What’s your first memory of food? I grew up in Moulsecoomb. Mum made me eat Brussel sprouts, which I hated. She used to call them baby cabbages because I liked cabbage. We didn’t have sweet things often, but she made the best Treacle Tart ever. I’d have it for my birthday. She made it with breadcrumbs rather than cornflakes.
What’s your favourite meal? I like salmon best of all. I poach it in milk, then make a sauce using flour, butter, the poaching liquid, dill, fish stock and lemon juice.
What do you most like cooking? I love doing all sorts of stir-fries. My daughters bought me a cast-iron wok. It’s heavy but it works really well.
Do you have a favourite cook book? I rely on the Dairy Book of Home Cooking. My daughters all have it too. All the basic recipes are in there. And The Complete Italian Cookbook is good for pasta sauces. I love their spinach tagliatelle with chicken and almonds.
Have you had any cooking disasters? When Dave and I were first married, I made him bacon pudding once. He’s always loved it. Back then, I’d take my wedding ring off to make the pastry, and after I’d made the bacon pudding, I couldn’t find the ring anywhere. I had to take the pudding apart. Then I found the ring on the shelf! We had fish and chips that night.
What’s your favourite ingredient? Olive oil is really useful, but you can’t do without salt and pepper.
What’s your favourite bit of kit? My wok.