VOKDA ORZOTTO

Faced with a solo Valentine's Day Friday night in after a crazy busy work week, I wanted to make something comforting and familiar but still add a twist and cook something I had not before! 

This is what inspired me to make pasta a la vodka (a firm favourite of mine) into a sort risotto, using orzo, and the end result was so decadent, creamy, spicy and sodelicious that I wonder why I hadn't tried it earlier!

Even better the whole dish is made using one pot and takes a lot less time to get on the dinner table than your bog standard risotto.

Absolutely a new favourite.

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 onion
• 2 red chillies
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 150g tomato purée
• 500g orzo
• 50ml vodka
• 150g vegetarian Italian hard cheese or Parmesan
• 200ml double cream
• 25g basil leaves
• salt and black pepper

METHOD

• Finely chop the onion, chillies and garlic.
• Heat the oil in the frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion with a big pinch of salt and gently fry for 5–10 minutes until softened. 
• Add the chillies and garlic and fry for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute.
• Tip in the orzo and, once coated, add the vodka, allowing it to cook off for 1–2 minutes.
• Add 1 litre of boiling water, a little at a time, allowing each big splash to be fully absorbed before adding the next. 
• When all the water is fully absorbed, the orzo should be plump and tender, with a slight bite, about 15 minutes. 
• You may need to add more water and continue to cook if it feels too al dente.
• Meanwhile, finely grate the cheese.
• Stir the cream and cheese into the orzotto and season well with salt and black pepper. 
• Stir in half of the basil leaves and loosen with more water, if needed.
• Spoon into 4 bowls, then serve topped with extra grated cheese and the remaining basil leaves.

HEALTHY SALMON TRAYBAKE WITH POTATOES, ASPARAGUS & SAMPHIRE

Dry Jan is officially over and I am gearing up for an indulgent birthday week (I don't just do a one day birthday), so I was after a healthy Sunday supper before celebrations really kick off.

This one tray dinner hit the spot - packed full of veg, omega 3 and still super tasty, especially when finished off with my homemade honey mustard sauce.

Minimal kitchen mess, maximum yummy goodness.

SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pieces of salmon fillet
• 500g new potatoes halved, or potatoes cut into chunks
• 3 lemons sliced
• 300g asparagus spears
• 20g dill
• 2 tbsp capers
• 100g samphire
• Olive oil

METHOD

Roast your jersey royals and sliced lemons for 20 minutes with some olive oil.
Add the whole salmon fillet to the tray, season and top with dill. 

Drizzle with olive oil and roast for 6 minutes.
Add the asparagus and roast for 6 minutes more.
Stir samphire in with the capers and allow to steam cook in the tray for a few minutes.

Serve drizzled with your homemade honey mustard sauce.

HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp clear honey
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp light muscovado sugar
3 tbsp groundnut oil
A handful dill chopped

BLACK BEAN & SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS

I am in the midst of show season which means even weekend cooking needs to be a little less elaborate than usual and fit around sending out call sheets and dealing with last minute dramas.

It is also very cold and gross outside so comforting, warming dishes are still on the agenda for me which is why I decided to make these very delicious, very easy to make and veggie friendly black bean and sweet potato enchiladas! 

You can make your enchilada sauce from scratch but on this occasion, after a very long work week, I cut a corner and bought a very good ready made version from Waitrose.

I still love cooking even during busy times but you don't always have to go all out on the recipe front - this one tray wonder was just what I needed on a cold January Friday night!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large sweet potatoes 
• 1 red onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tin (400g) black beans
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• Pinch of hot chilli powder 
• 2.5 cups (500ml) enchilada sauce (I got mine @ Waitrose)
• 4 tortilla wraps (flour or corn)
• Cheddar cheese, grated

TOPPINGS

• Fresh coriander
• Avocado
• Creme Fraiche 

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
• Cut the sweet potato into 1cm chunks. 
• Place in a baking tray and toss with some oil, salt and pepper.
• Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes until soft and starting to brown on the edges.
• Heat a tbsp of oil in a pan on medium heat. 
• Add finely chopped red onion, stir and let cook for a couple of minutes.
• Then add the garlic and fry for a few minutes until fragrant and the onions are soft. 
• Add drained black beans, cumin, smoked paprika and pinch of hot chilli powder ( or more if you like it spicy). 
• Stir and fry for 30 seconds.
• Add 1 cup (about 200ml) of the enchilada sauce along with the roasted sweet potato and mix until combined. 
• Season with salt and pepper and take off the heat.
• Prepare to assemble the enchiladas. 
• Warm up the tortillas for 20-30 seconds until soft.
• In a large roasting dish spoon a few tbsp of sauce and spread into a thin layer.
• Take a tortilla, place 2 tbsp of filling inside and a small handful of cheese. 
• Gently roll and then place open side down. 
• Repeat until all enchiladas are snug in the dish.
• Pour over and spread the remaining sauce on top. I
• Scatter the cheese on top and bake for 20-25 minutes until the sides are bubbling and the cheese is nice and melted.
• Serve and top with fresh coriander, avocado, lime and chilli.

