Steamed Sea Bass With Black Bean Sauce

Chinese meals don't need to be eaten out of a takeaway carton - this special fish dish makes a smart dinner for two

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 2

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  511

• Protein

  49g

• Carbs

  11g

• Fat

  29g

• Saturates

  5g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  8g

• Salt

  7.67g

Ingredients

• 1 sea bass, head on, gutted
• 2cm piece ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine
• cooked jasmine rice, to serve
• For the black bean sauce
• 1 tbsp groundnut oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp fermented black beans, rinsed and crushed with the back of a spoon (or use 100g black bean sauce instead)
• 1 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine
• 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 spring onions, shredded
• 1 small handful coriander, leaves picked

Directions

1. Wash the fish in cold running water. Pat dry with kitchen paper, then slash 3-4 slits into the skin on both sides. Season all over with salt and ground white pepper. Place ginger slices in the slits of the fish and inside the cavity.
2. Place the fish on a plate that fits inside your wok. In your wok place a pudding bowl upside down and pour water to come halfway up. Place the wok on the heat and bring the water to a boil.
3. Pour the rice wine over the fish, put the plate onto the upside-down bowl and place the lid of the wok on top. Steam on high heat for 8-9 mins, then leave to rest.
4. While the fish is cooking, make the black bean sauce. Add the groundnut oil to a hot wok or frying pan. When it starts to smoke, add the garlic, ginger and beans (or use 100g ready-made black bean sauce) and stir-fry for a few secs. Add the rice wine, sesame oil and light soy sauce, then bring to the bubble.
5. Carefully remove the fish (you can keep it on the plate that you cooked it on). Garnish with the spring onions and coriander, then drizzle over the black bean sauce and serve with rice.

Read More

Ginger Sweet Tofu With Pak Choi

If you thought tofu was bland, this is the recipe to convince you otherwise

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 15 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 2

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  241

• Protein

  11g

• Carbs

  16g

• Fat

  15g

• Saturates

  3g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  11g

• Salt

  3.47g

Ingredients

• 250g fresh firm tofu, drained
• 2 tbsp groundnut oil
• 1cm piece ginger, sliced
• 200g pak choi, leaves separated
• 1 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ tsp dried chilli flakes
• cooked jasmine rice, to serve
• For the marinade
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Directions

1. Gently prick a few holes in the tofu with a toothpick (this will help the marinade to soak into it, giving better flavour), then cut into bite-size cubes.
2. Mix the marinade ingredients together in a bowl and toss in the tofu pieces. Set aside to marinate for 10-15 mins.
3. Heat a wok over high heat and add half the groundnut oil. When the oil starts to smoke, add the ginger slices and stir-fry for a few secs. Add the pak choy leaves and stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Add a small splash of water to create some steam and cook for 2 mins more. When the leaves have wilted and the stems are cooked but still a little crunchy, season with salt and transfer to a serving dish.
4. Rinse the wok under cold water, then reheat it and add the remaining oil. When it starts to smoke, add the tofu pieces (retaining the marinade liquid) and stir-fry for 5-10 mins. Take care not to break up the tofu as you toss it to get it browned evenly on all sides. Season with the rice wine and rice vinegar. Add the remaining marinade liquid, bring to the bubble and let the liquid reduce. Sprinkle over the chilli flakes and toss well. Spoon onto the pak choy and serve immediately with jasmine rice, if you like.

