Main course

Liven up your lunchbox this week

Many (many) years’ ago, I endured a two week long school exchange trip to the Limousin region of France.

As a 13-year-old staying with an extremely eccentric family in an even more eccentric cobweb-strewn house (half of which appeared to be a long-abandoned cabaret café), I found the whole experience challenging to say the least. Never before, or since, have I experienced such a longing for home.

It was such a vivid experience, however, that much of it has stayed with me, including the flavours of the local cuisine.

This trip was undoubtedly
the catalyst for my life-long
love of food.

The whole family were superb cooks, and I tasted the most delicious pastas, pâtés and crêpes. One particularly memorable couscous dish was served at the local village fête. I’d never even heard of couscous, let alone tasted it, but I loved the combination of flavours and textures.

I’ve done my best to recreate this recipe almost 30 years’ later in the 2017 Dairy Diary. It’s really easy to make, and can be made in advance and chilled, so it’s ideal for a portable lunch, and much more interesting than the ubiquitous cheese sandwich.

French-style Couscous with Prawns

French-Style Couscous with Prawns

A really simple combination of ingredients, but packed full of flavour, and perfect for your lunchbox. This French-Style Couscous with Prawns is a Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

#tripletested

Recipe of the Week: Chana Dahl with Roast Vegetables

Chana Dhal with Roast Vegetables

 

This is the most flavourful vegetarian dish I have ever tasted, it’s absolutely delicious, and the contrast in texture between the dahl and the roast veg makes it extra special.

Chana Dhal with Roast Vegetables

  • Servings: 6
  • Print

Calories 319 per portion
Fat 9g (1g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

For the dahl

  • For the dahl
  • Yellow split peas 300g (11oz)
  • Rapeseed oil 1 tbsp
  • Red onions 2, peeled and chopped
  • Garlic 2–4 cloves, peeled and chopped
  • Root ginger 5cm (2in) piece, finely chopped
  • Red chilli 1, deseeded and chopped
  • Fresh coriander 25g (1oz), stalks and leaves chopped separately
  • Bay leaves 2
  • Garam masala 2 tbsp
  • Ground cumin 2 tsp
  • Whole plum tomatoes 400g can
  • Vegetable stock 600ml (1 pint)
  • Limes 2, juice squeezed

For the roasted vegetables

  • Rapeseed oil 3 tbsp
  • Cauliflower 450g (1lb), broken into florets
  • Large Chantenay carrots 450g (1lb), halved lengthways or quartered if thick
  • Celeriac 300g (11oz), peeled and cut into wedges
  • Garam masala 2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds 2 tsp
  • Ground turmeric 1 tsp
  • Black mustard seeds 1 tsp
  • Curly kale 110g (4oz), large stalks removed and chopped
  • Naan breads 6, warmed, to serve

Instructions

  1. Soak the split peas overnight in cold water, then rinse and drain.
  2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, ginger, chilli, chopped coriander stalks, bay leaves and spices and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes, the stock and the peas. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours until the peas have softened.
  3. For the roasted vegetables, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°fan/Gas 4. Heat the oil in a large roasting tin for 5 minutes. Coat the cauliflower, carrots and celeriac in the oil and roast for 30 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle in the spices and stir well. Add the kale and roast for a further 15–20 minutes until the kale is crisp and the carrots and cauliflower just tender.
  5. When ready to serve, add the lime juice and half the coriander leaves to the dhal. Serve with the roast vegetables and naan bread and garnish with the remaining coriander.

Cook’s tip
If you prefer, cook the dhal in the oven at 150°C/130°fan/Gas 2 for 2 hours.

#tripletested

Behind the Scenes at our London Photo Shoot

Cookbook photoshoot

Last week I travelled down to London for the first of our cookbook shoots.

Our photographer, Steve Lee, has been shooting Dairy Diary images for over 15 years and is a master of his craft.

As well as working with us he has also photographed with many top chefs and food writers, including Michelle Roux, Antonio Carluccio and Phil Vickery.

We also work with acclaimed food writer Sara Lewis, who effortlessly makes each recipe look so delicious. Completing our small (but perfectly formed!) team is Olivia Wardle who sources all the gorgeous props and lovely Douglas Lee, who assists with everything from setting up the lighting to making the coffee.

Everyone works really hard behind the scenes to make the books look so fantastic.

Nothing is ‘staged’ or cheated; the food
is created exactly as per the recipe, then
photographed as quickly as possible
while it’s still fresh.

We shot some absolutely stunning images, which I can’t wait to share with you, but we have to wait for those, so instead I’m going to share my favourite recipe from our previous shoot.

Look out for this in our BRAND NEW COOKBOOK, coming very soon.

