Carrot

Chicken katsu curry

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Cook the brown rice in plenty of boiling water for 35 mins or until very tender.

Crush the almonds using a pestle and mortar, or blitz in a food processor until finely chopped, then sprinkle over a plate. Grease a small baking tray with a little of the oil. Brush the chicken on both sides with the remaining oil and season well. Coat the chicken with the nuts and place on the tray. Press any remaining nuts from the plate onto each breast. Bake for 20 mins or until browned and cooked through. Rest for 4-5 mins on the tray, then slice thickly.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a medium non-stick saucepan and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Loosely cover the pan and fry gently for 8 mins or until softened and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid for the final 2 mins, and don’t let the garlic burn.

Stir in the curry powder, star anise, turmeric and a good grinding of black pepper. Cook for a few secs more, stirring. Sprinkle over the flour and stir well. Gradually add 400ml water to the pan, stirring constantly.

Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. If it begins to splutter, cover loosely with a lid. Remove the pan from the heat and blitz the sauce with a stick blender until very smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Keep warm.

Once the rice is tender, add the spring onions and cook for 1 min more. Drain well, then leave to stand for a few mins while you make the salad. Toss the carrot and cucumber with the chilli, lime juice and herbs.

Divide the sliced chicken between two plates, pour over the sauce and serve with the rice, salad and lime wedges for squeezing over.

Cashew chicken stir-fry

In a small bowl, mix together the cashew butter with the soy sauce and 100ml water. Set aside.

Cook the noodles following pack instructions for just cooked, then drain and refresh in a bowl of cold water until needed.

Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the garlic and chilli, and fry for 2 mins until softened and aromatic.

Add the chicken and broccoli to the wok. Fry, stirring frequently, for 5-6 mins until both are tender. Drain the noodles and add them to the wok along with the carrot. Toss everything together well with a pair of tongs so that the noodles are heated through. Take the pan off the heat and stir through the cashew sauce.

Serve immediately, topped with the cashew nuts and spring onions.

Bang bang chicken & vegetable noodles

Bring a large pan of seasoned water to a simmer, add the chicken breasts and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Poach for 8-10 mins or until the chicken is cooked through – test by cutting in half through the thickest part. Transfer to a plate to cool down while you prepare the noodles.

Using a spiralizer fitted with the thicker noodle setting (or a julienne peeler), turn the courgettes and carrots into curly noodles. Tip them into a bowl with the spring onions, beansprouts and soya beans.

In another bowl, mash the peanut butter and soy sauce together to loosen the peanut butter, then whisk in the chilli sauce, sesame oil, lime zest and juice, and 1 tbsp water. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred it. Add to the vegetables, drizzle over the dressing and gently toss everything together until well coated. Transfer to a platter and scatter over the peanuts and chilli (if using). Leftovers will make a great packed lunch.

Lincolnshire sausage & lentil simmer

Heat the oil in a large casserole or very large sauté pan with a lid. Add the pancetta and sausages and sizzle for 10 minutes, turning the sausages occasionally until nicely browned and sticky. Scoop the sausages out on to a plate. Add the onions, carrot and garlic to the pancetta and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions soften. Return the sausages to the pan and add the rosemary, lentils, stock, vinegar and tomatoes, then season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer rapidly for 5 minutes, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every so often until the lentils are tender. (It can now be chilled and frozen for up to 1 month.) Check the seasoning, scatter over the parsley and serve from the pan with a winter leaf salad.

Pork & prosciutto with creamy vegetables

Season the pork, then lay a slice of prosciutto on each and secure with a cocktail stick. Put the carrots into a pan with a small glass of water, then season if you like. Bring to the boil, cover and cook for 5 mins, then add the beans and leeks. Give everything a stir and cook, covered, for 5 mins more. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the pork and fry quickly for 2-3 mins on each side until cooked. Stir the crème fraîche into the vegetables until it is warmed through, then serve alongside the pork.

Bean & bangers one-pot

Heat the oil in a large pan. Sizzle the sausages for about 6 mins, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, then remove to a plate. Tip the carrots and onions into the pan, then cook for 8 mins, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft. Add the vinegar to the pan, then stir in the drained beans. Pour over the stock, nestle the sausages in with the beans, then simmer everything for 10 mins. Scatter in the frozen peas, cook for 2 mins more until heated through, then take off the heat and stir in the mustard. Season to taste. Serve scooped straight from the pan.

