Satay Chicken Rice Traybake with Tomatoes and Broccoli
A super easy chicken traybake which can be prepped in minutes and uses easy to access ingredients you probably have in cupboards already. It makes great leftovers and actually tastes better the next day. I always use chicken thighs in traybakes, they don’t dry out in the oven as easily as chicken breasts and they are much more flavoursome. They are cheaper too. Baking the thighs on top of the rice ensures that it soaks up all the delicious chicken juices as it cooks and coating it with a mixture of crunchy peanut butter, soy, honey, lime and ginger means it goes lovely and crispy in the oven and keeps is extra moist.
Steak Tagliata Salad with Lentils, Roasted Red Peppers and Asparagus
This steak tagliatelle is meaty, full of flavour and doesn’t feel like you’re having a salad it’s that tasty. Juicy ribeye steak, earthy lentils which soak up all the delicious dressing, sweet red peppers, salty parmesan and fresh rocket leaves, its full of texture and perfect for a dinner party served with crusty bread.
Autumnal Ricotta Plum Crumble Cake with Classic Creme Anglaise
This recipe is like a cake and a crumble all in one - so when you’ve got cake and crumble cravings all at once, this is the perfect hybrid recipe for you. The ricotta vanilla almond sponge is so light and fluffy, I feel like I need to add ricotta to every cake sponge I make from now on. The sweet, tender plums stay lovely and juicy while a crunchy almond crumble topping adds more sweetness and texture. A classic creamy vanilla creme anglaise is so easy to make and pairs perfectly with the cake, but a dollop of creme fraiche or scoop of ice cream would also be delicious. Recipe adapted from Esther McClark.
Mozarella, Basil and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Parma Ham and Baked Olive Caper Orzo
A lovely comforting dish perfect for a Sunday night which the whole family will love. Stuffing the chicken with oozing mozzarella, basil leaves and sundried tomato ensures they are packed with flavour, while wrapping them in parma ham which becomes crispy as it bakes add a salty hit. Cooking the chicken on top of the orzo also means all the delicious chickeny juices soak into the pasta making it extra delicious. Sweet cherry tomatoes, zesty lemon, salty olives, capers and anchovies means the orzo really packs a flavour punch and with plenty of Parmesan, you just can’t really go wrong.
Panfried Sea Bass with Sicilian Inspired Salsa, Crispy Potatoes and Asparagus
Inspired by a holiday to Sicily. Some simple panfried seabass with lovely crispy skin and flaky flesh with a pine nut, raisin, celery salsa which has sweet and sour notes thanks to plenty of lemon, a touch of saffron and a splash of sherry vinegar. Crispy smashed potatoes and panfried asparagus are the perfect accompaniments. Simple, delicious.
6 Ingredient Pancetta and Courgette Bucatini
This might be my favourite way to eat courgettes. This pasta dish has just six ingredients but is packed with flavour. It’s super easy to pull together, you won’t believe how delicious it is. Slicing the courgettes thinly and frying them in the leftover fat from the crispy pancetta cubes ensures they become sweet and delicious. I love to use bucatini pasta as it seems to soak up the delicious sauce which is just made with pasta water, plenty of parmesan and seasoning and a squeeze of lemon.
Smoky Chipotle Beef Meatballs with Black Bean Salsa
This is a dish packed with flavour which definitely tastes better after a night in the fridge. The meatballs are rich and smoky with chipotle, cumin, allspice, cloves and cinnamon, while red wine, dark chocolate, rich beef stock, cinnamon and bay add more depth to the sauce. With some fluffy white rice, a refreshing and zingy lime, black bean and pepper salsa, a dollop of cooling sour cream and some creamy avocado slices all add more texture and layers of flavour. One of my favourite recipes I’ve made recently. Make a big batch for your freezer and your future self will thank you later.
Nectarine, Basil & Prosciutto Salad with Chilli Fennel Halloumi
Sweet, juicy nectarines work so well with crispy prosciutto shards which add texture and a hit of saltiness. When nectarines aren’t in season, tinned peaches work really well too. Air frying some halloumi cubes and then drizzling them with some honey, fennel seeds and chilli for the last few minutes of cooking means they are lovely and crispy but still soft in the middle and totally moreish. I could eat just a bowl of these on their own. With a basil, lemon and mustard dressing for the salad leaves and some toasted seeds for nuttiness, this is a delicious salad which delivers on every level.
Creamy Mushroom, Parmesan and Kale Orzo with Panfried Chicken
This is a bowl of pure comfort food which I think we need with this truly awful “summer” weather we’ve been having. Juicy, slightly crispy chicken breast to top a creamy mushroom orzo pasta full of plenty of flavour thanks to parmesan, rich umami mushrooms, spinach, lemon juice and some creme fraiche. Easy to whip up in no time, minimal ingredients and delicious on its own without the chicken.
