Pepper

Seafood paella

Peel and de-vein the prawns, reserving the heads and shells. Return the prawns to the fridge. To make the stock, heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high heat and add the onion, tomatoes, garlic, and reserved prawn shells and heads. Cook for 3-4 mins, then pour in 2 litres of water and add the stock cube and star anise. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 mins. Leave to cool slightly, then whizz in batches in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine sieve. Heat the oil in a large paella pan or an extra-large frying pan. Brown the monkfish for a few mins each side, then remove and set aside. Add the onion and fry for 4-5 mins until softened. Stir in the rice and cook for 30 secs to toast. Add the garlic, paprika, cayenne (if using) and saffron, cook for another 30 secs, then stir in the tomatoes and 1.5 litres of the fish stock. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook, stirring, for about 10 mins (the rice should still be al dente). Return the monkfish to the pan with the prawns, mussels, peas and broad beans. Cover the pan with a large baking tray, or foil, and cook on a low heat for another 10-15 mins until the mussels are open and the prawns are cooked through. Scatter over the parsley before serving.

mustard sage chicken celeriac mash scaled

Mustard & sage chicken with celeriac mash

Put the celeriac in a bowl, add a splash of water and cover with cling film. Pierce the cling film and microwave on High for 10 mins or until really tender. Meanwhile, put the chicken breasts between 2 sheets of cling film and lightly bash with rolling pin until they are an even thickness. Dust with the mustard powder. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides. Add the garlic and sage to the pan, stirring in the gaps between the chicken, for 30 secs- 1 min, then crumble in the stock cube. Pour in 100ml hot water and add 100g crème fraîche. Stir the sauce around the chicken, then cover the pan with a lid and cook over a medium heat for 8 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir through the mustard and season with plenty of black pepper. While the chicken cooks, drain any liquid from the celeriac, season, add the remaining 2 tbsp crème fraîche and mash (or blitz to a purée in a food processor). Serve with the chicken and some green veg.

Roast poussins with wild mushroom sauce

First, make the sauce. Bring the white wine to the boil and pour it on top of the dried mushrooms. Cover with cling film and leave to soak and rehydrate for 1 hr. After this time, pass the wine through a fine sieve into a saucepan and put the mushrooms to one side. Add the shallots and garlic to the wine. Put the pan on a medium-high heat until the wine has reduced by two-thirds, and the shallots are soft and translucent. Add the tied-up sprigs of thyme, the mushrooms and double cream. Bring the cream to the boil and gently simmer until it has reduced by a third. Remove from the heat, season, pour in the Sherry and turn off the heat until serving. Can be made 2 days ahead. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Stuff the cavity of each poussin with 2 garlic cloves, 4 sprigs of thyme and a piece of lemon peel. For neat presentation, you can now tie the poussin legs together, but this isn’t essential. Smear the butter over the poussins, put in a shallow roasting tin and cook for 30-35 mins until the legs easily come away from the bird, or until a digital cooking thermometer reads 75C when inserted in the breast. Take out of the oven, baste with the buttery cooking juices and leave to rest for 15 mins.

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Three-cheese risotto

Melt the butter and olive oil together in a large, shallow saucepan, add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5-10 mins until soft. Add the risotto rice and cook for 2-3 mins, getting a good covering in the fats and giving the rice a slightly toasted flavour. Add the white wine and cook until it has reduced away. Add the warm chicken stock, a ladleful at a time, and stir into the rice – when it has been absorbed, add more. You may not need to add all the stock, but keep adding until the rice is cooked al dente. It will take around 15 mins to get the risotto to the right consistency. Take the rice pan off the heat and stir in the cheeses, season and leave to rest for 3-4 mins. Serve with the roasted poussins, morel sauce and some wilted Baby Gem lettuce leaves.

