Slow Roast Spiced Leg of Lamb, Harissa Carrots with Dill Carrot Top Pesto, Bejewelled Rice and Mint Jus
This is my kind of Sunday roast. Shove the lamb in the oven in the morning and in a few hours you’re left with the most succulent, tender meat and a few lovely crispy bits from the bottom of the roasting tray (i.e. the best bits). Leg of lamb is a more expensive piece of meat but this fed 7 people comfortably so if you are looking for a special joint as a celebration meal, you do get your money’s worth. The spices used throughout this recipe also make this more expensive than most of the recipes I post, but hopefully if you do make this meal, you’ll find that sometimes it’s ok to splash out for a special occasion. The buttery saffron rice soaks up all the juices and is studded with dried fruit, chopped nuts, cinnamon, bay leaves, and cardamom pods. When it’s left in the pan on a really low temperature it also forms this lovely crispy buttery crust on the bottom which is so so good.
Spiced Prawn Tacos with Charred Kiwi, Mango and Black Bean Salsa, Avocado Smash and Crispy Paprika Corn (Copy)
These prawn tacos are full of vibrant, fresh, summery flavours to wake up your tastebuds. The spice mix on the prawns can be used on salmon, chicken, steak, sweet potatoes, anything you fancy. With some sharp and sweet pickled red onion, creamy avocado, fruity and spicy salsa and crunchy smoky corn, each mouthful is a flavour sensation. A lot of the elements can also be made ahead and would make a great Friday night meal if you’ve got friends round with the prawns to be made last minute. A special twist on your usual midweek tacos.
Brussel Sprout, Peanut and Soy Stir-Fry
Sprouts are still in season till the end of March and although we may all be slightly traumatised from the memories of sprouts which have been boiled to smithereens from our childhood, when cooked properly, these little green gems are full of flavour and add great texture to any meal. This is a quick, healthy and delicious vegan meal which is also budget friendly too.
Chicken and Chorizo Filo Pie with Parmesan Sun-dried Tomato Mash and Green Beans with Shallots, Olives and Almonds
This recipe is one of my absolute favourites and with a few simple twists elevates your traditional chicken pie to the next level. The filo topping adds texture and crunch which works so well with the creamy filling with mustard, leeks and a slight smoky heat from sliced chorizo. Served with moreish sun-dried tomato parmesan mash which has a lovely salty tang from the cheese and some sautéed green beans with caramelised shallots, olives and almonds - the sides really make this dish. This is a special meal which everyone will love.
Pine Nut, Orange and Fennel Porchetta with Saffron Milanese and Nduja Butter
This is a rich dinner which would be perfect for a dinner party or comforting Sunday meal. The crispy pork crackling with soft pork flesh stuffed with plenty of herbs, orange and garlic is so easy to do and so delicious. Paired with a creamy buttery risotto full of plenty of salty, nutty parmesan and the slight hint of floral saffron goes so well and some spicy nduja butter brings it all together.
Aubergine Pasta Caponata with Dark Chocolate and Chilli
This is such a delicious vegetarian pasta dish which is full of flavour. It’s moreish, easy to make and jam-packed with veggies. Filling, delicious and healthy - add this to your pasta repertoire pronto.
Soy, Ginger & Honey Marmalade Chicken with Stir-Fried Rice and Sesame Broccoli
This soy orange marmalade baked chicken dish is so quick, easy to make and deliciously moreish. It uses ingredients which you can easily buy on your way home and it makes great leftover lunches for the next day. This will become a staple in your house.
Passionfruit, Blueberry and White Chocolate Croissant Pudding with Coconut Custard and Lemon Curd
This never tends to happen in our house, but, if you do find yourself with an excess of croissants or any type of pastries which are about to go off (or even better have gone slightly stale) then you need to make yourself this pudding. Think of it like a bread and butter pudding except instead of bread you’re using croissants which soak up all the delicious custard while staying gooey in the middle but crispy and golden on top. The flavours in this pudding are like a greatest hits of my favourite ingredients - coconut, passionfruit, lemon curd, pistachios, blueberry and vanilla. What’s not to love?
My All Time Favourite Prawn Spaghetti
This is my ultimate quick and easy pasta recipe for when I need a bowl of comfort food fast. It’s the type of food I could just eat and eat and eat. This recipe is not going to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes you just need simple food fast and there is nothing wrong with that.
Marinaded Lamb Leg Steaks with Pine Nut, Apricot and Olive Caper Salsa, Whipped Feta, Roasted Veg and Fluffy Flatbreads
This recipe is a winner. The spiced marinaded lamb leg steaks are so flavoursome and tender and when combined with the salty, creamy whipped feta, zingy pine nut salsa, sweet roasted veg, juicy roasted tomatoes and fluffy flatbreads, it is a dish full of texture and flavour which feels like a real treat. It is my favourite type of food which can be piled high on a big platter and put in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves.