Slow-roasted pork shoulder with leeks, apricots & thyme

A few hours before you want to cook the pork, remove it from the fridge and dry the skin thoroughly. Leave unwrapped in a cool place to slowly come to room temperature while you make the stuffing.

Put a large saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. When it begins to sizzle, add the leeks and cook until they are soft and most of their liquid has evaporated. Stir in the apricots and thyme, season well and transfer to a bowl to cool. When the mixture is cold, stir in the breadcrumbs. Taste and season again if required.

When you are ready to cook the pork, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Spoon the stuffing into the pocket your butcher has left for you. Wipe any stuffing from the skin, put the pork in a roasting tin and season the skin well with salt. Put the celery, onion and carrot in the tin around the pork, place in the oven and cook for 30 mins.

Reduce heat to 140C/120C fan/ gas 1 and cook the pork for a further 2 hrs 30 mins. Transfer the pork to a warm serving dish to rest while you finish the gravy.

Tip out any fat from the roasting tin and reserve for another dish. Put the roasting tin on a medium heat, add the white wine or cider and, using a wooden spatula, scrape the caramelised juices from the bottom of the pan and allow them to dissolve. Let the juices reduce by half.

Add the stock and simmer for 5 mins. Add the flour and butter, mashed together, and whisk them into the gravy. Taste for seasoning, then strain into a warmed jug. If your pork skin has not crackled, put under a hot grill for a few mins, turning every 30 secs or so, until bubbled and crackling.

Herb-studded roast loin of pork with apple & cider gravy

If you have time, rub salt in the pork skin 2 hours before cooking and leave it uncovered in the fridge. Heat the oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Turn the pork rind-side down and with a small knife make about 6 deep incisions along the meat. Poke a sliver of garlic, a piece of rosemary and bay in each incision and turn the pork the right way up. If you didn’t salt the pork earlier salt the skin now.

Mix the carrot, onion and apple and scatter along the middle of a shallow roasting tray to make a bed for the pork to sit on. Sit the pork on the vegetables and rub the skin with the oil. Place the pork in the oven and leave for 15 mins then turn the heat down to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to roast for 1hr 30 mins. If after this time you don’t have brilliant crackling turn the heat up again and check every 5 mins until the skin has crackled.

Remove the pork from the roasting tray to a board to rest and pour off all but about 2 tbsp of fat from the tray. If your tray is robust enough to go on the heat then do so, if not scrape the contents into a shallow saucepan and place on the heat. Stir the flour in with the veg and cook until you have a mushy, dark amber paste then splash in the cider and bubble down to a thick paste again. Pour in the stock and simmer everything for 8-10 mins until you have thickened gravy. Strain the sauce into another saucepan pushing as much puréed apple as you can through the sieve. Simmer again and season to taste.

Carve the pork loin with crackling attached into slices using a serrated knife and serve with your favourite vegetables and the apple and cider gravy.

Katsu pork with sticky rice

To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, carrot and apples. Cover and cook gently for 10 mins until softened, stirring a couple of times. Uncover the pan, turn up the heat, add the garlic and cook for 1 min.

Stir in the curry powder and ginger. Cook for 1 min more, then stir in the tomato purée, honey, soy and cornflour. Gradually stir in the stock and simmer for 5 mins until the vegetables are totally soft and the sauce has thickened. Blitz with a blender or in a liquidiser until smooth, then season to taste with the sesame oil, salt and pepper. The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead.

While the sauce is cooking, put the pork between 2 sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin until the meat is about 1cm thick. In a shallow bowl, rub together the crumbs, turmeric and oil with some seasoning. Beat the egg white with a fork until a little frothy and have a non-stick baking tray ready.

Put the rice in a saucepan with 400ml cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, cover, then simmer for 10 mins. Take off the heat and set aside until ready to serve the pork.

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Dip each piece of pork into the egg, then the crumbs, pressing them onto the surface before transferring the meat to the tray. Bake the pork for 10-15 mins or until golden and crisp, turning once if needed. Serve with the rice and katsu sauce, garnished with coriander, if using, plus pickled ginger, if you like.

