Martinis? Check. Oozy risotto? Check. Iconic British actress? Check. New Year’s at the Dish table is officially a go!
Actor, presenter, and the long-standing heart of Silent Witness, Emilia has been playing pathologist, Dr Nikki Alexander, since 2004. She’s with us to chat about the upcoming 29th series, landing on BBC One and iPlayer in early 2026.
But before any of us start quizzing Emilia on TV pathology, we get into her likes and dislikes, which are so considered they’ve been turned into a very small, very special booklet. Emilia’s love of seasonal cooking, Italian flavours, and her belief that roast chicken is always a good idea managed to squeeze her a spot in Angela’s top authors of 2025.
We kick things off with a perfectly chilled vodka martini with a twist, followed by a butternut and toasted pumpkin seed risotto. It’s paired with a glass of Araldica Barbera D’Asti Superiore. There’s also a full masterclass in risotto confidence, courtesy of Angela.
It’s a warm, funny, and food-filled start to 2026. We talk great meals, being a (very sackable) waitress, how you switch off after a day surrounded by dead bodies on set, and share a few thoughts on New Year’s resolutions. A lovely one to finish the year and ring in the new!
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A transcript for this episode can be found at https://www.waitrose.com/dish
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We can’t all have a Michelin star chef in the kitchen, but you can ask Angela for help. Send your dilemmas to dish@waitrose.co.uk and she’ll try to answer in a future episode.
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21 Comments
I believe that is a Hokkaido pumpkin and not a butternut
Wow🎉 but what about the diced pumpkin left? I mean those she took away from the pot?
Kalbasa ni? As in kalabasa? 😅
I love the show, but butternut squash is one of my nasty foods. This looks like a bowl of vomit. 🤮
Tie the hair back!
I love those glasses
you seem lush Angela i lovee these videos and your sass – if you have to spoon it youve made a crap risotto 😂
You say butternut squash risotto but that is a different squash. Can I assume a butternut would be the same? Crazy Americans we have multiple kinda of squashes!!
Walnut season? It was walnut harvest a few months ago, but there isn’t really a walnut eating season.
that's the first time I've heard that name for a kabocha buttercup squash
What happened to the butternut squash
Who
Microwaving the halved and seeded pumpkin for three minutes will allow it to be peeled more easily. At any rate, its faceted shape still makes it a bit of a pain in the ass. I have also put it in the oven for 15 minutes and then scooped out the flesh rather than peel it at all. May the squash be with you.
OH MY GOD ANGELA!!
You look gorgeous honey!!!
You are so beautiful Ms Angela😊😊😊
I always have to spoon my risotto out , have I overcooked it ? It’s always tasty
I would add cvm™ ❤
Delicious, sending love from Oregon 🇺🇸🎉Happy New Year ❤Huge Fan
Rissotto
Rissotto