Braised Duck

Takes: 4.5 hours
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 duck
• 3 tsp sea salt
• 4 star anise
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 3 spring onions
• 4 slices fresh ginger root, crushed
• 60g honey
• 3 tbsp organic ginger wine
• 1.2 litres water
• 1 cucumber, to serve

Method:

1. Clean the duck well, then blanch in boiling water.  Remove and rinse in cold water, and rub the cavity with the salt.
2. Put all the remaining ingredients in a large saucepan, add teh water and bring to the boil.  Add the duck, breast-side down, bring back to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.  Turn the bird over and cook, still covered, for a further 20 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat and let the bird cool in the liquid, without lifting the lid, for at least 4 hours.
4. Remove the duck and drain.  Pull the meat off and use a little of the strained liquid as a sauce. 
5. Serve with sliced cucumber and rice.  The cooking liquid can be served as soup.

'White-Cut' Chicken

Takes: 4.5 hours
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken
• 2 spring onions
• 2 slices fresh ginger root, crushed
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 2 tsp sea salt

SAUCE

• 1 tsp sea salt
• 3 tbsp water
• 1.5 tbsp organic ginger wine
• half tsp honey
• 2 tsp sesame oil

Method:

1. Clean the chicken and place in a large saucepan with enough water to cover it.  Add the spring onions, ginger and peppercorns; bring to the boil and skim.  Add the salt, then cover with a lid and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat and leave the chicken to cook gently in the hot liquid, without lifting the lid, for 4 hours.
3. To serve, remove the chicken and drain well, reserving the cooking liquid.  Pull the meat off the bone.
4. Combine the sauce ingredients with 3 tbsp of the cooking liquid and bring to the boil.  Pour evenly all over the chicken and serve cold.

 

Berry and Apple Muffins

Takes: 35 mins
Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 125g buckwheat flour
• 125g brown rice flour
• 2 tsp gluten-free bicarbonate of soda
• a pinch of salt
• 8 tbsp honey
• juice of half a lemon
• 175g goat's yogurt
• 4 tbsp goat's milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 duck egg, beaten
• 50g goat's butter
• 250g apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
• 4 tbsp water
• 150g blueberries or blackberries

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C, fan 180C.  Place muffin cases in the muffin tin.
2. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a blow, then stir in the honey and lemon juice.
3. Heat the apple pieces in a pan over a low fire with the goat's butter and water for 15 minutes.  Add 1 tsp of honey to the pan.  Leave to cool.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the yogurt, milk, vanilla extract and egg.
5. Add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix together.  Gently stir in 75g blueberries.
6. Pour the mixture into the muffin cases and scatter 75g blueberries on top.  Sprinkle with 2 tbsp sesame seeds.  Bake for 20 minutes, until the muffins are risen, firm and golden.
7. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

 

Chicken Stir-Fry

Takes: 25 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1.5 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
• half tsp sea salt, dissolved in 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 inch piece root ginger, sliced
• 3 peppers, deseeded and diced
• 150g green beans, sliced into 2 parts each
• 100g beansprouts
• 1 tbsp honey
• 4 spring onions, shredded
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped coriander leaves
• half tbsp sesame seeds

Method:

1. Season the chicken with 1 tbsp of Chinese five-spice powder and 1 tbsp of salt water.
2. Heat the sesame oil in a wok over high heat and stir-fry the chicken for 5 minutes until golden.  Add the garlic, ginger, peppers, remaining Chinese five-spice powder and stir-fry for 2 minutes more.  Add the green beans and beansprouts, remaining salt water and honey; stir-fry for 1 minute.
3. Stir through the spring onions and coriander.  Serve scattered with sesame seeds.

 

Chicken Cacciatore

Takes: 50 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 50ml olive oil
• 40g goat's butter
• 8 chicken legs and thighs
• 2 onions, finely sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 200g celery, chopped
• 800g tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp sesa salt
• 100ml water
• 1 bay leaf
• sprigs of rosemary, to garnish

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over a moderate heat until melted.  Season, and then sear the chicken legs until goledn in colour all over.  Revmoe from pot.
2. Lower the heat a little and add the onion, garlic and chopped celery, stirring occasionally until the onion has softened but not coloured.  Add the tomatoes, water, bay leaf and sea salt.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Return the chicken legs to the pot, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the cover and simmer for a further 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.  Allow to stand for 5 minutes.  Garnish with sprigs of rosemary before serving.