CREAMY CARAMELISED LEEK & GRUYERE PASTA

I am a little bit obsessed with leeks at the moment. 

They are one of a handful of vegetables which are actually in season right now and are the perfect earthy veg to add to a comforting dish on a cold January day which is why they work so bloody well in this caramelised leek pasta with Gruyere.

It's creamy, cheesy, delicious and super quick and easy to make with only 6 ingredients - what is not to love!!! I for one definitely went for a second bowl on a freezing cold Saturday night spent at home!

SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

• 400 g rigatoni
• Sea salt
• 2 leeks
• Olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
• 4 heaped tablespoon low fat creme fraiche
• 200g gruyere, grated
• fresh cracked black pepper, to serve

METHOD

• Start by getting the pasta on to boil.
• Dice the leeks, add a generous glug of olive oil to a pan and fry on a relatively high heat until the edges char and they start to soften.
• Add the minced garlic and stir through the anchovy fillets pressing them into the pan so that they melt down.
• Add a ladle of the pasta water into the pan, bubble for a couple of minutes then turn the heat down and add the creme fraiche followed by a handful of gruyere.
• Drain the pasta once al dente and stir through the pasta sauce.
• Serve up topped with lots more gruyere, a little black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

SWEET POTATO & BEAN CHILLI WITH PICKLED RED ONION

I am continuing in my effort to eat healthy and wholesome this January, whilst still keeping recipes tasty and warming, especially when it's so bloody cold outside and comfort food is all you really craves.

This sweet potato chilli, packed with veg and beans and topped with avocado, sour cream and homemade pickled onions ticks ALL those boxes and is also pretty much a one pot wonder, meaning minimal kitchen mess and maximum flavours!

I really enjoyed this after a long first week back in office reality and hope you will too!

SERVES 3-4

CHILLI INGREDIENTS 

• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tin canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1 tin cooked black beans
• 1 tin cooked kidney beans
• 2 vegetable stock cubes
• vegetable bouillon cubes, crushed
• 2  large sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1  red pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tin of sweetcorn

RECOMMENDED TOPPINGS

• 2 avocados, sliced
• Pickled red onions (recipe below)
• Sour cream
• Coriander

METHOD

• To a large saucepan on high heat, add the oil and onion and cook until golden.
• Then add the garlic and spices and cook while stirring for another 1 - 2 minutes more.
• Add a bit more oil followed by tomato paste. 
• Cook to toast for 1 more minute, stirring throughout.
• Deglaze the pot by adding in the crushed tomatoes, water, beans, lentils, stock cubes, sweet potato, and pepper.
• Bring everything to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook partially covered for 30 minutes. 
• Stir every 5 - 10 minutes.
• If a thicker consistency is desired, remove the lid and cook uncovered for several more minutes. 
• Stir in the corn in the last few minutes before serving.
• Add all your toppings and enjoy.

PICKLED RED ONIONS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

METHOD

• Combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. 
• Whisk together until sugar and salt is fully dissolved.
• Place onion in a jar or bowl. 
• Pour vinegar mixture over the onions and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour if you're in a rush. Preferably, cover jar or bowl and place in refrigerator for at least 1 day. 
• Pickled onions will last for a few weeks stored in the refrigerator.

MY 10 FAVOURITE HEALTHY RECIPES

Like most of us, I just about drank and ate everything in sight over the Christmas break which was glorious and very, very fun, but now that we are facing a long and cold January many of us want to eat healthy, work out and stay away from the booze for while, me included.

But eating and cooking in a more healthy and wholesome way does not mean you have to live off salads and bland vegetables, which is why I have compiled my 10 favourite tried and tested healthy recipes to get you through January!

