Lamb Skewers

Ingredients
500g Lamb (cubed)
8 Dried Apricots
8 Baby Onions (or button)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Mint (chopped)
300ml Natural Yoghurt
2 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger (finely chopped)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper
Lemon Wedges to Garnish

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Bowl
1 Small Bowl
1 Spoon
8 Wooden Skewers (pre soaked for 20 minutes in water)
1 Small Pan
1 Garlic Press

The Good Bit

1. Make the marinade first, add all the ingredients from the natural yoghurt downwards (apart from the lemon wedges) to the bowl season with the salt and pepper then drop in the lamb and stir well to make sure it is all well coated, cover and set aside for 6 hours to marinate, stir occasionally if the lamb cubes aren't completely submerged in the marinade.
2. You'll also want to soak the apricots in the other bowl, so put the apricots in your other bowl and cover with boiling water.
3. When your ready to cook, pre heat your grill to a medium high heat, lift the lamb cubes from the marinade and thread onto the skewers alternately with the baby onion and the drained apricots, then cook for 12-15 minutes turning frequently.
   
4. Pour your marinade into the small pan and add the mint, stir well and just heat through, serve the skewers with a drizzle of the marinade on top.
   

Serves 4

Rogan Josh

Ingredients
900g Lamb Fillet (cubed)
250ml Natural Yoghurt
400g Chopped Tomatoes
150ml Water
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Inch Fresh Ginger (grated)
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Tomato Purée
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Bay Leaves
4 Cardamom Pods
2 Teaspoons Each Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
A Splash of Oil
Rice to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Metal Spoon
1 Wok/Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan (for the rice, see home page for instructions on how to cook perfect rice every time)
1 Garlic Press

The Good Bit

1. Mix together the lemon juice, yoghurt, salt, half the crushed garlic and ginger then add the lamb and leave to marinate over night.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok and fry the cumin seeds for 2 minutes, then add the bay leaves and cardamom pods and fry for another 2, next add the onion and the remainder of the garlic and fry for a further 5 minutes.
3. Now add the coriander, ground cumin, and chilli and fry for 2 minutes before adding the lamb and marinade, cook this for 5 minutes, stirring all the time to prevent it burning to the bottom of the pan.
4. Add in the tomatoes, water and tomato purée, bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes. Serve with rice (start preparing the rice after the meat has been simmering for an hour)
   

Serves 4

Lamb and Apricot

Ingredients
600g Lamb (stewing lamb cubed if you can)
1 Inch Cinnamon Stick
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Teaspoons Curry Paste
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1 Teaspoon Coriander
A Pinch of Salt
120g Dried Apricots (ready to eat)
240ml Lamb Stock
A Splash of Oil
Fresh Coriander (chopped to garnish)
Rice and Mango Chutney to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok

The Good Bit

1. Heat the oil in the wok and add in the cinnamon stick and cardamoms, heat gently for 2 minutes before adding the onion, now heat for a further 5 minutes until the onion is soft but not coloured.
2. Add in the curry paste and cook for 2 minutes before adding the cumin, ground coriander and salt, cook this mixture for 3 minutes, finally add the meat, stock and apricots, bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes.
3. Serve on a bed of rice (yellow rice looks good for this, add a teaspoon of cumin and 1 of turmeric to the rice pan whilst cooking to achieve this, or if your posh do it with saffron instead of cumin and turmeric). Add a spoonful of mango chutney at the side or in a separate bowl.
   

