Friday, 8 August 2025

When you're ready to serve …

The result of all your hard work look like this :-


To complete, add :


100g of your home-made mayo and combine


or you can split

50g mayo

50g sour cream


To turn the slaw into a “Coronation Slaw” add :-

1 tsp mild curry powder

a squirt of lime juice

1 tbsp mango chutney


Optional extras anyone?

Add any of the following for a fruit and nut hit :


30g ready to eat apricots, finely diced

30g sultanas soaked in mango and apple juice

1 eating apple of your choice – quartered and

chopped

30g of chopped nuts – walnuts or brazils


This is not just any old slaw, whichever combination you choose – the home-made mayo makes all the difference and takes it to another level, well worth it!


Hmm, what's next … it has to be the bread!

The raw slaw

Time is our greatest enemy – or rather lack of it - whether its a commute, long hours, collecting and ferrying children, there's very little left to think about food and meals - here's my antidote which does require some prep but it's well worth the effort.


The basic raw slaw


It's much better to prep the slaw in separate food bags – it lasts longer.

How much you prep is up to you – as a guide :


110g white or red cabbage, finely sliced – approximately

one third of a medium size cabbage – a “cheek”

use a paring knife – see hints and tips to follow


1 carrot – peeled and sliced with a

julienne peeler


1 spring onion – 15g finely sliced


salt and black pepper


Slice your cheek of cabbage as finely as you can using a sharp paring knife – bag, clip and fridge. 





Next up the carrots – they bleed if you grate them – not to mention pebble dashing every nook and cranny in your kitchen – how is it possible that grated carrot can jettison so far?

Ta dah – enter the julienne peeler.

Here it is, along with the uniformly sliced strips of carrot it produces :


Bag, clip and fridge.

A neat piece of kit and inexpensive too.

Finally, spring onions are mild, you could use a Spanish onion if you prefer or a red version. You can get a sweet, mild variety too. Slice, bag, clip and fridge.

The ingredients are deliberately bagged separately – they keep fresh longer!

When you're ready to serve …

Friday, 1 August 2025

Variations on a theme!

If you wanted to change the mood depending on what you're serving then why not try these ideas!


For a French mayonnaise swap the lemon juice

for white wine vinegar, keep the remaining ingredients


Smoked mayo – stir in a few drops of smoke flavouring

to the mayo – substitute 1 tbsp of cider vinegar for the

white wine vinegar. Add a few drops of maple syrup

on each dollop of mayo. Fab on fries!


It does exactly what it says on the tin, here's a photo of the original :



What's not to love!

It's really useful – so many other recipes contain mayo, the most obvious being coleslaw – with the home-made mayo it takes it to the next level.

I don't think you'll ever buy mayonnaise again – goodbye shop bought.

If ever there was a recipe “for keeps” this is it!

Speaking of coleslaw ...

Make your own mayo!

The simple things in life – and your kitchen – are the best!

One of the best salady sides has to be mayo – but not any old bottle or jar – a mayo you've made yourself.

A good mayo recipe is pure gold and the following recipe is easy peasy. I cannot take the credit for the recipe – it belongs to Matt Preston late of MasterChef Australia. It never fails!

A small dish served as a side – a central part of sharing plates of mixed meats or fish and seafood – or both - is delicious.

Here goes :


Stick blender mayonnaise


1 egg

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

pinch of salt

juice of half a lemon – 2 tbsp

350ml of grapeseed oil



Break an egg into the stick blender jug. It's important that the yolk doesn't break. Add the mustard, salt and lemon.

Add the grapeseed oil, again being careful not to break the yolk. Insert the stick blender, be sure that the blades completely cover the yolk.

Blend – after a couple of seconds you'll see white ribbons rising through the oil. Slowly pull the blender up through the oil so it amalgamates and push down again to incorporate all the oil.

Serve!


Stick Blender Mayo is not as stiff as shop bought since it does not contain preservatives so the consistency should be spot on – if you think it's too stiff for your taste then add a drizzle of double cream.

The mayo recipe includes lemon juice and Dijon mustard, an excellent “good to go” base. All that's needed is extra seasonings – celery salt and white pepper as a suggestion.