Chicken Salad with Kiwi Fruit and Cashews

Takes: 15 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of chicken breasts, grilled then thinly sliced
• 4 kiwi fruit, peeled, halved and sliced
• 4 spring onions, sliced
• 100g watercress
• 50g cashews, toasted

Method:

1. Arrange the chicken, kiwi slices, spring onions and watercress in a large bowl.  Sprinkle over the cashews.
2. Mix the ingredients together and serve.

Stir-Fried Chicken with Vegetables

Takes: 15 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

FOR THE MARINADE

• 1 tsp tapioca flour
• half tsp sea salt, dissolved in 1 tsp hot water

FOR THE STIR-FRY

• 350g chicken fillets, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 100g green beans
• 2 spring onions, sliced, whites and greens separated
• 100g beansprouts
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp water

Method:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the marinade.  Add the chicken and toss until well coated.  Set aside while you prepare the vegetable.
2. Place a large wok over a high heat.  When the wok is hot, add 1 tbsp of oil and swirl around the pan.  Add the chicken fillets to the wok.
3. Keep the chicken moving around the wok, until it is cooked through and no pink meat remains.  Remove from the wok and set aside.
4. Pour the remaining oil into the wok and swirl around, as before.  Add the red pepper and cook for a minute.  Add the green beans and cook for 2 minutes more until just tender, stirring all the time.  Add the spring onion whites and the beansprouts and cook for another minute.  Stir in the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
5. Add the chicken back to the wok.  Pour the 2 tbsp water and 1 tsp honey in, and continue to cook, stirring often, until the chicken are heated through.  Sprinkle over the spring onion greens and serve straightaway.

Chicken Korma with Tomato Sambal

Takes: 30 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 400g chicken breast fillets
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 2 spring onions, trimmed
• 215g sugar snap peas
• 250g basmati rice
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tin coconut milk
• 1 big mango, peeled and cubed

FOR THE TOMATO SAMBAL

• 1 small red onion
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 3 ripe vine tomatoes
• 4 inch piece cucumber
• small handful fresh coriander

Method:

1. Cut the chicken into slices then place in a bowl with the curry powder.  Mix to coat.  Set aside while you slice the spring onions and cut the sugar snaps into 3 diagonal slices.
2. Cook the rice.
3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan.  Add the coated chicken and cook until golden.  Add the onions and stir-fry for 1 minute.  Stir in the coconut milk, mango, and sugar snaps and simmer for another 5 minutes until thickened slightly.  Season.
4. For the sambal, cut the onion into cubes; place in a bowl with the lime juice.  Cut the tomatoes and cucumber to the same size and chop the coriander.  Mix into the bowl; season.

Lamb, Plum, and Rosemary Casserole

Takes: 2 hours
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 400g lamb, diced
• 250g shallots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery sticks, sliced on the angle into 1 inch pieces
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced on the angle into 1 inch pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and cut into 3
• 2 tbsp buckwheat flour
• 4 plums, stoned and sliced
• 700ml stock
• 5 sprigs rosemary

FOR THE PARSLEY MASH

• 750g potatoes
• 15g goat's butter
• splash of goat's milk
• 3 tbsp parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C.  Heat 1 tbsp oil in the bottom of a heavy casserole and fry the lamb.  Remove and set aside.
2. Fry the shallots until the edges begin to brown.  Remove and add to the meat.  Return your lamb to the pot with the celery, carrots, and garlic.  Fry for a further 5 minutes until the celery and carrots begin to soften.  Stir through the flour and then add in the plums and season well.  Pour over 2 tbsp of stock and allow it to bubble off before adding the rest of the stock and rosemary leaves.  Cook for 1.5 hours.
3. Meanwhile, put the potatoes into cold salted water, bring to the boil and cook for 30 minutes.  Drain and mash with a knob of butter and a splash of milk, then stir through the parsley.  Serve alongside the stew.