Read More

Quick & Easy Hot-And-Sour Chicken Noodle Soup

Keep tasting the broth and add as much chilli and rice vinegar as you like to get the right balance of flavours

• Cooking Time Prep 25 mins
  Cook 15 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 2

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  407

• Protein

  42g

• Carbs

  33g

• Fat

  12g

• Saturates

  3g

• Fibre

  5g

• Sugar

  6g

• Salt

  5.1g

Ingredients

• 140g dried wholewheat noodles
• 1 tbsp groundnut oil
• 2 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 medium red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, chopped into small chunks
• 1 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine
• 700ml hot vegetable stock
• 4 chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to make a paste
• 1 handful beansprouts
• 2 spring onions, sliced

Directions

1. Bring a small pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles following pack instructions. Drain, rinse under cold running water to stop them cooking further, then drizzle over a little oil to prevent them sticking together. Divide between 2 deep bowls.
2. Heat a wok over high heat and add the rest of the oil. When it starts to smoke, add the ginger and chilli, then stir-fry for a few secs. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2 mins. As the meat starts to turn brown, add the rice wine and cook for 3 mins more. Add the vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, then add the mushrooms. Season with the dark soy, light soy and rice vinegar.
3. Bring back to a simmer, then add the cornflour paste. Simmer and stir until thickened. Stir in the beansprouts and most of the spring onions, then ladle the soup over the noodles. Serve immediately, scattered with the remaining spring onions.

Read More

Chinese Braised Pork With Double Spring Onions

Use spring onions as a vegetable in their own right in this slow-cooked pork dish

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 2 hrs, 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  392

• Protein

  38g

• Carbs

  5g

• Fat

  21g

• Saturates

  7g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  3g

• Salt

  2g

Ingredients

• 4 pieces pork osso buco (about 850kg/1lb 14oz) or the equivalent of pork shoulder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 250ml Shaohsing rice wine or dry sherry
• 100g ginger, finely sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 12 spring onions, 8 fat ones and 4 thinner ones
• 1 dried red chilli (look for Kashmiri chillies for a good flavour)
• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp miso paste (optional)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• steamed rice and bok choi, to serve

Directions

1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Brown the pork on both sides in the oil, then transfer it to a large casserole dish. Deglaze the pan you used for browning with the rice wine or Sherry and add it to the casserole. Add the ginger and garlic. Trim the ends off the 8 fat spring onions and add these to the pan whole along with the chilli, stock, miso paste (if using) and soy sauce. Bring everything to a simmer, then cover and put the casserole in the oven for 2 hrs.
2. Remove the lid from the casserole and cook for a further 20 mins. Chop the 4 thinner spring onions and add them to the casserole just before serving with steamed rice and bok choi.

Read More

Beef Stir-Fry With Ginger

Try making this noodle dish to celebrate Chinese New Year

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  349

• Protein

  33g

• Carbs

  26g

• Fat

  14g

• Saturates

  3g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  3g

• Salt

  3.58g

Ingredients

• 500g beef rump, trimmed and cut into thin strips
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 300g pack ready-cooked rice noodles
• 1 large red chilli
• 1 fat garlic clove, chopped
• 4cm piece ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 1 stick lemongrass, trimmed and sliced
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 100g sugar snap peas, cut into thin strips
• 8 baby corn, sliced diagonally
• 6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced diagonally
• ½ lime
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
• roughly chopped coriander, to serve

Directions

1. Mix the beef and five-spice in a bowl, then set aside to marinate. Soften the noodles in boiling water following pack instructions, drain then set aside. Thinly slice the red chilli, leaving the seeds if you prefer a little extra heat. Mix with the garlic, ginger and lemongrass in a small bowl. Heat half the oil in a wok, add the chilli mixture and stir-fry for 1 min until softened but not coloured. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside while you cook the beef.
2. Heat the remaining oil, add the beef and stir-fry over a high heat for 1 min until browned and just cooked through.
3. Return the chilli mixture to the pan with the sugar snaps, baby corn and half the spring onions. Stir-fry for 1 min more before adding the drained noodles. Mix to thoroughly combine, take off the heat and add a squeeze of lime juice, the soy sauce and fish sauce.
4. Divide between four plates. Scatter with the peanuts, garnish with remaining spring onions and chopped coriander.

