Traditional recipes in Vogue as recession bites

The eating habits of the nation are changing according to one of the UK's top recipe websites. MyDish.co.uk has been monitoring recipe downloads of its 105,000 regular monthly users during the last 12-months and the ongoing recession appears to be impacting the types of dishes individuals and families are preparing and eating at home.

The top 5 recipes downloaded on MyDish during the period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 were:

- Spaghetti Bolognaise
- Apple Crumble
- Lasagne
- Winter Warming Sausage Casserole
- Chicken Soup

During the same period in 07/08 the top 5 recipes were:

- Cocktail Party Canapés
- Thai Green Chicken Curry
- Beef Wellington
- Naughty Refrigerator Cake
- Salmon Fishcakes

According to MyDish founder Carol Savage the change in at-home eating habits is a direct result of people's changing mood and priorities, the decreasing amount of time they have to prepare and the need for low-cost and straight-forward ingredients.

"Our new recipe top 5 contains hearty, wholesome and uncomplicated food - many of the dishes are family favourites and will remind people of their childhood and perhaps happy and more comfortable times.''

At MyDish you can share your favourite recipes, swap hints and tips and network with your friends. MyDish expects this 'comfort food' trend to continue for the next six months at least with the Summer again changing eating habits to lighter salads and BBQ type food.

MyDish is also seeing the number of its users increase month-on-month as the trend towards home-cooking and a taste for all things traditional is on the increase versus eating-out.