bbc good food

With only five ingredients, these lean meatballs couldn't be any easier to make.

Lamb koftas

lamb mince

tsp cumin

tsp coriander

garlic

mint

oilfor brushing

Mix together all the ingredients until well blended. Divide into eight balls, then roll each ball on a board with a cupped hand to turn them into ovals. Thread onto four metal skewers and brush with oil.

To cook on a griddle: heat the pan until you can feel a good heat rising and cook for 3-4 mins each side. Don’t turn until they are well sealed or the meat will stick to the grill or pan.

Season if you want, and set aside. Serve the koftas with yogurt and spiced flat breads.

Gordon Ramsay's version of the classic steak dish – a showstopping centrepiece on a special occasion

Beef wellington

beef

olive oil

250 grams/9 ounces chestnut mushroom,include some wild ones if you like

butter

thyme

100 milliliters/3.5 fl oz dry white wine

prosciutto

egg yolksbeaten with 1 tsp water

Sit the 1kg beef fillet on a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/test-five-best-roasting-tins">roasting tray</a>, <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-best-pastry-brushes">brush</a> with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with pepper, then roast for 15 mins for medium-rare or 20 mins for medium. When the beef is <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-meat-thermometers">cooked to your liking</a>, remove from the oven to cool, then chill in the fridge for about 20 mins.

While the beef is cooling, <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-paring-knives">chop</a> 250g chestnut (and wild, if you like) mushrooms as finely as possible so they have the texture of coarse breadcrumbs. You can use a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-five-best-food-processors">food processor</a> to do this, but make sure you pulse-chop the mushrooms so they don’t become a slurry.

Heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil and 50g butter in a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/five-best-saucepans">large pan</a> and fry the mushrooms on a medium heat, with 1 large sprig fresh thyme, for about 10 mins stirring often, until you have a softened mixture.

Season the mushroom mixture, pour over 100ml dry white wine and cook for about 10 mins until all the wine has been absorbed. The mixture should hold its shape when stirred.

Remove the mushroom duxelle from the pan to cool and discard the thyme.

Overlap two pieces of cling film over a large <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-five-best-chopping-boards">chopping board</a>. Lay 12 slices prosciutto on the cling film, slightly overlapping, in a double row.

Spread half the duxelles over the prosciutto, then sit the fillet on it and spread the remaining duxelles over.

Use the cling film’s edges to draw the prosciutto around the fillet, then roll it into a sausage shape, twisting the ends of cling film to tighten it as you go.

Chill the fillet while you roll out the pastry.

Dust your work surface with a little flour. <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/kimberley-wilsons-top-five-marble-rolling-pins">Roll out</a> a third of the 500g pack of puff pastry to a 18 x 30cm strip and place on a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/kimberley-wilsons-top-5-baking-trays">non-stick baking sheet</a>.

Roll out the remainder of the 500g pack of puff pastry to about 28 x 36cm.

Unravel the fillet from the cling film and sit it in the centre of the smaller strip of pastry.

Beat the 2 egg yolks with 1 tsp water and <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-best-pastry-brushes">brush</a> the pastry’s edges, and the top and sides of the wrapped fillet.

Using a rolling pin, carefully lift and drape the larger piece of pastry over the fillet, pressing well into the sides.

Trim the joins to about a 4cm rim. Seal the rim with the edge of a fork or spoon handle.

Glaze all over with more egg yolk and, using the back of a knife, mark the beef Wellington with long diagonal lines taking care not to cut into the pastry.

Chill for at least 30 mins and up to 24 hrs. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.

Brush the Wellington with a little more egg yolk and cook until golden and crisp – 20-25 mins for medium-rare beef, 30 mins for medium. Allow to stand for 10 mins before serving in thick slices.

These vegetarian tartlets make great finger food for a festive drinks party

Goat'S Cheese & Cranberry Tartlets

egg, beaten

tbsp cranberry sauce

goat's cheese logs

thyme leaf

olive oil, for drizzling

Goat's cheese & cranberry tartlets

Preheat oven to fan 200C/conventional 220C/gas 7. Lay pastry on a floured work surface. Using a round 7.5cm round pastry cutter, cut out as many circles as possible.

Sit them on oiled baking sheets and score a circle about 2.5cm in from the edge of each disc by pressing gently with a 5cm cutter. Pierce the middle of each with a fork, brush with egg and top with a little cranberry sauce or chutney.

Slice the cheese 5mm thick so you have a slice per disc (discard end rinds). Lay a slice on each tartlet, then top with thyme leaves, a drizzle of oil and a twist of black pepper.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and the pastry crispy. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm, garnished with rocket leaves.

Mary Cadogan's aromatic broth will warm you up on a winter's evening - it contains ginger, which is particularly good for colds.

Chicken noodle soup

vegetable stock (or Miso soup mix)

boneless, skinless chicken breast(about 175 grams)

ginger

garlic clove,finely chopped

riceor wheat noodles

tbsp

2-3 mushrooms,thinly sliced

spring onions,shredded

mint or basil leaves

Pour the stock into a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-saute-pans">pan</a> and add the chicken breast, ginger and <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-garlic-gadgets">garlic</a>. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer for 20 mins, until the chicken is tender.