Read More

Chinese Braised Beef With Ginger

Slow cooking beef shin or brisket in Asian aromatic spices gives a melt-in-the-mouth main course that's delicious with steamed rice and crisp stir-fried vegetables

• Cooking Time Prep 35 mins
  Cook 3 hrs
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 6

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  405

• Protein

  51g

• Carbs

  26g

• Fat

  11g

• Saturates

  4g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  23g

• Salt

  3.96g

Ingredients

• 2 - 3 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil
• 1¼kg beef shin or brisket, cut into very large chunks
• 2 onions
• 50g ginger
• 3 garlic cloves
• small bunch coriander
• 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 6 whole star anise
• 1 tsp black peppercorn
• 100g dark brown muscovado sugar
• 50ml light soy sauce
• 50ml dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• beef stock
• To serve
• thumb-sized chunk ginger, shredded into matchsticks
• 1 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil
• cooked jasmine rice

Directions

1. Heat a little of the oil in a large flameproof dish. Add the beef chunks, in batches, and fry until browned. When each batch is browned, transfer the beef to another dish. Very roughly chop the onions, ginger, garlic and coriander stalks. Put in a food processor and whizz to a paste.
2. Wipe any oil out of the dish you browned the beef in. Add the paste with a good splash of water and gently fry, scraping up any beef bits, until the paste is fragrant and softened (add more water if the paste sticks). Stir in the five-spice, star anise and peppercorns, cook for 1 min, then add the sugar, soy sauces and tomato purée. Return the beef and any juices to the dish, then stir in enough stock to just about cover. Bring to a gentle simmer. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Cover the dish, put in the oven and cook for 21?2 hrs until the beef is really tender.
3. Lift the beef out of the sauce into a dish, to keep warm. Boil the sauce until reduced by about half and thickened. Meanwhile, fry the ginger in the oil until golden and crispy. Return the beef to the sauce. serve the beef spooned over rice and scattered with the crispy ginger.

Read More

Chinese Roast Duck

John Torode's whole crispy duck with oriental marinade makes for an impressive and alternative Christmas centrepiece

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Moderately easy
• Servings Serves 4 with leftovers

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  1387

• Protein

  58g

• Carbs

  46g

• Fat

  109g

• Saturates

  30g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  45g

• Salt

  0.65g

Ingredients

• 2 ducks
• 140g caster sugar
• 6 star anise seeds
• large piece ginger, sliced
• small bunch spring onions, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp malt syrup or maltose (available in most Chinese supermarkets)
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar

Directions

1. The day before, soak 4 wooden skewers in water for 20 mins. Wash the ducks inside and out with cold water, drain and pat dry with kitchen paper. Mix together the sugar, star anise, ginger, spring onions and a few good pinches of salt, then use this to fill the cavities. Close the cavities with wooden skewers and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix the maltose and 2 tbsp of the vinegar. Add the remaining vinegar to a jug of boiling water and pour over the ducks. (The boiling water opens up the pores, while the vinegar helps to strip some of the waxiness from the skin, so it will be more receptive to the maltose, which adds sweetness and a lacquered caramel colour.) Smear the maltose mixture over the ducks, then place them in a large plastic container and put in the fridge overnight, uncovered.
3. To cook, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. (Fan ovens are particularly effective for roasting duck.) Put a little water in the bottom of a large roasting tin, place the ducks on a rack over the top and cover with foil. Roast for about 45 mins. Take off the foil and roast for another 45 mins-the duck must be well done, there is no such thing as a rare Chinese roast duck! Take the duck out of the oven and let it rest for a good 20 mins before carving.

