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Parsnips are healthy and good for the body, providing plenty of vitamins, minerals and healthy fibre. They are also low in fat and are packed full of flavour. As a root vegetable they serve themselves well when roasted and this delicious salad is a great way of adding them into your diet.

  1. Begin my preheating the oven to 180C. Prepare the parsnips by simply cutting the larger ones in half lengthways but keeping any small one’s whole. Place them into a roasting tray and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, some Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Toss them so they are well coated and then place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges.
  2. While the parsnips are cooking, prepare the couscous. In a saucepan, cook the couscous according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and remove from the heat. Add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, plenty of Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Allow the couscous to cool.
  3. Once the couscous has cooled and the parsnips are out of the oven (and also cooled). Stir the finely sliced red onion, chopped parsley, sultanas and crumbled feta into the couscous. Check the season and adjust if needed.
  4. Pile the couscous onto a serving platter and top with the roasted parsnips. Garnish with the pomegranate seeds, a little extra parsley and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.

FAQ

This recipe shows you how quick and easy it is to stir fry kale and is delicious and easy when served with golden garlic and fiery chilli. A perfect mid-week side dish, plus kale is packed full of vitamins and minerals to nourish your body. 

  1. Start by prepping your kale. The best way to prepare kale is to pull the leaves off the stem in the middle – the stem is very woody and takes a long time to cook down, it is also difficult to digest and so the leaves are the best part to eat. Once you have removed the stems just roughly tear the leaves.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Then add the sliced garlic and finely diced chilli. Fry this off for a couple of minutes until the garlic begins to start turning golden and toasty.
  3. Next add the kale and stir fry along with the garlic and chilli for roughly 5 – 8 minutes until the kale has softened and collapsed without losing its green colour. Now you want to season your kale with a good pinch of Maldon Salt and a splash of sherry vinegar – the combination of the salt and the sweet vinegar enhances the earthy flavours of the kale and also helps reduce any bitterness.
  4. Tip the stir-fried kale into a serving bowl and serve immediately whilst warm.

This recipe for a Blood Orange Olive Oil cake combines beautiful seasonal Blood Oranges and the use of Olive oil makes it wonderfully moist and flavoursome without being too sweet. It is topped with Blood Orange slices for a real showstopper dessert. 

  1. Grease a 20cm round cake tin with olive oil and line the base with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 190C.
  2. Take the blood oranges and carefully cut into thin rounds (as thin as you can go!). Start by sprinkling 30g of the golden caster sugar on the bottom of the cake tin, over the paper. Then arrange the slices on top of the in a nice circular pattern. Use the end pieces of the blood oranges to squeeze over any remaining juice and then set aside while you make the cake batter.
  3. In a large mixing bowl mix together the plain flour, semolina, baking powder and Maldon salt. Adding salt to your baking helps balance and enhance flavours, it balances sweetness and acidity.
  4. Next in a smaller bowl mix together the orange juice and zest, vanilla extract and olive oil.
  5. Place the eggs and sugar into a stand mixer – or you can use an electric whisk – and beat them together until they are pale and fluffy. Next add the dry ingredients, followed by the wet ingredients and beat until smooth.
  6. Pour the cake batter into the tin on top of the orange slices and smooth over the top. Place the cake tin into the preheated oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked through.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove from the cake tin before turning it upside down onto a plate and peeling off the baking paper. Allow the cake to then cool completely before slicing and serving with crème fraiche.

Start your day with a vibrant burst of flavour and nourishment with a green smoothie. Blending fresh spinach, creamy avocado and a hint of ginger, it’s finishing touch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes elevates every sip. The clean saltiness brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit and the earthiness of the greens, making this smoothie a refreshing, energising drink to have with your breakfast.

