183: Warm soused mackerel, p68

Last mackerel recipe ticked off the list - but not our favourite, unfortunately. The fish was beautifully moist, being soused in the vinegar and wine, and lovely herby flavours came through, but we both decided we prefer the crispness given to mackerel when grilled or pan fried, rather that letting the skin end up a bit soggy. Plus T hated the smell of the vinegar, thought it smelt like old socks, bizarrely (I didn't think it did, but the smell was very vinegary, almost eye wateringly). Hey ho. Lovely served with the sauteed potatoes, but again, one fillet was enough for each of us, not two as suggested.

Only 10 recipes left to go!!

130: A salad of red mullet with lime and ginger, p246

Delicious! What a weekend for food! Along with the clams, I also purchased two red mullet from Sandy's. Quite pricey, and with four red mullet recipes in the book to get through, lets hope red mullet doesn't have a short season...

I was a bit nervous about this one, and probably will be about all the red mullet recipes actually, it being pricey and me not having cooked it before - it's a bit worrying, trying not to ruin it! However, this was easy peasy, and the fish took 2-3 mins on each side in a pan before it was cooked just so - was very pleased! The 'salad' comprised a cooked up Vietnamese style mixture of thinly sliced carrot and onion, with allsorts of lovely flavours - the lime juice, chilli, white wine vinegar, ginger and star anise being particularly notable. It went beautifully with the fish, which was meaty enough to hold it's own against the salad, yet delicate at the same time. And again, T, who I expected to leave most of the salad (not liking carrot or onion much, in any form), cleaned his plate!

127: Macaroni with Fontina and mustard, p303

I can't find Fontina cheese. I tried. I gave up. I used Taleggio, which is used earlier in the book for an easily melted cheese... You may have noticed that I'm definitely getting more relaxed about the occasional ingredient substitution - if I'm going to have any chance of finishing this challenge, I think I have to! But I do TRY to find all the right ingredients before swapping... :)

This was scrummy comfort food at it's best. I love macaroni cheese, T can't stand it - doesn't like 'bland' foods. Hah. He liked this though, and finished the leftovers for lunch today :) I'll definitely use this recipe again in the future, the addition of the mustards (Dijon and wholegrain) really added a little kick to it, and it was deliciously creamy and moreish. Served with a salad of rocket leaves and balsamic dressing, yummy!