Created in collaboration with Margie Nomura of Desert Island Dishes, this angel hair pasta recipe is a brilliant example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. As a professional chef with more than a decade of experience, Margie is known for developing easy, reliable recipes that deliver maximum flavour with minimal fuss, making them perfect for busy home cooks.
Inspired by Ina Garten’s classic no-cook tomato pasta, this dish allows sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and olive oil to marinate together, creating a light and vibrant sauce while you get on with your day. Once tossed with hot angel hair pasta and plenty of Parmesan, the result is a fresh, summery meal that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavours and ready in minutes. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an effortless recipe for entertaining, this simple pasta is sure to become a favourite.
How to Make Summer Garden Pasta
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, chilli flakes, Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes and black pepper.
Cover and leave at room temperature for at least 2 hours
Drain well, reserving a splash of the pasta water if needed.
Add the hot pasta straight to the tomatoes and toss thoroughly.
Stir through the Parmesan until it melts into the tomato juices to create a light sauce.
Finish with extra basil, Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.
An Italian Classic Reimagined
To celebrate the launch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon, Maldon Salt has partnered with award-winning Italian cook Giuseppe Federici (@sepps) to showcase recipes inspired by the flavours, traditions and family food culture that define Italian cooking. This indulgent Vegan Tiramisu combines rich espresso, creamy Biscoff filling and a subtle salted coffee cream, creating a delicious twist on one of Italy’s most iconic dessert.
Welcoming Giuseppe Federici
Giuseppe Federici (@sepps) is a second-generation British Italian who comes from a long line of passionate food lovers, with Italian home cooking at the heart of everything he creates.
Today, Giuseppe shares authentic Italian recipe videos, family traditions and cooking inspirations with his hugely engaged audience. His beloved videos cooking alongside his Nonna have captured the hearts of millions and inspired his cookbook – Cooking with Nonna – a collection of treasured family recipes and stories based down through generations with a plant-based twist.
Introducing Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon
Harvested from the historic salt pans of Trapani on Sicily’s western coast, Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon is celebrated for its balanced flavour and delicate texture. Naturally dried in the Mediterranean breeze and selected by Maldon’s Master Salt Merchants, this versatile fine sea salt dissolves easily and seasons evenly throughout cooking and baking.
In desserts, a touch of fine sea salt helps enhance sweetness, balance richness and enhances complex flavours such as coffee, chocolate and caramel.
How to Make Vegan Tiramisu with Biscoff
This irresistible vegan tiramisu layers espresso-soaked Biscoff biscuits with a silky cream made from vegan cream cheese, plant-based cream and Biscoff spread. Finished with cocoa powder, crunchy Biscoff crumbs and a luxurious salted coffee cream, it’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for entertaining and special occasions.
A small amount of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon in the coffee cream enhances the roasted coffee notes while perfectly balancing the sweetness of the dessert.
For the Tiramisu
Ensure the espresso is completely cooled before starting.
We used the brand-new KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer in Wild Blueberry for mixing. Mix the vegan cream cheese and Biscoff spread until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the plant-based cream to soft, pourable peaks, then whisk in the vanilla and sugar.
Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined.
Arrange a layer of Biscoff biscuits in a serving dish and lightly drizzle with the cooled espresso. Repeat with a second layer.
Spoon over a layer of the cream mixture, then repeat the layers of biscuits, coffee and cream until the dish is filled, finishing with cream on top.
Chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Before serving, dust with cocoa powder, sprinkle over the Biscoff crumbs and finish with a spoonful of salted coffee cream.
For the Salted Coffee Cream
Place the plant cream, vanilla extract, cacao butter, sugar, Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, vanilla essence, espresso and instant coffee into a saucepan.
Heat gently, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Do not boil.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before serving or storing.
Bring Italian Dolce to Your Table
Whether served as as the grand finale to an Italian feast or prepared for effortless entertaining, this Vegan Tiramisu delivers layers of coffee-soaked indulgence and creamy sweetness in every spoonful.
Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon is available now from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Ocado. For more authentic Italian recipes and family favourites, explore Giuseppe Federici’s cookbook, celebrating the dishes, traditions and stories.