How to make a green smoothie

  1. Set up your blender on a cool, flat surface. Make sure it’s switched off whilst the plug is in.
  2. Start filling the blender with your ingredients in this order: water, half an avocado, fresh ginger, cored apples, frozen spinach and a final pinch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes to elevate the sweetness of the smoothie and counteract the bitterness.
  3. Place the lid securely onto the blender to prevent any spillage. Turn the switch/power button on.
  4. Select the appropriate speed setting and begin blending. You will know when the ingredients have blended nicely together because the liquid will become vivid green with a medium-thick texture.
  5. Pour the contents into a tall glass and drink immediately.

What are the benefits of a detox smoothie?

A detox smoothie helps detoxify your body, it can help with weight loss, it enhances immunity, improves digestion and is a great way of packing in extra vitamins and nutrients.

Are green smoothies good for you?

Medically reviewed by Dany P. Baby, green smoothies are nutrient-rich blends of fruits and vegetables which allow people to meet their recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals all in one glass! Unlike juices, green smoothies retain beneficial fibre from whole foods that are blended together.

What to put in a green smoothie

Basic green smoothies contain leafy greens like spinach, kale and arugula. Alone, these greens blended can take quite bitter, however there are many combinations you can use to improve the flavour profile and add further nutritional value to the drink:

Are green smoothies good for breakfast?

Green smoothies make a great breakfast option! You can make it quickly for a blender, it’s fresh tasting and it’s packed with nutrition from the amount of fruit and vegetables used. It contributes to your 5-a-day and is the ideal breakfast for when you are on the go.

Can you freeze green smoothies?

Yes. You can store your smoothie in the freezer for up to 3 months! It keeps the flavour, mouthfeel, colour and nutrition! Make sure you store your smoothie contents in BPA-free plastic, glass or bags designed for sub-zero temperatures so that you avoid cracking and freezer burn.

Can I make green smoothies the night before?

You can store your smoothie in the fridge for up to 1-2 days before drinking. However, we do recommend consuming the smoothie within 24 hours for optimal freshness. Make sure you container is covered with a tight-fitting lid

We’ve partnered with the wonderful Ravneet Gill to create this extraordinary Christmas cheesecake, here’s how it’s done.

  1. Start by making the base…
  2. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a food processor combine all of the dry ingredients and mix well, add in the cold cubed butter and breadcrumb.
  3. Add the golden syrup and mix until a very loose dough is formed.
  4. Spread this mixture out onto a large baking tray lined with parchment.
  5. Bake for 35-40 mins at 160 fan/180 oven, stirring every 15 minutes to evenly bake the dough.
  6. Allow to cool completely before blitzing to crumbs or breaking up with a rolling pin.
  7. Weigh out 250g of crumbs and stir with the melted butter.
  8. Press into a lined 8 inch springform cake tin going on the bottom and slightly up the sides.
  9. Place in the fridge whilst you make the filling

Make the topping:

  1. In a large bowl or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, caster sugar, mascarpone and half of the double cream.
  2. Mix until well combined but do not over mix.
  3. Add in the malt powder, salt and melted white chocolate with the second ½ of the cream.
  4. Mix slowly until combined, do not over mix.
  5. Spoon this mixture into the lined cake tin and smooth the top.
  6. Chill for 6 hours in the fridge or overnight before serving.

Make the chocolate sauce for serving (optional):

  1. In a saucepan combine the chocolate and the water, stir gently over a medium heat until a sauce forms. Serve the cheesecake with the sauce and extra cookie crumbs.

This take on a classic gin sour uses Pink Marmalade gin alongside the zesty and citrus flavours of Cointreau, lemon and Campari. When served in a beautiful couple glass with edible flavours it makes an elegant cocktail for entertaining guests.

  1. Add all the ingredients apart from the ice into a shaker and shake vigorously for a few minutes. Then add the ice and shake again for a few minutes.

2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, making sure to tap out all the frothy egg white. Top the glass with a few drops of angostura bitters and garnish with edible flowers.

Let’s give the classic beef wellington a ‘vegetal’ twist this year with our delicious beetroot and chestnut filling!

The traditional beef wellington is a type of beef joint pasty, made out of fillet steak, coated with pate and duxelles and then wrapped in puff pastry before being baked. Many historians believed the dish is named after Arthur Wellesley, who was the 1st Duke of Wellington.

