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katsu

Lighter chicken katsu

For the chicken, pour the buttermilk into a wide, shallow dish. Season with pepper and a small pinch of salt. Pat the chicken breasts dry with kitchen paper, then put them in the dish and turn them over in the buttermilk to coat well. Leave in the fridge for 1 hr. Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan. Tip in the panko breadcrumbs and flour, and toast in the dry pan for 2-3 mins until they turn pale brown, stirring regularly so they don’t burn. Tip the crumb mix into a bowl, season with pepper and set aside to cool. To make the curry sauce, heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Tip in the onion, garlic and ginger, and fry for 6-8 mins until the onion is tender and starting to brown. Stir in the garam masala, turmeric, chilli powder and tomato purée, and fry for 1 min, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour in the stock and 250ml/9fl oz water. Add the carrot, soy sauce and honey, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for about 20 mins, uncovered, until the carrots are tender. Mix the cornflour with 2 tsp cold water, stir into the sauce and simmer for 1 min. Remove from the heat. Whizz the mixture to a smooth purée in a food processor. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, set over a large bowl, pressing it through well with the back of a wooden spoon so enough of the purée goes through to help thicken. Season with a small pinch of salt and set aside. Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and chilled. Heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Line a baking tray with foil and sit a wire rack (preferably non-stick) on top. Tip the crumb mix onto a large plate, then lift the chicken breasts from the buttermilk (leaving the marinade clinging to it) and roll each one in the crumbs, coating evenly. Heat 1½ tsp of oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add 2 chicken breasts and fry for 1½ mins (without moving them), over a medium-high heat – adjusting the heat if necessary, so that they don’t burn. Turn the chicken over, add another ¾ tsp of oil to cover the base of the pan, and fry for 1 min more. Using a fish slice, transfer the chicken to the wire rack, then wipe any crumbs from the pan and repeat with the rest of the oil and chicken. Bake the chicken in the oven (on the wire rack) for 15 mins until cooked and crisp. Warm the sauce through briefly, remove the chicken from the rack and slice each one into 5 pieces. Serve with the sauce, sticky rice and mixed leaves.

maryland 2

Maryland chicken

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and sit the chicken in a small roasting tin. Mix all the spices with 2 tsp salt using a pestle and mortar – try to grind the oregano finely so that it doesn’t burn. Rub the spice mix over the chicken with some oil, and cover loosely with foil. Sit the potatoes in another tin, and put them in the oven together with the chicken. After 30 mins, remove the foil. Pierce the banana once in the skin with a knife and put alongside the potatoes, and roast with the chicken for another 30 mins. Check the potatoes are soft, then remove them and the banana from the oven. Leave the chicken to cook for a final 10 mins. Split the potatoes and banana, and scrape all the flesh into a saucepan. Add 1 tsp salt, half the butter and the milk, then mash together. Season. Check the chicken is cooked by piercing the inner thigh and ensuring the juices run clear. Lift to a serving platter and rest for 10 mins. To serve, spoon the mash into a dish, topped with knobs of remaining butter, and carve the chicken at the table. Serve with Creamed corn & bacon (recipe in ‘goes well with’, right).

chorizo pie

Chicken & chorizo pie

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Brown the chicken thighs in batches until golden, then transfer to a plate. Add the onions to the dish and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the chorizo and cook for 2 mins more until the orangey oils are released into the pan. Stir in the flour for 1 min, then add the Sherry and bubble for 2 mins until most has evaporated. Return the chicken to the pan, add the stock, cover with a lid and simmer for 40 mins or until tender. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken pieces out of the pan and transfer to a plate. Use 2 forks to shred the meat into chunky bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, add the cream to the pan, increase the heat and bubble for 10-15 mins until the liquid has reduced to a white sauce consistency. Add seasoning (remembering that the chorizo can be quite salty) and return the chicken to the pan along with the parsley. Transfer to a pie dish (ours was 20cm x 25cm) and place a pie funnel or piping nozzle in the centre. Set aside to cool a little while you prepare the pastry. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Brush a little beaten egg around the rim of the pie dish then, using your rolling pin to help, lift the pastry over the dish. Trim away any excess pastry, then pinch the edges with your forefingers and thumb to crimp. Brush with a thin layer of beaten egg. If you like, you can use your pastry offcuts to decorate the pie, then brush with beaten egg. Bake for 45 mins or until golden brown and the filling is piping hot. Serve with your favourite veg.