A Taste of Sicily Meets Everyday Italian Cooking
To celebrate the launch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon, Maldon Salt has partnered with award-winning Italian cook and content creator Giuseppe Federici (@sepps). Known for his simple, flavour-focused recipes inspired by family traditions, Sepps brings authentic Italian cooking to home kitchens through dishes that showcase the beauty of quality ingredients. This bright and refreshing Lemon Courgette Pasta is a perfect example, combining sweet courgettes, fragrant basil and zesty lemon with the balanced flavour of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt.
Welcoming Giuseppe Federici
Giuseppe Federici (@sepps) is a second-generation British Italian from a family of passionate food lovers, where Italian home cooking has always been at the centre of family life.
Today, he shares authentic Italian recipes and family food traditions with a hugely engaged audience, sharing authentic Italian recipe videos, family stories and a genuine love for home cooking. Most loved of all are the heart-warming cooking videos he creates alongside his Nonna, which have captivated millions of viewers and inspired his first cookbook — Cooking with Nonna – a collection of cherished family recipes celebrating Italian cooking across generations with a plant-based twist.
Introducing Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon
Harvested from the historic salt pans of Trapani on Sicily’s western coast, Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon, brings exceptional quality and versatility to everyday cooking. Carefully selected by Maldon’s Master Salt Merchants, it is prized for its balanced flavour, delicate texture and ability to dissolve evenly throughout cooking. Naturally dried in the Mediterranean breeze, it enhances everything from pasta water and vegetable dishes to breads, sauces and desserts.
How to Make Lemon Courgette Pasta
Fresh, vibrant and packed with flavour, this Lemon Courgette Pasta is a simple Italian-inspired recipe perfect for weeknight dinners and summer dining alike. Sweet grated courgette is gently cooked with garlic, chilli and olive oil before being tossed with linguine, fresh herbs and zesty lemon. Finished with vegan parmesan, it’s a light yet satisfying pasta dish that celebrates seasonal ingredients and effortless Italian cooking.
The fine texture of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon helps season the pasta water, draw moisture from the courgettes and evenly distributes flavours throughout the dish, allowing every ingredient to shine.
Coarsely grate the courgettes into a large bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt and leave to sit for a few minutes, this helps draw out excess moisture. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can with your hands or a clean tea towel, then set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season generously with Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, it should taste like the sea. Cook the linguine for 1 minute less than the packet instructions so it’s just shy of al dente. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a generous glug of olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and fry gently for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden and fragrant, keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Add the drained courgette to the pan and toss to coat in the garlicky oil. Season well with Sicilian Fine Sea Salt and black pepper, then add the lemon zest and juice. Stir everything together and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the courgette is tender.
Add the drained pasta straight into the pan along with the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously over the heat for 1–2 minutes so the pasta finishes cooking and absorbs all the flavours. Tear in the rocket and basil and toss through.
Divide between bowls and finish with a generous grating of vegan parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and a final crack of black pepper.
Bring Italian Flavours to Your Table
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight pasta or a light Mediterranean-inspired meal, this Lemon Courgette Pasta is a delicious way to enjoy seasonal ingredients and authentic Italian flavours.
Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon is available now from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado.
For more Italian-inspired recipes, discover Giuseppe Federici’s cookbook, featuring the beloved family dishes, traditions and stories.
Bright, fresh and ready in minutes, this blood orange, fennel and pistachio salad is Sicilian sunshine on a plate. Juicy citrus rounds and paper-thin shaved fennel are dressed in a honey-sherry vinaigrette and finished with crunchy pistachios and a pinch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon. It’s an elegant no-cook starter or side that comes together with almost no effort.
Why You’ll Love This Blood Orange & Fennel Salad
No-Cook & Elegant: A genuinely impressive starter that needs nothing more than slicing, shaving and a quick whisk of dressing.
Fresh & Vibrant: Sweet citrus, aniseed fennel and earthy pistachios balance beautifully, lifted by a flake of Sicilian sea salt.
Naturally Good for You: Light, colourful and packed with fresh produce – perfect alongside richer Sicilian dishes.
How to Make Blood Orange & Fennel Salad
Prepare the blood oranges: Using a sharp knife, peel each orange so all the pith is removed and you’re left with just the juicy flesh. Slice into 1cm rounds and arrange on a platter, tipping any juices from the board into a small bowl.
