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.
Middle Eastern Potatoes with Chickpea Mash, Zhoug, Tamarind and Pomegranate Dressing
Scotty Brand tasked me to come up with a healthy air fryer potato recipe and I couldn’t not do something Middle Eastern inspired. This would make a great side dish for any Middle Eastern feast but it was also a filling, healthy and satisfying meal on its own, full of texture and flavour. Oh, and did I mention it’s completely vegan too?
Spiced Poppadom Crusted Chicken Wraps with Raita, Pickled Red Onions and Mango Salsa
I wanted to come up with a chicken wrap recipe which had all the flavours of a curry but had crunchy chicken breasts as it’s centrepiece. The chicken was so moreish - crunchy, slightly spicy and lovely and moist inside. With punchy mango salsa, cooling raita, sharp pickled onions, sweet chutney and fresh lettuce, these wraps are full of texture and flavour. They are also perfect for leftovers the next day (that’s if there will be any left). This would make a great Friday/Saturday night meal.
Aleppo Chilli, Prawn and Bulgur Wheat Salad with Spiced Courgettes, Feta and Lemon
This prawn bulgur wheat salad is healthy, delicious and great for leftovers the next day. It also comes out at under £4 per portion and is a great way to use up any veggies in your fridge. Its the prawns which make up most of the cost so if you would like to make it cheaper then you could use some cooked chicken or fried aubergine slices instead of the prawns which would be delicious. This is such a versatile dish which can be whipped up in no time.
Spiced Potato, Spinach and Butternut Squash Filo Pie
I created this delicious veg-packed spiced potato filo pie for Scotty Brand. It is not only vegan, it also works out at just £1.30 per portion. It would make a great centrepiece to any dinner party, but is also an easy recipe to follow for a midweek dinner. It has everything I love in a recipe - ease, flavour, texture and lots of healthy goodies.
Ribeye Steak with Anchovy and Garlic Butter, Parmesan Truffle Chips and Miso Marmite Mushrooms
Like most people, I definitely find that I eat less red meat but when I do, I make sure I buy the highest quality. I always go for ribeye - they just have the best flavour thanks to the marbling of fat. Served with an anchovy garlic butter, it really takes your steak to the next level. The saltiness from the anchovies makes the most wonderful seasoning. This is decadent and so delicious and you’ll never cook a steak in the same way again (go easy on the truffle oil though you don’t want to overpower the meat which is the star of the show).
Simple Salmon Supper
Sometimes you just need a simple dinner with minimal ingredients to get you through the midweek slump. This is the perfect dinner for when you’re short on time and energy. A lot of the ingredients you’ll have in the fridge already or can pick up easily on your way home. There are a few twists in the recipe to make it feel a bit more special than your typical salmon dinner (charring your lemon is such a simple step which really transforms the flavour and makes the dish feel that little bit fancy).
Ultimate Chicken Biryani
This chicken biryani has got everything you want - fluffy rice which absorbs the fragrant and aromatic sauce, tender, moist chicken thighs, sweet caramelised onions and a luxurious saffron milk to finish everything off. This is full of flavour and texture and the whole thing is just a hug in a bowl. Plus at £2.01 a portion it’s an affordable, filling dish the whole family will love.
Harissa Baked Salmon with Pea, Feta and Mint Smash
This is one of my go-to meals for when I am short on time and need a healthy meal fast. The ingredients list is small and are all things which can be easily picked up on your way home or you will have them in your cupboard already. I cook this a lot, and by a lot I mean a lot, but whenever I have it I am surprised at just how tasty it is. Tasty, fresh, quick and easy, I hope this becomes a staple in your house like it has in mine.
Boozy Orange Liqueur Profiteroles with Vanilla and Candied Orange Peel
Everyone likes a profiterole. And that is because there is nothing not to like about them. Served in bowls with more cream or ice cream, they make a great dinner party dessert or piled high in towers for bigger occasions - they are the ultimate crowd pleaser. I made some at my mum’s request this Christmas but filled them with a delicious boozy orange vanilla cream and topped with candied orange peel for some texture. With a few tricks you will nail the perfect choux pastry every time.
Ultimate Spaghetti Bolognese
This is my version of the classic recipe, with a few storecupboard twists in there to elevate your normal bolognese to the next level. Little tricks like adding the parmesan rind for salty depth, some whole milk for richness, soy for umami, dark chocolate for a touch of bitter sweetness and red wine vinegar to balance out the acidity all works to make it just a little bit different. It also tastes better after a night or two in the fridge so if you can wait that long do - its worth it.
Prawn Penang Curry
This is a great recipe which has saved me so many times when I’m short on time and energy. The paste makes enough for several servings of curry and freezes really well. I love prawns in a curry and they work particularly well with this aromatic, nutty, slightly spicy sauce, however this recipe is delicious with chicken too.
Moroccan Potato, Olive and Chickpea Tagine with Apricots and Preserved Lemon
I created this vegan Moroccan inspired tagine recipe for Scotty Brand to celebrate Vegan Month. It’s packed with plenty of fruit and vegetables and is a healthy, filling, low-cost meal which will satisfy the whole family. You won’t even notice it’s plant based.
Panfried Halibut with Romesco Sauce, Charred Broccoli with Olives and Almonds and Crispy Chorizo Capers
This is an easy meal which is packed with flavour and texture but still feels really special. The dish would work well with any meaty fish such as salmon or cod, but it would also be lovely with a chicken breast or cauliflower steak. The romesco sauce is so versatile (I use it for so many dishes) and the crispy chorizo capers make the dish.
Roast Chicken Orzo with Fennel, Lemon and Parmesan
This is a true one pot dish which makes one chicken go a long way. Roasting the chicken on top of the orzo and vegetables allows all the chicken juices to be absorbed by the pasta grains, making them extra delicious. It’s a great way to enjoy a roast but without the many pots and pans and often hefty price tag. Healthy and so comforting at this time of year, this will become a regular recipe in your household I’m sure.
Haggis Bon Bons with Caramelised Turnip Puree, Apple Sauce, Pickled Apples and Turnip Carrot Crisps
With it being Burns Night tomorrow, I thought I’d share a different way to enjoy our national dish. It is a slightly more fancy take on the classic haggis, neeps and tatties but it is a very easy to prepare, delicious and filling meal the whole family will love. The haggis bon bons are so moreish - people will be fighting over each other I promise. With an earthy caramelised turnip puree, crispy garlic seasoned turnip carrot crisps, sweet apple sauce and pickled cubes of apple for sharpness and flavour, I am definitely going to be making these again. The bon bons would also be lovely with a roast chicken dinner.
Apricot, White Chocolate and Pistachio Bread and Butter Brioche Pudding with Cardamom Custard
We all need some comfort at this time of year and I don’t think it gets more comforting than a bowl of bread and butter pudding. I love the flavour combinations here, the fruity apricots and apricot jam, fragrant nutty pistachios, aromatic cardamom and sweet white chocolate are all matches made in heaven. For me, bread and butter puddings need a crispy top, gooey middle and lashings of custard. Easy to make, full of flavour and texture, and utterly delicious.