Slow-cooked celeriac with pork & orange

Preheat the oven to fan 120C/conventional 140C/gas 1. Cut each leek into about five pieces, chop the carrots into pieces the same size as the leeks. Heat a large, lidded, flameproof casserole dish on the hob until it’s very hot. Add 2 tbsp of the olive oil, then carefully tip the pork into the casserole and leave it for a couple of minutes to brown. Stir once, then leave for another couple of minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate. Pour the rest of the oil into the dish, tip in the leeks, carrots and celeriac and fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until they start to brown. Add the garlic and fry for a minute more.

Stir the pork and any juices into the vegetables, then pour in the wine, stock, orange juice and soy sauce. Throw in the rosemary and orange zest, season with salt and pepper, give it a stir, then bring everything to the boil.

Cover the dish, transfer it to the oven and cook for 2 hours, stirring after an hour. Cook until the pork is very tender and the leeks fall apart when prodded with a spoon. (It can now be left to cool and then frozen for up to 1 month.) Leave to stand for at least 10 minutes, then spoon into bowls. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all those juices.

Irish coddled pork with cider

Heat the butter in a casserole dish until sizzling, then fry the pork for 2-3 mins on each side until browned. Remove from the pan.

Tip the bacon, carrot, potatoes and swede into the pan, then gently fry until slightly coloured. Stir in the cabbage, sit the chops back on top, add the bay leaf, then pour over the cider and stock. Cover the pan, then leave everything to gently simmer for 20 mins until the pork is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Serve at the table spooned straight from the dish.

Bean & pasta stew with meatballs

Snip the ends off the sausages and squeeze out the meat. Roll into rough walnut-sized meatballs. Heat half the oil in a large, wide pan and fry until browned, around 10 mins. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add the rest of the oil to the pan. Tip in the onions, celery and carrots and fry for 10 mins until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the tomatoes and stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins.

Stir in the macaroni and return the meatballs. Simmer for about 10 mins until pasta is cooked and meatballs are cooked though. Stir in beans and heat until piping hot. Season, mix in parsley and serve.

Crisp cider-braised pork belly

Day 1: Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Place all the ingredients except the pork and sunflower oil in a flameproof pan that will fit the pork snugly – a casserole dish is ideal. Season, bring everything to the boil then turn down the heat and slide the pork into the pan. The pork should be totally submerged – if it isn’t, top up with water. Cover the dish with a lid or tight tent of foil and place it in the oven for 3 hrs undisturbed.

When the pork is cooked, leave it to cool slightly in the stock. Line a flat baking tray with cling film. Carefully lift the pork into the tray and make sure you get rid of any bits of vegetables or herbs as they will end up pressed into the pork. Cover the pork with another sheet of cling film and cover with a flat tray or dish – the tray must be completely flat as any indentations will be pressed into the pork. Weigh the pork down with another dish or some cans and leave to cool in the fridge overnight. Strain the juices into a jug or small saucepan, cover and chill.

Day 2: Unwrap the pork and place on a board. Trim the uneven edges so that you have a neat sheet of meat. Cut the meat into 4 equal pieces and set aside until ready to cook. Lift off any bits of fat from the braising juices and tip what will now be jelly into a saucepan, then bubble down by about two-thirds until starting to become slightly syrupy. Add a few more drops of vinegar, to taste.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan until hot, then turn the heat down. Add the pork to the pan, skin-side down – be careful as it has a tendency to spit. Sizzle the pork as you would bacon for 5 mins until the skin is crisp. Flip it over and cook for 3-4 mins until browned. Place a small pile of cabbage on the side of each plate and sit a piece of pork on top. Place a spoonful of mash on the other side of the plate, drizzle over the sauce and serve.

Make-ahead Chinese pork

Up to a day ahead, and when you have 15 minutes to spare, prepare the ingredients and toss them all, except for the sliced spring onion tops, together in a large pan. Cover the pan with its lid and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat. Pour 600ml/1 pint of boiling water over the pork and vegetables and give everything a good stir. Cover the pan and bring to the boil. Stir and cover again and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the pork is cooked. (The dish can now be chilled and then frozen for up to 1 month). Just before serving, stir in the spring onion tops. Ladle into bowls with rice or noodles.