Serves 4

Spicey Roast Lamb

Ingredients
1.5Kg Leg of Lamb
1 Teaspoon Each Chilli Powder, Garlic (crushed), Coriander, Cumin, Salt
1 Tablespoon Breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Sultanas
3 Tablespoons Natural Yoghurt
Oil
Salad Leaves, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Wedges, Chopped Fresh Coriander and Grated Carrot to serve

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Blender
Tin Foil
1 SHARP Knife

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your oven too 180c 350f gas mark 4, trim any fat that you can from the leg of lamb, rinse it, then pat dry and set on a sheet of tin foil that will be large enough to cover it.
2. Mix all the teaspoons of spices together in the mixing bowl, the rest of the ingredients (breadcrumbs, yoghurt, lemon juice, sultanas and a splash of oil) should be blended until you have a smooth paste, combine this then with the spice mixture and mix well.
3. Pour your spice mixture over your lamb and rub it in well then cover with the tin foil, cook in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, remove and with the juices in the tin foil baste the leg again, you may need to use a spoon here, this time whack the lamb in the oven uncovered to brown off for 45 minutes.
4. Serve on a bed of salad leaves, chopped cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander and maybe some grated carrot and lemon wedges.
   

Serves 6

Basted Lamb and Ginger Rice

Ingredients
4x100g Lamb Steaks (boneless)
200g Long Grain Rice
100g Button Mushrooms (sliced)
450ml Vegetable Stock (hot)
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1 Teaspoon Each Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest, Ground Cumin, Dried Rosemary
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Turmeric
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Fresh Coriander (chopped)
1 Inch Fresh Ginger (finely chopped)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 Cucumber (cut into strips to garnish)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
1 Frying Pan
1 Pastry Brush
1 Spatula
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Zester/Juicer

The Good Bit

1. In the mixing bowl, mix together the cumin, crushed garlic, lemon zest and juice, soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of oil then set aside.
   
2. Now add a splash of oil to the frying pan and cook the onion, chopped garlic and ginger for about 5 minutes until soft and golden, then add in the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring all the time, next you want to add the mushrooms, stock and turmeric, stir well, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Whilst that is cooking, heat your grill to high, brush the lamb with the soy sauce mix and cook for 4 minutes, turn over and brush again cooking for another 4 minutes. When the rice is done, stir in the coriander and season to taste.
4. Serve strips of lamb on a bed of rice and sprinkle over the strips of cucumber.
   

Serves 4

Spiced Lamb Skewers

Ingredients
450g Minced Lamb
1 Small Onion (finely chopped)
3 Tablespoons Fresh Mint (chopped)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley (chopped)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Oregano (chopped)
1/2 Teaspoon of Each Mixed Spice, Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin
450g New Potatoes
1/2 Small Cucumber
1 Tomato (de seeded and diced)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
4 Pitta Breads
150g Natural Yoghurt
Salt and Pepper
Cucumber Slices, Cherry Tomatoes and Lemon Wedges to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
2 Mixing Bowls
8 or 12 Wooden Skewers (soaked for 20 minutes in water)
1 Pan (1/2 filled with boiling salted water)
1 Grater

The Good Bit

1. Mix the lamb, onion, oregano, parsley, mixed spice, cumin, coriander and 1 tablespoon of mint together, season with salt and pepper, divide the mixture into either 8 or 12 then squeeze around the skewers.
2. Cook the potatoes in the salted water for 10 minutes or until they are done (test with a fork) whilst they are doing, grill your kebabs for 8-10 minutes turning now and then to get a nice even colour all over.
3. In the other bowl grate your cucumber, then using your hands, squeeze out as much juice as you can, mix the yoghurt, tomato and another tablespoon of mint into that, add the garlic, stir well and season with salt and pepper.
4. Drain the potatoes when they are done and toss in the remaining mint, serve with the kebabs, pitta bread, a dollop of the yoghurt mixture and slices of cucumber and chopped tomatoes.
   

