Tomato

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.

Red lentil & squash dhal

Put the oil and the onion in a saucepan, and cook for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further 1 min, then stir in the spices and butternut squash. Combine everything together. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, stock and chutney, and season well. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer for about 10 mins. Add the lentils and simmer for another 20 mins until the lentils and squash are tender. Stir in the coriander and serve with warmed naan bread.

Chorizo & rosemary pearl barley risotto

Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and fry the chorizo for 3-4 mins until it turns golden and releases its oil. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, and cook for 3-4 mins, until they begin to soften. Add the pearl barley and stir well to coat in the oil, before tipping in the chopped tomatoes and the chicken stock. Bring just to the boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook for 30 mins, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the pearl barley is tender. You may need to top up with a little extra water as you go. Season and stir in the rosemary and chorizo to serve.

Venetian duck ragu

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the duck legs and brown on all sides for about 10 mins. Remove to a plate and set aside. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1 min, then stir in the cinnamon and flour and cook for a further min. Return the duck to the pan, add the wine, tomatoes, stock, herbs, sugar and seasoning. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat, cover with a lid and cook for 2 hrs, stirring every now and then. Carefully lift the duck legs out of the sauce and place on a plate – they will be very tender so try not to lose any of the meat. Pull off and discard the fat, then shred the meat with 2 forks and discard the bones. Add the meat back to the sauce with the milk and simmer, uncovered, for a further 10-15 mins while you cook the pasta. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and add the pasta to the ragu. Stir to coat all the pasta in the sauce and cook for 1 min more, adding a splash of cooking liquid if it looks dry. Serve with grated Parmesan, if you like.

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.

Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, salad leaves & tomatoes

Mash last night’s sweet potato so that it’s very smooth, then divide the mixture thinly and evenly between the wraps. Divide the chicken, salad leaves and tomatoes between each wrap. Fold the wrap and roll up, making sure that you contain the filling. Eat straight away or wrap in baking parchment and string (or foil) for later.

Cajun grilled chicken with lime black-eyed bean salad & guacamole

Mix together the oil, herbs, spices and garlic in a large sealable bag. Put the chicken breasts in the bag and mix thoroughly to cover. Bash the chicken with a rolling pin to flatten it a little, then set aside to marinate for at least 15 mins. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the bean salad. Stir well and set aside. For the guacamole, scoop the flesh from the avocado and put it in a medium bowl, chopping it roughly with the side of the spoon. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. If you prefer your guacamole to be smoother, mash the avocado well with the olive oil and lime juice until it’s at your preferred consistency before stirring in the other ingredients. Heat the grill. Line a grill pan with foil, place the chicken breasts on it and grill for 5 mins, checking occasionally. Once golden brown, turn and grill for a further 5-7 mins. Check the middle of the breasts after 5 mins and, if cooked through, remove from the heat. Set aside 2 chicken breasts and 2 tbsp guacamole for Open rye sandwich (see ‘goes well with’, right). Place 1 warm chicken breast on each plate, with some bean salad and a dollop of guacamole on the side.

Open rye sandwich with chicken & avocado

Divide guacamole between rye bread, spreading it evenly. Arrange 4 slices of tomato on each sandwich, and top with a sliced Cajun grilled chicken breast (see ‘goes well with’). Finish with lime juice and some ground black pepper.

Sesame chicken salad

Put the chicken in a pan and pour over cold water to cover. Tip the soya beans into a steamer. Bring the pan to a gentle simmer, then cook the chicken for 8 mins with the beans above. Meanwhile, mix the dressing ingredients in a large bowl. When the chicken is cooked, slice and toss in the dressing along with the beans, carrot, onions, tomatoes, coriander and basil. Mix really well, pile onto the salad leaves and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Fussy eaters top-your-own sweet tomato pasta

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the red pepper and sweet potato, and cook for 5-10 mins until they start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Add the red wine vinegar, sizzle for a moment, then add the chopped tomatoes and season. Cover and simmer for 30 mins until the sweet potato is really soft, adding a splash of water if it starts to look dry. Tip the sauce into a blender (or use a hand blender) and whizz until smooth. Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead or frozen for up to 3 months. Cook the pasta following pack instructions and reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan. Once the pasta is cooked, drain well and toss with the sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Serve the pasta in a big bowl for everyone to help themselves, with extra toppings to choose from to keep fussy eaters happy.

Chicken souvlaki

Put the onion in a bowl, pour over enough boiled water from a kettle to cover, then set aside for 5 mins. Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with the olives, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley and/or mint leaves, beetroot and chicken. Season the yogurt and toast the flatbreads. To serve, top each flatbread with generous spoonfuls of the souvlaki, yogurt and a drizzle of oil.

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.

