Turn a handful of fresh, summery ingredients into the ultimate sharing dish. These crispy pork lettuce cups pile sticky, glazed pork belly, soft rice noodles and crunchy julienned veg into cool little gem leaves, all brought together with a finishing pinch of Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes. Light, fresh and endlessly moreish, they’re made for picnics, alfresco lunches and lazy summer grazing.
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Pork Lettuce Cups
Made for Sharing: A help-yourself platter that’s as fun to build as it is to eat – perfect for picnics and outdoor entertaining.
Fresh Meets Crispy: Sticky, golden pork belly against cool lettuce, soft noodles and a zingy lime finish hits every texture in one bite.
Quick to Pull Together: Just 20 minutes of prep and a single pan for the pork means minimal fuss for maximum reward.
How to Make Crispy Pork Lettuce Cups (Step-by-Step)
Crisp the pork belly: Cut the pork belly slices into small, bite-sized pieces. Fry in a dry pan over a medium heat for 10–15 minutes, letting the fat render until the pieces turn beautifully golden and crisp – no oil needed.
Glaze until sticky: For the last few minutes, add 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp honey to the pan. Let it bubble and reduce to a glossy glaze that coats every piece, then season with a pinch of Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes.
Prepare the noodles: Cook the vermicelli rice noodles to packet instructions, then drain and refresh under cold water to stop them cooking. Toss with the sesame oil so they don’t stick, and set aside.
Mix the dipping sauce: Combine the grated ginger, sriracha, remaining 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce and the sesame oil in a small bowl. Add a pinch of Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
Assemble the cups: Lay the little gem leaves across a platter and load each one with noodles, carrot and cucumber, then the sticky pork. Drizzle over the sauce, scatter with sesame seeds and herbs, and finish with a final pinch of Maldon and lime wedges to squeeze over.
Tips for the Perfect Crispy Pork Lettuce Cups
Dry-fry for maximum crunch: Render the pork in a dry pan – its own fat does all the work, so there’s no need for extra oil.
Glaze at the very end: Add the honey and soy only in the final few minutes so the sugars turn sticky rather than catching and burning.
Season in layers: A pinch of Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes on the pork, in the sauce and at the finish builds deep, rounded flavour.
Yes. Cook and glaze the pork up to a day ahead and gently reheat to re-crisp, or serve at room temperature. Prep the noodles and veg in advance, but pack everything separately and assemble on arrival so the lettuce stays crunchy.
How do I stop the lettuce cups going soggy?
Keep the components apart until serving and only drizzle over the sauce when you’re ready to eat. Patting the veg dry first also stops excess moisture collecting in the leaves.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely. Reduce the sriracha for a milder sauce, or serve it on the side so everyone can dress their own cups to taste.
If you’re after a quick, crowd-pleasing side or the perfect party snack, these air fryer mini baked potatoes are your new go-to. Made with mall new potatoes, tossed in olive oil and cooked until golden and crispy in the air fryer, they delivery big flavour in bite-sized form. Fork-tender on the inside with irresistibly crispy skins on the outer, each potato is then split and stuffed with cool sour cream, finely chopped chives and crispy bacon piece. A final pinch of Maldon Smoked Sea Salt adds a rich, bold finish that takes these humble spuds to the next level.
How to Make Air Fryer Mini Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream, Chives & Crispy Bacon
Using the air fryer means no fuss and no long oven times – just line the basket with parchments paper, cook the potatoes in a single layer, and in minutes you’ll have perfectly crispy air fryer potatoes ready to serve.
This quick potato recipe is ideal for parties, BBQs, or even a fun side dish for weeknight dinners. They’re also a smart way to use up leftover potatoes – simply reheat and top before serving. Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or treating yourself – these mini loaded baked potatoes are guaranteed to disappear fast!
Prepare and Cook the Potatoes
Preheat the air fryer to 200C. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
Toss the new potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of Maldon Smoked Sea Salt. Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are crisp and fork-tender.
Cook the Bacon
Set the potatoes aside to cool slightly as you add the lardons to the air fryer basket, this time lined with parchment paper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.
Assemble and Serve
Cut slits on the tops of the potatoes. Dollop each potato with a little sour cream. Scatter over the lardons and chives. Finish with Maldon Smoked Sea Salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.
Tips
What’s the best potato for this recipe?
