Italian Potato Salad

Ingredients

450g New Potatoes (or small potatoes)

4 Tablespoons Natural Yogurt

4 Tablespoons Mayonnaise

8 Sundried Tomatoes (thinly sliced)

2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped)

Equipment

1 SHARP Knife

1 Chopping Board

1 Pan (1/2 full with boiling salted water)

1 Mixing Bowl

1 Metal Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Strat by cooking your potatoes for around 10 minutes until they are tender. Whilst they are cooking mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt, tomato slices and the parsley.
2. Drain your potatoes once they are cooked and then allow to cool before trying to cut, cut into 2 inch chunks then toss them into your sauce mix and stir in well, chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 4

Spinach Salad

Ingredients

100g Spinach

75g Radicchio Leaves (salad leaves will do)

50g Mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)

50g Parma Ham (torn)

100g Cooked Chicken (torn)

1 Orange (all the juice and half the zest)

1 Tablespoon Natural Yoghurt

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Equipment

1 SHARP Knife

1 Chopping Board

1 Screwtop Jam Jar

1 Serving Bowl

The Good Bit

1. Start by chucking all your leaves into the serving bowl and mixing well, then add in the chicken, mushrooms and ham and mix again.
2. Now, in your jar place the oil, yogurt, orange juice and zest, screw the lid on and shake well, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour your dressing over the salad and mix well before serving.

Serves 4

Walnut, Celery, Chicory and Apple Salad (a new take on the classic waldorf salad)

Ingredients
2 Heads of Chicory (cut off the bases)
4 Celery Stalks
2 Apples (cored and sliced)
1 Lemon (juiced)
Handful of Toasted Walnut Halves (chopped, you may have to toast these yourself, to do that just fry them in a pan without oil for a couple of minutes, shaking the pan occasionally until they start to colour)
3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Natural Yogurt
1/2 Teaspoon Celery Salt
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
2 Mixing Bowls (medium size will do or 1 large and 1 small)
1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Mix the mayonnaise, yogurt, salt and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in your smaller bowl and season with salt and pepper and set aside, now scatter the chicory leaves over your 4 serving plates.
2. Chop the celery up along with its leaves and place in the larger bowl, throw in the apple slices, the remaining lemon juice and half of the chopped nuts, mix very well (you need to coat the apple in the lemon juice to stop it from turning brown)
3. Divide this mixture out on top of your leaves and sprinkle over the remaining nuts, serve the sauce at the side in a separate dipping bowl or drizzle over the top.

Serves 4

Cheats Chicken Tikka Kebabs

Ingredients
500g Chicken Diced
150g Natural Yogurt
1 Red and 1 Green Pepper (de seeded and diced)
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Tikka Spice Mix
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Mint
1 Tablespoon Sunflower Oil
Naan Bread, Mango Chutney and Natural Yogurt to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Griddle Pan
Bamboo Skewers (soaked in water for at least 20 minutes before hand)

The Good Bit

1. Mix the yogurt with the tikka, mint, lemon juice and the oil now add the chicken, stir well, cover and leave for at least an hour in the fridge.
2. Thread the chicken chunks onto the skewers alternating with pepper, griddle for approximately 15 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides.
3. Serve with naan bread, mango chutney and extra yogurt.

Serves 4

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 Mint with an Indian Twist

Ingredients
225g Lamb (cut into strips)
150ml Water
120ml Natural Yoghurt
50ml Coconut Milk
2 Onions (thinly chopped)
1 Tablespoon Each Ground Almonds, Fresh Mint (chopped)
1 Teaspoon Each Fresh Ginger (grated) Garam Masala, Salt, Garlic (crushed)
Pinch of Each Ground Cardamom, Ground Cinnamon
4 Black Peppercorns
2 Chillies (finely sliced)
1 Bay Leaf
Oil
Fresh Mint (roughly torn to garnish)

Equipment
1 Mixing Bowl
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Spoon
1 Wok/Large Frying Pan
1 Balloon Whisk

The Good Bit

1. Whisk the yoghurt with the coconut milk, adding one at a time the following, chillies, almonds, salt, garlic, cinnamon, mint, ginger, garam masala and cardamom, then set aside.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok and fry the onion along with the bay leaf and peppercorns slowly for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and golden, then add the lamb and stir fry for 2 minutes before adding in your sauce.
3. Add in the water, bring to a gentle simmer and cover, leave to cook for 15 minutes stirring only once or twice, then take the lid off, turn up the heat a little, and stir fry for a further 2 minutes, keeping it moving at all times.
4. Serve garnished with chopped mint leaves.
   