Stir-fried chicken with broccoli & brown rice

Put the kettle on to boil and tip the broccoli into a medium pan ready to go on the heat. Pour the water over the broccoli then boil for 4 mins. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick wok and stir-fry the ginger, garlic and onion for 2 mins, add the mild chilli powder and stir briefly. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2 mins more. Drain the broccoli and reserve the water. Tip the broccoli into the wok with the soy, honey, red pepper and 4 tbsp broccoli water then cook until heated through. Meanwhile, heat the rice following the pack instructions and serve with the stir-fry.

Spicy avocado wraps

Mix the vegetarian, chicken-style pieces with the lime juice, chilli powder and garlic. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan then fry the pieces for a couple of mins, while you warm the wraps following the pack instructions or if you have a gas hob, heat them over the flame to slightly char them. Do not let them dry out or they are difficult to roll. Squash half an avocado onto each wrap, add the peppers to the pan to warm them through then pile onto the wraps with the chicken-style pieces, and sprinkle over the coriander. Roll up, cut in half and eat with your fingers.

Stir-fry with broccoli & brown rice

In a medium pan, pour boiling water over the broccoli then boil for 4 mins. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick wok and stir-fry the ginger, garlic and onion for 2 mins, add the mild chilli powder and stir briefly. Add the vegetarian, chicken-style pieces and stir-fry for 2 mins more. Drain the broccoli and reserve the water. Tip the broccoli into the wok with the soy, honey, red pepper and 4 tbsp broccoli water then cook until heated through. Meanwhile, heat the rice following the pack instructions and serve with the stir-fry.

Ham & veg crumble

Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large frying pan, chop the remaining butter into small chunks and put in the fridge. Add the leeks, carrots, parsnips and celeriac to the pan with a splash of water, season, cover with a lid and cook for 10-15 mins, stirring now and then, until the veg is beginning to soften. Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour, then add the stock bit by bit, stirring as you go, until all incorporated and smooth. Cover with a lid and simmer for 20 mins until the vegetables are tender. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 6. Add the ham, all but 2 tbsp of the crème fraîche, and the mustard, season with plenty of black pepper and transfer to an ovenproof baking dish. Put the remaining butter and flour in a bowl and season. Rub together with your fingers to a fine crumbly texture. Add the remaining crème fraîche and mix with a cutlery knife until the crumble clumps together in places. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the filling, then bake for 35-40 mins until crispy and golden on top.

Cape Malay chicken curry with yellow rice

Heat the oil in a large, wide pan. Add the onion and fry for 5 mins until softened, stirring every now and then. Stir in the garlic, ginger and cloves, and cook for 5 mins more, stirring frequently to stop it sticking. Add all the remaining spices and the fresh chilli, stir briefly, then tip in the tomatoes with 2 cans of water, plus the chutney and crumbled stock cube. Add the chicken thighs, pushing them under the liquid, then cover the pan and leave to cook for 35 mins. Stir well, add the potatoes and cook uncovered for 15-20 mins more until they are tender. Stir in the coriander. About 10 mins before you want to serve, make the rice. Put the butter, rice, raisins, sugar and spices in a large pan with 550ml water and 0.5 tsp salt. Bring to the boil and, when the butter has melted, stir, cover and cook for 10 mins. Turn off the heat and leave undisturbed for 5 mins. Fluff up and serve with the curry.

Spanish chicken with crispy paprika potatoes

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the potatoes onto a large baking tray. Mix 1 tbsp oil with the paprika, 2 tsp balsamic vinegar and seasoning, then pour over the potatoes and toss together. Bake in the oven for 10 mins while you prepare the chicken. Mix the peppers with the cheese and seasoning. Open out the chicken thighs and spoon some of the cheese mixture into the centre of each. Pull the sides of the chicken together to seal in the filling, then put each thigh, seam-side-down, on individual squares of foil. Top each thigh with 2-3 overlapping slices of chorizo, then wrap in the foil. Put the chicken parcels on top of the potatoes and return to the oven for 30 mins until the thighs are cooked and the potatoes are crispy. When the chicken is cooked, mix the remaining 1 tbsp oil and 2 tsp balsamic, and drizzle over the mixed salad leaves. Serve the chicken with the paprika potatoes and salad.