1. MISO MUSHROOMS WITH SWEET POTATO MASH & MISO GRAVY

2. ALASKAN SALMON CAESAR SALAD

3. ONE PAN COCONUT & LEMON ORZO WITH SWEET CHILLI SALMON

4. BUTTERNUT SQUASH, LEEK & MUSHROOM GRATIN WITH BUTTER BEANS

5. SALMON WITH COCONUT MISO SAUCE & SWEET POTATO MASH

6. SESAME GINGER NOODLE SOUP WITH CARAMELISED MUSHROOMS

7. COD TRAY BAKE WITH BUTTERBEANS, GREEN BEANS AND AIOLI

8. KIMCHI FRIED RICE

9. BROCCOLI, POTATO & SALMON TIKKI TRAY BAKE

10. PRAWN, BUTTER BEAN & FETA TOMATOEY STEW WITH DILL AND HARISSA

BAKED CHEESY GNOCCHI WITH KALE & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Compulsory Christmas overeating is just around the corner, so I have been trying to rustle up comforting yet veg packed food in the run up to the big day.

Yes, there is some cheese involved in the making of this dish, but also a ton of kale and Brussels sprouts that are combined with some gnocchi and a quickly whipped up béchamel before being baked in the oven to get you a delicious, warming gratin that is perfect as a veggie friendly main on a cold December evening!

SERVES 2 

INGREDIENTS

• 400g Brussels sprouts 
• 1 bunch of kale (chopped)
• 1 leek (sliced)
• 500g gnocchi
•  cloves garlic (minced or grated)
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp oil
• 600ml milk
• Parmesan
• A few sprigs fresh thyme 
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Salt and pepper


METHOD

• Prep the veggies: 
Heat a large pan over medium heat. 
• Add a splash of olive oil and the Brussels sprouts, cooking for ~10 minutes until 80% done. 
• Add a splash of water to help them steam, then set aside in a bowl.

• Toss the kale into the same pan with a little water, steam for a few minutes, and add to the bowl with the sprouts.
• Wipe out the pan, add more olive oil, and cook the gnocchi until golden and crispy on all sides. 
• Add to the bowl with the veggies.
• Make the béchamel:
In a large pot, sauté the leeks in olive oil with a pinch of salt until soft. 
• Stir in the garlic and thyme, cooking for another minute. 
• Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes, then slowly whisk in the milk. 
• Let simmer until thickened. Finish with a generous handful of Parmesan, a pinch of nutmeg, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
• Assemble and bake:
 Combine the Brussels sprouts, kale, and gnocchi with the béchamel, then pour into an ovenproof dish. 
• Top with grated cheese and bake at 180°C for 25–30 minutes.

• Let the dish cool for about 5 minutes and then TUCK IN!

CAULIFLOWER, MUSHROOM & WALNUT 'BOLOGNESE'

I have tried my fair share of vegetarian takes on the ultimate comfort that is a spaghetti bolognese and none had come even close to the meaty original. That all changed with this outstanding cauliflower, mushroom and walnut 'bolognese'!

Yes, without a food processor there is quite a lot of chopping today (which I find quite therapeutic anyways) but the end result is really, really worth it. The sauce is rich, comforting and in terms of flavour literally like a proper bolognese sauce, just without a single animal harmed. 

This will win over even the most ardent carnivore and I will for sure be adding this to the regular recipe repertoire.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Sticks Celery
• 150g Walnuts
• 4 Sprigs Thyme
• 2 tbsp Miso Paste
• 450g Chestnut Mushrooms
• 1 Cauliflower
• 1 Onion
• 500g Pappardelle
• 5 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 70g Parmesan
• 6 tbsp Olive Oil
• 600ml Water
• 5 tbsp Single Cream

METHOD

• Heat oven to 230°C. 
• Grab your food processor if you have one – it will be your best friend here! 
• If you don't, no panic. 
• Simply finely chopping will do the job. 
• It will slightly increase your prep time but I promise, it’s worth it.
• Add the mushrooms to the processor and pulse until coarse. 
• Break the cauliflower into florets and, working in batches, repeat the process until the cauliflower starts to resemble grains of rice. 
• Add cauliflower and mushrooms to 2 lined baking trays and drizzle with most of the olive oil. 
• Season with salt and lots of pepper, then roast for 20 mins. 
• Add the walnuts, give it a good mix, and cook for 15 more, flipping the trays to make sure it's all golden. You want everything to be golden and starting to catch - then it’s done.
• Blitz celery, onion and garlic in the processor, no need to clean it out. 
• Heat the remaining oil over a medium heat and cook it all in a pan for 10 mins along with the thyme. 
• Add tomato purée and miso, and cook for 2 mins, then add the cauliflower, mushrooms, and walnuts and water. 
• Simmer for 20 mins until thickened.
• Then mix through the cream.
• Get your salted pasta water on to boil, then add in the pasta, cooking to package instructions. 
• Grate your parmesan. 
• Add the Parmesan to the ragù and transfer the pasta directly from its pot along with a good slosh of pasta water. 
• Mix vigorously to emulsify until it's really glossy. 
• Garnish with more thyme and a little more Parm if you like and ENJOY!