Read More

Pork Green Bean & Oyster Stir-Fry

A rich Asian dish of noodles or rice that's ready in 20 minutes - a wholesome midweek family supper

• Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  233

• Protein

  24g

• Carbs

  7g

• Fat

  12g

• Saturates

  3g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  5g

• Salt

  2.42g

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp chilli bean paste or chilli sauce
• 75ml oyster sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 400g pork fillet, cut into thin slices
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 red onion, cut into chunky pieces
• 140g green beans, halved
• steamed rice or noodle, to serve

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the lime juice, chilli bean paste, oyster sauce and half the soy sauce. Set aside. Heat a large wok with 1 tbsp of the oil. Season the pork and toss with the remaining soy sauce. Sear the meat quickly, then remove from the pan.
2. Add the remaining oil and stir-fry the garlic, onion and beans for 2 mins. Return the meat to the pan with the sauce and stir-fry for another 3 mins, until the sauce has thickened. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.

Read More

Stir-Fried Pork With Ginger & Honey

This healthy noodle dish is deliciously low-fat with a great mix of Asian flavours- the perfect midweek supper

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 2

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  466

• Protein

  36g

• Carbs

  54g

• Fat

  11g

• Saturates

  2g

• Fibre

  4g

• Sugar

  14g

• Salt

  2.6g

Ingredients

• 2 nests medium egg noodles
• 2 tsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 250g/9oz pork tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
• thumb-sized piece ginger, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 100g mange tout
• 1 tsp sesame seed

Directions

1. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the noodles following pack instructions. Meanwhile, mix the cornflour with 1 tbsp water, then stir in the soy sauce and honey, and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a wok over a high heat. Add the pork and cook for 2 mins until browned all over. Add the ginger, garlic, pepper and mangetout, and cook for a further 2 mins. Reduce the heat, then add the soy and honey mixture, stirring and cooking until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Divide the drained noodles between 2 bowls. Top with the pork and vegetables, and finish with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Read More

Hoisin Pork With Garlic & Ginger Greens

Marinate lean loin steaks with Chinese sauce then serve with plenty of bok choi cabbage for a healthy supper

• Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  420

• Protein

  31g

• Carbs

  12g

• Fat

  28g

• Saturates

  9g

• Fibre

  6g

• Sugar

  8g

• Salt

  1.5g

Ingredients

• 500g pork loin steaks, cut into 2cm-thick slices
• 4 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce, plus a dash
• 350g thin-stemmed broccoli
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 5cm-piece ginger, shredded
• 1 bunch spring onion, halved lengthways
• 350g bok choi, halved lengthways
• rice or noodles, to serve (optional)

Directions

1. Put the pork, hoisin and soy sauce in a bowl and allow to stand for 10 mins. Heat the grill to high, shake off any excess sauce, then lay the pork on a tray. Grill for 5 mins, turning halfway, until cooked through. Remove and leave to rest in a warm place for 5 mins.
2. Meanwhile, put the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl with 4 tbsp water, cover with cling film, then microwave on High for 3 mins. Heat the oil in a wok, add the garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 1 min. Add the spring onions and bok choi, then stir-fry for a further 2 mins. Tip in the broccoli with a dash of soy sauce and stir-fry for 1-2 mins more until the veg is warmed through. Serve the pork with the greens, a drizzle of any resting pork juices and rice or noodles, if you like.

Read More

Toffee & Sesame Bananas

Traditional toffee bananas are deep-fried, but this is a lighter version, served with caramel sauce

• Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  312

• Protein

  2g

• Carbs

  37g

• Fat

  19g

• Saturates

  10g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  35g

• Salt

  0.09g

Ingredients

• 6 large bananas, peeled and quartered
• 8 tbsp light muscovado sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• 200ml double cream
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
• good-quality vanilla ice cream, to serve

Directions

1. Toss the bananas in 2 tbsp of the sugar. Heat a griddle to medium, then cook the bananas, a few pieces at a time, until sticky and showing griddle marks. Keep warm in a low oven.
2. For the sauce, put the remaining sugar, the butter and cream into a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has melted. Stir in the sesame seeds. Can be made up to a day ahead. To serve, put a few pieces of banana into 8 serving dishes, spoon over some of the caramel, then top with a scoop of ice cream.