Mexican Bean Burgers with Guacamole

Takes: 25 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1x400g tin mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 15g fresh corinader
• 2 spring onions, trimmed
• 1 duck egg
• 250g cooked rice
• 1 tbsp brown rice flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp goat's yogurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice

TO SERVE

• Iceberg lettuce leaves
• Tomato slices

Method:

1. Place the beans, corinader, spring onions, and egg into a food processor and blitz until roughly chopped.  Stir in the rice and season.
2. Divide and shaped into palm-sized burgers with damp hands.  Sprinkle the flour onto a plate and lightly coat each burger.  Heat the oil on high in a large nonstick frying pan.  Add the burgers to the pan then reduce heat to medium.  Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and piping hot.
3. Scoop the avocado into a bowl, mash with a fork, then mix in the yogurt and lime juice.  Season to taste.

 

Lamb Steaks with Parsnip and Celeriac Mash

Takes: 1 hr
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 50g goat's butter
• 4 lamb steaks, well seasoned
• 1 large red  dessert apple, cored and sliced
• 1 large red onion, peeled and cut into slim wedges
• 300ml apple and elderflower juice
• 1 tsp tapioca flour

FOR THE MASH

• 625g parsnips, peeled, trimmed and cut into chunks
• 625g celeriac, peeled and cut into chunks
• 25g goat's butter
• half tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 pack of flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Simmer the parsnips and celeriac in a pan of lightly salted water for 20 minutes, until tender.
2. Heat half of the 50g portion of goat's butter in a heavy-based frying pan and cook the lamb steaks on a high heat for 2 minutes on each side.  Remove from the pan and keep warm.
3. Add the rest of the 25g portion of goat's butter and cook the apple and onion over a high heat for 4-5 minutes, until soft and golden.  Add the apple and elderflower juice and bring to the boil.  Return the lamb and season.
4. Make sure the lamb is covered in the liquid, reduce the heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes.
5. Blend the tapioca flour with 1 tbsp of water.  Pour into the pan; stir well until the juices thicken.
6. Meanwhile, drain the parsnips and celeriac, then mash, adding the goat's butter and nutmeg.  Serve, garnished with the chopped parsley.

Orange Poppy Seed Cake

Takes: 1 hr 15 mins
Serves 5

Ingredients:

• 125g goat's butter, room temperature, plus extra for greasing
• 100g honey
• 1 duck egg
• 75g buckwheat flour
• 75g brown rice flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 orange, zested and squeezed
• 25g poppy seeds

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190C, fan 170C.  Line a springform cake tin with nonstick baking paper, lightly grease the sides with butter.  Beat the butter and honey in a bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, flour, and bicarbonate of soda and beat until combined.  Add the orange zest and juice and the poppy seeds then beat together.  Pour into the tin and bake for 50 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool.

Sri Lankan-Style Lamb Curry

Takes: 35 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 small onions, finely sliced
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 20 curry leaves
• 1 inch root ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• half tsp turmeric
• 200ml water
• 1 tin (or 250ml) coconut milk
• 560g lamb cubes
• 2 tomatoes, chopped

FOR THE SAFFRON RICE

• 250g basmati rice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• pinch saffron and turmeric
• 5 cardamon pods
• 3 cloves

TO SERVE

• steamed green beans

Method:

1. Place the rice, 550ml water, cinnamon stick, saffron, cardamom and cloves in a saucepan.  Season with salt, cover with a lid and bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 12 minutes.  Leave the lid on and remove from heat.
2. Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions and cook until lightly golden.  Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves, and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the ginger, garlic and turmeric and cook for a further 2 minutes.  Add the lamb cubes and fry until brown on all sides.
3. Add the water and coconut milk, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.  When you're ready to serve, stir through the tomatoes.  Serve with rice and steamed green beans.

 

Tomato, Red Pepper, and Butternut Squash Soup

Takes: 1 hour
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
• 2 red peppers, deseeded, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 6 tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground corinader
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 750ml water
• 100g kale
• 4 tbsp goat's yogurt
• handful fresh coriander

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.  Place the butternut squash, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic into a large roasting tin.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over the spices.  Season well and cover the tin with aluminum foil.  Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.  Remove the lid and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes, until all the vegetables are soft and beginning to caramelise.
2. Transfer the tin of vegetables to a large pan on the hob.  Add the water and kale.  Bring to the boil.  Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Place all the vegetables in a food processor until roughly mashed.  Return to the pan and stir in the yogurt.  Serve with fresh coriander.