Healthy Fish Pie with Crushed Chive and Cheddar Potato Topping
Fish pie is a classic for a reason, but my version is a little bit lighter than most thanks to a crispy crushed potato topping instead of your typical mash. I personally prefer the crushed potato version as it gives you some texture whereas more classic versions can all be quite soft when mash is used for the topping. You can use whatever fish mix you like, but for me smoked haddock is a must in there to give you a slight smoky flavour, while chunks of haddock, cod or salmon would also work well. Prawns just make it feel that little be more luxurious. I made the creamy sauce using the poaching liquid from the fish, and with plenty of nutmeg, mustard, bay and black pepper you’ve got a base with plenty of flavour. Chives and cheddar cheese add colour and flavour to the topping, while a good few handfuls of spinach amp up the veggie goodness.
Paprika and Lemon Chicken with Smoky Hazelnut Romesco, Bulgur Kale, Charred Asparagus and Feta
This meal is on rotation for me at the moment. Marinading the chicken ahead in some paprika, garlic and lemon adds flavour and ensures it is super moist and tender. The smoky romesco sauce made using roasted red peppers and toasted hazelnuts is so moreish. More garlic, lemon, a splash of sherry vinegar and seasoning finishes it off so it’s both sweet, smoky and slightly sharp. Bulgur wheat cooked in chicken stock adds protein and with some steamed kale, some colour and extra goodness. I love any charred veg and asparagus works really well here. Some added parsley, feta and extra hazelnuts add texture, crunch and a wee salty hit.
Healthy Beef Chilli Bowls with Guacamole, Air Fried Tortilla Chips and Pico de Gallo
These beef chilli bowls are perfect to make on a Sunday night to serve you through the rest of the week. I sometimes make a double batch of the chilli which I can then freeze for emergencies (your future self will thank you). I make mine with lean beef mince, kidney beans and black beans for extra protein if I’m trying to be healthier. Red peppers add more veggie goodness and then a mixture of chilli powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, coriander, garlic, and optional chipotle flakes for added smokiness all add more punch. I like to add some 70% dark chocolate, a splash of soy, worcestershire sauce and a spoonful of marmite for added richness.
Harissa and Red Pepper Chickpea Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Mint Tahini Dressing and Toasted Pine Nuts
A meat free recipe which never fails to disappoint. Full of flavour and plenty of nutritious goodness. This make great leftovers and is perfect for clearing out the fridge of any veggies which need using. There are also minimal ingredients so you can whip it up whenever you fancy.
Baked Salmon with Super Green Orzo
One of my favourite midweek recipes that is full of green goodness. It’s also a great one for kids as they are getting plenty of veggies without realising. Plenty of basil, lemon and parmesan adds heaps of flavour, while a spoonful of creme fraiche helps make the sauce nice and creamy while still being very light and fresh. Delicious on its own but I like it with a simply baked salmon fillet on top. Would also work really well with chicken.
Soy, Tahini and Ginger Chicken Salad
A great salad recipe which will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished from the inside. It works great for leftovers and actually tastes better after a night in the fridge (soggy salads are no no in my book). The tahini, soy, honey, lime and ginger dressing is so moreish in this recipe and by poaching the chicken breasts first in an aromatic broth of ginger, spring onions and chicken stocks, before finishing off in a frying pan, you get lovely soft and succulent pieces of chicken which don’t dry out.
Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Roasted Vegetable Harissa Bulgur Wheat, Mint Tahini Yoghurt, Pistachios and Pomegranates
One of my favourite recipes which is full of colour, flavour and texture. It makes great leftovers the next day and is special enough for a dinner party, or a delicious weeknight meal.
Miso, Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Pecan Ice Cream with Rum Cherry Compote
One of my ultimate guilty pleasure desserts which never lasts long in the freezer. This is my favourite type of ice cream - sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy and completely moreish paired with a fruity, warm cherry compote. It would also work well with any fruit you have in your freezer (raspberries, strawbs etc). This is a crowdpleaser of a pud which feels grownup but also a little bit like jelly and ice cream you used to get as a kid.
Spring Vegetable, Mint, Feta and Ricotta Tart
This recipe celebrates all the good things about the spring/summer. It is also very, very quick to make, uses just a handful of ingredients and would make a lovely starter or light lunch. Crispy puff pastry with a creamy, salty and citrusy feta and ricotta mixture, crunchy asparagus and a drizzle of pesto completes the tart for a lovely veggie meal ready in no time.
Beef Shin Ragu
It depends which day you ask me, but this could be my death row meal - its definitely in my top 3. For me, nothing beats this when I’m craving a rich, hearty, delicious bowl of comforting pasta. It’s all about the slow cooking of the beef shin here which after a few hours in a low oven just melts in your mouth. The end result is a ragu rich with red wine, plenty of rosemary, parmesan, garlic, sweet vegetables, sweet good quality Italian tinned tomatoes and well made beef stock.
Golden Cauliflower, Chickpea and Squash Curry with Pomegranate Raita
I love veggie curries for when I’m craving some spice but want something a bit fresher, lighter and healthier than a meat curry. Roasting cauliflower and squash in lots of spices helps to amp up the flavour and give a slightly smoky, charred flavour to the finished dish. With a refreshing raita with added pomegranates for texture and a fruity burst, mango chutney, extra lime, and some toasted flaked almonds, this is a comforting weeknight meal which doesn’t take long to prepare and will help get you towards your 5 a day.