rabbit pie

Mr McGregor’s rabbit pie

Toss the rabbit joints (or diced meat) with half the flour and some seasoning. Heat half the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and brown the meat on all sides. Lift out the meat, add the remaining oil, the leek and fennel seeds, and fry gently until softened. Stir in the remaining flour until it has disappeared. Add the cider and scrape up any stuck bits on the dish as it comes to the boil, then add the stock, return the meat to the dish, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40-45 mins until the rabbit is really tender and falling from the bone. Lift out the meat and, while you’re shredding it from the bones in big chunks (if you’ve used joints), boil down the cooking liquid to about a third. Stir the cream and mustard into the liquid, taste for seasoning, then stir the rabbit back in. Spoon into a small pie dish or baking dish. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Stick a thin strip of pastry around the edge of the dish. Slice the remaining pastry into 2.5cm-wide strips with a floured knife, then weave into a tight lattice. Lift up carefully, using a rolling pin to help you, then stick on with a little beaten egg. Trim the edges to finish. Brush the top with more egg and bake for 25 mins until golden. Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the carrots for 2 mins, then the radishes for 2 mins, followed by the peas for 1 min. Drain. When the pie is done, melt the butter in a small frying pan. Add the drained veg with the sugar, turn up the heat and fry to caramelise a little. Serve immediately alongside the pie.

fried chicken

Polenta-crusted chicken with cornbread

If you have time, soak the chicken in the buttermilk (not regular milk) overnight. To make the cornbread, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Grease 6 holes of a muffin tin, or a special cornbread tin if you have one. Tip the dry ingredients into a bowl and separately beat the eggs with the buttermilk or yogurt. Pour over the dry ingredients and beat together to make a batter. Divide the batter between the holes and bake for 20 mins until puffed up. Remove the tin from the oven and leave to cool. Put a rack in a roasting tin in the oven. Tip the polenta, flour and spices into a food bag with a generous pinch of salt and some pepper. Dip the chicken into the buttermilk, add a few pieces to the bag and shake to coat in the flour mixture, then place on a plate. Heat a decent puddle of oil in a large frying pan or wok and fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy. When all the chicken has been fried, place it on the rack and bake for 30 mins until completely cooked through. Serve with the cornbread and some coleslaw.

chicken 8

Honey & cumin chicken and aubergine skewers with pistachio dukkah

Pre-soak wooden skewers in warm water for 20 mins. (You will need about 32 skewers and they must be able to fit inside a griddle pan or frying pan.) Meanwhile, mix the marinade ingredients and some seasoning in a large bowl, then tip half into another bowl. Add the chicken to 1 bowl and the aubergine to the other. (If you’re not catering for vegetarians, you can mix them together in one bowl.) Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins, or up to 24 hrs. To make the dukkah, toast the sesame, cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan until aromatic. Meanwhile, tip the pistachios into a small food processor and blitz until finely chopped, but still with some texture, then transfer to a bowl. Tip the toasted seeds and spices into the processor and blitz again until finely chopped, then add these to the pistachios, along with the paprika, black pepper and a good pinch of salt. Mix, then set aside until ready to serve. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Thread the aubergine onto skewers, about 4-5 chunks per skewer, and place on 2 parchment-lined trays. Bake for 20-25 mins until tender and golden, turning the skewers and swapping the trays halfway through cooking. Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan or a frying pan (or use both to speed up the cooking) over a medium-high heat. Thread the chicken pieces onto the remaining skewers. Cook the chicken skewers in batches in the hot pan, turning regularly to prevent the honey burning. When nicely charred, but not cooked through, transfer to a baking tray. When all the chicken skewers are browned, drizzle them and the aubergine skewers with the remaining honey. Pop the chicken into the oven with the aubergine for the final 5-10 mins cooking, or until they are cooked through and sticky. Serve the skewers with a bowl of dukkah for dipping.