Mixed Vegetable Salad with Chinese Dressing

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• half head Chinese leaves
• 1 yellow pepper, cored and seeded
• 1 red pepper, cored and seeded
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• quarter teaspoon honey
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

Method:

1. Remove and discard any tough outer parts of the Chinese leaves, then cut the head into thick slices.  Cut the yellow and red peppers diagonally into thin slices.
2. Heat the oil in a wok until hot and fry the peppers for 2 minutes.  Then add the Chinese leaves and fry until slightly wilted.
3. Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together and pour it into the wok.  Stir-fry with the vegetables for 30 seconds.  Serve hot.

 

Ginger Chicken

Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus standing
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 675g chicken breasts, cut into finger-sized pieces
• quarter teaspoon honey
• sea salt and pepper
• 4 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 x 4 inch piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely sliced
• 75ml water
• 100g mangetout
• 2 teaspoons tapioca flour, blended with 3 tablespoons water
• half teaspoon sea salt

Method:

1. Mix the chicken pieces together with the honey, sea salt and pepper, and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
2. Heat the oil and fry the ginger for 1 minute.  Add the chicken pieces and cook for 3 minutes.  Stir in the water and mangetout.  Cover and cook for a further 5 minutes.
3. Add the tapioca flour mixture and half teaspoon sea salt.  Bring to the boil, stirring, until thickened.  Serve at once.

 

Stir-Fried Beansprouts and Green Beans

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 450g fresh bean sprouts
• 225g green beans
• 4 extra virgin olive oil
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• quarter teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Method:

1. Wash and rinse the beansprouts in a basin of cold water, discarding the husks and other particles that float to the surface.  Drain well.  Top, tail and halve the French beans.
2. Heat the oil in a wok until it is smoking.  Add the spring onion to flavour the oil, then add teh beans and stir a few times.
3. Add the beansprouts and stir-fry for 30 seconds.  Add the sea salt and honey and stir-fry for 1 minute more.
4. Serve hot, sprinkled with sesame oil.

White-Cooked Cabbage

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 savoy cabbage
• 300ml water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 25g goats butter
• quarter teaspoon honey
• pepper
• 1.5 tablespoons cooked chopped meat

Method:

1. Remove the tough central stem from the cabbage, quarter it lengthways and cut each section in half.  Bring the water to the boil in a woke or saucepan.  Stir in the sea salt, butter, and honey.  Simmer, stirring, for 3 minutes.
2. Add the cabbage to the pan, turning the pieces to ensure they are coated with the sauce.  Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes.  Toss the cabbage in the sauce, cover and simmer gently for a further 12 minutes.
3. Transfer the cabbage to a serving dish using a slotted spoon.  Season the sauce with sea salt and pepper to taste and pour over the cabbage.  Sprinkle with the cooked meat and serve hot.

Cha Shao

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus marinating
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Oven temperature: 180 C
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1kg lean lamb fillet
  

FOR THE MARINADE

• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 whole garlic bulb
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Method:

1. Cut the meat into cubes.  Mix the marinade ingredients rogether in a dish, add the lamb and leave to marinate for at least 6 hours in the refrigerator.  Turn the pieces occasionally.
2. Place the lamb in a roasting pan.  Cook in a preheated oven for 45 minutes, basting with the pan juices.  Serve hot or cold.

Chicken in Sesame Sauce

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus marinating
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 450g skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 100g unsalted cashew nuts
• 2 celery sticks, chopped

FOR THE MARINADE

• 3 spring onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• pinch of flake chilli
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Method:

1. Cut the chicken into cubes.  Put all the marinade ingredients into a bowl and add the chicken, turning to coat the pieces thoroughly.  Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a wok or frying pan.  Add the cashew nuts and fry them until golden.  Drain on absorbent kitchen paper.
3. Add the chicken and marinade to the wok and stir-fry for 2 minutes.  Add the celery and cook for a further 2minutes.  Pile the mixture into a warmed serving dish and sprinkle with the nuts.  Serve at once.