87. Mini beef wellingtons

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I can rarely be bothered to do a roast on Sundays but this dish satisfies that Sunday urge for meat and fat, without quite so much time and effort.

54. Pot-roast beef with port & juniper berries

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In her new programme on BBC2 Lorraine enthuses about the “Street Food revolution” sweeping across Britain. Apparently it’s never been easier to get good quality fresh food on the street. Maybe if you live in London. Down here in Tiverton, street food is still hot dogs and scaldingly hot tea.

51. My dad’s really very good lasagne

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This is Lorraine’s dad’s lasagne recipe, not mine. If I were a chef writing a recipe book, I suppose I could include My Dad’s pretty simple scrambled eggs, or My Dad’s Porridge, but I can’t think of anything else he taught me to make!

41. Not-so-Cornish pasties with sturdy shortcrust pastry

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Today it’s a double whammy for pasty lovers: the government backtracks on the infamous pasty tax; and I share Lorraine’s pasty recipe. Today’s news signals the end to a short but passionate battle by bakers to change the budget measure. I had hoped to see the people of Cornwall throwing boatloads of pasties into the sea, but it was not to be (explanation of humorous historical allusion here).

38. Heart-warming ‘boeuf bourguignon’ (with a touch of something Italian)

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This is a dish which requires minimal effort and you can leave to cook for hours, then just finish up when you’re ready to eat. So it’s perfect for busy Mums, and was great for us having some friends over.

18. Mum’s chilli con carne

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Lorraine’s mum, not mine. She suggests serving it with rice or tortilla chips, but why should anyone be forced to choose between the two? Serve it with both.