This week’s book was: Off Duty, by David Nicholls. This is a compilation of recipes from different chefs of what they cook at home. We picked chefs that we don’t have other cookbooks of theirs. Sunday was the very light and wonderful Poached Chicken Breasts with Baby Leeks and Trompette Mushrooms, Tomato Dressing and Market Veg followed by Raspberries in Puff Pastry from Anton Mosiman. Whilst this sounds pretty chaffy, the techniques and approach were really straight forward and made for a memorable Sunday Lunch. The puff pastry rose more than the recipe suggested it would so we’ll have to think again on how to make that bit work better but the flavours of the main and desert were great.

Sunday night has become pizza night in our house and since the book had Roasted Garlic and Wild Mushroom Pizza by Wolfgang Puck, we gave that a try. The base was a bit wet and sticky – definitely not as good as some of the other bases we make but the topping was out of this world. Lou said it was the best pizza she’s ever eaten (high praise indeed).

Next up In the week was Black Forest Onion and Smoked Bacon Tart by Anton Edelman. This had a really interesting caraway seed crust (the crust had yeast in it – almost like a bread) and the filling really, really tasty. One to do again.

Later in the week was Riviera Salad by Alan Ducasse. Think a tuna nicoise really but beautiful combinations of artichokes, tuna, anchovies, olive tapenade, tomatoes, celery. It was a memorable salad. We had to adjust the recipe slightly as we couldn’t get purple artichokes but all in all a cracking little dish.

The last dish from Off Duty was Saikyo Grilled Salmon by Nobu Matsuhisa. Essentially this is miso marinaded salmon that you then grill. Wow. It is without doubt some of the tastiest salmon we’ve ever had.

So now we’re all caught up and back on track with the weekly posts this next week we have the rather wonderfully titled Recipes from my Mother for my Daughter by Lisa Faulkner.