Pick & mix noodle plate

Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Dip the meat strips into the beaten egg, drain off the excess, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat. (I like to use ciabatta as there’s already olive oil in it, so you don’t need to add any.) Place on a non-stick baking sheet and bake for 15-20 mins or until crisp and cooked through. Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to pack instructions. Drain and toss with olive oil and spring onions. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the cucumber and the carrot into ribbons. Pile the noodles onto serving plates along with the carrot and cucumber. Put a few chicken or pork strips alongside, and serve with a little pot of hoisin, plum or barbecue sauce for dipping.

Roast pork with cider gravy

Heat the oven to 220C/ 200C fan/ gas 7. Score the skin of the pork and rub with olive oil and sea salt. Put the pork, leeks, carrots, turnip and herbs in large high-sided roasting pan and pour in the cider and stock. Roast for 30 minutes, then take the roasting tray out of the oven and cover tightly with foil. Return to the oven and turn the heat to 150C/ 130C fan/ gas 2.

After 4 hours, remove the foil, turn the oven back up again to 220C/ 200C fan/ gas 7 and roast for another 30 minutes.

Take the pork out of the oven, remove the meat, cover and set aside to rest. Drain the cooking liquid, pouring off any excess fat. Either serve or discard the cooking vegetables.

To make the gravy, melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the flour, cook for 2 minutes then whisk in the cooking liquid. Simmer for a few minutes. Serve alongside the meat. Delicious with braised red cabbage and roast potatoes.

Herb roast pork with vegetable roasties & apple gravy

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut all the rind and fat off the pork and discard so that you are left with a lean chunk of meat. Spread with the mustard, scatter with the chopped herbs and season with black pepper. Place the prosciutto slices on top of the pork to protect the meat where the fat has been removed.

Spray a large roasting tin with oil and put the pork in the centre. Surround with all the vegetables, scatter with the thyme sprigs, then spray again and cover with foil. Roast for 1 hr, then turn the heat up to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Uncover, spray again and roast for 20 mins more.

Meanwhile, make the gravy. Mix the cornflour with a little water to make a wet paste, heat the stock in a pan, stir in the cornflour mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened. Add the apple and cook for 5 mins until it’s softened but still holds its shape.

Remove the meat from the tin and pour any juices from the tin into the gravy. Spray the veg with oil and roast for 20 mins more (while the meat rests) to brown them. Serve the pork with the roasted and fresh vegetables, and the apple gravy.

Pork loin roast with fig & apple stuffing

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. In a non-stick frying pan, heat 2 tsp of the oil and brown the pork fillet for 4-5 mins, turning once to cook evenly. Rub with another 1 tsp of oil and season. Transfer to a roasting tin and bake for 40 mins or until the juices run clear when you skewer the thickest part of the loin. (Timings will vary depending on thickness of the meat.)

Using the same frying pan, heat 1 tbsp oil, add the onions and cook for about 10 mins until soft. Add the apples and figs and cook for another 5 mins. Tip into a bowl and add the breadcrumbs, sage, egg, lemon zest and 2 tbsp of the chicken stock. Add seasoning, then roll into 12 balls. Put the stuffing balls on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, then bake for 20-25 mins.

When the pork is cooked, remove from the roasting tin and allow to rest for 10 mins. Deglaze the roasting tin with the remaining chicken stock, scraping any of the brown bits off the bottom, then add the vinegar, quince paste and resting juices. If your roasting tin isn’t flameproof, transfer to a saucepan and bubble down until the sauce has thickened to the consistency of double cream. Season, slice the pork and serve with stuffing, sauce and vegetables.

Chicken burrito

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add your chosen veggies and continue cooking for another 5-10 mins or until tender. Add the leftover meat, the rice and beans, along with the sauce from the can. Stir everything together and cook for 5 mins until piping hot.

Heat another frying pan, or a griddle pan, until hot, and heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 2. Now assemble the burritos. Warm a wrap for 10 secs on the hot pan (keep the pan hot, you’ll need to use it again). Pile roughly a sixth of the rice mixture onto the centre of the wrap. Top with a little avocado and some cheese, then brush beaten egg around the edge. Fold the ends over the filling, then fold in the sides, like an envelope. Flatten a little to a parcel, then place, seam-side down, in the hot pan. Cook for 2 mins until the underside has sealed shut and is toasted a golden brown, flip over and cook for a few mins more.

