Nur Batma

Chicken satay salad
Method
STEP 1
Pour the tamari into a large dish and stir in the curry powder, cumin, garlic and honey. Mix well. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 fillets in total, then add to the marinade and mix well to coat. Set aside in the fridge for at least 1 hr, or overnight, to allow the flavours to pe*****te the chicken.

STEP 2
Meanwhile, mix the peanut butter with the chilli sauce, lime juice, and 1 tbsp water to make a spoonable sauce. When ready to cook the chicken, wipe a large non-stick frying pan with a little oil. Add the chicken and cook, covered with a lid, for 5-6 mins on a medium heat, turning the fillets over for the last min, until cooked but still moist. Set aside, covered, to rest for a few mins.

STEP 3
While the chicken rests, toss the lettuce wedges with the cucumber, shallot, coriander and pomegranate, and pile onto plates. Spoon over a little sauce. Slice the chicken, pile on top of the salad and spoon over the remaining sauce. Eat while the chicken is still warm.

Piri-piri pork ribs
Method
STEP 1
Tip all the marinade ingredients into a mini chopper or blender along with a large pinch of salt and blitz until smooth. If there’s a thin membrane on the back of the ribs, peel this off as best you can. Smear half the marinade over the ribs, then transfer to a large plate, cover and chill for at least 2 hrs or up to 24 hrs.

STEP 2
If you have a lidded or kettle barbecue, set it up for indirect cooking (with coals on one side and a drip tray under where you’ll be cooking the ribs). If you can read the temperature on your barbecue, it should be at about 150C. Or, heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. If slow-cooking on the barbecue over the drip tray, first pour 500ml water into the tray, lay the ribs on the grill rack above, cover the barbecue with its lid and cook the ribs for 2-3 hrs, turning occasionally and topping up the tray with water if needed. If you’re starting the ribs off in the oven, put them in a roasting tray, cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hrs-2 hrs 30 mins until the bones are exposed and the meat is tender. While the ribs are cooking, tip the rest of the marinade into a small saucepan and simmer for 10 mins until thick and gloopy –this is the sauce to serve with the ribs. When the ribs are cooked, leave to cool a little and tip any cooking juices into the barbecue sauce. The sauce and ribs can be prepared up to two days ahead, left to cool then kept chilled.

STEP 3
Remove the ribs to a board and remove the drip tray from the barbecue, if using. Set the barbecue up for direct cooking, light some new coals or set a gas barbecue to medium. Return the ribs to the grill, then brush generously with the sauce. Working quickly, grill the ribs, basting with more sauce as soon as they start to char and turn every minute until well-coated, charred at the edges, caramelised and sticky. Serve each person a half-rack of ribs with any extra sauce on the side.

Butternut squash burgers
Method
STEP 1
Cut the squash in half where the neck meets the bulbous part. Reserve the bulbous part for another recipe (see tip, below). Trim the stem at the top of the neck, then carefully slice into roughly 1cm discs – you should get about eight, depending on the length. Set aside.

STEP 2
Combine the chilli, garlic and oil with a pinch each of salt and ground pepper in a small bowl.

STEP 3
Light the barbecue and wait until the coals are ashen. Brush one side of the squash discs with the chilli and garlic mixture, then season with salt. Cook oiled-side down for 10 mins, closing the barbecue if you can and basting with more of the chilli and garlic mixture every few minutes until the discs begin to soften. Flip over, brush with more of the chilli and garlic mixture, and cook for a further 10-15 mins, continuing to baste as before. Once tender and slightly caramelised, they are ready. Toss the parsley and rocket in the remaining chilli and garlic mixture.

STEP 4
Serve two squash burgers per bun, also filled with some of the dressed rocket and parsley leaves, a spoonful of mayo and slice of tomato.

Spiced aubergine bake

Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Generously brush each aubergine slice with vegetable oil and place in a single layer on a baking tray, or two if they don’t fit on one. Cook on the low shelves for 10 mins, then turn over and cook for a further 5-10 mins until they are golden. Reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

STEP 2
Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan and add the onions. Cover and sweat on a low heat for about 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, garam masala, chilli powder, cinnamon stick, cumin and ground coriander. Cook for a few secs until it starts to smell beautiful and aromatic.

STEP 3
Pour the chopped tomatoes and coconut milk into the spiced onions and stir well. Check the seasoning and add a little sugar, salt or pepper to taste.