Spiced black bean & chicken soup with kale

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the garlic, coriander stalks and lime zest, then fry for 2 mins until fragrant. Stir in the cumin and chilli flakes, fry for 1 min more, then tip in the tomatoes, beans and stock. Bring to the boil, then crush the beans against the bottom of the pan a few times using a potato masher. This will thicken the soup a little. Stir the kale into the soup, simmer for 5 mins or until tender, then tear in the chicken and let it heat through. Season to taste with salt, pepper and juice from half the lime, then serve in shallow bowls, scattered with the feta and a few coriander leaves. Serve the remaining lime in wedges for the table, with the toasted tortillas on the side. The longer you leave the chicken in the pan, the thicker the soup will become, so add a splash more stock if you can’t serve the soup straight away.

Easy chicken gumbo

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the lardons and onion, and fry for 5 mins until the bacon is starting to crisp and the onion is soft. Add the peppers, chicken and flour, and fry for a further 5 mins or until the chicken is golden brown and the flour is starting to take on a a biscuty colour. Stir in the Cajun spice mix and garlic, then slowly add the chicken stock, stirring all the time. Add the okra, passata and some seasoning and simmer for 20 mins, uncovered, over a medium heat. Stir frequently during cooking to loosen the flour from the base of the pan. Sprinkle over the spring onions and serve with rice and black beans.

Fruity Caribbean curry

Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the chicken and brown well on all sides, then transfer to a plate. Add the onions and peppers to the pan, and cook for 5 mins until the veg starts to soften. Return the chicken to the pan and sprinkle in the curry powder, then add the pineapple with its juice, and the coconut milk. Season and simmer, uncovered, for 40 mins until the chicken is tender and the sauce has reduced and thickened a little. Add the beans and pepper sauce to the pan. Simmer for another 2-3 mins until the beans are warmed through, then scatter with coriander and serve with cooked rice.

Chow mein

Cook the noodles in a large pan of boiling water for 3-5 mins, then drain and put them in cold water. Drain thoroughly, toss them with 1 tbsp of the sesame oil and set aside. Combine the chicken with all the marinade ingredients and ½ tsp salt, mix well and then leave to marinate for about 10 mins. Heat a wok over a high heat. Add 1 tbsp of the groundnut oil and, when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the chicken shreds. Stir-fry for about 2 mins and then transfer to a plate. Wipe the wok clean. Reheat the wok until it is very hot, then add the remaining groundnut oil. When the oil is slightly smoking, add the garlic and stir-fry for 10 secs. Then add the mangetout and ham, and stir-fry for about 1 min. Add the noodles, soy sauces, rice wine or Sherry, pepper, sugar, spring onions and 1 tsp salt. Stir-fry for 2 mins. Return the chicken and any juices to the noodle mixture. Stir-fry for about 3-4 mins or until the chicken is cooked. Add 1 tsp sesame oil and give the mixture a few final stirs. Put on a warm platter and serve immediately.

Courgette ribbon salad

In a large bowl pour in the lemon juice and season well with salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil then add the chopped herbs. Put your courgette through your spiralizer on its large noodle attachment and tip the ribbons into the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together and serve immediately.

Grilled chicken & noodles (Bun ga nuong)

First, make the patties. In a food processor, blend the garlic, shallots and lemongrass until fine. Pour into a bowl and add the chicken thighs, 1 tbsp of the sugar, the fish sauce and a good amount of ground black pepper. Mix together well and divide into 18 patties. Roll and flatten, then place on a large baking tray. Brush with oil. Heat the grill. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining sugar with 1 tbsp water, then remove from the heat. Grill the patties for 2 mins on one side until golden, then flip them over. Brush with the sugar-water mix and grill for 2 more mins or until golden and crisp. Remove and brush with more of the water. Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining all the ingredients with 2 tbsp hot water in a small bowl. Soak the noodles following pack instructions until al dente, about 3-5 mins, then drain. Use scissors to cut into shorter pieces, then divide between 4 bowls. Top with the chicken patties, the herbs, carrots and a sprinkling of shallots and peanuts. Serve with the lime ginger dressing to pour over.

