Inside Out: Harriet Harman
Harriet cooks while her husband shops at Waitrose and local grocery stores. As a child, shepherd's pie was her favourite. These days, she says, 'I enjoy red meat, particularly a good steak. It's one of my resolutions to cut back on meat - I eat too much. If I'm on my own, I'll just cook a baked potato.' She also has a sweet tooth: 'I'm partial to all forms of chocolate.'
Perhaps as a result, she admits, 'I'm not as fit as I want to be, so my resolution is the same as it is every year - to drink more water and exercise regularly.' But Westminster restaurants are tempting: 'When I became an MP 25 years ago, the food was steak and kidney pudding and spotted dick. Now it's all "pan-fried" with "jus". It's too accessible and I am too easily tempted.' Her one major dislike is sushi: 'I can't eat anything raw. It's something about the texture.'
Who's on the sofa?
Barack Obama would be the perfect dinner guest: inspiring and charismatic.
What's on the menu?
My signature dish, chicken pot roast. I bake it with garlic, red onion, chorizo and peppers with red wine. It's a recipe from southern France.
What's for pudding?
Tropical fruit salad with rum and fresh lime juice.
And to drink?
Pinot Grigio. I'm not fussy, something from our local off-licence will do the trick.
What's on the television?
I watch Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson's programmes for inspiration.
What are your favourite restaurants?
Flying Fish in Camberwell is a lovely cafÈ that has amazing grilled fish and chips. Vineyard Greek Taverna, also in Camberwell, for its authentic Greek atmosphere. Another one in the area I like is Mozzarella e Pomodoro, which has friendly staff. One of the best things about this part of London is the choice; you can eat anything from Italian to Chinese to Portuguese. The Maybush Inn in Waldringfield in Suffolk has amazing food and great views. Any Pizza Express: the interiors are well designed and there's a good wine list.