Beetroot is the main component for our wellington, giving it a deliciously sweet and earthy flavour. We pair the beetroot with a bundle of chestnut mushrooms, lentils and butternut squash to give a gloriously nutty undertone to the dish. Once combined and wrapped together with a beautiful crisp pastry, your wellington will be the perfect centrepiece for Christmas.

If you want to take out the beetroot component, we offer a wonderful Butternut and Mushroom Wellington, which both equally looks impressive in colour and flavour! We recommend serving either wellingtons with our mouthwateringly good hasselback potatoes and lemon & honey glazed carrots.

  1. Preheat oven to 180C / 356F / Gas Mark 4
  2. Begin with the butternut squash. Place the diced squash onto a baking tray and drizzle with some oil, Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Place into the oven and roast for 20 minutes until soft and cooked through.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan heat 1 tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and fry gently for 5 minutes until softened. To the softened onions, add the crushed garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes. Next add the chopped chestnut mushrooms and continue to cook these for 5 – 8 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and beginning to caramelize.
  4. Once the mushrooms are cooked, add the chopped sage and thyme leaves, followed by the cooked puy lentils and double cream. Allow this to fry and cook for 3 minutes, mixing well so everything is well combined. Remove from the heat and add the crumbled cooked chestnuts, Maldon Salt, cracked black pepper and the cooked butternut squash. Set aside and allow to cool.
  5. Once the mixture has cooled, you are ready to assemble.
  6. On a lightly floured surface roll out the puff pastry block until it is a roughly 30 x 40cm rectangle and 1cm thick. At this stage you want to carefully lift the rolled pastry onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Next spoon on the cooled filling and spread out evenly, leaving a 1-inch boarder along the top and 1cm board round all the rest of the edges. Next take the cooked beetroot and make sure they are dry of any excess liquid. Choose beetroot that are similar in size and place them in a row down the middle.
  7. Take one of the long sides and lift it up and over the beetroot to enclose them. Pinch the pastry together at the seams and rest the whole wellington seam side down. Pinch the pastry at either end of the wellington also, and trim off any excess.
  8. Use the excess pastry to create long strips and decorate the top of the wellington with a lattice pattern (optional). And brush the entire thing with the beaten egg.
  9. Place the wellington into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes (but the longer, the better) to cool.
  10. When ready to bake, take your chilled wellington from the fridge and place into the preheated oven. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp all over.
  11. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to avoid your wellington becoming soggy?

The pastry base of your wellington may become soggy from the juices of the beetroots and mushrooms dripping down to the base when cooking.

To avoid this from happening, make sure that the beetroots and chestnut mushrooms are cooked until all of the liquid has evaporated. You can do this by chopping the vegetables finely and fry until dry. Equally, you can blot the veg with kitchen paper to ensure any further water is taken out.

What sauce goes well with a wellington?

A red wine sauce goes beautifully well with a wellington! You should add a handful of minced shallots to a red wine, slowly cooking on low heat until it is reduced by two thirds. Once reduced to a desired consistency, you can strain and discard of the shallots, leaving a beautiful red wine sauce to be served.

This recipe takes the traditional trifle but gives it a Christmassy twist with additions of clementine’s, cardamom, amaretto and pistachio. Not only does it taste amazing, but it makes for a show stopping dessert at your Christmas table.

Begin by making your custard. In a large bowl whisk together the egg yolks with the golden caster sugar until pale and thickened. Then add the cornflour and mix again. In a saucepan, heat the 450ml whole milk, 250ml double cream, 6 based cardamom pods and the vanilla bean paste gently until it reaches scalding point. Then remove from the heat and pour gradually into the egg mixture through a sieve to catch the cardamom pods, whisking as you go until all the milk and cream is added and you have a smooth mixture. Clean out the saucepan and the pour the custard back in. Place it onto the heat once more and gently heat over a low flame, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula until the custard has thickened.