Put the chicken on a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-chopping-boards">board</a> and shred into bite-size pieces using a couple of forks. Return the chicken to the stock with the noodles, sweetcorn, mushrooms, spring onion and soy sauce. Simmer for 3-4 mins until the noodles are tender.

Ladle into two bowls and scatter over the remaining spring onion, mint or basil leaves and chilli, if using. Serve with extra soy sauce.

The perfect party cake, a Victoria sponge is a traditional bake everyone will love. Makes an easy wedding cake, too

Classic Victoria sandwich recipe

caster sugar

softened butter

eggs,beaten

self-raising flour

tsp baking powder

tbsp milk

butter,softened

icing sugar,sifted

vanilla extract(optional)

icing sugar,to decorate

Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.

In a <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-mixing-bowls">large bowl</a>, <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-five-best-food-processors">beat</a> 200g caster sugar, 200g softened butter, 4 beaten eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 2 tbsp milk together until you have a smooth, soft batter.

Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-best-spatulas">spatula</a> or the back of a spoon.

Bake for about 20 mins until golden and the cake springs back when pressed.

Turn onto a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/baking-equipment">cooling rack</a> and leave to cool completely.

To make the filling, beat the 100g softened butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in 140g sifted icing sugar and a drop of vanilla extract (if you’re using it).

<a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/baking-equipment">Spread</a> the buttercream over the bottom of one of the sponges. Top it with 170g strawberry jam and sandwich the second sponge on top.

Dust with a little icing sugar before serving. Keep in an <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-tupperware-sets">airtight container </a>and eat within 2 days.

Side dishes don’t come more Irish than creamy colcannon - try Kevin Dundon's version

Colcannon

1kg potato,well scrubbed (cut any large ones in half)

sliced back bacon,finely chopped

Savoy cabbage,finely shredded

milliliters double cream

Tip the potatoes into a large saucepan of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 mins, or until the flesh is tender when pierced.

Meanwhile, heat quarter of the butter in a saucepan, then fry the bacon and half the cabbage for 5 mins (see Kevin’s tip, below, for how to use remaining cabbage). Turn off the heat and set aside. Drain potatoes in a colander and peel while still hot.

Mash potato until smooth. Heat cream with remaining butter and, when almost boiling, beat into the potato. Add bacon and cabbage to potato and mix. Season if you want.

Try these oven-roasted chips, far less fatty than their fried cousins

Oven-roasted chips

tsp celery salt

sea salt,to serve

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Peel the potatoes and cut them into long chip shapes – the thickness is entirely up to you, though the width of a finger is ideal. Rinse under the cold tap and pat dry with a tea towel.

Spread the chips on a large non-stick baking tray and toss with the olive oil and celery salt. Lie them flat in a single layer – use two trays rather than overcrowd one.

Roast for 45-50 mins, turning now and then. When cooked they should be golden brown and crisp with a light fluffy centre. Scatter on sea salt to serve.

Slow-roasting is a great way to keep chicken nice and moist. Adding the potatoes to the roasting tin infuses them with plenty of flavour, too

Foolproof slow roast chicken

butter,for greasing

chicken

1kg roasting potatoes,halved

garlic heads,halved through the middle

milliliters white wine

chicken stock

bay leaves

Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Brush a large <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/test-five-best-roasting-tins">roasting tin</a> all over with butter and smear some over the skin of the chicken.

Place the chicken in the tin and arrange the potatoes around it. Put the halved garlic heads in the tin, pour over the white wine and stock, then cover with foil and place in the oven. Cook for 1 hr then remove the foil and give the potatoes a shake. Add the herbs and lemon wedges, then cook uncovered for 50 mins.

Turn the heat up to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cook for 30 mins more, then remove the chicken and potatoes from the pan. Cover the chicken loosely with foil and leave to rest on a plate for at least 10 mins before carving. Keep the potatoes warm. Serve with any pan juices.

Perfect porridge for a healthy way to start the day

Perfect porridge

porridge oats

milk

Greek yogurt,thinned with a little milk and clear honey, to serve

Put 50g porridge oats in a saucepan, pour in 350ml milk or water and sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring from time to time and watching carefully that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Or you can try this in a microwave. Mix the porridge oats, milk or water and a pinch of salt in a large microwaveproof bowl, then microwave on High for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. Leave to stand for 2 minutes before eating.

To serve, pour into bowls, spoon Greek yogurt, thinned with a little milk, on top and drizzle with honey.

Low fat but so impressive - you can find the wrappers in freezer cabinets of Asian food stores or speciality food halls

Steamed pork & prawn wontons

pork

spring onions, chopped small

garlic cloves, crushed

tsp grated root ginger

tbsp oyster sauce

tsp sesame oil

water chestnuts

lettuce leaves,

soy sauce

dry sherry

tsp grated fresh root ginger,

shreds of spring onion

Mix together the pork, prawns, spring onions, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, oil and water chestnuts.

