Fried chicken is one of the true joys in life, it's heralded in many parts of the world and done differently wherever you go. The Japanese version is known as Chicken Karaage and it's absolutely delicious, particularly when dunked in some rich Kewpie mayonnaise, spiked with Japanese seven spice. I've served my Karaage with a simple slaw that I dressed with a really great sweet miso and sesame dressing and some plain rice.
If you've ever thought vegetarian food is slightly dull, hold on to your hats... this simple one-pot dish based on the humble chickpea absolutely packs in the flavour. The soft creamy chickpeas are cooked in a richly flavoured tomato sauce with a good splash of Fino sherry, dried chilli and smoked paprika. The dish is finished with roasted peppers, creamy aioli made with olive oil, a scattering of fresh parsley and a chunk of grilled sourdough.
There is something quite magical about a good fish stew, it packs in so much flavour, yet is still fresh, light and healthy. A great fish stew doesn't need to be complicated - if you can get hold of some fresh white fish and a few mussels or clams, foodie greatness awaits with just a few key store cupboard ingredients and about 45 minutes of your time.
Our black rice is the perfect foil for the assertive flavour of asparagus and with some sweet preserved tomatoes, crisp radish, nutty edamame beans, fresh herbs and a delicious garlic and lemon dressing, this dish is a total winner.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to go on a cycling tour with a few mates where we followed the Ebro River in Spain, from its source, down into the famous Rioja wine region. As this was a self-guided tour we were given two pieces of advice when it came to lunch stops.
This really simple dish is a foodie take on fish and chips and it's totally transformed with our new Mojo Rojo sauce. Originating in Spain, this utterly delicious sauce combines red peppers with red wine vinegar, garlic and sweet paprika - it just seems to be greater than the sum of it's parts.
We sell the best corn tortillas that make amazing Mexican tacos, but what do you do with any that are left over? In Mexico, they make tortilla soup. Tortilla soup in Mexico is as common and well-loved as French onion soup is in France. With a base of pasilla chillies and a touch of smoky chipotle, it's warming, comforting and certainly lifts the spirits on a cold day.
An Indonesian street food classic and one of the tastiest dishes on the planet. Chunks of beef gently simmered in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, cardamom, cinnamon and lime leaves, the flavour combination is sensational. Unlike many other 'wet' curries, Rendang is cooked until most of the liquid has reduced, concentrating the flavours and making it super tasty.
This is a true storecupboard dish that's a real family favourite. It's effectively 'home-made' baked beans with proper flavours that will knock the socks off any canned version.
Chermoula is a Middle Eastern paste that's also popular in North Africa, the recipes for this vary across the regions. Our paste is packed full of herbs and spices, with a touch of chilli. It's also awesome when used with fish or prawns.
I like to think of chicken as a blank canvas, it's brilliant at taking on flavours, especially if you allow time for a marinade to work it's magic. Za'atar is a wonderful blend of Middle Eastern herbs and spices that will transform a humble chicken into a thing of beauty.
This Cuban Mojo marinade is one of my favourite Somerset Foodie sauces. It raises the BBQ bar from dried out old meat to something spectacular. It's spiced with chipotle, garlic and orange which makes for mouthwatering chicken...
Classic Mexican Chicken Tinga is a slow cooked chicken dish made with tomatoes and chipotle chillies. This particular recipe has the addition of dried Ancho and Cascabel Chillies too. I love layering different chilli flavours and if you want a ticket to the most heavenly tasting shredded chicken, then keep on reading...
I just love the fresh vibrant flavours of a noodle salad, a riot of textures and flavours - brought together with a zingy, aromatic dressing. Year-round versatility, you can incorporate whatever fresh veg or salad happens to be in season at the time, or lurking in your fridge and needs using up.
As Spring is upon us with longer days, this lamb dish helps bring out the tastes of a sunny Mediterranean summer - sun dried tomatoes, olives, herbs and olive oil all are reminiscent of lazy summer holidays, heady aromas and with it, amazing flavours...
Vietnamese cuisine is a real melting pot of flavours. It's heavily influenced by the French who occupied the country during the 19th Century so you'll see ingredients like French baguettes and pate commonly being eaten. Mix those up with more traditional South East Asian ingredients like noodles, chilli and coconut, add in wonderfully fragrant herbs and you have something remarkable. Vietnamese food is about fine-tuning your tasting skills to balance out sweet, sour, salty, umami, bitter and hot flavours. It's also about combining perfect textures, crunchy vegetables and silky meat or fish to create the perfect harmony of taste.