Lighter chicken cacciatore

Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Tip in the prosciutto and fry for about 2 mins until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, letting any fat drain back into the pan, and set aside. Put the onion, garlic and herbs in the pan and fry for 3-4 mins. Spread the onion out in the pan, then lay the chicken breasts on top. Season with pepper and fry for 5 mins over a medium heat, turning the chicken once, until starting to brown on both sides and the onion is caramelising on the bottom of the pan. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate. Raise the heat, give it a quick stir and, when sizzling, pour in the wine and let it bubble for 2 mins to reduce slightly. Lower the heat to medium, return the prosciutto to the pan, then stir in the tomatoes (breaking them up with your spoon), tomato purée and mushrooms. Spoon 4 tbsp of water into the empty tomato can, swirl it around, then pour it into the pan. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the sauce has thickened and reduced slightly, then return the chicken to the pan and cook, uncovered, for about 15 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. Season and scatter over the parsley to serve.

Roasted poultry, curry and coconut coat, with rice

Tie the wings and legs of the chicken with a thread. Empty out the insides. Put in the garlic cloves, thyme, rosemary, and season with fleur de sel and pepper. Baste the poultry with the red curry paste and roast for 45mins at 220C. Set aside for 15 mins. Cut the poultry into four slices and arrange on a platter. To make the poultry juice, heat the olive oil in a cast iron pot. Add the chicken carcasses, and when it reaches a brown colour, add the butter. Add in the herbs and sweat the onions for several minutes. Remove the grease from the pot and deglaze with orange juice and coconut milk. Reduce it by half and add in the poultry juice, and herbs. Cook on low heat for 2-3 mins, and then strain the juice to reduce by half again. Heat olive oil in a pan and add in the rice. Cook for 1 min, add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick and cardamom. Cook for 1 min more and add the coconut milk and white chicken stock. Cover and place in the oven at 220C for 15 mins. Once cooked, add all the fruit cubes, raisins, and coconut, and let it cook for several mins. Serve the rice with the chicken and garnish with the fried onion slices and flat-leaf parsley.

Cajun blackened chicken with supergreen quinoa

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Rub the chicken with the Cajun seasoning until coated. Heat a heavy-based griddle pan over a medium heat and add the oil. Add the chicken and colour on both sides. Transfer the chicken to a baking tray and bake for 20-25 mins or until cooked. Meanwhile, boil a saucepan of water. Rinse the quinoa under cold water, then put in the pan. Cook for 15 mins, then drain in a sieve. 3 In a food processor, add nearly all the chilli, spring onions (reserve some of each to serve), the spinach, mint and coriander, and blend to a smooth purée. Add the purée to the quinoa and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients, except the chicken, and combine well. Season to taste. Divide the quinoa mix over 2 plates, top each with chicken and serve sprinkled with the lemon zest, sesame seeds, reserved chilli and spring onions and lime wedges, if you like.

Lemony chicken stew with giant couscous

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish with a lid. Add the onions and cook for 10 mins until starting to caramelise. Push the onions to one side of the dish and add the chicken. Cook over a high heat for 5 mins or so until the chicken is browning. Add the tagine paste, tomatoes, oregano, preserved lemons and honey, and crumble in the stock cube. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and pour this into the dish. Season with a little salt and plenty of black pepper. Give everything a good stir, then cover with a lid and simmer for 40 mins, on a gentle bubble, or for up to 4 hrs over a very low heat if you’re eating at different times. Add the couscous 10 mins before you’re ready to serve, cover and simmer for 10 mins or until cooked. If you’re eating at different times, scoop your portion into a pan, add 50g couscous and cook in the same way. Stir in some parsley just before serving.

