wait to get started.