The best potato for air fryer mini baked potatoes is a waxy, small variety, such as baby new potatoes, Charlotte potatoes and baby Yukon Golds. This is because these types of potatoes hold their shape well, have a creamy texture inside and create a beautifully crispy skin in the air fryer. Make sure to look for potatoes that are evenly sized for consistent cooking, and avoid starchy varieties like russets that can dry out and crumble when cooked small.
Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, this air fryer mini baked potatoes recipes can be easily adapted for a vegetarian or vegan. For the vegetarian version, instead of using bacon, try swapping to a vegetarian bacon alternative. such as Richmond Meat Free Bacon Rashers or THIS Isn’t Bacon Plant Based Rashers. To make this suitable for a vegan, swap sour cream with a plant-based alternative, such as Greenvie Vegan Sour Cream or cashew-based cream.
Can you make air fryer mini baked potatoes ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time.
Cook the potatoes in advance. Air fry the mini potatoes until fork-tender and crispy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Prep the toppings. Chop the chives, cook the bacon (or vegan alternative) and mix the sour cream ahead of time. Keep topping stored separately in the fridge.
Reheat before serving. Reheat the mini potatoes in the air fryer at 180/200C for 5-8 minutes, until hot and re-crisped. Slice, stuff and season just before serving for best texture and taste.
These methods make this recipe ideal for party prep or hosting a dinner party, so you can enjoy the moment without rushing around in the kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
KimchiMaldon Garlic Sea SaltAvocado
Here are some delicious and versatile serving suggestions for mini baked potatoes – perfect as party bites, sides, or even a fun main course!
Let the mini baked potatoes cool completely. Store in an airtight container lined with paper towel to absorb moisture. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, pop into the air fryer at 180/200C for 5-8 minutes.
How to store mini baked potatoes in the freezer
Place the mini baked potatoes on a tray lined with parchment and freeze until solid (roughly 1-2 hours). Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When reheating, pop into the air fryer at 180/200C for 12-15 minutes. To speed things up, thaw in the fridge overnight to speed up the reheating time.
If you try this recipe, let us know in the comments! For more easy air fryer recipes, browse our full collection.
Looking for a hearty and satisfying meal to warm up those cold evenings? This comforting chorizo and butter bean stew is the perfect solution, brimming with bold flavours and velvety texture. Whether you’re embracing Veganuary or simply craving a wholesome plant-based dish, this easy butterbean stew recipe is sure to become a family favourite. Infused with the smoky warmth of smoked paprika, tender butter beans and a hint of Maldon Sea Salt flakes, this stew pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread for the ultimate cosy dinning experience.
Here’s how to make a chorizo and butterbean stew
This butter bean stew is a delicious and hearty dish that’s perfect for any time of year. Packed with vibrant flavours from rosemary, garlic, and chorizo, it’s both comforting and nourishing.
Step 1:
Start by taking a large shallow pan and placing on a medium heat.
Step 2:
Melt the olive oil before adding the sliced onions and a pinch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes. Cook these gently for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Step 3:
Add the sliced garlic, rosemary, smoked paprika and chorizo and fry for another 5 minutes until the garlic smells fragrant and the chorizo begins to crisp.
Step 4:
Add the tinned tomatoes, followed by the butterbeans. (We used Bold Beans butter beans, but you can use lima beans or white beans if preferred). Stir well and allow the mix to bubble and thicken for 5 minutes. You should have a rich tomato base to create the perfect balance of flavours.
Step 5:
Stir the spinach and allow it to wilt into the sauce. Zest the lemon into the pan and season with more Maldon Sea Salt flakes and cracked black pepper.
Step 6:
Serve the stew sprinkled with parsley, crumbled feta (or vegan alternative ), and some toasted sourdough for dunking and soaking up the last of the juices!
How long can you keep the chorizo and butter bean stew in the fridge?
Once your stew is cooked, you can store it in the fridge for up to three to four days. You need to make sure that the stew is packed in a secure, airtight container before refrigerating it within two hours of cooking.
Please note that stews made with fish or shellfish should only be refrigerated for no more than a day.
Can you freeze cooked chorizo and butter bean stew?
You can freeze the chorizo and butter bean stew for up to three months once cooked. We recommend not eating it after three months because although it would still be safe to eat, it might not taste as good!
Make sure to store the stew in a secure, airtight container. When you are ready to eat the stew, place the frozen stew in the refrigerator to thaw slightly for at least 24 hours but no more than 2 days before reheating. You can reheat the stew by placing it in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven at a low temperature, ensuring you stir periodically to prevent burning and ensure even heating throughout.