One-pan jerk roast chicken

First make the jerk paste. Put all the ingredients in a food processor, add a good pinch of salt and blend to a fine purée, adding a splash of water if the mixture is struggling to break down. Tie the legs together if you like, and put in a large flameproof roasting tin. Pour over the jerk paste and rub all over and inside the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the juiced lime halves and cover the tray with foil. Chill for up to 48 hrs or a minimum of 2 hrs. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cook the chicken for 45 mins. Take the chicken out the oven, remove the foil and carefully lift it onto a plate, pouring any juice from the cavity into the tin. Tip the onions, peppers and sweet potatoes into the tin, and season well, then toss in the tray to coat in any residual jerk paste. Put the chicken on top of the veggies and drizzle it with a little oil. Lower the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and return the roasting tin to the middle shelf, uncovered. Roast for a further 45 mins or until the vegetables are soft and the chicken is cooked through – if you have a meat thermometer, check that the temperature has reached 75C. Carefully remove the chicken from the tin, place on a plate and wrap in foil, then leave to rest. Place the roasting tin on the hob over a medium heat. Stir in the beans and coconut milk, scraping the bottom of the tin to lift off any tasty bits. Simmer until the sauce has thickened a little, then season to taste. If the sauce looks oily, skim the fat off the surface with a spoon. Put the chicken back in the pan and scatter over the coriander leaves before taking to the table. Serve with rice and flatbreads for mopping up the sauce.

Broccoli Soup

Cut the Celery Sticks & the Onion into medium pieces Heat the butter in a medium casserole and add the celery & onion. Fry them until soft. Cut the Broccoli Heads into Florets and add to the heat. Stir for 30 seconds. Add the Water to the mix then the chicken bouillon. Blend well. (Add the Ready Made Soup here if you want after diluting it with a little cold water) Season with white pepper and salt. Leave on medium heat for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat after 30 minutes and mix in blender while hot. Drain the blended soup properly before putting it back in the casserole. Make sure all thick residue is removed. Right before serving, put over heat again and add the Cooking Cream. Bon Appétit!

Tofu escalopes with black olive salsa verde

Steam or boil the potatoes for 20 mins or until tender. Cut the pressed tofu into 4 rectangles, then splice each rectangle in half, like cutting a deck of cards. Lay the slices on a plate and sprinkle over the soy sauce. Set aside for 5 mins. Meanwhile, make the salsa verde. Put the garlic, basil, capers, oil and sugar into a food processor with 3 tbsp lemon juice. Pulse until roughly chopped. Stir in the olives and season with pepper and a little salt. Put the flour on a plate and season with pepper. On another plate, mix the Parmesan and lemon zest into the breadcrumbs. Beat the egg, mustard and 2 tsp water in a wide bowl. Pat 1 slice of tofu in the flour, then dip into the egg and coat with the breadcrumbs. Set aside. Repeat process until all the tofu is coated. Heat the vegetable oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the tofu gently until golden brown, about 5 mins each side. Slice into finger-width strips with a serrated knife, then mix together with the watercress and potatoes. Spoon over the salsa verde, drizzle over a little extra olive oil, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Roast chicken with sweet potato gremolata salad

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Grate the zest and squeeze the juice from the lemon into 2 bowls, then push the wedges inside the cavity of the chicken with the parsley stalks. Put the chicken in a roasting tin and roast for 30 mins. Meanwhile, scrub the sweet potatoes (no need to peel) and cut into chunks. Put in another roasting tin with the onions, fennel, and 6 whole garlic cloves, then toss with the oil. When the chicken has had its 30 mins, put the potatoes in the oven and roast for 30-40 mins more. Meanwhile, finely chop the remaining garlic clove for the gremolata, then mix with the lemon zest and parsley. Mix the lemon juice, oil and some black pepper in a bowl. Remove the chicken and potatoes from the oven. Cover the chicken and leave to rest. Stir half the gremolata mix into the lemon juice and oil. Stir the spinach through the potato mix and return to the oven for 2 mins to wilt. Tip into the lemon dressing and toss well. Carve a chunk of breast meat from the chicken (you need about 140g), remove the skin, then cut into pieces. Toss into the salad with the pomegranate seeds, then serve scattered with the remaining gremolata.

