So I’m not normally a fan of mussels because they’re usually overcooked and super chewy but after getting this recipe from Karen, it has been my trusty secret weapon over the years with perfectly plump and juicy mussels every time. Also I tend to double the amount of the ingredients so I get extra sauce leftover perfect for chowder or pasta!

Ingredients:
1kg mussels
2 large leeks
2 Tb olive oil
2 Tb butter
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or 2 Tb garlic paste which I forgot to add in the photo oops)
2-3 large anchovies
200ml dry cooking sherry
250ml thickened cream (iso grocery shopping meant only the low fat cream was available lols)
Chives/shallots/leeks/coriander for garnish

Step 1. Clean, scrub and pull the beards off the mussels and leave to strain. I normally buy the prepackaged mussels because they’re usually a bit less barnacle-y than the loose mussels.

Step 2. Wash the leek then chop into 1cm slices, using the end half of the leek right up to where it gets dark green and leafy. Heat up large pan with the 2 Tb olive oil and 2 Tb butter over medium heat. Saute leeks until butter melts.

Step 3. Add the garlic and anchovies and saute over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until leeks have softened and anchovies have dissolved and broken down into the oil.

Add the 200ml sherry and let the alcohol cook out for 2 minutes.

Then add the 250ml cream, stir and simmer for 5-10 minutes for sauce to reduce.

Add in the mussels (along with any of the brine) and give everything a toss. Stick the lid on and cook the mussels for about 5mins, shaking the pan occasionally until the shells have opened (discard any that haven’t opened).

Garnish with fresh herbs

And tadah! Serve with crusty bread and slurp away!

So I love classic cakes, just simple, straightforward cakes with minimal fuss and this lemon drizzle cake ticks all the boxes for me. It’s super easy to make, satisfyingly buttery and just dense enough with a zingy lemon-y glaze. I followed this recipe but I used this recipe for the drizzle.

Ingredients:
225g salted butter, room temperature
225g caster sugar
4 eggs
225g self-raising flour
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

For the drizzle topping:
Juice of 1 – 1½ lemons
225g icing sugar

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan forced.
Step 1. Beat together 225g butter and 225g caster sugar until pale and creamy.
Step 2. Add 4 eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after beating in the egg.
Step 3. Sift in 225g self-raising flour
Step 4. Add the finely grated zest of 1 lemon and mix until well combined.

Spoon mixture into a greaseproof paper lined loaf tin (8 x 21cm) and level the top. Bake for 45-50 mins until a thin skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

To make the lemon drizzle icing, mix the 225g icing sugar with the 1½ lemon juice. The consistency should be well, drizzle-able, if it’s too runny just add a bit more icing sugar. Be sure to stir well so there’s no icing sugar lumps- using a hand whisk helps with the lumps. While the cake is still warm, poke holes with skewer then pour over the icing. Let cool and serve.

Weeeewwwwwww! Slice and enjoy with a nice mug of tea! Happy iso baking!