We're takin' back Sundays

You may think that after the meat-laden, cream-heavy richness of Chrimbo, our minds may be turning to lighter things this month.

Err, no.

Perhaps it's the snow. And the sub zero temperatures. Or just the fact that we had such rollicking fun eating and drinking and socialising in December that we saw no reason to stop. Perhaps, who knows, it's the effect of this blog...

Either way, January is shaping up to be a bit of a culinary high point. Take last week. Here's what I cooked on the first three 'back to school' nights:

Monday - Brace of pheasants, roasted apples and veg, bread sauce, madeira gravy
Tuesday - Roasted 5 spice pork with cabbage and caraway seeds
Wednesday – slow cooked chilli con carne with spicy guacamole

Okaay, it didn't stay at this level (I had to return to work eventually, and my husband was getting suspicious at all the nice attention) but you get the gist. I was on a cooking – and eating – roll. And you know, it really beat those winter blues. I didn't even mind not drinking (for a few days).

Anyway, come Sunday, I finally let my oven have a day off as my dear friends Ben and Rachel hosted a dinner party. All I had to do was supply the pud, the rest was down to them. What was on the menu? Let's just say, there was a boat in the harbour, so we pushed it out…

Nibbles: Toast with canard pate and caramelised red onions, served with 1990 Bollinger Rose Belle Epoque.

Main event: Huuuuge roast pork, crackling, apple sauce and all the extras you'd wish for, served with a 2005 Margaux

Cheese course: no less than 8, including a Compté, Brie, Reblochon, Roquefort and a hard cheese with cumin seeds (plus more delicious and gout inducing red wine finery, too many bottles to mention)

Pudding: Rhubarb and ginger crumble with custard and clotted cream, served with a stickie

Then there were extra delicacies throughout the evening – surprise little puds from Ben served with coffee, huge boxes of chocolates pressed upon us by Rachel whilst we played 'Who's in the bag' (if you don't know how to play this email us and we'll fill you in!).

It was like Christmas all over again. Which made us all decide upon one resolution we're determined to keep. We're claiming back Sunday lunch. As a time for cooking, conversation and conviviality. We'll let you know if we manage to stick to it!