Its the general bitchness that makes it so much fun to watch

Yeah, I'm really gutted about it, although it would have precipitated a massive argument with Sarah as she was adamant I couldn't do it at our house as she "doesn't want her life on TV".

Jamie's recipe of the day

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/past ... e-spaghett

MMMMMMMMM!

I've just made Brocolli and Stilton soup.

2 tablespoons of olive oil
500 grams Mature stilton (
2 large heads of brocolli - cut into small pieces
A few sprouts if you have any - cut small
2 large onions - chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped - or to taste
2 chicken stock cubes
level teaspoon of mixed herbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 small to medium potato cut into tiny pieces (to thicken)
Enough water to cover all the veg in a big saucepan (plus a bit more)
Quarter pint of double cream

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan
Fry the onion and garlic gently until its just turning translucent
Add the brocolli (+ sprouts and potato if you are using them)
Add the mixed herbs
Fry everything gently until the brocolli is just cooked but still firm
Mix the chicken stock cubes in about a pint of water and add to the saucepan (add more water if necessary to cover everything)
Add salt and pepper
Bring to the boil and turn the heat down to a simmer for about 20 minutes until the veg is all soft
Cut the Stilton into small chunks and add to the soup and let it melt to thicken the soup
Mash or blend everything
Add as much cream as you like but try not to boil the soup after you've added it.


Great for these cold winter days.

Nice idea, a winter soup.

I like soup.

Stilton makes me want to vomit though.

That's an incredible coincidence. At lunch time I commented to someone that I'd probably be having blue cheese and broccoli soup for tea

Not that much of a coincidence. I'm having mine for dinner.

Only problem is that it's been ready for 5 hours now and I still need to wait for another half hour before I can eat it. Only as a starter tonight though, roast chicken and veggies for the main.

+1

Just had beef stew and dumplings with juniper spiced cabbage. Deelish.

Earlier in the year, I made an attempt at potato dauphinoise. Figured I'll try again at Xmas. Whilst looking up potato-related recipes, I came across sauteed potatoes and realised I haven't had these in something like three years, at the very least!

I love potator dauphinoise. Bf cooked it for the first time recently but I've done t a few times. Not the sort of thing you can eat every day though. I'd hate to think how many calories are in it.

You can substitute creme fraiche for cream and reduce the fat and calories by at least half.

Matt if you're gonna go to the trouble of making dauphinoise then you may as well make it and eat it as intended. What's the fun otherwise? Anyway line up Nigella Lawson and Gillian McKeith and tell me who looks healthier!

Caz, I wouldn't watch Nigella if I was paid and never heard of Gillian.

As for food substitutes, well don't knock it until you've tried it, you may be pleasantly surprised. And on the same subject if you have a soft drink is it a full sugar version?

I very rarely drink soft drinks but if I do its the sugar version.