Chicken & avocado salad with blueberry balsamic dressing

Finely chop the garlic. Mash half the blueberries with the oil, vinegar and some black pepper in a large salad bowl. Boil the broad beans for 5 mins until just tender. Drain, leaving them unskinned. Stir the garlic into the dressing, then pile in the warm beans and remaining blueberries with the beetroot, avocado, salad and chicken. Toss to mix, but don’t go overboard or the juice from the beetroot will turn everything pink. Pile onto plates or into shallow bowls to serve.

Indian spiced chicken with squash & beans

Put 2 tbsp of the yogurt in a bowl with the spices, chicken and a really good grinding of black pepper, and set aside for 30 mins, or longer if you have time, to marinate. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Arrange the squash on a large baking tray, crumble over the coconut oil (as it will be solid at this stage) and roast for 20 mins. Add the onions and chicken, spaced apart, and roast for 20 mins more until everything is cooked. Meanwhile, put the rest of the yogurt in a bowl with the garlic, mint and two-thirds of the coriander, and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Tip the beans and remaining coriander into a bowl, and add the lime zest and juice with a couple of tbsp of the yogurt dressing. Tip in the squash, onions and chicken, add the chicory and toss everything together. Pile onto plates and drizzle with the remaining dressing. (If eating cold as a packed lunch, take the dressing in a pot and dress the salad when ready to eat.)

Buttermilk fried chicken

Put all the dry brine ingredients in a large dish. Add the chicken, toss to coat well, then cover and chill for 12-24 hrs. Put all the spiced flour ingredients in another dish or a large bowl, add a good grind of black pepper and combine well. Put the buttermilk and egg in another bowl and lightly whisk until well combined. Start to coat the chicken. Using one hand, dip the pieces in the buttermilk, making sure they are completely coated. Using your other hand, roll the chicken in the spiced flour until covered all over. Place the chicken on a wire rack with a baking tray underneath. Now you’re ready to start frying. Fill a deep cast-iron frying pan or heavy- based medium saucepan half full with oil and heat until the temperature reaches 170C on a cooking thermometer. Put a wire rack on a second tray, ready to drain the fried chicken. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Place 3-4 pieces of chicken into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook for 10-12 mins. Poke your thermometer into the meat next to the bone – it will be cooked when it reaches 73C. The oil temperature will drop when you add the chicken – adjust the heat to keep it steady at 140C during the cooking process. Once cooked, transfer to the clean wire rack and keep warm in the oven. Bring the oil back to 170C before cooking the next batch. Serve with your choice of sides.

Dukkah-spiced BBQ chicken wings

To make dukkah, toast the sesame seeds in a frying pan until lightly golden, then transfer to a bowl. In the same pan, toast the cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. Now combine all the spices, sesame seeds and some seasoning in a mini food processor, coffee grinder or pestle and mortar and blend to a coarse mix. Mix the lemon juice, olive oil and tahini paste and rub all over the chicken wings. Leave to marinate in the fridge for 1 hr. Reserve 1 tbsp of the dukkah mix and sprinkle the rest over the wings with 1 tsp salt. Toss to coat, and leave for up to 24 hrs in the fridge. Light the barbecue and wait until the coals are covered with a thin layer of white ash, which means it is hot enough to cook (or heat oven to 200C/ 180C fan/gas 6). Barbecue the wings, turning, for 25-30 mins until charred and cooked through (or roast in the oven for 45-50 mins). Transfer the wings to a big platter. Scatter over the reserved dukkah, the pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves, and serve with lemon wedges.