Read More

Festive Golden Five-Spice Chicken

Chinese five-spice gives this chicken a wonderfully warm, aromatic flavour that adults and children will love

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  394

• Protein

  29g

• Carbs

  9g

• Fat

  26g

• Saturates

  7g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  7g

• Salt

  2.22g

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs and 8 drumsticks, skin on
• 3 spring onions, shredded, to finish
• For the marinade
• 4 tbsp groundnut oil
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• finger-length piece fresh root ginger, grated
• 4 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine or dry sherry
• 4 tbsp light soy sauce
• 4 tbsp clear honey
• 4 tsp five spice powder

Directions

1. Whisk together the marinade ingredients, put the chicken into a dish, then pour over the marinade, mixing to coat. Cover, then chill for at least 20 mins, or up to a day if you have time.
2. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, and lift the chicken out of the marinade into a roasting tin. Roast for 40 mins, pour over the remaining marinade, then cook for a further 30 mins until golden and sticky. Sprinkle with the spring onion, then serve.

Read More

Oriental Egg Fried Rice

Sara Buenfeld's fast and easy fried rice makes for a delicious Chinese supper

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins - 30 mins
  
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  -

• Protein

  -

• Carbs

  -

• Fat

  -

• Saturates

  -

• Fibre

  -

• Sugar

  -

• Salt

  -

Ingredients

• a mugful of American long grain rice
• a cupful of frozen peas
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 back bacon rashers, roughly chopped
• 1 small red pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 heaped tsp Chinese five-spice powder

Directions

1. Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt-the water will bubble furiously. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously.
2. Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. After 8 minutes, throw in the frozen peas, boil for 2 minutes and drain (don't rinse).
3. Heat the sunflower oil in a wok and stir fry the bacon for 3-4 minutes until crisp. Tip in the red pepper and the garlic cloves and stir fry for 2 minutes.
4. Beat the eggs, pour into the pan and stir fry until the egg just sets. Toss in the Chinese 5-spice

Read More

Sweet & Sour Chicken

This homemade sweet and sour sauce is so much better than a takeaway. Great with rice or noodles

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins - 20 mins
  Cook 20 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  522

• Protein

  27g

• Carbs

  31g

• Fat

  33g

• Saturates

  6g

• Fibre

  2g

• Sugar

  4g

• Salt

  2.9g

Ingredients

• 2-3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, (about 400g/14oz total weight)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• groundnut or sunflower oil, for deep frying, plus extra for stir-frying
• tempura batter (see below)
• 1 small red pepper, cored, deseeded and roughly chopped
• 1 medium carrot, sliced thinly on the diagonal
• 2 fat garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
• For the sauce
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp sherry
• 1 tbsp light soft brown sugar
• 1 tsp cornflour

Directions

1. Cut the chicken into small chunks and mix with the soy sauce and sesame oil. In a jug or bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients with 100ml cold water. Line a large plate with kitchen paper.
2. Heat the groundnut oil in a deep-fat fryer to about 180C. Then dip a few chunks of chicken at a time into the batter, then place in the hot oil using tongs or a slotted spoon, but don't crowd the pan. Fry until crisp and golden-about 2 mins. You may need to do this in batches, so reheat the oil each time. As the chunks cook, lift out with tongs/spoon to the paper-lined plate to drain.
3. Heat a wok to hot, add about 3 tbsp oil and stir-fry the vegetables with the garlic and ginger for about 3 mins. Give the sauce a quick final stir and pour into the wok, mixing as it cooks to a light glossy sauce. Bubble for 1 min, then spoon over the chicken and serve.