Peel off a wonton wrapper and, with a pastry brush, lightly brush round the outside with cold water. Place 1 tsp of mixture in the centre and scrunch up into a pouch, squeezing to seal. Do not overfill. Repeat until you have around 35-40. (These can be chilled for up to 1 hr on a tray lined with baking parchment.)

For the sauce, mix together the soy sauce, sherry and ginger in a small bowl. To steam, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Line a bamboo or metal steaming basket with lettuce leaves to fit.

Arrange half the pouches in the basket (without them touching), cover and steam for 5 mins. Remove with tongs to a platter and steam the rest – check the water level. Serve, sprinkled with spring onion or sesame seeds, with the bowl of sauce.

Cook this simple storecupboard risotto in the oven while you get on with something else – the result is still wonderfully creamy

Oven-baked risotto

pack smoked bacon,chopped into small pieces

onion,chopped

risotto rice

white wine(optional)

pack cherry tomatoes,halved

parmesan,grated

Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Fry the bacon pieces in an <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-saute-pans">ovenproof pan</a> or casserole dish for 3-5 mins until golden and crisp. Stir in the onion and butter and cook for 3-4 mins until soft. Tip in the rice and mix well until coated. Pour over the wine if using and cook for 2 mins until absorbed.

Add the cherry tomatoes and the hot stock, then give the rice a quick stir. Cover with a tightly fitting lid and bake for 18 mins until just cooked. Stir through most of the parmesan and serve sprinkled with the remainder.

A great, low fat flavour combination

Chicken & mango stir fry

onions

nugget of root ginger

mango

boneless skinless chicken breast

vegetable oil

bag fresh stir-fry vegetables

tbsp sweet chilli sauce

rice

Trim the roots and tops off the spring onions and slice diagonally. Peel and grate the ginger and crush or finely chop the garlic. Cut the mango lengthways on either side of the stone, then peel off the skin and chop the flesh into cubes. Slice the chicken into thin strips.

Heat half the oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until lightly coloured. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and add the spring onions, ginger and garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the mango and vegetables and stir-fry for a further 1 minute.

Return the chicken to the pan and splash in the soy and chilli sauces. Stir until evenly mixed, then cover and cook for a further 2 minutes until the chicken is tender and the veggies are slightly softened.

Use this great mince recipe as a base for bolognese or cottage pie - freeze a batch ready to whip out for last-minute dinners

Multi mince

back bacon rashers, chopped

onions, finely chopped

garlic cloves, finely chopped

milliliters red wine

beef stock (from a cube is fine)

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan. When hot, tip in the mince and cook for 10 mins until browned all over, breaking up any lumps with the back of a spoon. Tip onto a plate. You may need to do this in batches.

Add the bacon to the pan with the onions and garlic, then cook for 7 mins until the bacon is cooked and onion softened. Return the mince to the pan, then pour in the red wine, stock and thyme leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 mins until the mince is tender and the sauce has reduced down. Once cool, can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Make a delicious spag-bol in less than half an hour

So-simple spaghetti bolognese

carrot,

plum tomatoes

basil,

recipe Multi mince(see 'Goes well with' below)

spaghettior other long pasta

breadcrumbs

Heat the oil in non-stick frying pan. Tip in the carrot and cook for 5 mins to soften. Scoop out the tomatoes from the can and add to the pan, and cook for 5 mins more. Pour over the tomato juice and basil, then simmer for 15 mins. Whizz together in a blender until smooth. Can be frozen for up to three months.

Heat through with the Multi mince. Cook spaghetti according to pack instructions. Reserve some of the cooking water, drain and tip the pasta into the pan along with the sauce. Toss together, thinning with pasta water, if needed, and serve with the extra basil leaves on top and the breadcrumbs.

This simple salad is a refreshingly crisp and crunchy addition to any meal

Fennel & celery salad

fennel bulbs

celery

lemon juice

Very finely slice the fennel bulbs lengthways (a mandolin makes this easier). Cut the celery stalks into thin matchsticks. Scatter the fennel and celery on a large plate or platter, drizzle over the fruity extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, then season. Scatter any fennel fronds and celery leaves over if you have them.

A wonderful alternative to chips and so much simpler to prepare

Perfect sautéed potatoes

1kg waxy potato,

6-8 tbsp sunflower or olive oil

Cut 1 kg waxy potatoes into chunks.

Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then cook the potatoes for 3 mins. Drain, shake out onto a kitchen paper-lined tray and leave to cool.

When ready to serve, heat 6-8 tbsp sunflower or olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan until you can feel a strong heat rising.

If your pan isn’t large enough, fry the potatoes in two batches – rather than crowding them. Have kitchen paper ready to drain them on. Add the potatoes in a single layer, not too tightly packed.

Turn the heat to medium-high, so that the potatoes sizzle, but don’t stir until they start to brown underneath.

Turn them all evenly 2 or 3 times until nicely browned all over – this can take about 7 mins.

Then lift out with a fish slice or large slotted spoon to drain on more kitchen paper. Sprinkle with sea salt.

A new delicious version of the Italian favourite, pesto pasta, with broccoli

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