In the quiet moments of grief, even the simplest kitchen tasks can feel overwhelming. For Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, the act of cooking has become both a sanctuary and a connection to her late husband, celebrated TV presenter and health pioneer Michael Mosley.
A Kitchen Filled With Memories
Dr Clare Bailey Mosley remembers the day she discovered a hidden chocolate bar while writing the introduction to her new cookbook, The Fast 800 Favourites. "It was one of the chocolate bars he'd asked me to hide. It was a message from another world, really," she reflects, speaking of Michael, who died from heat stroke aged 67 while on holiday in Greece in June 2024.
The couple had been married for 37 years and shared four grown-up children. Their partnership extended beyond family life into their professional work, co-creating the successful Fast 800 series of books focused on improving metabolic health through Mediterranean-style eating and intermittent fasting.
The Fast 800 Favourites, published this autumn, serves as a heartfelt tribute to Michael. "Really, it's a tribute to Michael and the lovely recipes we put together over the years," says Dr Mosley, who admits to spending "a ridiculous amount of time" revisiting their shared meals.
Recipes That Tell a Story
Among the most poignant recipes is Michael's perfected chorizo omelette. "That's one he used to cook. I would come down and it would be there, ready for breakfast, which was such a treat," she recalls. "He didn't do that much of the cooking, but he absolutely mastered that one."
This dish exemplifies their approach to eating: plenty of protein and fibre, minimal starch and sugar, creating meals that sustain energy throughout the day. Even during the difficult period following Michael's death, when takeaways became a temporary crutch, Dr Mosley found her way back to cooking from scratch.
"I feel better having eaten well. It's been one of the things that has really kept me resilient," she explains. "When you're not really paying attention to it, you're not feeding your body and your brain as well as you could do, and it's a time when you need every bit of resilience."
Continuing a Health Legacy
Dr Mosley has published two cookbooks this autumn - The Fast 800 Favourites and September's Eating Together, which focuses on family meals. The latter carries particular significance as the Mosley family made a pact to remember Michael by continuing their tradition of shared meals.
"Yes, it's very emotional," she says quietly. "On the other side of it, we, the family, I think, are much closer in many ways since then, but we miss him hugely."
The retired GP remains committed to advancing the work that defined Michael's career. The Mosley family has partnered with King's College London and the Chronic Disease Research Foundation to further research into metabolic health.
"He was really passionate about his work and improving the nation's health," she says. "I'm really pleased, and I feel very privileged to be carrying on his legacy, because he had such a huge impact."
Michael's Chorizo Omelette
This simple yet flavourful dish was one of Michael's breakfast specialities. High in protein with Spanish influences, it represents the Mosleys' approach to satisfying, health-conscious eating.
Ingredients:
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ small onion, diced
- 4 medium free-range eggs
- 3cm piece cured chorizo, sliced and quartered
- 30g mature Cheddar, grated
- 60g cooked or leftover greens
- ½ tsp crushed dried chilli flakes (optional)
Method: Sweat the onion in oil for two minutes. Whisk eggs and pour over onion. When the omelette begins to set, add chorizo, cheese and greens. Cook for two more minutes, then fold and serve.
Spicy Salmon and Butternut Squash Traybake
This easy, expandable dish was perfect for feeding their frequently full house. Packed with omega-3s, protein and fibre, it showcases many of Michael's favourite ingredients.
Ingredients include: salmon fillets, butternut squash, red pepper, coconut milk, curry powder and Thai fish sauce. Roast vegetables for 15 minutes, then add remaining ingredients and cook for another 10 minutes.
Persian Love Cake
Dr Mosley describes this as "a healthy bake off moment" - a sweet treat that aligns with their nutritional philosophy. Using dried figs for natural sweetness and containing no white flour or sugar, it provides a guilt-free indulgence.
The cake combines ground almonds, pistachios, oranges and spices, topped with a cream cheese icing sweetened with honey. "For lovely Michael, this enchantingly exotic concoction lives up to its name," she writes in the book.
Through these recipes and the act of cooking itself, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley has found a way to honour Michael's memory while nurturing her own resilience. The kitchen, once a place of shared creation, remains a space where connection and healing continue to simmer.