Read More

Crisp Chinese Pork

Belly is the cheapest pork roasting joint and, as it's rich, a little goes a long way, making it perfect for Sundays and dinner parties

• Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
  
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  696

• Protein

  59g

• Carbs

  3g

• Fat

  50g

• Saturates

  19g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  2g

• Salt

  5.83g

Ingredients

• 1.3kg piece boned pork belly, skin on and scored, ask the butcher for the thin end
• 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• For the dipping sauce
• 4 tbsp soy sauce (we used Kikkoman)
• small knob fresh root ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp Thai sweet chilli sauce
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped

Directions

1. Rub the pork with the five-spice and 2 tsp sea salt then leave, uncovered, in the fridge for at least 2 hrs, but preferably overnight. When ready to cook, heat oven to its maximum setting. Lay the pork on a rack over a roasting tin, making sure the skin is exposed. Roast for 10 mins before turning down the heat to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then leave to cook for a further 1½ hrs. Have a look at the pork-if the skin isn't crisp, turn up the heat to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7, then cook for another 30 mins until crisp. Leave to rest on a board for at least 10 mins.
2. To make the dipping sauce, mix all the ingredients together with 2 tbsp water. Cut the pork into small pieces, then serve with the sauce, plus boiled rice and steamed greens, if you like.

Read More

Crispy Chilli Beef

Ditch the takeaway and whip up this Chinese flash-fried steak with a sweet gingery sauce and red peppers

• Cooking Time Prep 25 mins
  Cook 15 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 3

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  454

• Protein

  26g

• Carbs

  32g

• Fat

  23g

• Saturates

  5g

• Fibre

  2g

• Sugar

  15g

• Salt

  2.2g

Ingredients

• 350g thin-cut minute steak, very thinly sliced into strips
• 3 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 100ml vegetable oil
• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 red chilli, thinly sliced
• 4 spring onions, sliced, green and white parts separated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• thumb-sized piece ginger, cut into matchsticks
• 4 tbsp rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• cooked noodles, to serve (optional)
• prawn crackers, to serve (optional)

Directions

1. Put the beef in a bowl and toss in the cornflour and five-spice. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan until hot, then add the beef and fry until golden and crisp. Scoop out the beef and drain on kitchen paper. Pour away all but 1 tbsp oil.
2. Add the pepper, half the chilli, the white ends of the spring onions, garlic and ginger to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 mins to soften, but don't let the garlic and ginger burn. Mix the vinegar, soy, chilli sauce and ketchup in a jug with 2 tbsp water, then pour over the veg. Bubble for 2 mins, then add the beef back to the pan and toss well to coat. Serve the beef on noodles with prawn crackers, if you like, scattered with the remaining chilli and the green parts of the spring onions.

Read More

Sea Bass With Sizzled Ginger Chilli & Spring Onions

The aromas released while cooking this dish will have everyone licking their lips in anticipation

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 6

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  202

• Protein

  28g

• Carbs

  2g

• Fat

  9g

• Saturates

  1g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  1g

• Salt

  0.26g

Ingredients

• 6 x sea bass fillets, about 140g/5oz each, skin on and scaled
• about 3 tbsp sunflower oil
• large knob of ginger, peeled and shredded into matchsticks
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 fat, fresh red chillies deseeded and thinly shredded
• bunch spring onion, shredded long-ways
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Directions

1. Season the fish with salt and pepper, then slash the skin 3 times. Heat a heavy-based frying pan and add 1 tbsp oil. Once hot, fry the fish, skin-side down, for 5 mins or until the skin is very crisp and golden. The fish will be almost cooked through. Turn over, cook for another 30 secs-1 min, then transfer to a serving plate and keep warm. You'll need to fry the fish in 2 batches.
2. Heat the remaining oil, then fry the ginger, garlic and chillies for about 2 mins until golden. Take off the heat and toss in the spring onions. Splash the fish with a little soy sauce and spoon over the contents of the pan.