If you want to reheat the stew in a microwave, you need to make sure that the stew is covered with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. This will trap steam and keep the stew nice and moist. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the stew is warmed through.
Easy, butter bean recipes
If you’re looking for more easy butter bean recipes to make during the week, why not try a few of our favourites from our friends at Maldon Salt.
This is Rukimini Iyer’s butterbean recipe from ‘The Green Cookbook’. She roasts carrots with coriander seeds under foil, while the rich, silky butter bean mash takes just 10 minutes to put together. This recipe is a substantial, flavour-packed dish which is incidentally vegan!
Scorched by Genevieve Taylor (6th-7th September 2023)
Genevieve Taylor loves fish and meat proteins, but she also adores pulses and tries to eat them several times a week! Cheap and cheerful, a bowlful of beans is an excellent way of making your mackerel go a little further. Fresh oregano is one of Gen’s favourite herbs, giving a slightly floral note to the pesto-style dressing.
Although white beans are not the same as butter beans, they are both types of white beans. White beans have a creamy, mild taste and can often be used interchangeably in recipes. This recipe, we used Bold Bean & Co’s Organic White Beans (haricot beans), which are perfect to use for this dish as their bean’s are slow-cooked which allows them to hold their shape when simmering in a stew, creating the perfect, buttery and smooth flavour.
This pizza uses my aromatic nettle sourdough pizza dough and is best cooked in a Gozney Dome. There are few things as delicious as a woodfired pizza. This recipe was born in the dusty Valencian hills, I was walking with my wife, Sophie and our best friends when we came across a beautiful little village and sat down to eat at a weather beaten family restaurant. As the evening sun nestled in the surrounding trees we ate the most delicious honey, figs and goats cheese – accented with a mouth watering hit of chilli. Whenever I make this pizza I’m fixated by the bubbling brown butter and vibrant colours. Every bite takes me back to that little Spanish paradise.
It’s best to start the dough the day before for the best flavour but you can make it early in the morning if you run out of time. You will need a ripe sourdough starter but you could swap out with 3g of dried yeast if needed.
You will need your Gozney oven clean, enough fuel to keep her hot and the appropriate pizza peels – one for loading and one for turning. If you need some instruction on the basics then Gozney has a great YouTube channel that will help you.
Here is how to make the pizza…
The day before, mix your dough. Mix the water, starter and oil by hand in a large bowl until combined. Add in the flour and mix again, leave covered for 15 minutes to fully hydrate then add in the salt and knead by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth. Add in the sieved nettles and knead until combined. Place into an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth and leave on the worktop. After 20 mins fold the dough and leave again for another 20 mins, repeat this two more times. Shape into four balls by dividing the dough and folding each piece in on itself. Place into an oiled tray, cover with cling film and place in the fridge overnight. Make sure the fridge is running at about 5C.
Now for your spicy pizza party day! Heat up your Gozney dome with a small wood fire, move the fire to the right hand side, loosely wrap the garlic bulb in foil and roast off until soft and smokey, this should take about 20 minutes on the far left hand side of the oven. Remove and once cool, squeeze out the pulp and mix into the soft butter with a teaspoon of the Maldon Chilli Sea Salt. Taste and set aside at room temperature.
Get the topping ready and laid out and run up your pizza oven to over 450C, making sure the base is at least 350C (I use an infrared thermometer to check). Remove the dough balls from the fridge for an hour, still covered.
Clean off a smooth work surface and dust with the semolina flour. Dust the pizza balls with a little semolina, pick up a dough ball and place on the worktop with a good dusting of semolina. Gently and evenly push the dough out to a circle. Using both hands, stretch the dough out to a dinner plate size. Add two spoons of the chilli butter and evenly spread around the pizza. Top with the goats cheese, figs, Iberico ham and drizzle over with honey. Slide a pizza peel underneath the pizza and confidently slide into the oven, making sure there is a rolling flame from the wood fire. After about 30 seconds turn the pizza to give it an evenly cooked crust. Remove the pizza and place onto a cooling rack to harden up. Sprinkle over a little more Maldon Chilli Sea Salt and cut into 6 wedges.
Best eaten with an ice cold glass of spanish beer in the Valencian hills, but then again – what isn’t?
We’re delighted to review the talented Uyen Luu and her latest cookbook, Quick and Easy Vietnamese. Uyen is a Vietnamese-born, London-based food writer, cook, and photographer known for her vibrant approach to Vietnamese cuisine. Her latest cookbook, Quick and Easy Vietnamese, offers a fresh perspective on the flavours of Vietnam, presenting an array of simple yet authentic recipes that are perfect for busy home cooks!