chicken 10

Spicy chicken with rice & beans

Cut 2-3 slashes in each chicken thigh, sprinkle the spices over and turn to coat. If you have time, cover and leave to marinate at room temperature for 2 hrs, or overnight in the fridge. Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 4 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 secs more. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the remaining oil to the pan and sprinkle over the sugar. Cook over a medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelise. When it turns dark brown, add the chicken and cook for 4 mins, turning. Pour in the passata, stock and vinegar, then add the pepper, onion and garlic. Season and stir. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 25 mins, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, put the rice in a saucepan, cover with water and add salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 10-12 mins. Drain and return half to the pan with half the kidney beans, then cover. (Run the other half of the rice under cold water, drain and leave until cold, then mix with the remaining kidney beans. Chill in a container for Thursday’s recipe.). Serve the chicken with the rice and beans, and spoonfuls of natural yogurt.

chicken 12 1

Amatriciana chicken traybake

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Find a large roasting tin that will hold the chicken thighs and potatoes in a single layer. Halve the chilli, scrape out and discard the seeds if you don’t like it too hot, and remove the stalk. Put in a small food processor or mini chopper with the tomato purée, olive oil and garlic. Whizz to a paste, then spread over the chicken. Add the chicken and potatoes to the tin with a good grinding of black pepper and some salt, then mix everything together well with your hands. Add the thyme and roast for 30 mins. Stir in the pancetta and roast for 15 mins more, then add the tomatoes and roast for another 15 mins until the tomatoes have softened and the chicken is cooked. Serve straight from the pan and eat with a green salad and some bread, if you like, for mopping up the juices.

thai chicken

Thai chicken salad

To make the dressing, mix together all the ingredients and stir to dissolve the sugar. In a large bowl, mix all the salad ingredients except the nuts. Toss with the dressing and season with black pepper. Scatter with the nuts to serve.

spatchcock

Spiced yogurt spatchcock chicken

Pop the chicken in a large dish and slash the legs a few times with a sharp knife. Mix together the lemon juice, chilli powder and 1 tsp salt. Pour this over the chicken, turning so that it coats both sides. Cover with cling film and chill for 1 hr. Meanwhile, whizz the remaining ingredients (except the oil) and some black pepper in a blender until smooth. Remove the chicken from the fridge and spoon over the spicy paste, making sure it covers both sides. Chill for at least 4 hrs, preferably overnight. Light a lidded barbecue and let the flames die down. Once the coals have turned ashen, mound them up on one side. Drizzle the skin of the chicken with the oil and place, skin-side down, on the side of the barbecue with the coals underneath. Cover with the lid and cook for 15-20 mins until charred. Flip the chicken over and move to the side with no coals underneath. Close the lid and cook for a further 20-25 mins until cooked through. Check that the juices run clear; if not, return to the barbecue for a further 10 mins, then check again. (To cook in the oven, heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, place on a wire rack over a tray and cook for 45-55 mins. To char the skin, grill for a further 5-10 mins if needed.) Leave the chicken to rest for 20 mins, then scatter over the coriander and serve with chapatis warmed on the barbecue, raita and your favourite chutney.

chicken broth

Chinese poached chicken & rice

Put the sliced ginger, the garlic, peppercorns and half the soy in a large pan with the chicken legs. Add enough water to cover, and season with a little salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer, put on the lid and poach for 30 mins. Meanwhile, heat a pan and add the sesame oil and spring onions. Soften for 1 min, then remove from the heat and stir in the grated ginger and remaining soy sauce to make a relish. When the chicken is ready, remove from the pan, set aside 4 of the legs and chill for tomorrow. Add the pak choi to the poaching liquid and cook for 3-4 mins. Strain the poaching liquid to remove the ginger, garlic and peppercorns, reserving the liquid. Pull the skin from the remaining 4 chicken legs and discard. Tear the meat into thick pieces. Serve in bowls with rice, the pak choi, a ladle of the hot chicken broth, the spring onion relish and extra soy sauce, if you like.