Spicy merguez & couscous pot

Heat the oil in a pan. Squeeze the sausagemeat from the skins and shape into 8 meatballs. Add them to the pan and sizzle on a medium-high heat for 5-10 mins, rolling around the pan, until they are cooked. Set aside. Drain the fat from the pan, leaving 1 tbsp behind. Reduce the heat and add the lemon, onion, chilli and pepper. Stir for 5 mins. Add the ras el hanout and stir for 1 min more. Add the tomatoes and 300ml water, and crumble in the stock cube. Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer, covered with a lid, for 10-15 mins, until the sauce is rich and the veg are tender. Season and stir in the coriander. Transfer to 2 microwavable containers with tight-fitting lids, and chill until you’re ready to eat. Weigh 50g couscous into 2 sandwich bags to take to work too. When you’re ready to eat, add the couscous to the cold sauce. Stir well and microwave for 3 mins, until the couscous is cooked through.

Cheat’s chicken ramen

Set a large saucepan over a medium heat and pour in the stock. Finely chop the coriander stalks and add to the stock with most of the chilli. Bring to the boil and add 200ml water. Once boiled, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 mins to infuse the coriander and chilli. Add the soy sauce and a grinding of black pepper, then the mushrooms, pak choi, chicken and noodles. Simmer for 2 mins until the noodles soften, before adding the bamboo shoots. Serve in deep bowls topped with coriander leaves and the remaining chilli slices.

Spanish chicken traybake with chorizo & peppers

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Using a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic and thyme leaves with a little seasoning and 2 tsp oil to make a paste. If you don’t have a pestle and mortar, finely grate the garlic, then stir everything together. Rub the herb and garlic paste on the underside of the chicken to flavour it. Cut each of the pepper halves into 2 or 3 chunky strips, depending on their size. Pile into a large roasting tin with the chorizo and olives, toss with the remaining oil, then sit the chicken on top, skin-side up. Scatter over the tomatoes, spoon over the vinegar, season and tuck in the thyme sprigs. Roast for 1 hr until the chicken skin is crispy and the vegetables have softened. Serve with crusty bread, pasta or potatoes.

Squash & venison tagine

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan and heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the pumpkin pieces in another 1 tbsp oil and some seasoning, and put on a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Roast the pumpkin for 30 mins until almost tender but not too soft. Meanwhile add the shallots to the pan, rolling around now and then, until golden. Scoop the shallots out and set aside. Add the remaining oil to the pan and brown the venison – you’ll need to do this in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan. Take your time, ensuring the meat has a nice dark-brown crust before you remove it from the pan – this will give the tagine a good rich flavour. While the meat browns, heat a frying pan and tip in the cumin, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick and cloves. Warm the spices through, stirring them around from time to time, until they turn a shade darker and smell aromatic. Put the cinnamon stick to one side with the venison, and tip the remaining spices into the small bowl of a food processor or a mortar. Whizz or pound with a pestle to a powder. Add the coriander stalks, ginger, garlic, chilli and 1 tsp salt, and blend to a paste (you may have to add a little water if using a food processor). When all the venison pieces have been browned, return the meat to the pan with the cinnamon stick. Stir in the spice paste and sizzle for 1-2 mins, splashing in a little water if the paste starts to stick to the bottom of the pan. Add the saffron and pour in the stock. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and leave to bubble over a gentle heat for 1 hr 30 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the browned shallots, prunes and pomegranate molasses to the tagine, increase the heat a little and bubble without a lid for 30 mins more, until the liquid has reduced and the tagine is rich and tasty. Season and stir in the pumpkin 10 mins before the tagine is finished cooking. Stir through the coriander leaves and serve with your favourite grain – bulghar wheat, quinoa or brown rice goes well – and a dollop of yogurt. Even better if cooled and served the next day. This tagine will last for up to 3 days in the fridge or can be frozen for 2 months.