An added bonus - you get 425g from a batch of mayonnaise and it will keep in the fridge for 3 days, so loads left over for other stuff!

Now for the variations ...

Friday, 25 July 2025

By the way …

here's a “salady side” that's my absolute favourite – its flavours match either with the Three Cheese Tart or the Homity Pie or for that matter anywhere you want a relish or a side it fits the bill - from baked salmon or honey glazed gammon to plain and simple with bread and cheese.

For those not in the know “bazzin” I associate with Manchester slang, meaning “great”, “fantastic” or particularly in this case “excellent” but any of the above will do!

I've used an organic vac pack of beetroot - it's easily available and ideal for the purpose of this relish and it's quicker!


Bazzin' beetroot relish


300g of cooked beetroot

peeled and cut into small cubes

1 sharp eating apple, peeled, cored and cut

into small cubes

1 medium onion, finely chopped

75g soft dark brown sugar

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and black pepper


Don't forget to use gloves when prepping your beetroot!

Mix well and place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan – 16cms in diameter. Simmer on a low heat, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool. Box up and fridge until ready to use.

I like the flexibility of this beetroot relish – it's not complicated or fussy and you can make it any time you've got half an hour to spare.

Here's a photo, served with frittata sat on sautéed veggies and topped with the Bazzin' beetroot relish:



I just thought I'd mention it!

Coming next … ideas for more salady sides

Homity Pie

 

MiamMiam

School of Cookery


Homity Pie

Serves 12-16 depending on size of slice


Pastry case


200g plain wholemeal flour

100g unsalted butter

pinch of baking powder


ice cold water to bind


Rub the butter into the flour and baking powder until it resembles breadcrumbs, then gradually add a glug of water and use and round bladed knife to bring the pastry together.

You can use a processor to reach the breadcrumb stage if you prefer – I'd then tip the pastry into a mixing bowl and add the water by hand.

Rest the pastry in the fridge for 30 minutes.


Ahead of the game


Bake 6 large jacket potatoes, then cool, peel and dice finely

and place in a large mixing bowl


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


500g onions, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic – finely chopped or roasted

paste

3 tbsp rapeseed oil

salt and black pepper

5 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley – 3 tbsp for the

filling and 2 for the topping – use less if you are

using dried

300g of grated cheese – I use a mixture of mature

cheddar, Gruyere and Red Leicester – 200g for the

filling and 100g for the topping


Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil, add to the potatoes and season with salt and black pepper. Add the cheese and parsley, mix thoroughly.

Roll out your pastry and line a greased baking dish measuring 24cms in diameter x 5cms deep.

Tip your potato mixture into the pastry case and pack it down tightly and flat – it will look as if you'll never get all the filling into the case – persevere – you will succeed.

Top with the remaining cheese and parsley.

Bake in a pre-heated oven – 190fan/170c/Gas 7 for 40 minutes – check after 20 minutes.


Alternatively you can make mini homity tarts using the same recipe, you'll get 18, 7cm “cases” - based on a bun tin of a similar size . Roll out the pastry and cut out circles using a straight sided 7cm cutter.

I'd recommend passing the potato through a ricer before adding the remaining ingredients. I'd also suggest using an ice cream scoop – measuring 5cms in diameter – to fill the cases. Press the filling down gently to flatten and garnish and bake as per the original recipe.

Whether you're making the large pie or the individual cases you can make them ahead and freeze. Once you've lined the greased baking dish, freeze until required. Once lined, place the bun tin in the fridge for 30 minutes. Remove the tin and ease out the cases, bag and freeze until required.

In the unlikely event that you have any leftover it freezes really well – freeze in individual portions.

Either version of the homity is useful – serve the pie as part of your Boxing Day lunch, or as the centre piece of your buffet. The tarts are a great size for a canapé or serve as a starter warmed with antipasti or garnish with diced chorizo, fried – not forgetting a drizzle of the delicious oil.

By the way ...

Friday, 18 July 2025

The dish and the “pie” photos

Homity Pie – the scaled down version


I wouldn't normally use a foil pie dish, in the interests of recycling and climate change et al but when I do I re-use them – just a thought!


a dish fit for purpose!


with the pastry lining


and then the filling


cooked and ready to serve!