Read More

Slow-Baked Clotted Cream Rice Pudding

Homemade rice pudding with your own quick raspberry jam is the ultimate in comfort food

• Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 15 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  972

• Protein

  8g

• Carbs

  49g

• Fat

  84g

• Saturates

  50g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  30g

• Salt

  0.29g

Ingredients

• 25g butter
• 100g short grain pudding rice
• 450ml full-fat milk
• 284ml pot double cream
• 227g tub clotted cream
• 1 split vanilla pod
• 85g golden caster sugar
• freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Lightly butter a shallow ovenproof dish. Wash the rice well under cold water, then drain. Bring the milk and creams to the boil with the vanilla pod, add the rice and sugar, then stir well.
2. Tip the rice into the prepared dish, then grate a little nutmeg over the top. Dot with knobs of butter, bake for 15 mins, lower the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3, then bake for 1 hr more, by which time the pudding should be golden brown on top and creamy underneath. Serve with spoonfuls of my Quick raspberry jam (below).

Read More

Lancashire Hotpot

This famous lamb stew topped with sliced potatoes should be on the menu at every British pub

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 40 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  993

• Protein

  70g

• Carbs

  56g

• Fat

  56g

• Saturates

  26g

• Fibre

  7g

• Sugar

  12g

• Salt

  1.43g

Ingredients

• 100g dripping or butter
• 900g stewing lamb, cut into large chunks
• 3 lamb kidneys, sliced, fat removed
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 25g plain flour
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 500ml lamb or chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 900g potatoes, peeled and sliced

Directions

1. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Heat some dripping or butter in a large shallow casserole dish, brown the lamb in batches, lift to a plate, then repeat with the kidneys.
2. Fry the onions and carrots in the pan with a little more dripping until golden. Sprinkle over the flour, allow to cook for a couple of mins, shake over the Worcestershire sauce, pour in the stock, then bring to the boil. Stir in the meat and bay leaves, then turn off the heat. Arrange the sliced potatoes on top of the meat, then drizzle with a little more dripping. Cover, then place in the oven for about 1½ hrs until the potatoes are cooked.
3. Remove the lid, brush the potatoes with a little more dripping, then turn the oven up to brown the potatoes, or finish under the grill for 5-8 mins until brown.

Read More

Fish Pie - In Four Steps

Delicious and easy - a fish pie anyone can make. You'll learn how to poach fish and make a white sauce too

• Cooking Time Prep 45 mins
  Cook 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  824

• Protein

  60g

• Carbs

  61g

• Fat

  40g

• Saturates

  22g

• Fibre

  4g

• Sugar

  10g

• Salt

  3.12g

Ingredients

• 400g skinless white fish fillet
• 400g skinless smoked haddock fillet
• 600ml full-fat milk
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 eggs
• small bunch parsley, leaves only, chopped
• 100g butter
• 50g plain flour
• pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1kg floury potato, peeled and cut into even-sized chunks
• 50g cheddar, grated

Directions

1. Poach the fish. Put the fish in the frying pan and pour over 500ml of the milk. Stud each onion quarter with a clove, then add to the milk, with the bay leaves. Bring the milk just to the boil-you will see a few small bubbles. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 mins. Lift the fish onto a plate and strain the milk into a jug to cool. Flake the fish into large pieces in the baking dish.
2. Hard-boil the eggs. Bring a small pan of water to a gentle boil, then carefully lower the eggs in with a slotted spoon. Bring the water back to a gentle boil, with just a couple of bubbles rising to the surface. Set the timer for 8 mins, cook, then drain and cool in a bowl of cold water. Peel, slice into quarters and arrange on top of the fish, then scatter over the chopped parsley.
3. Make the sauce. Melt half the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for 1 min over moderate heat. Take off the heat, pour in a little of the cold poaching milk, then stir until blended. Continue to add the milk gradually, mixing well until you have a smooth sauce. Return to the heat, bringto the boil and cook for 5 mins, stirring continually, until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, then pour over the fish.
4. Assemble and bake. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the potatoes for 20 mins. Drain, season and mash with the remaining butter and milk. Use to top the pie, starting at the edge of the dish and working your way in-push the mash right to the edges to seal. Fluff the top with a fork, sprinkle with cheese, then bake for 30 mins. Make up to a day ahead, chill, then bake for 40 mins.

Read More