I can no longer be called a bad cook. On Tuesday, I hosted a dinner party all by myself (with dishwashing support from Dino).

On the menu:

1. Herbed roast chicken — Mum gave me instructions over the phone at 6:30 AM Australian time.
2. Spicy tomato salsa with fried eggs — One of my favourite dishes from mum. It was the first time I’ve made it and it was perfect!
3. Stir-fried corn and beef — We usually use pork but beef works well too.
4. Moroccan lamb and chickpea — From a book Damjan gave me just before I left for Cambridge.
5. Maple syrup dumplings — Kate gave me the recipe for golden syrup dumplings about five years ago. Di bought maple syrup this term so I commandeered it for this recipe. It worked fine.

I made rice and my guests brought salad and Christmas crackers. I think I fed seven people for about £20. Bargain!