Perfect – I hope you'll agree!

For those who would like the recipe for the Homity Pie catering size, it follows ...

Here's another example ...

of a “pie” without a pastry lid.

I cannot speak highly enough of Homity Pie - I normally make it for special occasions and to give you an idea of how popular it is – my recipe serves 12-16 depending on the size of slice!

The following recipe is a smaller version - I decided to make the same amount of pastry but scale down the filling – I freeze the remainder for another day – here goes :


Homity Pie – makes 2 pies


Pastry


200g plain wholemeal flour

100g unsalted butter

pinch of baking powder


ice cold water to bind


Rub the butter into the flour and baking powder until it resembles breadcrumbs, then gradually add a glug of water and use and round bladed knife to bring the pastry together.

You can use a processor if you prefer – I'd then tip the pastry directly onto clingfilm and bring it together to form a ball, then wrap and rest it in the fridge for 30 minutes.


Ahead of the game


Bake 3 large jacket potatoes, then cool, peel and dice finely

and place in a large mixing bowl


250g onions, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic – finely chopped or roasted

paste

1.5 tbsp rapeseed oil

salt and black pepper

2.5 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley – 1.5 tbsp for the

filling and 1 for the topping – use less if you are

using dried

150g of grated cheese – I use a mixture of mature

Cheddar, Gruyere and Red Leicester – 100g for the

filling and 50g for the topping


Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil, add to the potatoes and season with salt and black pepper. Add the cheese and parsley, mix thoroughly.

Roll out your pastry and line a greased pie dish measuring 18x14x4 cms (7x5½x1½”) .

Tip your potato mixture into the pastry case and pack it down tightly and flat – it will look as if you'll never get all the filling into the case – persevere – you will succeed.

Top with the remaining cheese and parsley.

Bake in a pre-heated oven – 190fan/170c/Gas 7 for 40 minutes – check after 20 minutes.


One pie to serve on the day and one to freezethat's a result in my book!

There are “pie” photos ...

Friday, 11 July 2025

The Tart - a plan, the prep and a photo or three!

The plan is to make the pastry case in the middle of the week when I have time and then wrap and freeze. I can promise you that this pastry recipe is the easiest you'll make and is very kind – by that I mean that you have to work very hard indeed to make a mess of it!

I'll weigh out the cheeses, they can all go into the same bag and then fridge, ready to add the remainder of the filling. The onions can be softened, boxed and fridged, ready to use.

On the morning, combine the filling ingredients, take your pastry case from the freezer, add the filling, cover and fridge until you're ready to bake. To serve your tart warm you need to bake it for 40 minutes and allow for resting, so you need to work backwards from when you're expecting your guests to arrive. If all else fails set your kitchen timer, just in case you get sidetracked!


Here's the pastry case


Here it is again, wrapped ready to freeze


Hey presto – the freshly baked tart!


This tart is excellent as part of a salady supper or of a larger get together with sharing plates – a perfect accompaniment for a summer party!


Comfort food in the summer!

I like hot stuff with cold stuff and so the obvious to me is “a pie”. Comfort food in the summer – here's a couple of ideas to tempt you.

How about a lid-free “pie”… in other words a tart! It doesn't need a lid – the wholemeal pastry on the bottom and the richness of the filling are enough.

This is a great addition to your summer repertoire and not a sign of that eggy consistency that you get with quiches.

I don't normally “blow my own trumpet” but on this occasion I will – if you're a cheese lover it'll be right up your alley!

Here's the recipe :

Three Cheese Tart

Serves 6


The pastry case


8oz/225g Wholemeal Flour

4oz/110g unsalted butter – sliced, cubed or grated

Pinch of baking powder

Ice cold water to bind


The filling


2 medium onions, chopped

knob of butter, drop of rapeseed oil

12oz/350g grated cheese, 4oz/110g each mature

cheddar, Red Leicester and Gruyere

1 egg, beaten to bind

Black pepper

ice cold water to bind


Grease and line a 9”/22cm dish or spring clip tin. Cling film to wrap.

