As a family we have many nights in chatting and playing many old board games while chatting and laughing about previous times and memories; often about the people we have met and the places we have been, but we always end up remembering loved ones who made our lives what they are today and leave behind such a huge gap.

One of those is my Dad, who was a wonderful man who taught all of us to live life to the full, to enjoy adventure and good food while appreciating good friends and family. While in the kitchen this week we were talking about him and we all knew we had to cook one of his favourites Haddock and Leek Chowder.

You will need for this superb rich dish: 450g smoked haddock, 1 pint milk, 1 bay leaf, 50g butter, 1 medium onion, 2 to 3 leeks, 3 medium potatoes, 450ml fish or vegetable stock, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tblsp parsley, 25g plain flour and salt & pepper to taste.

Put haddock milk and bay leaf in large pan and bring to the boil before covering and simmer for 10 minutes, Lift fish out and flake the fish when cool. Seive the milk into a jug and save. Put 25g butter in pan when melted add chopped onion and leek and cook for 5 minutes then add the potatoes which have been peeled and diced and cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Now melt the rest of the butter in another pan stir in the flour and cook for 30 seconds take off the heat and gradually add the reserved milk before returning to the heat and bringing to the boil stirringthen simmer gently for 2 minutes. Now pour the milky mixture into the pan of leaks, potatoes and onion. Stir in the flaked fish, the lemon juice, parsley and season to your taste with salt and pepper. Leave to simmer gently for 5 minutes before serving with fresh home made bread.

This is one dish which is great on autumn nights when you need something warm and filling and always clean plates all a round the dining table, its the quietest my lot are anyway!

Another of my dads favourites can be found in my previous blog cake or dessert a great raspberry roulade plus many more recipes for you to explore.

Tell me about a favourite recipe of yours which conjures up memories of someone special?