Keep the burrito warm in the oven while you continue assembling and cooking the remaining burritos. Serve with soured cream, if you like.

Ramen with chicken bone broth, pork shoulder, soft-boiled egg & greens

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. For the stock, put the chicken, carrots, onions and ginger in a large roasting tin. Sprinkle with seasoning and roast for 30 mins. Transfer everything from the tin, including the fat and juices, to a large saucepan. Add the shiitake mushrooms and the pork, and pour in 3 litres of cold water. Bring to the boil and turn down to the lowest simmer you can. After the foamy scum rises to the top, skim it off with a ladle and discard. Part-cover with a lid. Let it simmer for 3 hrs but remove the pork after about 2½ hrs, or when it is very soft, and set aside. Strain the stock into a clean pan. Save the chicken and use it for something else. Boil for another 30-40 mins on a medium heat to reduce by a third, then skim the excess fat off. Add about 1 tsp salt and taste to see if it needs more.

Boil the eggs in a pan for 6 mins, then remove and put in iced water to cool.

Boil the noodles in a large pan, stirring so they don’t stick, until al dente, about 3 mins. In the final minute of cooking, add the greens. Drain and divide between the bowls.

Mix the ramen seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Slice the pork and add to the bowls. Pour the broth over each and add the spring onions and bamboo shoots. Peel the eggs, slice in half lengthways and place in each bowl with a dollop of pickled chilli & shallots, if you like. Pass round the ramen seasoning and chilli oil to serve on top.

Braised cabbage with pork

Finely slice the onion and put it and the dripping in a heavy-based, flameproof casserole dish. Fry the onion over a medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 mins.

Cut the core from the cabbage and finely slice the leaves. Add this to the dish and toss everything together, cooking over a low heat while you peel and slice the apple.

Crush the juniper and caraway seeds together and add these and the apple slices to the pan. Season and pour in the cider. Stir well and bring to a simmer, cover the dish and cook for 20 mins.

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 4. Season the chops on both sides. Heat a heavy-based frying pan on a medium-high heat with the oil and brown the chops on both sides. Remove from the pan and place in the casserole dish on top of the cabbage, adding the stock cube, crumbling it over. Put the lid back on and cook in the oven for a further 30 mins. If there is a lot of liquid in the dish, place on the hob and simmer until it evaporates a little. Check the seasoning and serve with mashed potato.

Pork, cider & artichoke stew

Heat a splash of oil in a large frying pan and season the pork. Brown in two batches for 10 mins each, transferring the meat to a medium casserole dish. Add 100ml cider to the frying pan and let it bubble and reduce. Scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan and tip the liquid over the meat.

Wipe out the pan. Heat 1 tbsp oil and add the bacon, onions, carrots, bay leaves, 2 thyme sprigs and some seasoning. Fry for 10 mins over a high heat, stirring often, until golden.

Meanwhile, half-fill a large bowl with cold water and add the lemon juice. Scrub the artichokes then slice thinly lengthways, leaving the skin on, and drop into the water. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.

Stir the flour into the vegetables and bacon, cook for 1 min, then stir in the stock and remaining cider. Season, bring to a simmer, then stir into the casserole. Drain the artichokes and pat dry, then use to cover the stew in two layers, overlapping the slices generously. Season, brush over a little butter, and sprinkle over the leaves from the remaining thyme sprig. Bake, covered, for 1 1/2 hrs, then uncover and cook for a further 30 mins. To crisp the top, brush again with butter, heat the grill to high and grill for 5 mins. Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving.

Normandy pork with apples & cider

Heat half the oil in a large pan and brown the meat in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pan, and only turn the meat when it has a deep brown crust on the underside, as this will add lots of flavour to the stew. When one batch is cooked, tip it into the slow cooker and continue with the next batch, adding more oil as you need it.