Dukkah Chicken with Harissa, Chickpea and Spiced Tomato Bulgur with a Lemon Tahini Yoghurt
This recipe has some of my most favourite things. Dukkah, tahini, rose harissa, pine nuts all come together in this delicious and healthy chicken salad which is perfect for leftovers or for a hearty dinner. Roasting the chickpeas with the tomatoes on the vine and a mixture of whole and ground slices adds so much flavour to the bulgur wheat. The rose harissa adds a subtle heat which doesn’t overpower the chicken and the tahini yoghurt is cooling and nutty with the flavour of sesame.
Herb Falafels with Tabbouleh, Pickled Radish Salad and Tahini Dressing
I loveeee falafels and although they might seem like a faff to make, they really aren’t and once you’ve tasted these you’ll never buy them again. Full of goodness and so versatile, they’re also great for leftover lunches and a quick snack when you’re on the go. I bake mine in the oven which makes them healthier than the deep fried ones and they are still deliciously crispy. Served with a creamy tahini dressing, vibrant pickled salad and fresh tabbouleh, this is a meal packed with so much freshness, flavour and texture. And it happens to be completely plant based.
Panfried Sea Bass with Roasted Veg and Salsa Verde
This recipe is no game changer but it is a fab one to have in your repertoire. Tasty, healthy and an easy way to momentarily transport yourself to the Mediterranean, this is a great dish to make when you need to grab stuff on your way home and cannot face slaving away at the stove once you get there. I love the delicate flavour of sea bass and its crispy skin and when paired with a zingy salsa verde it is delicious. You could of course have this with any other type of fish - salmon or cod would work really well.
Smoky Bean Nachos with Paprika Potato Chips, Fiery Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream
I created this nacho recipe for Albert Bartlett which makes sure the potatoes are the star of the show. Everyone loves nachos but I find some recipes a little heavy and greasy for me. This vegetarian take on the classic party dish is much lighter and healthier than your regular versions thanks to the crispy garlic and paprika potato chips - they also just taste so much better. The smoky beans with plenty of cumin, coriander and garlic are delicious, the fiery salsa adds some heat while cooling sour cream helps to cool everything down. Full of crunch and plenty of flavour, these are perfect for sharing.
Indian Roast Chicken with Dal Makhani and Jammy Tomatoes
I haven’t posted a Sunday roast dinner recipe for a while and thought it was time to share a slightly different take on the traditional roast. The marinade on this chicken keeps it so lovely and moist, while the dal is just delicious, full of depth and flavour. This is the type of dish I could just eat and eat and eat. The tomatoes roasted with lemon, garlic and spices adds a burst of sweetness, while naan breads full to the brim of cardamom, spiced coconut and raisins are perfect to mop everything up.
Tahini Walnut Brownies with Tamarind Miso Caramel
Everyone loves a chocolate brownie and when something is so loved, it can be dangerous to mess with. But the twists in this brownie recipe only elevate the humble brownie to the next level. The brownie itself is super fudgy, chocolatey and decadent, while some walnuts bring texture, tahini adds a lovely nutty creaminess and the miso tamarind caramel is salty, sour and fruity to cut through the richness of the chocolate. Sheer heaven.
Warming Mushroom and Lentil Curry
I was very kindly sent some Yondu vegetable umami seasoning and I was really impressed with the deep umami flavour it gives. I decided to create this warming and nutritious vegan mushroom and lentil curry - ideal for veganuary. It’s full of goodness, lots of veggies and plenty of flavour. Comforting, completely plant based and £1.42 per portion - perfect for brightening up a very chilly January.
Beef & Pork Ricotta Meatballs with Parmesan Polenta and Cavolo Nero
Meatballs of any kind will always be one of my favourite meals. Just sheer, unadulterated comfort which never fails to brighten a cold, miserable night. I make mine with high quality beef mince and pork sausage meat for extra flavour, while plenty of ricotta and parmesan cheese keeps them ridiculously light, fluffy but with a salty umami depth.
Sesame Soy Chicken Salad with Cucumber Noodles and Peanuts
I made this sesame chicken salad a few weeks ago and it was so tasty and refreshing. Light, healthy and delicious this is the perfect midweek meal for when you fancy something a bit fresher which doesn’t scrimp on flavour. Also ideal for getting rid of those winter blues. Refreshing, tasty and healthy, save this recipe for when you next crave something light and delicious.
Chaat Bomb Canapés with Green Chilli and Mint, Tamarind Cumin Chutney, Chickpeas and Pomegranates
If anyone has ever gone to Mowgli Street Food you will have experienced the joy that is the chaat bomb. I am obsessed with them and decided to try and recreate my own version for a pre-dinner canapé this Christmas. Give these a go for a flavour explosion.