Grilled polenta

Cooking polenta

Adding chilli, garlic and rosemary, and cooling

Slicerd and fried

Served with a spicy tomato sauce

Definitely one to try again - I'm always slightly sceptical of polenta, but this recipe really works

Halloumi

Halloumi, marinated in chilli and oregano, grilled, then served with a herby couscous

Tempura

For the sake of balance, trying an alterntive Tempura recipe - this one from Ottolenghi's Plenty.

Still tasty, but much oilier

Curried bubble and squeak

Cooking up a lightly curried bubble and squeak for an easy Friday supper

Topped with a poached egg, for some meat-free protein

Spicy Chips

Homemade chunky chips

Roasted in fennel, cumin, coriander, cayenne and black pepper

Served with a tomato and feta salad, and a yoghurt dip

Aubergine baked

Aubergines, shallow fried, and then baked with a rich tomato sauce, a little mozzarella, and plenty of parmesan

Tempura

January is vegetarian month, so it appears - but plentiful fresh tempura made it somewhat acceptable

Fish and chips

A pub lunch in Wrexham, with an excellent haddock and chips

Not convinced by a melon-heavy salad, but you can't have everything

Second Christmas

'Christmas Day' on the 28th with the family was a more traditional meal - turkey with stuffing, sprouts and a giblet gravy

Boxing Day 2011

A plump pheasant roasted with sausages and bacon

Served with a cold ham, dauphinoise potates and plentiful condiments

Christmas Day Food

A slow cooked piece of brisket of beef

Cooked for 5 or 6 hours, and served with all the trimmings