Supposedly, a Nashville housewife invented the original Nashville rub recipe after discovering her husband was having an affair in the early 1900s. She wanted to make his food so hot that it would give him a heart attack. The husband loved the recipe, patented it, and became a millionaire. My American side of the family comes from Tennessee, where chicken and pork chops are everyday staples. Like many spice mixes, mine has evolved.

Just in time for lunch. Just in time for lunch.

Add salt to taste Add salt to taste

Looking forward to having this for lunch. Looking forward to having this for lunch.

Ready for fridge or meatballs Ready for fridge or meatballs

Traditional steak and peppercorn sauce suggests that you cook the steak first, and whilst it rests you cook the peppercorn sauce. This approach is perfect if all the steaks are cooked for the same amount of time. My approach cooks the peppercorn sauce first, allowing you to cook the steaks for different times. This assumes you are not using an air fryer to cook your steaks.

Just about ready Just about ready

Delaying success Delaying success

Mushroom curry simmering away Mushroom curry simmering away

Ready to wrap Ready to wrap

My cooking journey started with an argument I was never going to win.