A stunning orange sorbet

Well, mine is not quite so stunning in look but is in taste. I don't own an ice cream maker and so wasn't sure what was going to happen here but it has worked out just fine with a bit of freezer action and a few stirs. A lovely flavour and very refreshing after the heat of the curry.

A curry of aubergines, tomatoes and lemongrass

This looked hideous until the coconut milk went in, at which point it all made sense. This was ok - just ok though. The mushrooms in it meant that the daughter was against it from the start and she declared it boring. I'd left the chilli seeds in to satisfy her but now have decided I won't bother doing that in future as, if she takes against it, there's no redeeming it with blast your head off chilli heat. Nigel rarely fails me, so I'm putting this one down to a matter of taste.

Spaghetti with new season's garlic

This doesn't look much but tastes lovely and the lack of looks belies the simple yet beautiful taste and flavours.

Roast chicken wings with lemon and cracked pepper

Nigel is right, these are so simple but pack that full on taste of comfort food that we all need sometimes. Another winner.

Orange and lemon cheesecake

I was very pleased with this. It took ages though and in my impatience have probably not left it in the oven cooling down long enough so the texture was soft rather than set. Still, a beautiful flavour.

Chicken with vermouth, tarragon and cream

I used chicken breasts to Nigel's thighs (chicken thighs not his own thighs) because when I told my daughter what we were having for dinner she pulled her face and insisted on breast. She was also unconvinced about the dish itself but my oh my how wrong she was! If I'd have been served this in a restaurant I'd have been really happy - the flavours were lovely and perfectly complement each other. I'd definitely have this again.

Mustard chops

I think the key to this type of dish is top quality meat, which I fortunately do have access to as there is a brilliant butcher round the corner from my home. The marinade was beautiful and not too mustardy this time, the mustard being toned down by the lemon juice. I had lamb (pictured) and the lamb hating daughter had pork in the same marinade - both worked.

Pork and lemon polpettine

Warning - I am about to go all Man V Food on yo ass! Man! The flavours in these beauties sang! The deep flavour of the minced pork, combined with saltiness of the anchovies and the sharp tang of fresh lemon, tempered with the herbs made these just about the best thing I've eaten in an age. A lovely surprise from Nigel. Plus, I am we'll aware they don't look much, but you know what? it's not all about the looks.

Bramley apple shortcake

Ooh, the smell coming from my kitchen is amazing and here is the source. We loved this and the pastry was lovely and biscuity. Proper comfort food which we had with custard.

Baked red mullet with saffron and mint

Here is my/Nigel's take on fish and chips. I forgot about taking the photo for this blog and got straight to getting the main bone out so that my daughter didn't moan - this strategy didn't work as there were about 3 thousand more teeny tiny bones to contend with. Whilst I still could appreciate the flavour, all she could say was 'I hate Nigel for this' - she'll love him again in about half an hour when I pull the apple pie out of the oven for pudding!

Toasted chocolate brioche

Bit of a misunderstanding from me here - I went into my local (fantastic) bakery asking for a brioche loaf, expected a full size loaf, and was given the teeniest, tiniest little thing - see below. I bought two. Turns out it was probably the best size for this kind of thing really as it gave me a chance to try out making it without 'having to' gorge on chocolatey loveliness. This was lovely with a cup of tea as an afternoon snack.

Mackerel with cumin and lemon

Anyone who can remember back to October will recall that I said that I hoped completing this project would make me eat more fish - et voila! I liked this very much but remembered why I don't eat much fish when I watched my daughter picking through the bones and hardly eating any of it, which is quite frustrating. Probably wouldn't make this again.

Thyme and feta lamb

There was noting intrinsically wrong with this (I.e I like all the ingredients individually) but together it just lacked something and was a bit so so - just ok. It smelt lovely though because of the fresh mint.

Green curry of prawns and Thai aubergines

2 ingredients were missing tonight - pea aubergine (which I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen in my life!) and green peppercorns, but it seemed to matter not a jot. This was spicy and very tasty and the prawns were lovely in it. It was also ridiculously easy to make.

Thai fish cakes and a deep, sweet dipping sauce

I loved these but unfortunately they didn't love me and now almost 2 hours after eating them I am still in full on allergy mode and no idea which element of them I'm allergic to - bah! They were lovely though - for me a perfect fish cake with body and full on taste.

Orange jelly with lemon

Nigel's jelly had cardomom in it also but it's not a flavour me or mine are fans of so rather than duck out of making the jelly altogether, I left out the cardomom. This dish has been a disaster to make, starting with buying completely the wrong gelatine (powder rather than leaf) and having to dive out to the shops leaving the juice to cool too much and have to basically start again! Doh! I also don't think the gelatine completely melted and whilst the jelly was ok for the most part there was a rubbery section at the bottom which I assume is a gathering of gelatine. The flavours were sharp and refreshing but I think better for a summer day rather than freezing cold as it is right now. Nigel, you can't win 'em all.
On a different note, taramasalata aside (which is going to have to be made when cod roe is next in season) March is now complete. My favourite dish from March was difficult to pick because there have been many winners but I'm going to say the smoked mackerel on toast as that was amazing.