PRAWN & VEG YAKI UDON

I had a weekend of hosting and making pasta bakes (my go to option when having people over for dinner as you can prep everything ahead of time and just have to shove it all in the oven once everyone is there and hungry), so fancied something lighter and cheese-less when it came to my Sunday dinner. 

This super easy and quick to make udon dish is packed with veg (you can literally throw in whatever you  have hiding in the fridge that needs using up), juicy prawn and a tasty, sticky sauce that brings everything together.

Finish it all off with a fried egg, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a drizzle of chilli oil and you have a bowl of comforting but good for you food that is perfect for a cold and dark Sunday solo supper!

 SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

• 3 packs fresh udon noodles
• 250g raw king prawns
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 aubergine, thinly sliced
• 1 red chilli, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 150g broccoli florets
• 150g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 heaped tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• Vegetable oil

TO SERVE

• Crispy fried egg
• Spring onions, diagonally sliced
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chilli oil

METHOD

• Start by preparing all your vegetables. 
• Thinly slice everything (this makes it cook super fast).
• Add a splash of vegetable oil and sesame oil to a large frying pan and set heat to high.
• Add your shallot, garlic, chilli, and spring onions. 
• After a minute it should be fragrant, so add the rest of your vegetabless. 
• Once everything remove from the pan.
• Meanwhile, boil the water for your udon. 
• Cook according to the packet instructions – fresh udon should only take 1-2 minutes
• Pat dry your prawns and season with salt and pepper. 
• Add another splash of oil to the wok, keeping it on a high heat, then quickly sear your prawns on both sides
• Once pink and cooked through, add your udon and vegetables
• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. 
• Pour over contents of the wok, and toss until everything is well combined.
• Garnish with a crispy fried egg, sesame seeds, chilli oil, and thinly sliced spring onions. 
• Enjoy!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAGE & HOT HONEY ORZO

As you can probably tell by now I love cooking with butternut squash during autumn and this butternut squash orzo with hot honey and sage may just be my favourite recipe featuring it yet!!!

It also saw me cooking with the very "of the moment" hot honey (honey infused with chilli) for the first time and it definitely won't be the last time! 

As was and is the case with a drizzle of truffle oil to give a dish that extra va va voom, hot honey is that perfect mix of sweet and spicy that elevates this vegetable based dish into something quite outstanding.

There are few prep steps involved but trust me on this one, the restaurant worthy end result will make it worth the time and effort. 

Definitely in my top 5 home cooked dishes of the year and a must make to impress whoever is coming over for dinner.

SERVES 3-4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ kg Butternut Squash
• 2 White Onions
• 4 Tomatoes
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 1 tsp Chilli Flakes
• 40g Fresh Sage
• 400g Orzo
• 600 ml Vegetable Stock
• 60g Hot Honey
• 60g Parmesan
• ½ Lemon
• 40g Salted Butter
• Rapeseed Oil