The book is designed to make Vietnamese cooking accessible for everyone, with easy-to-follow instructions and a mindset of being resourceful with time and ingredients, maximising on flavour and never wasting a thing. There are so many simple yet delicious recipes to choose from that can all be whipped up with minimum fuss! From tasty Pork and Prawn Wontons to savoury Dill Fishcakes. If you’re craving something sweet, Uyen also shares dessert options such as Sweetcorn Rice Pudding! There is a collection of recipes that are perfect for any time of the week.
Today we’ve shared on our our favourites from the book, Char Siu Crispy Pork Belly.
Here is how to make Char Siu Crispy Pork Belly
Uyen loves Chinese char siu pork, but she loves the fatty, crispy belly even more, so this combines the two. It’s a winner at every dinner party or the perfect weekend dinner treat. Serve with Vermicelli Noodle Salad Bowlsor steamed rice and vegetables or with bánh hoi.
Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, add the pork andsimmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the water. Rinse undercold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Stab and roughly scorethe meat side.
Combine the roast red pork seasoning mix, soy sauce and water in a small bowl, then spread the mixture evenly onto the surface of a tray (pan) or box that fits the meat. Put the pork belly on top, skin side up, and brush the marinade onto the sides of the meat. The seasoning mixture should cover the flesh side and leave the skin dry.
Rub the vinegar all over the skin and sprinkle with 1 table spoon of the salt. Marinate at room temperature, uncovered, for at least2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator, covered, dabbing off any moisture from the skin every 30 minutes when you’re able and rubbing on the remaining salt.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 220ÅãC fan(475ÅãF). Transfer the pork to a roasting tin lined with baking parchment. Pat the skin dry with paper towels, then roast in the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes. Slice when at room temperature.
Note:
If you can’t get hold of the roast red pork seasoning mix, use 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup and 1/4 teaspoon red food colouring.
Photo by Min An: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-person-standing-near-assorted-color-paper-lanterns-1313814/
What is the Lunar New Year?
The Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays in Chinese culture. It marks the first day of the year in the Lunar Calendar, where celebrations generally run for 15 days. With each day comes a special meaning and traditions to honour, but this can vary between regions and cultures.
It’s important to note that the date of the Lunar New Year changes every year. For 2024, this will occur from 10th February until the 15th Day.
On the first day, many families will visit other family members, starting with the most senior members first. Firecrackers, dragon and lion dances occur to chase away the evil monsters, named Nian.
The remaining days are filled to the brim with festivities; families will visit relatives, friends and temples, whilst eating certain types of dishes in the hopes of a prosperous and hopeful new year. On the final fifteenth day, we end with the Lantern Festival, where people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a night time parade , marking the first full moon after the Lunar New Year, completing the celebrations.
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wood-man-red-love-6691853/
The Chinese Zodiac Calendar
For many cultures, each year is associated with an animal from the Chinese Zodiac calendar. There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac calendar, which are the following:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Hare
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Here is the below list for the animals associated with the upcoming years:
10th February, 2024 – Year of the Dragon
29th January, 2025 – Year of the Snake
17th February, 2026 – Year of the Horse
The Year of the Dragon is associated with bravery, strength and luck. As a result, this Lunar New Year will be a time to celebrate Chinese traditions, eating rich cuisine and making wishes for a joyous new year.
Lunar New Year and Dumplings
Dumplings symbolise longevity and wealthy. This is because dumplings look like money pouches, which represent fortune and prosperity for the coming year. More so, dumplings are a great way to spend time with your family, as they are mixed by hand for a certain amount of time to ensure the meat is succulent and juicy. As a result, you can enjoy getting creative in the kitchen with relatives, sharing your appreciation for delectable foods and festivities to come.
In this recipe, we take on the classic Chinese dumplings with a ‘fiery‘ twist to represent the Year of the Dragon. We do this by using Maldon Chilli Sea Salt flakes, which provide a deliciously spicy, aromatic taste that works perfect with the pork meat.
If you like the ‘spicy‘ things in life, we recommend cooking up a few Chicken momos, paired with a beautiful tomato chilli chutney. However, if you are not too keen on the heat, why not whip up our pulled pork bao buns – they buns are so soft and fluffy.
If you are a vegetarian, you can swap out the pulled pork for sticky miso roasted aubergine that mimics the taste and texture of meat.