Korean BBQ wings

Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for at least 10 mins. To make the sauce, pour the vinegar and soy into a jug. Heat the sugar and 1 tbsp water in a small pan until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer until it turns a deep caramel colour. Standing well back as it will spit, pour in the vinegar and soy. Reduce the heat and let it bubble for a few mins, then add the remaining sauce ingredients, stir well and cook for 5 mins until smooth and thickened. Set aside. Light the barbecue (or set your oven grill to medium). Once the coals have died down, spread out to an even layer. Cut the tips from the chicken wings, then stretch them out as straight as you can and push a skewer through the length of each wing. Brush the skin with the oil and season. Cook the wings on the barbecue or under the grill for 10 mins each side, until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown and crisp. Remove the skewers to a large plate. Pour two-thirds of the sauce into a bowl, reserving the rest in the pan. Using a brush, coat each skewer well with the sauce from the bowl, then return them to the barbecue or grill and cook for a further 2-3 mins each side until the sauce has caramelised. Transfer the skewers to a serving platter. Reheat the reserved sauce, adding a splash of water to loosen if needed, then drizzle over the skewers. Top with the sesame seeds and spring onions.

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 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.

Barbecued chicken fajita skewers

Make the marinade. In a large bowl, juice both the limes. Add the oregano, spices, olive oil and garlic, and mix together. Dice the chicken, then get your child to stir it through the marinade, and set aside. Prepare the vegetables. Deseeding the peppers and halving the onion is tricky, so do this yourself. Children aged from about seven or above can cut them into chunks using a child-friendly knife. Make your skewers. Carefully thread alternate pieces of chicken, peppers and onion onto your skewers. Smaller children might find this a little hard, so the best way is to stab the ingredients and push them up the skewers. When you’ve used up all the ingredients, set aside. Can be made several hours ahead and chilled until ready to cook. Prepare the guacamole. Stone and peel the avocados, then tip into a bowl with the other ingredients. Get your child to use a potato masher to mash everything together and tip into a serving dish. Cook the skewers. Heat a barbecue or griddle pan. Cook the skewers for 10-12 mins, turning, until they are cooked all the way through. A child from the age of eight can watch over a griddle and turn the skewers with a pair of tongs. Serve the skewers on heated tortillas with the guacamole, soured cream, chopped coriander, lime wedges on the side and chilli sauce for those who like a touch of spice.

Greek-style roast chicken

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes in a roasting tin and drizzle with half the oil. Sit the chicken thighs on top, drizzle over the remaining oil and season. Roast in the oven for 30 mins. Add the cherry tomatoes, olives, oregano leaves and feta, then drizzle with the red wine vinegar. Return to the oven for another 25-30 mins until the chicken is cooked through and golden.

Shepherd’s pie with lamb’s liver

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide, lidded frying pan or flameproof casserole dish. Fry the mince for 10 mins or until well browned. While it cooks, remove large tubes, stringy bits and membrane from the liver, and discard, then finely chop the liver. Add the liver to the mince and cook for a few mins until it changes colour. Tip the mince and liver into a bowl, deglaze the pan using a splash of the stock, then pour the liquid on top of the mince and liver mixture. Wipe out the pan. Heat the rest of the oil. Add the vegetables and herbs, season and soften for 10 mins. Stir in the purée, Worcestershire sauce, mince, liver and stock. Cover and simmer for 1 1?2 hrs until the sauce is rich and the meat tender. After 45 mins, stir it and add a splash of water if at all dry. If any bits of liver look prominent, mash them into the sauce. Start the mash topping with 30 mins cooking time to go. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain. Warm 150ml of milk in the potato pan, then add the drained potatoes and the butter. Mash until smooth, adding more milk if needed. Season generously and stir through most of the cheese and all the parsley. When the mince and liver is ready, transfer it to a deep baking dish. Top with the mash, smoothing it to the edges of the dish, then scallop the top with a knife or leave it rough. Scatter with the rest of the cheese and bake for 45 mins until golden and bubbling. Let stand for 5 mins, then serve with seasonal vegetables and an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce.

Acquacotta

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the celery, carrots, onion, garlic and thyme for 10-15 mins until softened. Meanwhile, cover the porcini with hot water and soak for 15 mins until softened and swollen. Drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid, and roughly chop. Add to the softened vegetables along with the soaking liquid and cook for another 5 mins. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 10 mins until they begin to break down, then pour in the stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Poach the 6 eggs in a separate large saucepan of simmering water for 3-4 mins until set, then remove with a slotted spoon. Add the parsley and a little seasoning to the soup, and mix in the torn-up toasted bread. Divide the soup between 6 bowls and place an egg on top of each. Serve scattered with extra thyme.