When all the meat has been transferred to the slow cooker, add the onion, carrots and celery to the pan and cook for 5-10 mins to just soften, scraping any meaty bits up from the bottom of the pan. Tip the veg into the slow cooker. Add the lardons to the pan and fry until crispy. Pour in the cider, bubble for 1 min, again scraping the bottom of the pan, then tip the cider and lardons into the slow cooker too. Add the apples, stock cube and herbs to the slow cooker, pour in 400ml water, season well and turn the heat to Low. Cover with the lid and cook for 6-8 hrs until the meat is very tender. (If you don’t have a slow cooker, tip all the ingredients back into the pan, cover with a lid and cook for 3 hrs over a low heat, stirring every now and then to prevent it from catching on the bottom. You may have to add a splash of water during cooking if the sauce looks dry.)

Turn your slow cooker up to High. Add the crème fraîche and mustard to the stew and check the seasoning. If the sauce is thin, you can thicken it with the cornflour – ladle 2 spoonfuls of the sauce into a pan and bring to a simmer, mix the cornflour with 1-2 tsp cold water to make a paste, then stir it into the sauce. Once thickened, return the sauce to the slow cooker and cook for 10 mins more on High, stirring occasionally (or for 5 mins on the hob). Serve with mashed potato, greens and extra mustard and thyme, if you like.

Nasi goreng (Indonesian stir-fried rice)

Put the rice in a medium heavy-based saucepan and add 520ml water. Quickly bring to the boil, stir once and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 mins. Uncover, fluff up with a fork and spread over a tray. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Pour in the beaten egg and, as it begins to cook, use a spatula to bring large flakes of cooked egg into the middle of the omelette. Continue to cook like this for a couple of mins, then leave the rest of the egg to set completely. Flip the omelette over and transfer to a plate to cool before cutting it into long, thin shreds.

Drop the beans into a pan of boiling salted water and cook for 3 mins. Drain, refresh under cold water and set aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a wok or large, deep frying pan until almost smoking. Add the chicken and prawns, and stir-fry for 1 min. Tip in the shallots, garlic, chillies and carrots, and stir-fry for a further 2 mins until the carrot is just tender. Add the spice paste and stir-fry for 1 min more. Add the tomato purée, kecap manis, cooked rice and green beans, and stir-fry over a high heat for 2 mins. Add the soy sauce, spring onions and shredded omelette, and toss together.

Spoon the nasi goreng onto warmed plates. Overlap the cucumber and tomato on the side of each plate, sprinkle over the crispy fried onions and serve with prawn crackers.

Chicken soup

Wipe the chicken with kitchen paper and put in a large saucepan with the giblets. Cover with water and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Skim away any scum with a large spoon or ladle every few mins for about 30 mins until no more comes to the surface. Crumble in the stock cubes and add the bay leaf, peppercorns and vegetables.

Bring to the boil again, then reduce the heat to very low. Cover and simmer gently for 3-3 1 /2 hrs.

Leave the soup to cool a little, then transfer to the fridge overnight.

Once chilled, the fat from the soup will rise to the top. Save 11 /2 tbsp for the matzo balls and set aside, then use a large spoon to remove as much as you can. Remove the chicken, shred all the meat, then add it back to the pan. Put the soup back on the heat and skim away any remaining fat while you bring it to the boil.

Meanwhile, make the matzo balls by combining the fat, egg, matzo meal and 1/2 tbsp warm water. Stir into a paste, adding a little more water if needed, then chill for 10-15 mins. Roll into about 12 small balls. Dampen your hands if the mixture is too sticky.

Drop the matzo balls into the soup for a few mins. Scatter with parsley and serve with challah bread, if you like.

Honey-glazed chicken wings

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 6. Put the chicken wings in a large roasting tin. Mix the honey, soy and 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds in a bowl, then pour over the wings. Use your hands to mix and ensure all the wings are coated, then roast for 20 mins until cooked through, sticky and golden.

Meanwhile, combine the soured cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice and paprika. Season well, then chill until ready to serve.

When the wings are cooked, scatter over the remaining sesame seeds and the chilli. Serve with the dip, and some carrot and celery sticks for dunking.

Root vegetable rice

Heat oven to 200C/180 fan/gas 6. Put the carrots and parsnips in a roasting tin and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle over the coriander seeds, season well and bake in the oven for 25-30 mins until cooked through and starting to turn golden brown at the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside somewhere warm. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onions. Fry for 2-3 mins until starting to soften, then add the vermicelli and cook until golden. Add the rice, saffron, stock and 500ml water. Cover with a lid. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 mins. Add the roasted carrots and parsnips, scatter the parsley over and serve.