For the pastry case, use a food processor if you have one, pop in the flour, baking powder and butter and blitz until breadcrumbs. Add a drop of ice cold water and pulse until the pastry comes together - do not over do it. Tip the pastry out onto a sheet of cling film, using the film gather the pastry together into a ball and fridge for 30 mins.

Soften the chopped onions in the butter and rapeseed oil.

Add the cheese, onions, black pepper and beaten egg, set aside and fridge until you are ready to roll!

Roll out your pastry and fridge again until you are ready to bake.

Pre-heat your oven to 180fan/200c/Gas 6.

When you are ready to bake put the chilled filling into the chilled pastry and bake for 35/40 minutes until golden.

Leave the tart to cool, ideally serve it warm. If you cut into the tart when straight out of the oven the cheese filling will ooze – you need to leave it to settle – warm is what you want.

This tart is excellent warmed the next day – if you're fortunate enough to have any leftovers!


Coming up a plan, the prep and photos ...




Friday, 4 July 2025

A perfect compote …

strawberry!

I hope you've found your strawberry idea – it's by no means exhaustive just food for thought.

Finally in this short series ...

You have a choice here – to blitz or not to blitz this is the question – simply, if you are going to blitz and pass the strawberries then you needn't hull them. If you intend leaving the compote as is then I would hull them at the beginning of the recipe.


Strawberry compote


500g ripe strawberries, hulled

4 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp lemon juice


Cut the strawberries in half – or quarters if large – place in a large saucepan with the sugar and lemon juice. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer. Cover and cook for 3/5 minutes until dark in colour and syrupy. Compote can be store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Again you can split the batch into two and freeze one for a rainy day.

If you prefer a smooth compote blitz and pass through a sieve.






Perfect with the ice cream – or on a scone (not blitzed) with clotted cream.

Next up … comfort in the summer!

Then there's the ice cream ...

There's only one thing wrong with home-made ice cream you need an ice cream maker – or so they say – there are delicious no-churn versions out there and the following recipe is an example – and easy!



No-churn strawberry ice cream

The recipe will give you 960g


750g/1½lb strawberries

juice of two lemons

1 x 397g condensed milk

300g light brown muscovado sugar


Top the strawberries, cut in half or quarters if large then blitz to a purée, add the lemon juice. Tip the blitzed berries into a large sieve and allow the purée to pass through. As you're passing the strawberries there's no need to hull the berries.

Place the condensed milk and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and whisk on high for 10 minutes. I used a hand whisk. Eventually the sugar is beaten into the condensed milk and will give you a ribbon effect. Set your timer and have patience – it's worth it. You can help your strawberry pulp through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon. Fold into your sugar and condensed milk and mix until combined. I split the mixture into two boxes. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving – no longer – it softens very quickly.

If you want a perfect scoop dip the scoop into boiling water and pat dry.


As the cook I think you're entitled to taste the ice cream ahead of serving. I confess I'm not a huge fan as a rule but I was intrigued so I took a teaspoonful as I boxed it – one word - “wow” - I ditched the spoon and took another, just to be sure.



Yum!


Friday, 27 June 2025

The Pastry!

If you want to make your own pastry - here's the recipe I used :


Rich shortcrust pastry


The recipe makes enough to line a shallow

23cm/9 inch flan tin


Serves 8


115g/4oz plain flour

55g/2oz cold unsalted butter, diced

25g (a scant 1oz) icing sugar, sifted

1 egg yolk plus 1 tbsp cold water


Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar.

Lightly beat the egg yolk with 1 tbsp of cold water. Add to the flour mixture and mix with a round-bladed knife. Gather together to make a soft dough.

Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

Add 1 tsp pure vanilla extract to the beaten egg yolk and reduce the amount of water slightly – optional.

Bake at 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15 minutes or until they are golden in colour – leave to cool.


If you prefer individual tart cases then you'll get 12 based on using a cutter 7cms/2¾” in diameter from the recipe given. Prick the cases with a fork before baking.

After I'd rolled out the pastry I used my trusted tamper to ease the cases into the tin for an even shape.

If you don't want to make your own pastry cases you don't have to - you can buy ready-made either individual or a 23cm/9 inch tart case.

