
Octavia Lillywhite
Octavia Lillywhite is an award-winning food and lifestyle journalist with over 15 years of experience. She joined the Sunday Mirror magazine as a cub reporter and stayed until she was running the Food and Lifestyle department, learning all the food styling tricks of the trade as she went (eg. to photograph ice cream under studio lights, swap it for instant mashed potato dyed with food colouring so it doesn’t melt).
With a passion for creating beautiful, tasty family meals that don’t use hundreds of ingredients or anything you have to source from obscure websites, she’s a champion of local and seasonal foods, using up leftovers and composting, which, she maintains, is probably the most important thing we all can do to protect the environment. She also became a self-confessed wine expert while working on Saturday Magazine’s wine column, knows her Côtes de Rhône from her Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, and can now drink wine “really well”.
While at the Sunday Mirror and Daily Express, she interviewed some of the country’s greatest chefs. Heston Blumenthal taught her why you shouldn’t trust a rare beef burger at a barbecue (unless it’s his); from Neil Rankin she learned scrambled eggs need to be cooked slowly and from Jamie Oliver, that fish finger wraps are improved by sriracha. Her favourite interview was with charming Frenchman Raymond Blanc, with whom she’s now slightly in love. He taught her the importance of ‘terroir’, and that workaholic is just another word for passionate - as long as you make time for the people who matter.
She’s never owned a microwave, cooks from scratch for her and her husband nearly every night and only eats ready meals on very special occasions - like Valentine's Day when M&S do their majestic Meal Deal. She’s never managed to watch an entire episode of The Great British Bake Off because it’s too stressful, “...and I’d rather be risking my own soggy bottom in the kitchen than crying over someone else’s on TV.”
Latest articles by Octavia Lillywhite
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Chicken and tarragon risotto
An easy and delicious chicken and tarragon risotto jewelled with green peas and flavoured with this delicate aniseed-y herb.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Steak and kidney pudding
Steak and kidney pudding is the ultimate British comfort food. A doughy, homemade pastry filled with rich, gravy-laden meat chunks and onion.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Steak and kidney pie
A warming, comforting steak and kidney pie, perfect for chilly evenings and family suppers. Serve with mash for a really classic meal.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Banana cookies
Rustle up a few of these irresistible cookies. They're an ideal snack or lunchbox addition
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Easter food traditions: 12 things you eat at Easter and why we eat them
Easter is a time of year that is deeply connected with food traditions. We eat very specific foods only at this time of year - have you ever wondered why?
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Quick pasta Niçoise
This quick pasta Niçoise is the ultimate easy lunch option - bright and delicious and only 300 calories per portion
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Crab, lemon and chilli linguine
This crab, lemon and chilli linguine uses tinned crab meat to make a simple meal that feels like a special occasion. Perfect for summer weekends.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Butternut and cheese penne
Make this butternut and cheese penne for a quick mid-week meal for the whole family. It's full of veg and the kids will love it
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Spanish tortilla
This classic Spanish tortilla with artichokes is so simple to make and only takes 25 mins - perfect for lunch
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Brined turkey
Our brined turkey with sage and onion stuffing is ideal for that special Christmas dinner. It’s easy to make, delicious and succulent
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Spicy jambalaya
This jambalaya is a colourful, spicy dish with flavours of the Deep South
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Mango and tomato curry
Try our delicious mango and tomato curry for a veggie friendly week night recipe that combines sweet and spicy flavours
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Raspberry panna cotta
Our raspberry panna cotta recipe only takes 20 mins to prepare and each one is just 110 cals without losing the beautifully rich, creamy finish
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Brussels sprout and bacon bubble and squeak
Brussels sprout and bacon bubble and squeak gives this traditional recipe a festive twist, making it ideal for a Boxing Day brunch, plus it only takes 15 mins.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Root vegetable layer bake
This delicious root vegetable layer bake is easy to make with layers of tender baked veg like carrots, potatoes and swede. Serve with gravy and enjoy
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Eccles cakes
This sweet Eccles cakes recipe is simple to make and combines dried fruits and cherries with a crisp sweet puff pastry.
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Baked chicken jambalaya
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Drop scones with plain flour
Drop scone pancakes with blueberries and thyme butter are scoth pancakes with a twist. They only take 20 mins to make and are golden and fluffy
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Japanese broth with udon noodles
Udon noodles with mixed mushrooms and finely sliced fillet steak makes a great healthy supper in 20 minutes. This simple recipe is perfect if you fancy making something delicious and quick using noodles
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Prawn and chorizo stir-fry
Green vegetables need not be boring. Combine them with a prawns and chorizo with this easy stir-fry recipe for a light family meal under 500 cals
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Spiced baked chicken with couscous
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Roast chicken with potato wedges
Just 5 ingredients to a tasty supper dish of roast lemon chicken legs with potato wedges. Get the recipe here
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Chicken tagine with couscous
This Moroccan inspired chicken tagine with couscous is a great meal which can be made in just 40 minutes - perfect for a midweek supper!
By Octavia Lillywhite Published
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Bacon and cheese pancakes
Cheese and bacon pancakes are so much more fun than your regular sandwich. Savoury pancakes make a delicious, quick lunch option!
By Octavia Lillywhite Published