Serves 4

Spicey Lamb Meatballs

Ingredients
500g Minced Lamb
1 Onion (finely chopped)
A Pinch of Black Pepper
2 Teaspoons Cumin
1 Teaspoons Allspice
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
4 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Coriander
4 Small Nan/Pita Breads (or tortillas)
Salad Leaves
1 Red Onion (thinly sliced)
4 Tablespoons Greek Yoghurt
1 Lemon (cut into wedges to serve)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Blender
1 Frying Pan

The Good Bit

1. Mix the lamb, spices, herbs and chopped onion together, wet your hands and make 20 or so little meat balls, fry in a pan for 10-15 minutes until browned evenly all over.
2. Warm up the nan/pita or tortillas, place on a plate, top with the salad leaves and a sprinkle of the red onion slices, scatter over a few of the meat balls, heap on a good spoonful of Greek yoghurt and add a slice of lemon at the side.
   

Serves 4

Lamb Kebabs and Chilli Sauce

Ingredients
450g Minced Lamb
1 Small Onion (finely chopped)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Mint (chopped)
1 Tablespoon Parsley (chopped)
1 Tablespoon Rosemary (chopped)
1/2 Teaspoon of Each Mixed Spice, Cumin and coriander
4 Ready Made Tortillas
Salt and Pepper (for seasoning)
200g Greek Yoghurt
2 Red Chillies (De seeded and finely chopped)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Coriander (chopped)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1 Lime (juiced)
Caster Sugar (just a pinch to take away the bitterness of the lime juice)
Salad Leaves, Tomato Wedges and Slices of Lime to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
2 Mixing Bowls
1 Garlic Press
Wooden Skewers (pre soaked in water for 20 minutes)
1 Lemon/Lime Juicer

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your grill to high, then whilst you are waiting for that to heat up, mix together the lamb, onion and the herbs and spices from the first half of the recipe (2nd half starts with the yoghurt) Season with salt and pepper, then divide into 4 and using your hands, make sausages around 4 skewers, and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning now and then to get an even colour.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients from the second half of the recipe together and season. Warm up the tortillas to the packet instructions (dry fry for a few seconds on each side or microwave for about 10 seconds)
3. Fold the tortillas into quarters and place the kebab on top then drizzle over a little chilli sauce, serve with a side of salad.
   

Serves 4

Monkfish with Vegetables

Ingredients
175g Monkfish (cut into cubes)
2 Medium Onions (thinly sliced)
2 Tomatoes (de seeded and sliced)
1 Courgette (sliced)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
2 Tablespoons Fresh Fenugreek Leaves
1 Lime (juiced)
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Small mixing Bowl
1 Wok
1 Spoon
1 Spatula

The Good Bit

1. Heat the oil in your wok and then drop in the onion and cook gently until it softens. In the mixing bowl, mix together the garlic, cumin, coriander and chilli powder, then when the onions are soft drop this mixture in and cook for 1 minute.
2. Now add in the fish and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the fish is cooked through then add the fenugreek, tomatoes and courgette season to taste before pouring in the lime juice, stir well and serve.
   

Serves 4

Spicy Onion Relish with Tuna Steak

Ingredients
4x 175g Tuna Steaks
1 Tablespoon Ground Coriander
2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
2 Tablespoons Grated Fresh Ginger
1kg Onions (sliced)
4 Cloves Garlic (crushed)
100ml Fish Stock (vegetable will do)
Chilli Powder
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Frying Pan (with lid/or use a plate another pan)
1 Slotted Spoon
1 Garlic Press

The Good Bit

1. Sprinkle some chilli powder over the tuna steaks (only a little) set aside for an hour whilst you get on with the rest of the cooking.
   
2. Heat the cumin, coriander, ginger and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a dry frying pan for 30 seconds over a low heat before adding a good splash of oil (4-5 tablespoons worth) and cooking for another 30 seconds.
3. Now add the onion and garlic, cover and cook for about 45 minutes until the onion is very soft, next add the stock to the pan and then gently place the fish on top of the onions, bring this to the boil and simmer for for about 15 minutes (check that the fish is done by trying to flake it with a fork, if the fish breaks easily it is done, if not cook a little longer)
4. Serve the fish onto warmed plates, and turn up the heat on the sauce, reduce until you hardly have any liquid left then serve a dollop of the spiced onion with your fish, enjoy.
   

