In the kitchen with: Claire Aldous
This week we're in the kitchen with Food Editor Claire Aldous. Claire is the mastermind behind recipes enjoyed by thousands of readers for more than 15 years, having been with dish since the very first issue. With a vast knowledge of ingredients and techniques, her constant innovation and imagination are an invaluable source of inspiration.
Your favourite recipe you cook for yourself?
Spaghetti with heaps of chilli, garlic, Ortiz anchovies and lots of lemon, sautéed in good olive oil plus a handful of prawns if there’s some in the freezer.
The one thing you always have in your fridge?
Food – home-made preserved lemons. Drink – Prosecco
If you could impart one piece of cooking knowledge to everyone, what would it be?
Cook simple, seasonal, well-seasoned dishes that you love to eat. And relax, life’s not a competition!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Italian.
Can you recall the moment when you knew you wanted to pursue a career in food?
No – I grew up with a mother who was a fantastic cook and I was always in the kitchen with her. I’ve been in the right place at the right time when jobs came along and I always said yes.
Your go-to dinner party meal?
Crispy skinned roast duck, a big salad usually with greens, fennel and whatever else looked good that day, and a fab potato gratin. All served family style on the table, and of course a delicious dessert. I never do three courses.
Who is your food hero?
Nigel Slater and Judy Rodgers – now deceased chef at Zuni Café in San Francisco.
What music, if any, do you like to listen to while cooking?
Bit eclectic and depends on my mood – Van Morrison, Sarah McLachlan, George Michael and Amy Winehouse are top picks.
Biggest kitchen disaster?
Someone swapped the lids on my icing sugar/cornflour containers – my decadent, layered chocolate cake got heavily dusted in cornflour just as it was going out to the birthday boy!
Your guilty pleasure?
I keep good quality bars of dark chocolate in the freezer and break off little bits when I get a craving for something sweet late at night.
In all your travels, where have you experienced the best food?
San Francisco at both Chez Panisse and Zuni Café, where I had Judy Rodgers' Roast Chicken with Bread Salad – so damn delicious.
Is there one cookbook you go back to time and time again?
All of Nigel Slater's books.
The kitchen utensil you can't live without?
Knives and a microplane zester.
You're currently craving...?
Anything delicious someone else has cooked.
Any advice to new cooks?
Read the entire recipe BEFORE you start cooking.
latest issue:
Issue #115
Issue 115 is packed with inspiration for all kinds of cosy meals – whether you’re dining alone, as two or with a few. We start with our Plating Game interview with Jesse Mulligan which inspired a medley of curries and sides then move on to a round up of easy one-pan chicken dishes, a variety of pasta bakes and meatballs, and using one simple yet delicious tart base we whip up five fab filling options. Sarah’s wintry faves include a moreish chorizo (not) carbonara, lamb and spinach filo pie and we finish off with sweet treats and decadent puds. We love seeing what you create, don’t forget to share your dish dishes with our Facebook community. When it comes to winter cooking, make it SIMPLY YUM!