Remove the custard from the heat and pour into a bowl. Use clingfilm to close cover the surface of the custard – this will stop it from creating a skin – and place into the fridge to cool.

You will need a large trifle dish to assemble your dessert. Start with the clementine’s, peel them and cut into rounds roughly 1cm thick. Place the slices of clementine around the bottom of the trifle dish so they stand up against the sides. Next take the slices of madeira cake and place into the bottom of the dish (these can be used to help stand the clementine slices up) and keep layering up until you have used all the cake.

Next you want to drizzle the madeira cake layer with the 3 tbsp amaretto. The next layer is the custard. Remove the cooled custard from the fridge and pour this over the cake layer.

Finally add the 600ml double cream to a large bowl and add the icing sugar and a pinch of Maldon salt, then either using a balloon whisk or an electric whisk whip the cream until it starts to form soft peaks. Add the 60ml amaretto and whisk again – ensuring not to over whisk – you want medium peaks that aren’t too stiff.

Spoon the cream over the custard layer and use the back of your spoon to create soft peaks in the top. Decorate the top of the trifle with crushed amaretti biscuits, chopped pistachios, physalis fruit and gold leaf, if desired. Serve.

These sweet festive cookies are a wonderful treat to gift to friends and are great fun to make with children. They are spiced with the Christmas flavours of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and then iced with pretty patterns to decorate. The cookies should last in an airtight container for 1 week.

Using an electric whisk or stand mixer, start by creaming together the butter and brown sugar (ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before you attempt to do this). Once the mixture is pale and fluffy add the molasses and vanilla extract and mix again.

 In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients; the plain flour, Maldon salt, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in stages and then mix until it forms a soft dough. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for an hour.

Preheat the oven to 170C.

After the dough has chilled, remove it from the fridge and on a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is roughly ½ cm thick. Use any cutters you like to cut out shapes – gingerbread men, stars, Christmas trees, candy canes – have fun with it! Place the biscuits onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, keeping the biscuits a few cm’s apart (you may need to do this across a couple of trays). Put the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 14 – 15 minutes until the biscuits are slightly darker and baked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before lifting onto a wire rack to cool fully.

To make the icing place the 500g icing sugar into a bowl and add 1 tbsp water, mix until it forms a paste. Keep adding a small amount of water at a time till you reach your desired consistency. You want the icing to still be thick enough to pipe and hold its shape. Once you have the correct consistency, pour the icing into a piping bag with a small nozzle attachment and decorate the cooled biscuits anyway you like.

Porchetta makes a wonderful alternative to Turkey for your festive centrepiece. Porchetta originates from Italy and is a rolled joint of pork belly stuffed full of fragrant herbs. It is slow cooked for soft tender meat but still with beautiful crispy crackling on the outside. Serve this Porchetta alongside rosemary roast potatoes and fresh sautéed greens.

Begin by prepping your pork. Score the skin of the pork belly with a knife in lines at an angle across the whole skin, then place in the fridge uncovered overnight – this will help dry out the moisture in the skin and ensure you have super crispy crackling.

Meanwhile you can make the stuffing for the porchetta. In the olive oil lightly fry the onion with a pinch of Maldon salt for 5 minutes until softened. Then add the crushed garlic and fennel seeds and fry for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and tip into a bowl to cool. Once cooled add the lemon zest, chopped pistachios, sage, parsley, breadcrumbs and season with Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Mix well and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 200C.

Once you are ready to cook your pork remove from the fridge. Place it on a board skin side down, and then cover the flesh with your stuffing mixture. Using butchers string carefully roll your meat and bind together in 3 or 4 places tightly to keep it in a roll.

Place the rolled joint onto a baking tray and drizzle the skin with olive oil, rubbing it in and then sprinkle liberally with Maldon salt. Place the tray into your preheated oven for 30 minutes until the crackling is crispy and golden. Then turn your oven down to 180C and cook for a further 2 hours. If the crackling begins to look a little too dark, then you might want to cover it with some foil.

After the cooking time remove your porchetta from the oven and rest for 20 minutes until ready to serve!