STEP 4
Spoon a third of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 2-litre ovenproof dish. Layer with half the aubergine slices. Spoon over a further third of tomato sauce, then the remaining aubergine slices, and finish with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle over the flaked almonds and coriander (if using), reserving some to serve, and bake for 25-30 mins. Serve garnished with more coriander.

PBJ bakewell tart

Method
STEP 1
First, make the pastry. Tip the flour, cocoa, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor and blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk, icing sugar and 2 tbsp cold water and blitz again until just starting to clump together. Tip onto your work surface (don’t worry about washing the bowl), knead briefly into a smooth ball of dough, then flatten into a thick disc shape, wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins.

STEP 2
Add the remaining ingredients – except for the jam and the peanuts to serve – to the food processor and blitz until smooth and creamy. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

STEP 3
Remove the pastry from the fridge and roll out to the thickness of a £1 coin. Lift the pastry into a 22cm fluted tart tin and press it into the corners, taking care not to rip it. Trim the excess pastry with scissors, leaving an overhang of about 1cm. Line with baking parchment and baking beans, and bake for 15 mins.

STEP 4
Remove the parchment and beans and return to the oven for 5 mins more, until it looks biscuity. Remove from the oven and use a small serrated knife to trim the pastry to the height of the tin. Discard (or nibble on) the off-cuts.

STEP 5
Spoon the jam onto the base of the tart and spread to the edges. Top with the peanut mixture, spreading to the edges to cover the jam. Bake for 45 mins until the sponge is cooked and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 15 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 6
Mash the remaining icing sugar and jam together to make a smooth icing and drizzle on top. Roughly chop the remaining peanuts and scatter over. Will keep in an airtight container for three days.

Easy egg muffins
Method
STEP 1
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 4. Brush half the oil in an 8-hole muffin tin. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and add the broccoli, pepper and spring onions. Fry for 5 mins. Set aside to cool.

STEP 2
Whisk the eggs with the milk, smoked paprika and half the cheese in a bowl. Add the cooked veg. Pour the egg mixture into the muffin holes and top each with the remaining cheese and a few chives, if you like. Bake for 15-17 mins or until golden brown and cooked through.

Chorizo hummus bowl

Method
STEP 1
Warm the chickpeas in a microwave or frying pan in their liquid. Drain and reserve the liquid. Tip half the chickpeas into a small food processor with 1 tbsp oil, the lemon juice and a splash of the liquid from the tin and whizz to a paste. Season.

STEP 2
Put the chorizo in a small frying pan and cook over a low heat until it starts to release its oils, then turn up the heat and continue cooking until the chorizo starts to crisp. Add the remaining chickpeas and stir for a couple of mins. Stir in the kale and cook until it wilts.

STEP 3
Spoon the warm hummus into a bowl and tip the chorizo, chickpeas and kale on top. Drizzle over the remaining oil, season well and serve with flatbread for scooping up.

Meal prep: pasta

Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Arrange the red onions, red pepper, courgette and aubergine in lines on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with a little oil and roast for 15 mins.

STEP 2
Cook the pasta for 10-12 mins until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, loosely wrap the salmon fillet in foil and do the same with the chicken and pesto in another foil parcel, then put them on another baking tray.

STEP 3
When the veg have had their 15 mins, put the salmon and chicken in the oven and cook for a further 12 mins (or until the chicken is cooked through). Drain the pasta, put in a bowl and toss really well with the lemon zest and juice, rapeseed oil, garlic and two-thirds of the basil. When everything is cooked, add the red onions to the pasta. Toss together and divide between three lunch boxes.

STEP 4
Top the first box with the salmon fillet (remove the skin first), then add the red pepper from the tray. Scatter over the capers and add the rocket. To the second box, add the chicken and pesto with any juices, the roasted courgette and the halved cherry tomatoes. In the third box, toss the aubergine into the pasta with the quartered cherry tomatoes, olives and the remaining basil. Seal up each container and chill. Eat within three days, preferably in the order of the salmon, then the chicken and then the aubergine.

Seeded flatbreads

Method
STEP 1
Mix the yeast with 2 tbsp warm water and sugar, and leave for a few mins. Tip the flours into a large bowl with 1 tsp salt and make a well in the centre. Pour in the yeast mixture and 500ml warm water. Mix with a wooden spoon until it comes together as a dough, then tip onto a work surface and knead for 5-10 mins until smooth and elastic – add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise for 1 hr until doubled in size.