Serves 4

Prawn Curry

Ingredients
1 Onion (sliced)
2 Cloves Garlic (crushed)
500g Frozen Prawns
2 Teaspoons Ground Coriander
1/2 Teaspoon Ginger
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
2 Tablespoons Vinegar
200ml Water
250g Rice
A Good Splash of Oil
Fresh Coriander to Garnish

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Frying Pan
1 Spatula
1 Garlic Press
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Get the rice on first, cook as described on the home page (10-15 minutes in boiling salted water) whilst that is cooking, heat the oil in the frying pan and cook the onion and garlic until just beginning to colour
2. In the mixing bowl, mix the spices together and add the vinegar until you have a smooth paste, then tip that into the onion and garlic and stir for 3 minutes, tip in the prawns and stir well so they are evenly coated.
3. Finally pour in the water and bring to the boil, simmer gently for 4-5 minutes (check the prawns are heated through, then serve with the rice.

Serves 4

Flavoured Chicken and Sweet Mash

Ingredients
4 Chicken Breasts
1 Onion (thinly chopped)
100ml Sherry
1 Tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
1 Inch Fresh Root Ginger (thinly chopped)
Pinch of Cumin
Pinch of Coriander
1 Teaspoon Dried Mixed Herbs (always useful to have in your spice rack)
for the mash
2 Sweet Potatoes
2 Tablespoons Fromage Frais
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Grill Pan
1 Masher
1 Large Pan 2/3rds full boiling salted water

The Good Bit

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, excluding the mash ingredients, drop the chicken in, set aside and leave for at least 2 hours, preferably over night to get the flavour in the chicken, for speed if you only have 2 hours score the chicken breast lightly with your knife.
2. Grill the chicken under a medium grill for 20 minutes, turning once half way through, meanwhile boil your potatoes in the large pan for 20 minutes.
3. Drain the large pan, mash the potatoes and drop in the fromage frais, season and mix well (add a bit of butter if you want to be really naughty). Serve a scoop of mash with a breast on top and finish off with a sprig of parsley.
   

Serves 4

Chicken Jalfrezi

Ingredients
675g Chicken Breast (cubed)
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1 Onion (finely chopped)
1 Green+1 Red pepper (cubed)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1 Inch Ginger (finely chopped)
1 Tablespoon Curry Paste
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1/4 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 400g Can Chopped Tomatoes
250g Rice (cooked)
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Large Pan 2/3rds full boiling salted water

The Good Bit

1. In the frying pan add the oil, and fry the cumin seeds for a couple of minutes until they splutter then add the onion peppers garlic and ginger, fry for 6-8 minutes.
2. Add in the curry paste and fry for another 2 minutes before adding the chilli powder, coriander, cumin, a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of water, fry this lot for 2 minutes.
3. Put the rice on at this point. Chuck the chicken into the mix and fry for 5 minutes until it begins to colour then pour in the tomatoes stir well and cover and leave to cook for 15 minutes.
4. Serve with rice.

Serves 4

Beef Vindaloo

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Cumin
4 Dried Red Chillies
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper Corns
The Seeds From 5 Green Cardamom Pods
1 Teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds (or mustard if you cant get hold of the seeds)
1 Inch Piece of Ginger (grated)
2 Teaspoons Coriander
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric
1 Garlic Clove
A Pinch of Sugar and Salt
4 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
900g Beef (cubed)
1 Large onion (as finely chopped as you can manage)
A Splash of Oil or Two
375g Rice (again anything but pudding)

Equipment
Pestle and Mortar (or instead of seeds use powder)
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Mixing bowl