Pork & apple stew with parsley & thyme dumplings

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a flameproof and ovenproof dish. Add the onions, celery, bay and thyme, and fry for about 8 mins until softened. Add the pork and cook for a few mins until it changes colour, but it doesn’t need to brown as you don’t want to overcook it.

Stir in the mustard powder, garlic, flour and vinegar, then pour in the bouillon, stirring to prevent any lumps forming.

Add the apple, leeks and carrots, bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pan and simmer for 1 hr, stirring occasionally, until the pork and vegetables are tender.

When the stew is nearly cooked, heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. To make the dumplings, tip the flour, baking powder, mustard powder, parsley and thyme into a bowl and stir to combine. Put the yogurt in a jug, make up to 100ml with water, then stir in the oil. Lightly stir the liquid into the flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Divide the dough equally into eight and shape into balls. Drop them on top of the stew, drizzling each one with the remaining oil. Bake for 20 mins until the dumplings are golden. Scatter with the extra thyme, if you like, before serving.

Lamb scouse

Toss the lamb pieces in flour and season well. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a high heat. Working in batches, brown the lamb on all sides, adding more oil if needed, then set aside on a plate.

Turn down the heat to medium and pour in 2 tbsp oil, tip in the onion, carrots and turnips, add a pinch of salt and cook for 8 mins until softened and coloured. Return the meat to the dish along with the ale, stock and herbs. Crumble in the stock cubes and season well.

Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, sitting the potatoes on the top of the stew. Cook for 2 hrs until the meat is tender and the potatoes are soft. Serve with pickled cabbage or beetroot, if you like.

Roast chicken with lemon & rosemary roots

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Tip the carrots, celeriac, swede, onions and garlic into a large roasting tin with the oil, rosemary leaves and a grinding of black pepper. Toss well and roast for 5-10 mins while you get the chicken ready.

Grate the zest and squeeze the juice from the lemon, set aside and put the lemon shells and the woody stalks from the rosemary inside the chicken. Stir the veg, scatter over the lemon zest and drizzle over the juice, then sit the chicken on top of the veg and roast for 1-1 1/4 hrs until the chicken is tender but still moist. Take the chicken from the oven and leave to rest for 10 mins. Keep the veg in the oven and steam one of the bags of kale (if you’re eating this over two days for the Healthy Diet Plan, otherwise steam both).

Squeeze the garlic from the skins. For the Healthy Diet Plan, serve half the garlic and root veg with the chicken legs and kale. Eat one breast with the remaining veg and bag of kale another night, and save the remaining breast for the Mexican bean soup. Alternatively, serve it all together as a meal for 4.

Classic spaghetti Bolognese

Heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil in a large pan or flameproof casserole dish over a low-medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots with a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened but not coloured. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.

Pour the remaining oil into the pan, increase the heat and tip in the pancetta. Cook for 3-4 mins until golden. Add the mince and chicken livers, and cook for a further 5 mins until browned, breaking down the mince with the back of a wooden spoon.

Return the vegetables to the pan and add the bay leaf and tomato purée. Cook for a 1 min more and mix well. Pour in the wine and reduce by half. Add the stock and passata with some seasoning and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let the sauce bubble away for 35-40 mins, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and you are left with a thick ragu.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil 15 mins before the sauce is ready. Drop in the pasta, cook following pack instructions until al dente, then drain.

To finish the sauce, stir in the milk and season to taste. Tip the pasta onto a plate and top with the Bolognese. Serve with the Parmesan.

Korean chicken wings with sesame slaw

In a large bowl, mix together the gochujang, honey, soy, juice of 1 lime and sesame oil. Toss in the chicken wings and leave to marinate for a couple of hours, or if you have time, overnight.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Transfer the wings to a large roasting tin, or two smaller ones, spreading out in a single layer so that they cook evenly. Roast for 50–55 mins, basting regularly until sticky and caramelized and the meat is starting to fall away from the bone.

While the wings are roasting, prepare the slaw. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl with a little sea salt and black pepper. Just before serving, drizzle over a little sesame oil and eat with the wings. Kitchen paper recommended.