It's quick and easy and well worth the effort!


A hint and a tip

If you don't like the idea of making pastry then a shortbread stack would work well.

The mascarpone cream is also good enough to stand alone – by that I mean it's delicious enough with a bowl of fresh fruit.

Then there's the ice cream …

The Tarts!

This recipe is so old I can't remember when – probably as far back as 1986 ish. There's a reason I've kept it – it's easy but best of all – it's delicious!


Strawberry Tarts


Rich shortcrust pastry

as per the recipe given


Filling


250g mascarpone cheese

165g caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp lemon juice


Strawberries, hulled and sliced finely


Glaze


2 tbsp apricot jam, sieved

1 tbsp water


On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry thinly and cut into circles with a fluted 7cm cutter. Line two 12 tartlet trays – or place sweet shortcrust tart cases on a baking tray and prick bases. Bake at 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Beat together the mascarpone cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Place a tablespoon of cheese mixture in each tart.

Arrange the strawberries decoratively over the top.

Heat the jam and water in a small saucepan over moderate heat until smooth. Brush over tarts and allow to set before serving.

The recipe for the filling will give you sufficient for 24 tarts – perfect for a summer party dessert. Halve the filling recipe for the 12 tart cases or double the pastry recipe if you're going for 24!


These tarts are small, which is great, the size of a jam tart, so perfectly poppable into the mouth.

Use whatever fruit takes your fancy or mix it up – my fancy was strawberries, it's worth the effort of hulling – the finished article looks like this:


Now for the pastry!


Friday, 20 June 2025

Strawberries are superb …

 ... and a very flexible fruit!

A little prep is required if you want the best from your berries - I mention hulling your strawberries in “the Tarts” recipe to follow.

For those who aren't familiar, “hulling” is to remove the green leaf on the top and the stalk below – it takes a little time but is worth every second. You can buy a kitchen implement to do the job if you wish but using a paring knife is just as good - slice the tops off your strawberries and cutting carefully and gently, in a circular motion, carefully remove the stalks – it'll do the job just as well.

Here's what they look like :


Ta dah


I think you'll agree it's worth the trouble!

Now we can begin ...


Fancy fotos!

Heat the butter and the cream

together


Add the Parmesan and heaps of

black pepper


The bowl


The bowl with petit pois



I didn't have any fettuccine in my pantry but I did have spaghetti – if you're not fond of “ribbony” types of pasta just choose your favourite.

You can adapt this to a plant based recipe using:


1 tbsp Flora Plant unsalted butter

200ml Elmlea 100% Plant Double Alternative

to cream

50g Parmesan alternative – for example

Violife Parmesan style


The simple things in life are the best!

Now for seasonal strawberries …



Friday, 13 June 2025

A passing fancy

I made a passing reference to Alfredo Sauce in the Galli – Hints and Tips. This is my absolute favourite – admittedly without the chicken.

I know the immortal words “keep it simple” aren't mine but it's so true.

A word of warning – this is definitely not what you'd describe as “fat-free” and so a treat!


Fettuccine Alfredo


Here are the bits of information that I always find interesting . Fettuccine Alfredo was invented by Alfredo di Lelio who had restaurants in Rome in the early to mid 20th century. Traditionally the dish was cooked at your table. As the dish became more popular it appeared in the USA. I was in Vermont when I sampled my first bowl – it was without doubt, the finest bowl of pasta and sauce I've ever eaten and the only one I've ever finished. That was a long time ago – yikes 1997! Since that time my quest has been to find a recipe as near as I could to that bowl of magic, here it is :


1 tbsp unsalted butter

200ml double cream

50g freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling

Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Gently heat the butter and the cream together, stirring, until the butter has melted, then stir in the Parmesan. Slowly bring to a gentle boil, turn down the heat and simmer, stir continuously for a minute or so until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.

This sauce can be made ahead.

The above recipe would be sufficient for two servings – enough to coat 225g uncooked pasta. Traditionally there are no additions to Alfredo although I've had it served with petit pois. If you've never tried it you're missing out!


The sauce is so good and tasty it lends itself to other dishes and particularly leftovers.

There's a photo-guide …


Action plan!