Recipe created by: https://www.instagram.com/ugcwithnav/
How to make Chinese dumplings
Mix all sauce ingredients (except oil) in a bowl. Heat neutral oil to its smoking point – watch closely, it smokes quickly! – then drizzle sizzling oil over the sauce for a fiery kick.
For the dumpling filling, place the pork, egg, chicken stock, cornflour, Maldon Chilli Sea Salt, sesame oil, shiitake mushrooms, birds-eye chilli and Chinese garlic chives in a large bowl. Mix vigorously for 2-3 minutes.
Place a small teaspoon of filling into the centre of a dumpling wrapper, dab the edges with water and fold the wrapper over the filling. Pinch in the sides and squeeze to create pleats for a classic dumpling look.
Then it’s up to you if you’d like to steam some or pan fry some but we’re doing both!
Place your dumplings in a steamer. On high heat, add 2 cups of boiling water to a wok. Place your dumplings in the steamer, ensure they’re not overcrowded and steam for about 10-15 minutes on medium heat until they look glossy and cooked through.
For that irresistible crispy bottom, heat a teaspoon of neutral oil in a non-stick pan, place your dumplings in the sizzling oil. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan. Once the bottoms are browned (takes 3-4 minutes), add the cornstarch slurry, cover with a lid (10-15 minutes) and cook until they’re cooked through.
Once done, serve up your gorgeous spicy dumplings. Add a final pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt and pair them with your spicy sizzling dumpling sauce!
Happy Lunar New Year!
Recipe created by: https://www.instagram.com/ugcwithnav/
What to serve with Chinese dumplings
A great dish to serve with Chinese dumplings is a hearty chicken noodle soup. The soup is full of a rich, flavourful both and soft noodles that compliments the succulent dumplings perfectly. It’s the perfect way to turn your dumplings from an appetizer to a full meal!
Pairing your dumplings with a refreshing cucumber salad is a match made in heaven! The crispness from the cucumbers provides a wonderful contrast to the soft, warm dumplings.
Why not try using a delicious Chinese Curry sauce to drizzle on top of your dumplings. This sauce is very rich with a bundle of aromatic spices which offer a warm, slightly spicy flavour. You can find most pre-mixed brands in the best retailers, including Goldfish Chinese Curry Sauce.
Can I cook dumplings in an air fryer?
You can air-fry frozen dumplings very easily. Make sure to add an oil spray on top of the frozen dumplings so that they cook crispy and not come out dry. You want to make sure the outside stays nice and golden and cooked perfectly on the inside.
All air fryers cook differently, but we recommend a base time of 6-8 minutes on 380°F/193°C. Flip the dumplings over and continue to cook for another 2-6 minutes until crispy.
If you are wanting to cook Chinese dumplings in the air fryer from scratch, you will need to make sure that the dumpling’s filling is cooked first, especially if you are using meats like pork, chicken or beef. After you have cooked the filling, you can then proceed to making the dumplings following the above recipe, but instead of frying them, pop them in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, turning them over and cooking for an additional 2-6 minutes until nice and golden.
Can you freeze Chinese dumplings?
According to Expondo, you can freeze dumplings depending on how you prepared them.
Raw dumplings can be stored in the freeze for up to 3 months, whereas cooked dumplings can only be stored in the freeze for 4 weeks. It’s important to note that the dumplings, raw or cooked, should not be touching each other. If they are touching, the dumplings will stick together into a large clump, and once thawed, will rip the dough – ruining the perfect parcel you have created.
Struggling for ideas on what to cook during the Christmas holidays? Why not combine all the best flavours of Christmas and wrap them under a blanket of golden puff pastry with our showstopping sausage rolls!
We use good quality pork sausages as the main component for our rolls, with bursts of sweet cranberries and chestnuts for a nutty bite!
Why add salt to sausage meat?
Adding a pinch of Maldon Sea Salt to the raw sausage meat will improve the texture and enhance the flavour of the pork, whilst also lowering the water content, resulting in a perfectly seasoned meat ready to be used for making sausage rolls!
Here is how to make our Christmas Sausage Rolls…
Start by making the filling – in a large bowl mix together the sausage meat, cranberries, chestnuts, sage, cranberry sauce, some Maldon salt and cracked black pepper.
Unroll the pastry, place half the sausage meat down the length of it on one side, and then fold the rest of the sheet over it, using the egg wash to seal it tightly. Repeat this with the second sheet of pastry. Press the seal using a fork and then place the two long sausage rolls into the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
Preheat the oven to 180C.