Shave the fennel: Cut the top off the fennel bulb, reserving the fronds. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to shave the fennel very thinly, then arrange it across the platter with the orange slices.
Whisk the dressing: To the bowl of reserved orange juice, add the olive oil, sherry vinegar, honey, Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon and a little cracked black pepper. Whisk together into a dressing.
Dress and garnish: Drizzle the dressing all over the orange and fennel, then garnish with the finely chopped pistachios and reserved fennel fronds. Serve straight away.
Tips for the Perfect Blood Orange & Fennel Salad
Shave it paper-thin: A mandolin gives the finest, most delicate fennel slices – the thinner the better for this salad.
Save every drop of juice: Tip the juices from your chopping board into the dressing for extra citrus flavour.
Finish with the flakes: A pinch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon right before serving makes the sweet citrus sing.
What to Serve with Blood Orange & Fennel Salad
This salad is a fresh, palate-cleansing partner for richer Sicilian plates. Serve it alongside grilled swordfish steaks or Sicilian arancini, with sesame semolina bread to mop up the dressing. It also slots nearly into an antipasto spread. Out of blood orange season, regular oranges or a mix of citrus works just as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular oranges?
Yes. Blood oranges give a striking colour and a slightly berried sweetness, but regular oranges, navel or a mix of citrus work just as well when they’re out of season.
Can I make it ahead?
Slice the oranges and shave the fennel a few hours ahead and keep chilled, but dress the salad and add the pistachios just before serving so everything stays crisp and fresh.
How do I stop the fennel browning?
Toss the shaved fennel in a little of the orange juice or lemon juice if prepping ahead – the acid keeps it pale and fresh.
Meaty, quick-cooking and full of Sicilian sunshine, swordfish steaks are made for the griddle or BBQ. Here they’re charred for just a couple of minutes a side and topped with a bright salsa of chargrilled peppers, cherry tomatoes, green olives and capers, then finished with charred lemon and a pinch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon. Dinner is on the table in 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love These Grilled Swordfish Steaks
Ready in 15 Minutes: Swordfish cooks in minutes and the no-cook salsa comes together while it grills.
Big Sicilian Flavours: Sweet peppers, briny olives and sharp capers make a punchy salsa that lifts the fish.
High-Protein & Gluten-Free: A light, healthy main that feels generous and special.
How to Make Grilled Swordfish Steaks (Step-by-Step)
Make the salsa: Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters and add to a bowl with the extra virgin olive oil. Thinly slice the chargrilled peppers, halve the olives and add both, then drain, rinse and add the capers. Season with Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon and cracked black pepper, and set aside.
Grill the swordfish: Rub the steaks with a little olive oil and place onto a hot griddle pan or BBQ over a high heat. Swordfish cooks quickly like tuna and can easily overcook, so give it just 2 minutes on each side. Grill the lemon halves alongside.
Season and serve: As soon as the steaks are cooked, transfer to a platter and season with a good pinch of Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon and pepper. Spoon over the salsa, garnish with fresh oregano and squeeze over the charred lemon before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Grilled Swordfish Steaks
Don’t overcook it: Swordfish dries out fast – 2 minutes a side over a high heat keeps it juicy and just-cooked.
Get the griddle hot: A properly hot griddle or BBQ gives clean char marks and stops the fish sticking.
Make the salsa ahead: Mixing the salsa first lets the flavours meld while the swordfish grills.
What to Serve with Grilled Swordfish Steaks
These steaks are a complete summer dinner with garlic and herb new potatoes and a blood orange and fennel salad, with sesame semolina bread to soak up the salsa and juices. The charred lemon is essential – a good squeeze right at the end brings everything together. Tuna steaks make an easy swap if swordfish isn’t available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use tuna instead of swordfish?
Yes – tuna steaks cook in a very similar way and time. Like swordfish, they’re best left a little pink in the middle and not overcooked.
Fresh or jarred peppers for the salsa?
Jarred chargrilled peppers are quick and full of flavour, but you can chargrill fresh peppers and peel them if you prefer to make your own.
How do I know when the swordfish is cooked?
It should be just opaque all the way through after about 2 minutes a side. Take it off while still juicy – it firms up as it rests.
