Umbrella for all recipes

Stir Fry Udon Noodles with Char Siu Pork

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a meaty stir fry. Lashings of flavour, quick and easy to cook, and far healthier than most takeaway meals. This version uses thick udon noodles for more bite, especially tasty in the wholewheat versions. Char siu pork is such a fantastic dish, and far easier to replicate at home than more people realise. Although often served in buns or as part of a rice dish, it makes a great add to a stir fry. Stir Fry Udon Noodles with Char Siu Pork Thick noodles, fresh vegetables and succulent pork belly in a tasty hoi sin sauce 700 g pork belly (remove the skin but keep the fat)3 star anise2 tsp Chinese five spice powder4 cloves garlic60…

Continue ReadingStir Fry Udon Noodles with Char Siu Pork

Creamy Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Pasta

This really is one of my go to dishes. Super quick, easy as it comes, and it makes use of any leftovers you might have, or just the cheaper chicken cuts. Creme fraiche forms the basis of the sauce, it's an excellent go to for pasta dishes with its light and tangy flavour, and it won't curdle in the pan if you treat it well. The recipe is quite approximate, because this is all about using what you have. So use it as a base, and play it with it as you see fit. Creamy Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Pasta Quick and easy midweek meal, whether you use leftovers or cook the chicken fresh 1 tbsp olive oil1 small onion (peeled and…

Continue ReadingCreamy Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Pasta

Baked Chicken Leg with Chorizo, Beans, Pesto and Kale

This is truly one of the most surprising dishes you'll taste. The humble chicken leg, white beans, and much maligned kale, all brought together in a one pot. You would never expect the actual result in a million years. Crispy chicken skin, tender leg meat, layers of flavour, and a lovely creamy sauce. Most important of all, it's a quick to prepare one pot dish that you can stick in the oven and forget about whilst it cooks. A great family dish, and ideal for a rushed night midweek. Baked Chicken Leg with Chorizo, Beans, Pesto and Kale Quick easy one pot dish that tastes so rich you won't believe how little effort goes into it. Large Hob Casserole 4 Chicken Legs2…

Continue ReadingBaked Chicken Leg with Chorizo, Beans, Pesto and Kale

Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

With the shorter days, and the run up to Christmas, we're all looking for a family dinner that's easy to prepare, and even easier on the pocket, and will have everyone lining up for seconds. Look no further than this super easy slow cooker recipe for Chilli Con Carne. It feels super luxurious if cooked with the diced meats, and the combination of beef and pork gives a real depth of flavour, but you can easily swap it around and use just the one meat. Plus, it works just as well with minced beef or pork, just reduce the cooking times by 10%. If you use minced pork, you should leave it to rest for 10 minutes once cooked, and skim any…

Continue ReadingSlow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
Read more about the article Easy Fondant Potatoes
Easy Fondant Potatoes

Easy Fondant Potatoes

Fondant potatoes are often considered quite fancy, and if you worry too much about tradition then they can be quite hard to master. They are an absolute classic in French cookery, and something you'll see the length and breadth of the country, but they are surprisingly rare on menus this side of the channel, even though they seem to pop up on MasterChef more often than not! It's a really versatile dish, because you can swap around the fats and liquids to suit the star of the dish. Just as incredible with a rich beef stock as they are with a light fish bouillon. Stick to just olive oil for a lighter version... although I'm afraid these are never going to be…

Continue ReadingEasy Fondant Potatoes
Read more about the article Leftover Lamb Shepherds Pie
Beautifully Golden Brown Leftover Lamb Shepherds Pie

Leftover Lamb Shepherds Pie

Slow roast lamb, especially at this time of year, is one of life's ultimate pleasures. But to do it right, you often need a large cut, meaning lot's of leftovers. So what's even better is using those up in this leftover lamb Shepherd's pie. Like so many things, it just tastes so much better second time round. The depth of flavour is really out of this world. With this recipe you can dice it, shred it, or mince it if you have the kit, whatever you prefer. The end result will still be something the whole family rushes to the table for. Leftover Shepherds Pie Slow roasted lamb used to create the ultimate in comfort food. Large casserole 600 g leftover roast…

Continue ReadingLeftover Lamb Shepherds Pie

Chicken and Mushroom Pie

A perennial pub classic, the Chicken and Mushroom pie is always a family favourite. Tender, tasty chicken thighs, white wine, cream, and juicy mushrooms, all encased in a crispy and indulgent short crust pastry. You can make the component parts a day in advance, spreading out the whole affair to make it easier. And you can do the final assembly of the pie in the morning and stand in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Just remember to give twenty minutes at room temperature before it goes into the oven. That way you ensure that the filling can cook through properly, and the pastry won’t shock and shrink too much. Tastes even better reheated in the oven the next day!! Chicken…

Continue ReadingChicken and Mushroom Pie
Read more about the article Sausage and Pumpkin Risotto
Super Tasty Pork Sausage and Pumpkin Risotto

Sausage and Pumpkin Risotto

Risotto is a fantastic midweek dish. Quick and easy to make, minimal preparation, and it's a great chance to use up on the left over veggies rolling around in the drawer. This version uses seasonal pumpkin, but adds a bit of a twist with the pork butchers sausages. But don't let that put you off, this one's an absolute winner. Sausage and Pumpkin Risotto Unctuous and smooth, a super tasty risotto that will taste like you've pulled out all the stops, rather than being the super cheap meal it is. large, heavy bottomed pansmall frying pan 8 butchers sausage2 tbsp olive oil2 small onions (finely chopped)400 g pumpkin (or butternut squash, chopped into 1cm cubes)2 small carrots (peeled, in half length wise,…

Continue ReadingSausage and Pumpkin Risotto

Beef and Pumpkin Thai Curry

A super quick, super easy recipe for an Asian curry with beef and pumpkin, that's as fragrant as it is tasty. What better way to mark Halloween! Beef and Pumpkin Thai Curry Slices of chuck steak and chunks of pumpkin in rich and mild asian style curry 1 and 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil50 g Thai red curry paste350 ml Coconut milk500 g Chuck steak (thinly sliced)1 tbsp fish sauce (try worcestershire sauce if you don't have)1 tsp granulated sugar1/4 tsp smoked paprika1 small pumpkin (peeled, seeded and chopped into 2cm squares. Can also use butternut squash) In a bowl, mix together the oil, paste and 4 tbsps of the coconut milk. Stir fry over a medium heat until it releases it's fragrance.Add…

Continue ReadingBeef and Pumpkin Thai Curry

Easy Coq au Vin with Potato and Celeriac Mash

Coq au Vin is the classic French chicken casserole. Rich and deeply flavoured, this version is a little lighter than the original and is super easy to make. What's even better, it's jam packed full of goodness, and because it uses thighs, easy on the pocket as well. And when you're picking up the thighs from us, you'll be able to find everything else you need next door, at Colyford Post Office and General Stores, including some great quality wines, perfect for this dish. Easy Coq au Vin with Potato and Celeriac Mash Easy to cook, quick to prepare and full of goodness, chicken thighs with red wine. Large casserole 1 tbsp olive oil100 g fat smoked bacon (roughly chopped)8 chicken thighs1…

Continue ReadingEasy Coq au Vin with Potato and Celeriac Mash