paillard

Paillard of chicken with lemon & herbs

Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of cling film or baking parchment. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to bash each piece of chicken – flatten out to an even layer about 0.5cm thick. Transfer to a dish. To make the marinade, crush the garlic with a good pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the rosemary and sage, and give everything a good pounding. Stir through the lemon zest and juice, olive oil and some ground black pepper. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that it’s well coated. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs. Heat the barbecue. Once the flames have died down, spread the coals out to an even layer. Cook the chicken for 1-2 mins each side. Transfer to a board and leave to rest for a few mins. Meanwhile, pour the oil and balsamic vinegar into a large bowl. Add the rocket and some seasoning. Toss together, then shave over the Parmesan. Serve the salad with the chicken, with lemon wedges to squeeze over.

greek chicken

Greek chicken kebab

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade, along with a good few pinches of salt and some pepper. Add the chicken thighs and mix everything together. Cover and chill overnight. Light a lidded barbecue, then let the flames die down. Once the coals have turned ashen, mound them up on one side. Thread the chicken thighs onto 2 metal skewers – so that both skewers go through each piece of meat – packing the thighs down so that they are really compact. Place the chicken kebab on the side without any coals underneath. Pop the lid down and cook for 45-55 mins, turning regularly, or until cooked through – prise the chicken pieces apart in the centre to check this. Cover the chicken with foil and leave to rest for 20 mins before slicing. (If cooking in the oven, heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Rest a wire rack over a roasting tin and place the chicken on top. Cook for 45-55 mins or until cooked through.) Slice strips of chicken from the kebab and stuff into pittas, warmed on the barbecue. Serve with Dill yogurt sauce, tomato, red onion & cucumber salad, and crunchy lettuce.

venison sausages

Venison sausages with piquant beans

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan with a lid. Add the sausages and cook, turning them, until they are brown. Lift from the pan, then add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 5-8 mins until softened – add a splash of water if the onion starts to colour too much before it softens. Add the fennel seeds and cook for a few mins until toasted. Pour in the beans and their liquid, plus half a can of water. Add the tomato purée, stock, celery, vinegar and honey, then cover and leave to cook for 12 mins. Add the sausages and cook until warmed through, then stir through the parsley.

watercress soup

Watercress & artichoke soup

Put the potato and spring onions in a pan and pour over the stock. Cover and cook for 5 mins until the potato is tender. Add the watercress, stir until wilted, then blitz with a hand blender or in a food processor until completely smooth. Add the buttermilk and the 4 whole artichokes and blitz again. Top with the chopped artichoke and watercress sprigs just before eating.

roast duck griddled plum salad 1

Roast duck & griddled plum salad

Up to 2 days before, sit the duck legs in your slow cooker or a small casserole or baking dish – if you don’t have a slow cooker, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Pour over the stock and pomegranate juice so that the legs are submerged. Poke in the cinnamon stick, cover with the lid, or tightly with foil, and slow-cook for 4 hrs on High, or in the oven for 2hrs, until the duck is really tender. Cool in the liquid, then chill until you make the salad. One hour before you want to start the salad, lift the duck legs from the liquid, pat dry with kitchen paper and sit in a roasting tin to dry out a little. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Rub the cumin and cinnamon all over the duck legs with plenty of salt and some ground black pepper, and roast for 15-20 mins. Meanwhile, cook the bulghar wheat following pack instructions, then drain well. Heat a dry griddle pan, brush the halved plums with a little olive oil and griddle for about 5 mins on either side. Set everything aside to cool a little while you prep the rest of the ingredients. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the green beans and cook for 2-4 mins until tender but still with some bite. Drain under cold running water to cool. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients with plenty of seasoning. When the duck is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and crispy skin from the bones. Transfer to a platter with the roasted plums, pomegranate seeds, red onion, bulghar wheat, green beans, flaked almonds, feta and herbs. Toss everything together gently with the dressing and eat immediately.