Tomato & chorizo risotto

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sizzle the chorizo for 1 min until some of the oil starts to come out. Add the onion and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the risotto rice and cook for 1 min. Splash in the vinegar, then add the tomatoes and stir well. Gradually add the hot stock, a ladleful at a time – stir the rice until the stock is absorbed, then add the next ladleful. With the last ladleful of stock, add the peas and keep stirring until the rice is cooked. Turn off the heat and stir through the Parmesan and parsley, if using. Serve straight from the pan, with extra Parmesan, if you like.

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.

Fruity turkey tagine

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook gently for 8 mins or until softened. Add the carrots and parsnips, and cook for 8 mins until starting to soften and brown a little. Stir in the garlic and ras el hanout, and cook for a further 30 secs. Tip in the stock, tomatoes, chickpeas, dried fruit and 150ml water. Season, bring to a simmer and cook for 25-30 mins until the vegetables are tender. Add the turkey and simmer for 5 mins to warm through. Stir in the honey, then scatter over the coriander and almonds just before serving with couscous and Greek yogurt.

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.

Pappardelle with rabbit & chestnut ragu

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, wide pan or flameproof casserole dish with a lid. Season the rabbit and toss in the flour. Add to the hot oil and brown on all sides – you may have to do this in batches. When it is a deep golden brown all over, transfer to a plate. Add the remaining oil and the lardons to the pan and cook for 10 mins until crisp and golden. Add the onion, carrot and celery, and stir for 10 mins, scraping up any crispy bits from the bottom, until the veg has softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Next, stir in the cinnamon, juniper, bay leaves and rosemary. After 1 min, pour in the wine and crumble in the stock cube. Simmer for 5 mins, then add the tomatoes and return the rabbit to the pan. Nestle the rabbit into the sauce, cover with a lid and simmer gently for 2 hrs, stirring once or twice. Remove the rabbit, give the sauce a good stir, then cover again. Continue simmering the sauce while you shred the meat from the bones using 2 forks. Discard the bones and add the meat back to the pan, along with half the chestnuts. Cook, uncovered, for another 30 mins until reduced to a thick, rich sauce. Add the remaining chestnuts. Can now be cooled and chilled overnight, or frozen for up to 2 months. Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Stir the milk, orange zest and parsley into the sauce and reheat, if chilled. When the pasta is cooked, add it to the sauce and cook together for 1 min more. Serve with Parmesan, if you like.

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.

Lebanese chicken wraps

Lay the chicken breasts on a sheet of baking parchment, cover with another sheet of parchment, then flatten by bashing them with a rolling pin. Mix half the yogurt in a large bowl with half the lemon juice, the lemon zest, allspice, olive oil, garlic and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly, then stir in the chicken, making sure it is well coated in the mixture. Cover and chill for 30 mins to marinate. Heat a griddle pan over a high heat and cook the chicken for 5-6 mins each side or until cooked through (you may need to do this in batches). Transfer to a board and slice. Spread the rest of the yogurt over the wraps and fill with the pine nuts, cooked chicken, parsley, tomatoes and cucumber. Drizzle over the rest of the lemon juice and roll up. Put the wraps back on the griddle pan for 30 secs each side to lightly toast, then serve with a mixed 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.

Spicy harissa chicken with lentils

Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Fry the onion on a low heat for 5-6 mins until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Stir in the harissa, add the chicken and cook until well browned all over. Stir in the carrot, lentils and tomatoes, then add the stock so the chicken is fully immersed. Reduce the heat and cook, uncovered, for 30-35 mins until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, and the lentils are tender and have absorbed the liquid. Season well, scatter with parsley (if using) and serve.

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.

Chicken korma melts

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan and arrange the chicken in a large ovenproof dish. Beat the cheese, korma paste and the 1 tbsp coriander together with a squeeze of lemon. Squeeze the remaining lemon over the chicken and spread the curry mix on top. Scatter over the chili and bake for 15 mins. Remove from the oven, add the tomatoes to the dish then return to cook for another 10 mins. Scatter with more coriander and serve with rice and salad or new potatoes and vegetables

Easy chicken & chickpea tagine

Mix the chicken thighs with the harissa in a large bowl and chill, covered, for 20-30 mins. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole or tagine dish and fry the chicken for 2-3 mins until browned. Remove from the dish and set aside. Fry the onion for 8-10 mins until soft, then stir in the spices. Return the chicken to the dish, together with the stock, tomatoes and raisins. Season, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 45 mins. Add the chickpeas to the dish, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 mins until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens. Serve with couscous and a handful of mint leaves on top.

Chorizo & cabbage stew

Put the chorizo, onion and potatoes in a large non-stick pan. Leave to fry in the oil that comes from the chorizo, stirring occasionally for about 5 mins. Tip in the tomatoes with 2 cans of water, add the stock cube, then bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 10 mins. Add the cabbage, then cover and cook 3-5 mins more until it is just tender. Ladle into bowls and serve.