The Good Bit

1. Grind up the cumin seeds, peppercorns, fenugreek, cardamom and mustard seeds (leave out the mustard if you are not using seeds) and chillies until you have a fine powder, or just mix them all together if you are using dried powders and mustard from a jar and keep in the mixing bowl.
2. Heat your oil in the frying pan and cook the onion until it is golden brown, then mix this in the mixing bowl with your powder the white wine vinegar a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar.
3. Now fry of the beef in a little oil until it begins to brown on all sides, then remove from the pan and leave to settle whilst you add another splash of oil to the pan and cook the garlic and ginger for 2mins then add the coriander and turmeric and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add your onion and spice mix to the frying pan now and cook for a further 5 minutes, really get those flavours mixing before adding the meat along with a good glass of water (not a pint but imagine a glass of something cold when you've just come in from a hot day outside and that is the size you want.
5. Cover and cook for 1-1 1/2 until the meat is really tender (at this stage if you need more liquid just add a little more water, if the sauce is too liquid then turn up the heat and uncover for 5 minutes. Serve with rice

Serves 6

Lamb Biryani

Ingredients
250g Lamb (cubed straight from the supermarket)
Oil
Butter
1 Onion (finely chopped)
250g Long Grain Rice
600ml Veg or Chicken Stock
350g Cauliflower
100g Frozen Peas
1 Teaspoon Each Turmeric and Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Each Coriander and Chilli
Salt and Pepper to Taste.
Toasted Almond flakes (optional) to serve

Equipment
1 Sharp Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan/Wok
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Spatula
1 Plastic Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Mix together a splash of oil in your bowl with the turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli, then whack in your lamb and give it a good stir.
2. Heat a splash of oil in the frying pan along with a good knob of butter (slightly more than you would butter a slice of toast with) and cook the onion until it begins to soften (4-5mins), then chuck in the lamb and its juices and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Pour in the stock and add the rice then bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes before adding the cauliflower, then stir in the frozen peas and cook until all the stock has gone (about 4 minutes) Season and serve! (you could top with a sprinkle of toasted almond flakes if you wanted to be fancy)

Serves 4

Steak and Tomato Salad

Ingredients
1 Teaspoon Crushed Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cumin
2 Teaspoons Dried Oregano
4 Steaks (your choice of cut)
8 Large Tomatoes
Fresh Mint And Coriander
2 Red Onions
1 Lemon (zested and Juiced)
A Drizzle of Olive Oil
Salad Leaves (Rocket, Spinach and Basil are my choice)

Equipment
1 Large Frying Pan/ Griddles are really good for this if you have one
1 Sharp Knife
1 Spatula
A Couple of hours to spare! (for marinading purposes only)

The good bit

1. Mix together the black pepper, paprika, salt, oregano, cumin and lemon zest.
2. With your knife, score the steaks in lines vertically about 1cm apart then horizontally 1cm apart (not too deep, just enough so you can see they've been cut) rub the spice mix into the steaks, (both sides if you have plenty to spare) and leave in the fridge (or microwave) for 2 hours
3. Cut your tomatoes in half lengthways and dry fry (no oil) on your griddle until they begin to blacken 6-8minutess (do NOT turn them over)
4. In the meantime roughly chop your mint and coriander, dice your onion and mix together along with the lemon juice and a good drizzle of olive oil (if you really want to be Mediterranean then add a finely sliced clove of garlic, just don't expect to get kissed afterwards!)
5. Fry your steaks over a high heat (again using a griddle pan is excellent, use no oil if you are) Time scales is down to you, If done over a high heat, you should only need to turn over once after about 5 minutes (check to see if the side has burnt a little) after another 5 minutes on that side you should have a really juicy medium steak, obviously add a little longer for well done or less for rare.
6. Serve the steak with 4 of the charred tomato slices with a drizzle of the mint and coriander mixture over them and the salad leaves at the side.
7. Grab a beer and sit outside and enjoy, or for those of you back in Manchester, stay indoors out of the rain with your beer and just imagine your on holiday!

Serves 4