marrakech lamb with tahini squash gratin 1

Marrakech lamb with tahini squash gratin

Remove the lamb from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature while you prepare the stuffing. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and fry for 8-10 mins until starting to turn golden. Add the garlic and spices and cook for 1 min more, then scoop out into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, herbs, pistachios, feta, cherries, lemon and tahini. Season and mix everything together. Unroll the lamb and season well on both sides. Pack the stuffing down the centre of the lamb, pressing to help it stick, then re-roll and tie up with kitchen string (see tip, below left). Flip the lamb over so it is seam-side down, and pack any stuffing that has fallen out back in. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Now assemble the gratin. Slice the squash in half to separate the thinner top half and the bulbous bottom half. Peel both pieces with either a sturdy peeler or a sharp knife. Cut down the centre of the thinner piece, then slice very thinly into half moons. Halve the bottom piece and scoop out the seeds, then thinly slice this too. Whisk the tahini, cream and stock in a jug with some seasoning. Arrange the sliced squash in a shallow ovenproof baking dish, approximately 22 x 30cm, seasoning well between the layers. Finish with a layer of neatly lined-up half moon slices. Pour over the tahini stock. Place the lamb on top of the gratin, seam-side down, and rub with the remaining oil. Place in the centre of the oven and roast for 1 hr 20 mins for slightly pink lamb. Lift the lamb off the gratin and transfer to a plate, covered with foil to keep warm, and leave to rest. 4 While the lamb rests, increase oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Spoon any excess fat off the top of the gratin, then return to the oven for 20 mins until golden and crisp. Place the lamb back on top of the gratin to serve, scattered with mint leaves and a pot of Saffron yogurt (see tip, below left) on the side.

west indian style chicken legs

West Indian-style chicken legs with sauce chien

To make the sauce, place all the ingredients in the small bowl of a food processor, with 2 tbsp boiling water and a pinch of salt. Blend and taste, adding another squeeze of lime juice if needed. Rub the chicken with the spices, chilli and 1 tsp each of salt and pepper. Pour a third of the sauce over and marinate for at least 3 hrs, or overnight. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Transfer the chicken to a roasting tin and roast for 1 hr, or until crisp and the meat pulls away from the bone. Serve the chicken with the remaining sauce and some coconut rice.

liver parfair with sauternes jelly 1

Liver parfait with Sauternes jelly

Melt the butter in a wide frying pan and add the shallots, herbs and some seasoning. Cook gently for 10 mins until very soft. Spoon the shallots into a food processor and discard the herbs; pour the butter into a jug, leaving 1 tbsp in the pan. Turn up the heat in the pan and add the livers. Season and fry for 30 secs on each side or until just browned all over. They will still be very raw inside. Take out of the pan and put in the processor. Splash the Sauternes into the hot pan and reduce by half, scraping up any tasty bits as it bubbles. Tip onto the liver and shallots. Process the livers until totally smooth. With the motor running, slowly pour in the cream and add the eggs, one by one, then the warm butter. Season with 2 tsp sea salt and some pepper, but don’t taste the mixture as it’s still raw. Pass through a sieve, using a spatula to help. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and boil a full kettle. Put 6 heatproof glass tumblers, small Kilner jars or large ramekins into a roasting tin. Pour the parfait into each one. Pour hot water around the parfaits, letting it come as far up the sides as is safe for you to carry. Bake for 45 mins until the parfaits have set without a wobble and risen a little in the middle. Cool at room temperature (I make this more speedy by filling the pan with cold water and letting the whole thing stand on a wire rack), then chill. To make the jelly, soak the gelatine in cold water until it is totally floppy. Heat the wine and sugar until it dissolves, then remove from the heat. Squeeze out as much water from the gelatine as possible, then stir into the wine until totally dissolved. Set aside. When cooled but still liquid, pour this over the top of the parfaits, adding a few thyme leaves here and there. Leave to set in the fridge for at least 30 mins. Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Serve with toast and cornichons.

sticky sesame chicken corn with slaw 3

Sticky sesame chicken & corn with slaw

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the chicken and frozen corn cobs on a large baking tray, drizzle with oil, season and bake for 20 mins. Meanwhile, combine the cabbage, onion, carrots, yogurt, lemon zest and juice, and some seasoning in a bowl. Set aside until ready to serve. In another bowl, mix the honey, peanut butter and sesame seeds with a pinch of salt. Remove the tray from the oven and brush or drizzle the sauce over the chicken and corn, then toss everything together to coat. Return to the oven and roast for a further 15-20 mins until sticky and caramelised. Serve with the coleslaw.