Heat 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil in a pre-heated wok or large frying pan. I used a wok. Seal the fillet slices on either side quickly and then set aside – don't overcrowd – cook in batches. Add the onion and sweet peppers to the wok and stir fry for 2/3 minutes, then add the cooked potatoes, stir fry again for 2/3 minutes. Add the broad beans, asparagus and sealed, sliced fillet along with any residual juices. Finally add the stir fry sauce of dark soy, rice wine and sweet chilli sauce. Toss to stir fry for another 3 minutes.


Serve immediately in warmed bowls.

Here's the beginning of the photo-guide :







I wrote this with entertaining in mind so it would work for any gathering.

Food for thought … here's another idea - a perfect supper for a duvet/box set day.

Or, how about a date night - making one huge plate to share … I'll leave that with you!


Saturday, 31 May 2025

It's another gallimaufry …

 … this time it's


Asian Spiced Gallimaufry

Serves 2


The marinade


2 x 4oz fillet steak, sliced thinly

110 – 120g in grams (*see note below)

2 roasted garlic cloves

1 tsp powdered star anise or one whole star anise

1 tbsp dark soy sauce


Mix together the marinade and pour over the fillet slices, ensuring that the slices are thoroughly coated. Box and leave in the fridge for an hour or so – it won't hurt to leave it longer.


The stir fry sauce


1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp Chinese rice wine (dry sherry will do)

1 dessert spoon of sweet chill sauce

mix together – can be made ahead, covered and fridged


Ahead of the game


Choose vegetables that are in season and that you love. I chose :


Cooked Jersey Royal potatoes – 500g

quartered

100g asparagus, blanched, plunged into ice

cold water, pat dry, box and fridge

100g baby broad beans – blanched and popped – box and fridge

100g small sweet mini peppers, finely sliced – bag and fridge

100g (2 large) salad onions, finely sliced - ditto


The amounts given are not set in stone – they are a guide to help you - build your own recipe.

*A note about weights – an ounce is exactly 28g but is usually written as either 25 or 30 – whichever suits you best but stick to what you decide – don't confuse yourself.


Plan of action up next!

When you're ready to cook it will take minutes. Don't forget to pre-heat your oven on low to warm the bowls.


Gallimaufry - Hints & Tips

First up, the potatoes. You'll notice that the recipe calls for red new potatoes. Have a look for “Albert Bartlett Apache potatoes – great for roasting or mashing in their skins”. I've found them in 600g bags. The majority of the larger supermarkets carry more varieties these days - another example is Ruby Gem.

Next the tapenade. You can do whatever is more practical – I always have a jar of black olive tapenade in my store cupboard and my favourite is M&S Black Olive Tapenade – it also has an excellent best before date. If you're feeling adventurous have a go at making your own. It's easy.


Coarse Tapenade


1 tbsp drained capers

85g pitted olives

1 tbsp olive oil

Two anchovies, chopped finely

1 roasted garlic clove

1 dessert spoon of lemon juice


Blitz all the ingredients. The trick is to stop pulverising whilst the mixture is coarse – it gives texture to the dish and not mush.

Then there's the stock. You can thicken it if you wish – as it is it's more of a broth. If you are a “gravy” person and prefer a little more substance then mix 1 tsp of cornflour with a drop or two of water and add gradually to the stock as you're warming it through. Note to self – don't be tempted to add anything else – whether to the stock or to the gravy – your stock is already infused with garlic and oregano, not for nothing do I call it liquid gold.

Finally – you still have two chicken legs, wings etc., leftover from the slow cooking. Strip the legs and wings of meat, bag and freeze – don't forget to mark the bag.

Use the chicken in cooked pasta with Alfredo Sauce or as part of a mid week frittata or last but by no means least you have your protein element for your chicken salad wrap – with mango or raita dressing for lunch the next day – there will probably be enough chicken for two wraps – just in case you're feeling generous.

If you have time then tip the remaining chicken bits into a large saucepan, cover with water – bring to the boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes strain and boom – chicken stock. Freeze it in small amounts – you'll be pleased you did. If you are short of time then bag the remains and freeze it for making stock for soup whenever the mood takes.

Next up … an Asian version