The exams-make-me-a-lazy-cook salad

Baby spinach, several handfuls

Tomato, diced

Garlic aioli, lots of

Tofu, cubed

Cracked pepper

90 seconds preparation time. Not too much longer to consume.

Not actually 14 years old

Pea and mint soup. Recipe here. I upped the potatoes, and dolloped caramelised garlic on top (bake whole, peeled garlic cloves at 180 degrees celsius in a covered dish with olive oil and brown sugar until they start to colour).

Chorizo, chilli, garlic, red wine, tomato and olive pasta.

Cliched mystery-romance novel, set in New York featuring metaphorically lost protagonist and charming, older cop with a checkered past - gives my brain a break from exam revision. Probably kills a few brain cells in the process. Whatever.

Bought a onesie. It’s polar fleece and covered in hearts.
I am so 14 years old. 

Smoked trout chowder

Heat a slab of butter until bubbling, add peeled and chopped garlic cloves, cooking until soft. Add six medium diced potatoes and cook over a medium heat for three to five minutes before adding enough white wine to cover, cooking potatoes until soft. To this add 600ml cream, plenty of cayenne pepper, a can of creamed corn and three or more fillets of flaked smoked trout. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve in deep bowls drizzled with olive oil and plenty of cracked black pepper. For those without access to a fishing rod, a friend with a fishing rod, or a supermarket willing to sell trout illegally, you’ll need to substitute the smoked trout for smoked blue cod, tarakihi or whatever else will satisfy your tastebuds. Check out the outmoded stovetop I’m restricted to working with. It’s an unpredictable eyesore, but it gets the job done. Eventually.

Photos by James.