moroccan spiced cottage pies

Moroccan-spiced cottage pies

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, garlic, carrot, spices and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for 10-15 mins on a low heat until softened. If the onion starts to brown, add a splash of water. Meanwhile, cook the mince in a large frying pan until brown and starting to caramelise. Stir the beef in with the onion, add the tomato purée and stock, and simmer for 30 mins until most of the stock has been absorbed. While the beef is cooking, peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Tip into a saucepan and cover with cold salted water. Bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 20 mins. Drain the potatoes and mash together with the chickpeas, butter, milk and za’atar. Stir the peas into the mince and simmer for 2 more mins, then take off the heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Divide between 4 small freezer-proof pie dishes. Top each with mashed potato and rough up the top with a fork. If serving straight away, put the pies on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 30 mins. To freeze, leave the pies to cool completely, then wrap well in cling film and foil. To cook from frozen, put the pies on a baking tray in a cold oven, turn to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook for 1 hr-1 hr 20 mins until piping hot.

puy lentils with spinach

Puy lentils with spinach & sour cherries

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the shallots and cook on a medium heat for 10 mins until softened. Add the Puy lentils, stock and sour cherries, and simmer for 10 mins. Remove from the heat and stir through the spinach and parsley.

lighter lancashire hotpot

Lighter Lancashire hotpot

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Cut the lamb into chunky 5-6cm pieces. Tip the flour onto a large plate, season with pepper and a little salt, and toss the lamb in the flour to coat evenly and completely. Set aside. Heat 2 tsp of the oil in a large, deep frying or sauté pan. Put the onions, carrots, swede, thyme sprigs and bay leaves in the pan and season with pepper. Cook on a medium-high heat for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick, until the vegetables start to go brown around the edges – the bottom of the pan should be slightly brown and caramelised too. Pour in the stock; it should sizzle then bubble in the pan. Immediately remove the pan from the heat so the stock does not reduce in volume. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Overlap a single layer of the potato slices in the bottom of a 2-litre casserole dish (about 20cm diameter x 10cm deep). Lay half the lamb over the potatoes, then spoon half the vegetable mix over the meat. Season with pepper. Sit the rest of the lamb on top, then tip the rest of the vegetables, herbs and all the liquid over the lamb. Press down with the back of a spoon, if necessary, to make room for the remaining potatoes. Start to layer up the potato slices in 3 tightly overlapping layers, seasoning each layer with pepper and brushing with oil as you go – save a bit of oil for the top layer. Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid and bake for 10 mins. Reduce the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Cook for a further 2 hrs until the lamb is really tender and the potatoes are cooked. Take the lid off and pop under the grill for 8-10 mins until the potatoes are golden and crisp around the edges. Remove and let the hotpot settle for 5-10 mins, then serve scattered with thyme leaves.

beef rendang turmeric rice 1

Beef rendang & turmeric rice

For the paste, soak the chillies in boiling water for 15 mins. Drain, remove seeds and whizz with the rest of the paste ingredients in a small food processor until smooth. Heat the oil in a wok or a heavy-based flameproof casserole dish. Fry the paste for 5 mins until the aroma is released. Add the beef and the lemongrass, and mix well. Once the beef starts to lose its pinkness, add the coconut milk and 250ml water. Bring to the boil, then lower to a simmer, uncovered. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking, and more often towards the end. Meanwhile, toast the coconut in a frying pan on a low heat for 5-7 mins until golden brown. Set aside to cool. Using a blender, coarsely blend it to finer pieces – but not too fine. Put to one side. After 2 hrs, add the coconut, kaffir lime leaves, chicken stock powder, tamarind paste, sugar and salt to the pan. Simmer for 30 mins more. You should start to see the oil separating from the mix. It’s ready when the meat is tender and almost falling apart. For the rice, use a heavy-based saucepan with a lid. Heat the oil in the pan and add the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start popping, add the turmeric, curry leaves (if using) and rice, and mix well. Add the chicken stock and 1 litre of water. Bring to the boil, then turn down to the lowest simmer and cook, covered, for 5 mins. Remove from the heat, with the lid on and leave to steam for 25 mins.