After 30 minutes, remove the sausage rolls and then cut them into 6 individual sausage rolls – so 12 in total. Place them onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush them all over with egg wash. Sprinkle the tops with nigella seeds and then bake in the oven for 15 minutes. They should be golden brown and crisp on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving with extra cranberry sauce for dipping and a final sprinkle of Maldon Salt.
Can you make these vegetarian?
Absolutely! We make a delicious meat-free version of this recipe, where we use vegetarian sausages, finished off with black sesame seeds. There are many well-known brands that offer meat-free alternatives, including Richmond, Linda McCartney and Cauldron.
What to serve with sausage rolls?
Sausage rolls are the ultimate comfort food – there’s no doubt about that! So, when your are baking these for a gathering, what other tasty finger foods and side dishes could you serve?
Firstly, homemade chips. These are the perfect companion to your sausage rolls. The chip’s crispy, golden skins have the same soft interior as of the humble sausage roll, making it a match made in heaven.
If you are looking for something with a pinch of spice, try our BBQ sweetcorn, paired with a harissa and coriander butter. The smoky flavours contrast the sweet burst of cranberries in the sausage rolls, playing with that irresistible sweet and spicy flavour balance.
Both delicious and hearty, this pie recipe is a comfort food classic which is loved by many family and friends. Being the secondary part to the series of using chicken three ways, we use roughly 100g of leftover chicken from grilling it in our within Spatchcock BBQ Chicken recipe.
We use a filo pastry for a lighter topping option, however you are welcome to use shortcrust pastry instead for a firmer option.
Here’s how to make our Chicken, Leek and Bacon Filo Pie…
Start by making the white sauce for your pie filling. In a large pan add 100g of butter and allow it to melt. When the butter begins to foam, add the plain flour and use a wooden spoon to stir it in and create a paste. Cook this for couple of minutes until it begins to smell biscuity.
Then take the pan off the heat and add a splash of the milk, use a whisk to immediately stir this in to avoid lumps. As soon as the milk is absorbed, add another splash making sure to whisk it in fully. Alternate doing this and placing the pan back on the heat to allow it to bubble and thicken between each addition. Keep going until all the milk has been added and you are left with a thick, creamy, and smooth sauce.
Turn the heat off the white sauce and stir in the wholegrain mustard, Maldon Salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Check the seasoning and then set aside.
In another pan, add the lardons and cook until they are beginning to turn crispy. Now add the sliced leeks and diced onions. Keep cooking these until they are fully softened and translucent.
Once the leeks and onion are soft, add the garlic and cook for a further couple of minutes. Then add the leftover shredded chicken and warm through.
Finally stir this mixture into the white sauce and add the chopped tarragon.
Preheat the oven to 180C Fan.
Take a small pie dish and pour the filling in.
Take one sheet of filo pastry at a time and lay it onto your board.
Brush both sides with the final 100g of melted butter, and then use your hands to scrunch the filo up and place on top of the pie filling. Continue to do this with the remaining filo sheets until the whole pie top is covered.
Place it into the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes until the filo is golden brown and crispy on top.
Remove from the oven and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before serving alongside your favourite green vegetables.
Paccheri is a type of pasta that is commonly shaped of a very large tube, with origins of this pasta being traced back from Campania, Italy.
We’ve taken this classic pasta dish and given it a culinary twist with the use of butternut squash and chorizo for a comforting warmth of flavours. Remember to add Maldon Salt to your water when boiling the pasta as the salt will add an extra layer of flavour to the water, in which is then absorbed by the pasta when cooking.
Preheat the oven to 180C.
Peel and dice the butternut squash into rough chunks. Place onto a baking tray with the onion wedges and the garlic gloves still in their skins. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of olive oil, some Maldon salt, cracked black pepper and the chilli flakes. Toss them all together and then roast for 15 minutes until the squash is tender.
Cook the pasta according to the pasta instructions in a large pan of salted water.
In a large frying pan add the chorizo and fry until crispy. Once the butternut squash is cooked, remove from the oven, and add it to a blender with the onion and the garlic squished from their skins. Ladle in some of the pasta water and then blitz until smooth.
Tip the butternut squash sauce into the frying pan with the chorizo, then lift the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding some more pasta water if needed so it coats the pasta and turns into a glossy consistency.
In a small frying pan heat 2 tbsp of olive oil, then fry the sage leaves until crispy.
Spoon the pasta into bowls and top with the sage leaves, a drizzle of oil, some cracked black pepper and a good grating of parmesan.