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

Lamb Balti withPeas and Potatoes

Ingredients
225g Lamb (boneless, cut into strips)
120ml Natural Yoghurt
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cardamom Pods
3 Peppercorns
1 Teaspoon Each Garlic (crushed), Ginger (grated), Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Salt
2 Onions (sliced)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint (roughly chopped)
300ml Water
1 Large Potato (diced)
115g Frozen Peas
1 Tomato (peeled and de seeded, then diced)
Rice to Serve (optional, check the tips section on the home page)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Wok
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water for the potato)

The Good Bit

1. Mix the yoghurt, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns, chilli powder, ginger, garlic, garam masala and salt together, add in half the mint stir well then drop in the lamb, stir well again making sure the lamb is well coated then set aside for 2 hours.
2. Heat a splash of oil in your wok then cook the onion slowly until it is soft and brown, then pour in the lamb mixture and cook for 3 minutes, add the water and bring to the boil and lower the temperature, simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile cook the potato, should only take about 10 minutes, you want it cooked but not ready to turn to mash. Add the peas to the wok, drain the potato and then add that too, stir gently to get a good mix then stir in the tomato and remaining mint.
4. Cook for 5 more minutes before serving, you may want rice with this, check my tips section on the home page on how to do perfect rice every time.
   

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

Cod with Spicy Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients
4 Cod Fillets (de skinned)
1 Lemon (juiced)
1 Onion (thinly chopped)
1 Bay Leaf
4 Black Peppercorns
175ml Natural Yoghurt
125g Button Mushrooms
1 /2 Teaspoon Ginger
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Fresh Coriander
Oil
Haricots Verts (to serve)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Mixing Bowl

The Good Bit

1. Pre heat your grill to medium. Place the fish on a plate and drizzle over the lemon juice and then par cook the fish under the grill for 5 minutes each side.
2. Splash some oil in the frying pan then add the onion, bay leaf and peppercorns, cook for 3 minutes then lower the heat and add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
3. In the mixing bowl, mix together the yoghurt, ginger, garlic, garam masala, chilli and salt then pour this spice mix over the onions and continue to fry for 3 minutes.
4. Finally add the cod and cook for another 2 minutes serve garnished with coriander leaves (I suggest haricot verts to go with this)
   

Serves 4

Beef Stew With a Healthy Twist

Ingredients
500g Beef (cut into chunks)
750ml Chicken Stock
120ml White Wine
1 Carrot (halved lengthways then sliced)
1 Clove Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Stick Celery (finely sliced)
300g Baby Onions (peeled, if using shallots 1/4 them)
180g Button Mushrooms (quartered)
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 Bay Leaf
1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Cornflour
125g Natural Yoghurt
Knob of Butter
Splash of Oil
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan
2 Small Frying Pans
1 Large Bowl
1 Slotted Spoon
1 Spatula

The Good Bit

1. In the pan, heat a little oil then cook the meat until it is evenly browned on all sides, add 500ml of stock, the wine, carrot, celery, thyme, garlic and bay leaf, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. In the frying pan, pour in the rest of the stock and drop in the onions, cooking until all the stock has gone, then remove from the heat and set aside.
3. In the other frying pan, heat another splash of oil and drop in the knob of butter, went it is bubbling add in the mushrooms and cook until they are soft then stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat then set that aside too.
4. With the slotted spoon, remove the meat and vegetables from the broth and place in the large bowl, remove the bay leaf and throw away, blend a the cornflour in a cup with a little of the broth then tip it back into the pan, simmer away until the broth has thickened, reduce the heat again now and stir in the yoghurt, finally add all the other ingredients and the teaspoon of parsley, heat through then serve.
   

Serves 4

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients
500g Steak (cut into strips)
1 Tablespoon Margarine
3 Shallots (chopped)
250g Mushrooms (sliced)
250ml Beef Stock
1 Tablespoon Tomato Purée
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
150g Low Fat Natural Yoghurt
A Splash of Oil
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Fork

The Good Bit

1. Heat a dash of oil in a frying pan and cook the strips of steak until they are evenly browned all over, remove and set aside. Now melt the butter in the frying pan and add the shallots and cook until they start to soften (2 minutes or so) then add the mushrooms and cook until all the juice from the mushrooms has gone (a good 8 minutes)
2. In the mixing bowl, mix together what's left apart from the yoghurt, pour into the frying pan and add in the steak strips, bring to a simmer and leave for 12 minutes, turn down the heat to a very low setting then add in the yoghurt, stirring all the time (you may want to leave this step for a couple of minutes until the pan is cooler so you don't risk curdling the yoghurt) once the meal is warm throughout season and serve.
   

Serves 4

Yoghurt And Mint Sauce

Ingredients
175g Yoghurt (not a fruit corner or such, Greek or natural is best)
1 Tablespoon Mint Jelly (warmed) or Mint Sauce
3 Tablespoons Fresh Mint Leaves (finely chopped)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Bowl
1 Spoon

The good Bit

1. Mix all the ingredients together in the bowl and chill.