Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry

Easy, cheap, healthy, vegetarian and delicious = perfect for January :) - although coconut milk isn't the cheapest - so what I find works really well is instead of using 2 cans, use 1 and then to substitute the other can of coconut milk for coconut flour and stock/milk - it does the trick perfectly! (Coconut flour is also a great gluten-free thickener for curries like this as in general.) Enjoy!

Roasted Spiced Sunflower Seeds

I'm keeping with January's theme of cheap, easy and scrumptious I've perfected my recipe for delectable honey and spiced roasted sunflower seeds: a fraction of the price of most nuts with all the same goodness and nutrients, plus half the fat and calories (compared with peanuts). These are fantastic on their own, over salads, sprinkled on top of a gratin...basically on anything :)

Honey and Oregano Chicken Breasts with Fennel and Cannellini Beans

Janu'worry' is upon us and along with the woes of 'back to work' and empty bank accounts are woes of weight gain and the need to get back to gym. So here's another recipe using some of my favourites that's simple and quick as well as easy on both the waste and the wallet (save for the parmesan I guess, but a little cream will suffice if needs be.)

The Best Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken and The Winner of The Philips Airfryer XXL

A few weeks ago I was given a Philips Airfryer XXL to try out and I have to say it exceeded my expectations. I've made some seriously delicious meals and found it to be fantastic when cooking for 1-4 people.

One Dish Dinner: Chicken, Fennel and Cannellini Beans

Who doesn't love a one-dish wonder?

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuits

Butter, sugar, flour, chocolate - that's it. 

The Best Chicken Soup

Yes, I add wine to my chicken soup, I add wine and butter to most things, and I assure you it makes them taste better. To make my stock I use chicken carcasses and bones, boiled in water with 1 Tbsp of stock concentrate for added flavour...This recipe is my go-to winter warmer - enjoy!

Butternut and Beetroot Tart with a Feta and Nut Cream

Valentines Day is fast approaching and with that a world of disappointment for the thousands that forgot, didn't getting a reservation, or just didn't plan it right. Restaurants will be packed to the rafters so why no spoil your someone special with a beautiful dinner at home? Get a good bottle of wine (a slightly wooded chenin or chardonnay would go down a treat with this), a big bunch of flowers and you're golden!

This is my final phyllo recipe in conjunction with Mediterranean Delicacies for their #PhabPhyllo campaign. And I think this final recipe might be my favourite: the combination of the feta, cream and nuts is deliciously rich and pairs beautifully with the sweet butternut, slightly tart beetroot and crispy phyllo. If you can't fathom eating strictly vegetarian then pair this with some lemon and herb chicken breasts...I'm sure you could get creative and shape those into heart too ;) 

Chicken Breasts in Parma Ham with Courgette Spaghetti

 

An easy midweek meal that's carb-free and delicious - Yes please :)

Mushroom, Asparagus and Feta Parcels

My latest #PhabPhyllo recipe in conjunction with Mediterranean Delicacies is all about veggies: these little parcels are simple and delicious. They also make for great lunch box fillers. You can substitute the asparagus for tenderstem broccoli if it's not in season. Happy #MeatFreeMonday

Sweetcorn, Coriander and Spring Onion Fritters

Breakfast for 4 done. It's vegetarian, but will go down a treat with some crispy streaky bacon ;)

Nectarine, Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Happy New Year! Healthy needn't be boring and salads needn't include lettuce. This is a tweak to the traditional caprese with nectarines, avo and pumpkin seeds - the seeds give it great texture and you can use any seeds you like...or, if you're feeling flush, throw some toasted pine nuts on there.

Orange, Rosemary and Cinnamon Spiced Roast Chicken

An easy and sumptuous roast chicken recipe for those of you who, like me, aren't too fond of turkey at this time of year. The flavours are still Christmassy in nature so I think it would go down a treat on Christmas day.

Spiced Pear and Chocolate Strudel

My December #PhabPhyllo recipe in conjunction with Mediterranean Delicacies is an ode to everyone out there who hates raisins and has to endure Christmas pudding, mince pies and Christmas Cake on repeat at this time of year (my husband happens to be one such person). So I created a festive strudel that has all the wonderful flavours of Christmas: spice, orange, nuts and chocolate...just not the raisins, and it's utterly scrumptious if I don't say so myself...

Chicken in a Tarragon Cream Sauce

More rain means more decadent dinners: save salads for lunch I say, but dinner at the moment need to be a little more grown up in my books. Caramelising the onions in this dish adds a hint of sweetness which really brings the dish together and who can say 'no' to double cream? I served this with simple baked potatoes, asparagus and mange tout.

Osso Bucco

Classic Osso Bucco (my way). What more can you say? I love serving it with the gremolata pasta as I feel it brings a freshness to what is a very rich dish. The lemon is the absolute key for me and the addition of bacon is in no way classic, but I tend to add a little bacon or a few lardons to most stews as I feel it just makes them that much more delicious, people might also scoff at my use of a whole bottle of wine, but I think it's just perfect.

Baked Feta Phyllo Parcels

The perfect starter. I'm a fan of cheese in every form, but baked cheese is right there at the top. When you bake feta, it doesn't melt but rather softens to a delicate sponge, similar to holloumi. Wrapping it  in crisp phyllo and serving it with honey, a squeeze of lime and fresh mint just makes this simple little number irresistible. This is my 4th #PhabPhyllo recipe for the wonderful Mediterranean Delicacies - a company I just love working with because of the quality of their products.

The Easiest and Best Chimichurri Sauce

This is my ultimate chimichurri recipe dedicated to my dearest friend who absolutely loves it and is getting married this weekend. I promise to make this for you always! It's an uncooked sauce for steak that originated in Argentina and once you've made it you'll never be able to serve steak without it again. It literally takes 30 seconds to make - you just bung all the ingredients into the food processor and you're done.

Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea Gratin

Proof that #MeatFreeMonday needn't be boring. I'm in the mood for comfort food and this one is an absolute win; the addition of onions, chickpeas and spices instantly takes this gratin from a side dish to a main. Enjoy!

Chicken and Leek Pie

Simple and delicious - what more could you ask for? 

My monthly recipe using Mediterranean Delicacies Phyllo Pastry saw me coming up with a tasty, affordable and lighter version of the traditional chicken and leek pie. I just love the contrast of the light and crispy phyllo against the rich and creamy filling.