METHOD

• Heat the oven to 200°C fan.
• Cut the squash in half from stem to tip. Scoop out the seeds and set to one side. 
• Keep the skin on the white onion and quarter it through the root. 
• Halve the tomatoes.
• Cut each half of the squash into 4-6 wedges and spread over a baking sheet, making sure there’s plenty of space between each piece. 
• Arrange the onion quarters, tomatoes and unpeeled garlic cloves in the gaps, cut-side down, then drizzle with a generous glug of rapeseed oil, turning the squash pieces so they’re glossy. 
• Sprinkle with the chilli flakes and a generous pinch of salt. 
• Roast for 35-45 mins, until the squash are bronzing and blistering at the edges, turning the wedges over after around 25 mins.
• Meanwhile, spread the squash seeds over a small baking sheet, using two forks to separate the seeds from the flesh. 
• Don’t worry too much if some are attached or there are still clumps of flesh – it all tastes good. 
• Drizzle with a glug of rapeseed oil, and add a good sprinkle of salt. 
• Roast in the oven for 20-25 mins until golden, shuffling the tray once or twice. 
• When there’s 10 mins left, add the sage leaves to the tray, dragging them through the oil first.
• Cook the orzo in salted boiling water for 2 mins less than the packet time (so probably 8 mins), until the chalkiness is just gone, but the grains are not totally swollen. 
• Drain through a sieve and rinse under a cold running tap to cool them down. Mix with a fork to separate the grains then return to the saucepan.
• Once the squash pieces are tender and coloured at the edges, transfer half to a blender, along with the tomatoes, onion pieces, garlic and any juices on the tray (remove the skins from the onion and garlic as you do this). 
• Add the butter, a pinch of salt and ⅔ of the stock to the contents of the blender and blitz until it’s a silky smooth sauce.
• Add a drizzle of hot honey to the squash pieces, then return to the oven (turning it off at the same time).
• Pour the sauce into the orzo pan and set over a low-medium heat to warm through for 2-3 mins. 
• Grate in ⅔ of the Parmesan and squeeze in the lemon juice. 
• The orzo will swell and stiffen but you want something that flows like the loosest risotto, so add more stock if you need to, then check for seasoning before dividing between pasta bowls or plates.
• Top with the squash wedges, a grating of Parmesan, the roasted seeds and sage and a really generous drizzle of hot honey.

MUSHROOM GNOCCHI BAKE

  

I LOVE mushrooms and they work a treat in this comforting, super easy to make creamy and cheesy mushroom gnocchi bake!

The taleggio slices on top are a must, giving the bake a luxurious melted cheese topping which is the warming food we all need on a rainy autumn day!

Serves 3-4

INGREDIENTS

• 150g Spinach
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 1 Lemon
• 4 tbsp Single Cream
• 100g Taleggio
• 2 tsp Chilli Flakes
• 25g Parsley
• 15g Thyme
• 200g Mushrooms
• 250g Chestnut Mushrooms
• 800g Gnocchi
• Olive Oil

METHOD

• Slice up your mushrooms. 
• Add a splash of olive oil to a frying pan. 
• Cook the mushrooms until browned and shrivelled.
• Add your crushed garlic, the thyme leaves, half your chilli flakes and half of your parsley chopped. 
• Add the zest from your lemon/s. Mix everything in. 
• Add single cream. 
• Allow it to bubble down and add your spinach. 
• Leave it to wilt.
• Add gnocchi to a bowl and cover with boiling water. 
• Leave for 5 minutes.
• Back to your sauce. 
• Once the spinach has wilted, add the juice from half of the lemon/s.
• Add a little of water from the gnocchi bowl to the sauce. 
• Mix together. 
• Drain the gnocchi and add to the sauce.
• Mix everything together. 
• Season well with salt and pepper. Add more gnocchi water if needed.
• Pour the gnocchi into an oven proof dish. 
• Top with slices of taleggio, sprinkle on the rest of the chilli flakes and place under the grill for 10 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
• Spoon out the gnocchi, top with the remaining chopped parsley and tuck in. 
• Enjoy

CHEESY BUTTERNUT SQUASH, LEEK & MUSHROOM GRATIN WITH BUTTER BEANS

On a cold and rainy day like today there really is nothing better than an oozy gratin, hot out the oven, for dinner.

This gratin also happens to be packed with tons of veg, as well as protein from the butter beans, with a little bit of cheese and cream added into the mix for a touch of indulgence to make even the most miserable day a little better.

SERVES 2-3

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Leeks
• 200g mushrooms
• 15g Sage
• 1 Butternut Squash
• 470g Drained Butter Beans
• 1 tbsp Wholegrain Mustard
• 300 ml Single Cream
• 150 g Extra Mature Cheddar 
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper

METHOD

• Preheat your oven to 200°C.
• Wash and finely slice your leek an mushrooms, roughly chop the sage. 
• Place a saucepan over medium heat and add 2 tbsp of olive oil. 
• Add the leeks, mushrooms and sage and sweat down for 5 mins until soft and golden.
• While the veg cooks, wash and slice your butternut squash into roughly half centimetre thick slices and set aside. 
• Grate the cheddar and also set aside.
• Drain your butter beans and add to the leeks along with the mustard and cream, mix well and season with salt and pepper.
• In a large oven dish, spread a layer of squash, followed by half of the butter bean mix and roughly a third of the grated cheddar.
• Repeat with a second layer of squash, butter beans and cheddar, then a final layer of squash and the remaining cheddar.
• Place into the oven for 40 mins until the squash is tender and the cheese is golden brown.
• Allow to rest for 5 mins before serving.