turkey banh mi

Turkey Bánh mì

To make the pickled slaw, tip the carrots and cabbage into a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, rice vinegar, sugar and a few pinches of salt. Pour over the vegetables and toss together. Set aside for at least 15 mins. Halve the baguettes lengthways and spread the pâté over the bottom half. Top with the pickled slaw, cucumber and turkey. Mix the mayonnaise with the chopped chilli and dollop over the top. Scatter over the mint leaves and sliced chilli. Sandwich together and dig in.

spicy satay wings peanut sauce

Spicy satay wings with peanut sauce

Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, snip the wing tips from the wings at the first knuckle. Discard the tips or use to make stock (see above left). Cut the remaining wing through the joint. Put the wings in a large non-metallic bowl or a food bag. Mix together the marinade ingredients and pour over the wings, toss well to coat, then chill for at least 4 hrs or overnight. For the sauce, heat the oil in a pan, then add the garlic, ginger, lemongrass and chilli, and fry for 30 secs until aromatic. Stir in the cumin, toast for a few secs, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer just long enough to make a slightly thickened sauce. Spoon into a bowl, cover and leave to cool. Can be made up to 3 days ahead and chilled. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the wings over a large baking tray, sprinkle with a little salt and roast for 40-45 mins, turning halfway, until crisped and golden. If a large amount of juice has collected in the tray at the halfway point, pour it away before continuing to roast. Just before serving, warm the peanut sauce gently and remove the lemongrass and chilli. Serve with the wings, sweet chilli sauce and cucumber sticks.

ayam kapitan

Ayam Kapitan (Captain’s curry)

Mix the turmeric, salt and 3 tbsp water in a large non-metallic dish, then add the chicken pieces. Rub all over the chicken, cover and chill overnight, or leave at room temperature for 30 mins. Meanwhile, make the spice paste. Soak the dried chillies in hot water for 20 mins until soft. Drain, then mix the chillies and other ingredients together in a processor or blender until smooth. Heat the oil in a deep wok or large, heavy-based saucepan. Fry the chicken in batches for 5 mins until golden, turning halfway through. Drain the chicken on kitchen paper. Carefully remove half of the oil to a heatproof container, then add the spice paste to the remaining oil in the wok. Fry the paste for 5 mins, then return the chicken to the pan, followed by the coconut milk, lemongrass and lime leaves. Cook for a further 5 mins, then stir in the stock powder, sugar and tamarind paste. Simmer gently for 1 hr 30 mins-1 hr 40 mins until the chicken is falling off the bones.

roast poussin with wild mushroom sauce

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.

stirfrychicken 5795

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.

stirfryvege 5809

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.

poutine

Poutine

For the gravy, toss the chicken wings in 1 tbsp of the flour, then heat the oil and butter in a large pan. Fry the chicken wings until well browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and cook for 8-10 mins until soft and turning brown at the edges. When the onions are cooked, add the remaining flour and stir well. Put the chicken wings back in the pan, then add the carrot, bay leaf, stocks and garlic. Bring to the boil and cook for 15 mins. Strain the mixture through a sieve into another pan and simmer for another 10 mins or until thick, seasoning to taste. For the chips, scrub the potatoes but leave the skins on. Chop into chunky chips and put them in a bowl filled with cold water. Pour sunflower oil into a large pan until it is just less than half full, then heat until it reaches 125C. Drain the chips from the water and pat dry with a clean tea towel. When the oil is ready, carefully lower 1/4 of the chips into the pan. Fry for 12 mins, then remove with the slotted spoon and lay on a wire rack covered with kitchen paper. Repeat the process with the remaining chips. When they have all had their first fry, increase the temperature to 190C and fry the chips in small batches again, this time for 5 mins or until golden brown. Sprinkle the chips with salt once done, keeping them warm on a wire rack or grill tray in a low oven while you fry the rest. To finish the dish, pile the chips into deep bowls, warm the gravy and pour it over the chips. Top with pieces of cheese and serve immediately.