 

 

Chana Dhal with Roast Vegetables

Chana Dhal with Roast Vegetables

  • Servings: 6
  • Print

Calories 319 per portion
Fat 9g (1g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians
Suitable for freezing

For the dahl

  • For the dahl
  • Yellow split peas 300g (11oz)
  • Rapeseed oil 1 tbsp
  • Red onions 2, peeled and chopped
  • Garlic 2–4 cloves, peeled and chopped
  • Root ginger 5cm (2in) piece, finely chopped
  • Red chilli 1, deseeded and chopped
  • Fresh coriander 25g (1oz), stalks and leaves chopped separately
  • Bay leaves 2
  • Garam masala 2 tbsp
  • Ground cumin 2 tsp
  • Whole plum tomatoes 400g can
  • Vegetable stock 600ml (1 pint)
  • Limes 2, juice squeezed

For the roasted vegetables

  • Rapeseed oil 3 tbsp
  • Cauliflower 450g (1lb), broken into florets
  • Large Chantenay carrots 450g (1lb), halved lengthways or quartered if thick
  • Celeriac 300g (11oz), peeled and cut into wedges
  • Garam masala 2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds 2 tsp
  • Ground turmeric 1 tsp
  • Black mustard seeds 1 tsp
  • Curly kale 110g (4oz), large stalks removed and chopped
  • Naan breads 6, warmed, to serve

Instructions

  1. Soak the split peas overnight in cold water, then rinse and drain.
  2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, ginger, chilli, chopped coriander stalks, bay leaves and spices and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes, the stock and the peas. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours until the peas have softened.
  3. For the roasted vegetables, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°fan/Gas 4. Heat the oil in a large roasting tin for 5 minutes. Coat the cauliflower, carrots and celeriac in the oil and roast for 30 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle in the spices and stir well. Add the kale and roast for a further 15–20 minutes until the kale is crisp and the carrots and cauliflower just tender.
  5. When ready to serve, add the lime juice and half the coriander leaves to the dhal. Serve with the roast vegetables and naan bread and garnish with the remaining coriander.

Cook’s tip
If you prefer, cook the dhal in the oven at 150°C/130°fan/Gas 2 for 2 hours.

#tripletested

Recipe of the Week: Garlic Mushroom Tagliatelle

Garlic Mushroom Tagliatelle

For a really speedy but delicious dinner try this creamy pasta dish.

Garlic Mushroom Tagliatelle

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 706 per portion
Fat 47g (26g sat) per portion
Suitable for vegetarians

Ingredients

  • Dried tagliatelle 300g (11oz)
  • Olive oil 2 tbsp
  • Red onion 1, peeled and chopped
  • Garlic 2 cloves, peeled and finely chopped
  • Portabella mushrooms 250g (9oz), wiped and sliced
  • Oyster mushrooms 110g (4oz), wiped and sliced
  • Baby mushrooms 150g (5oz), wiped and halved
  • Double cream 300ml pot
  • Chopped parsley and grated cheese to serve, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook tagliatelle according to packet’s instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan and cook onion and garlic gently for 5 minutes or until just soft.
  3. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add cream and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Season to taste.
  4. Drain tagliatelle and toss with mushroom and cream mixture. Divide between warm pasta bowls and scatter with chopped fresh parsley and grated cheese, if using.

 

#recipeoftheweek

#tripletested

Recipe of the Week: St George’s Steak & Ale Pies

 

Recipe of the Week: St George’s Steak & Ale Pies

Celebrate St George’s Day with one of these scrumptious little pies.

 

St George’s Steak & Ale Pies

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Calories 961 per portion
Fat 61g (25.3g sat) per portion
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients

  • Olive oil 3 tbsp
  • Onion 1, peeled and chopped
  • Rindless unsmoked back bacon 4 rashers, chopped
  • Carrots 2, peeled and sliced
  • Braising steak 700g (1½lb)
  • Flour 2 tbsp
  • Pale ale 1 x 500ml bottle
  • Beef stock 300ml (½ pint)
  • Dried mixed herbs ½ tsp
  • Puff pastry 500g
  • Egg 1, beaten

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat half the oil in a large pan and cook onion for 5 minutes. Add bacon and cook for 3 minutes. Add carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Set aside.
  2. Toss beef in flour and brown in remaining oil. Return onion mix to pan and mix well, then pour in ale and stock. Add herbs and bring up to boil, stirring. Partially cover and cook gently for 2 hours or until beef is tender, stirring occasionally.
  3. Divide meat between four individual pie dishes. Cool.
  4. Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Divide pastry into four. Roll each out 4cm (1½in) bigger than dish. For each Pie: Cut a strip of pastry for rim of the dish and attach with water. Press pastry onto dish. Trim excess and knock back edges. Glaze with egg and make a small hole. Set on a tray and bake for 30-40 minutes.

 

A Dairy Diary recipe.

 

#stgeorgesday

Recipe of the Week | Lamb Crown Roast

Lamb Crown Roast

Lamb Crown Roast

This show-stopping Lamb Crown Roast will be sure to impress! This tasty Sunday Dinner idea is a Dairy Diary recipe. For more delicious recipes visit the Dairy Diary Recipe Collection.

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

 

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