STEP 2
Tip the dough onto your work surface and knock out all the air. Knead the seeds into the dough until well distributed. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, then roll out each as thinly as you can. Heat a large frying pan, cook the flatbreads for 2 mins or until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip over and cook for 2 mins more. Once all are cooked, wrap in foil and keep for up to a day. Pop in a warm oven to reheat.

Pineapple rice
Method
STEP 1
Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan. Sizzle the shallots until tinged then add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 min. Then add the curry powder and rice, and stir-fry to separate the grains. Add the pineapple chunks and juice and season with the soy and sugar. Stir through the spring onions and coriander.

Chicken satay salad

Method
STEP 1
Pour the tamari into a large dish and stir in the curry powder, cumin, garlic and honey. Mix well. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 fillets in total, then add to the marinade and mix well to coat. Set aside in the fridge for at least 1 hr, or overnight, to allow the flavours to pe*****te the chicken.

STEP 2
Meanwhile, mix the peanut butter with the chilli sauce, lime juice, and 1 tbsp water to make a spoonable sauce. When ready to cook the chicken, wipe a large non-stick frying pan with a little oil. Add the chicken and cook, covered with a lid, for 5-6 mins on a medium heat, turning the fillets over for the last min, until cooked but still moist. Set aside, covered, to rest for a few mins.

STEP 3
While the chicken rests, toss the lettuce wedges with the cucumber, shallot, coriander and pomegranate, and pile onto plates. Spoon over a little sauce. Slice the chicken, pile on top of the salad and spoon over the remaining sauce. Eat while the chicken is still warm.

Slow-cooker Spanish chicken

Method
STEP 1
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan. Fry 1 sliced Spanish onion for about 5 mins until golden.

STEP 2
Tip into the slow cooker pot (we used a 6.5-litre model), then fry 12 large bone-in skinless chicken thighs and 225g thickly sliced chorizo picante in the same pan until starting to colour – you will need to do this in two batches.

STEP 3
Add to the slow cooker with 3 mixed colour peppers, cut into chunks and 150g pitted Spanish pimento stuffed green olives.

STEP 4
Tip 300ml dry white wine, 300ml chicken stock and 1 tbsp tomato purée into the pan.

STEP 5
Scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom, then tip into the slow cooker, cover and cook on Low for 6 hrs.

One-pan lamb tagine with chickpeas

Method
STEP 1
Toss the lamb pieces with the ras el hanout and a large pinch of salt to coat. Will keep chilled for up to 4 hrs. Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole over a medium heat and brown the lamb on all sides. (You will need to do this in batches.) Scoop onto a plate using a slotted spoon and set aside, then cook the onions and carrots in the pan for 10-12 mins until soft and golden, adding a drizzle more oil if the pan is dry. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 2 mins more, then stir in the 2 tbsp harissa and preserved lemon. Cook for another minute until the vegetables are coated in the mixture and sticky. Add the cinnamon, then tip in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer.

STEP 2
Cook for a few minutes more until reduced to a thick paste. Tip the lamb and its resting juices back into the pan and pour over the stock. Season and return to a simmer. Put the lid on the casserole and transfer to the oven to cook for 1 hr.

STEP 3
Stir in the chickpeas and apricots, if using, cover again and return to the oven for 1 hr until the lamb is tender. Season, then leave the tagine to stand for 10 mins. Will keep chilled for up to three days or frozen for three months. Leave to cool first. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating over a low heat until piping hot. Swirl the 1 tsp harissa through the yogurt, then scatter the tagine with the coriander and flaked almonds. Serve with the couscous and spiced yogurt on the side.

Garlic & herb roast lamb on boulangère potatoes

Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Cut small pockets into the skin and flesh of the lamb by piercing it with the point of a sharp knife. Stuff each pocket with a slice of garlic and a few leaves of rosemary, or scatter with thyme. Put in a roasting tin, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cover with foil.

STEP 2
Peel and thinly slice the potatoes, rinse under the cold tap and pile into a large ovenproof dish or roasting tin. Toss with the onions, remaining slices of garlic and a good scattering of herbs.

STEP 3
Heat the stock and butter together, then pour over the potatoes. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven with the lamb for 1 hr. Uncover, put the lamb on top of the potatoes and roast uncovered for 45 mins more. Allow the lamb to rest before carving, for about 15 mins. Leave the potatoes in the oven (covered, if starting to brown too much) until ready to serve.