There’s nothing quite like pasta made from scratch, and cavatelli is one of the most satisfying shapes to shape by hand. Made from just semolina and water, these little grooved shells are tossed through a jammy roasted cherry tomato and aubergine sauce sweetened with whole roasted garlic, and seasoned with Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon. It’s rustic Sicilian cooking at its very best.
Why You’ll Love This Cavatelli
Pasta From Scratch: Just semolina flour and water make a beautiful eggless dough you shape by hand – no machine required.
A Jammy Roasted Sauce: Roasting the tomatoes, aubergine and garlic together does all the work, creating a deep, sweet sauce.
Naturally Vegetarian: A hearty, satisfying meat-free main that celebrates simple Sicilian produce.
How to Make Cavatelli (Step-by-Step)
Make the dough: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Mix the semolina flour with the water and olive oil in a large bowl, bring together into a ball, then knead on the worktop for 10 minutes until smooth and cohesive. Cover with a clean bowl and rest for 15 minutes.
Roast the veg: Add the diced aubergine and whole cherry tomatoes to a large roasting tray and toss with the olive oil. Nestle in the whole garlic bulb and roast for 20 minutes.
Shape the cavatelli: Pull small, gnocchi-sized pieces from the rested dough and press each one down a cavatelli shaper (a butter paddle) to create grooves and a little cavity. Place on a semolina-dusted tray to stop them sticking, and repeat until all the dough is used.
Make the sauce: Tip the soft aubergine and jammy tomatoes into a shallow sauté pan and squeeze in the roasted garlic from its skins. Season with Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon and cracked black pepper, and keep warm on a low heat. Bring a large pan of well-salted water to the boil.
Cook and combine: Drop the cavatelli into the boiling water and cook for 3–6 minutes, until just al dente. Lift them straight into the sauce with a slotted spoon, add a splash of pasta water and toss well to bind.
Serve: Spoon the pasta into bowls and finish with grated parmesan and plenty of fresh basil leaves.
Tips for the Perfect Cavatelli
Knead until smooth: A well-kneaded, smooth dough is easier to shape and gives the cavatelli their lovely chew.
Dust with semolina: Keep the shaped cavatelli on a semolina-dusted tray so they don’t stick together before cooking.
Save the pasta water: A splash of starchy pasta water binds the sauce around the cavatelli for a glossy finish.
What to Serve with Cavatelli
This is a generous main in its own right, but it’s lovely as part of a Sicilian spread with sesame semolina bread to soak up the sauce and a blood orange and fennel salad alongside. Finish the meal with Sicilian cannoli. A little extra parmesan and a drizzle of good olive oil never go amiss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I don’t have a cavatelli shaper?
No problem – roll small pieces of dough under your thumb or down the back of a fork to create the grooves and cavity. It takes a little practice but works beautifully.
Can I make the cavatelli ahead?
Yes. Shape them and keep on a semolina-dusted tray, then freeze on the tray before transferring to a bag. Cook from frozen, adding a minute or two to the boiling time.
Can I use a different flour?
Durum wheat semolina is key here – it gives cavatelli their signature bite and holds the shape. Plain or 00 flour won’t give the same texture.
Golden, sesame-crusted and made with nutty durum wheat semolina, this Sicilian-style loaf is far simpler than it looks. Just semolina, water, yeast and Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon come together into a soft dough, rolled in sesame seeds and baked until the crust crackles. It’s the perfect bread for mopping up sauces or building an antipasto spread.
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Semolina Bread
A Golden Sesame Crust: Rolling the loaf in sesame seeds gives a nutty, crunchy crust and a beautiful finish.
Just a Few Ingredients: Semolina, water, yeast, sesame and a good sea salt are all you need for a proper Sicilian loaf.
Soft, Open Crumb: A long, slow prove rewards you with a light, springy crumb under that crisp crust.
How to Make Sesame Semolina Bread (Step-by-Step)
Start the dough: Place the semolina flour in a stand mixer and add the 250ml of warm water. Mix and knead for 5–10 minutes until there are no dry patches of flour. Cover the bowl with cling film and rest for 1 hour.
Add the yeast and salt: Mix the 50ml of water with the yeast and add it to the dough along with the Sicilian Fine Sea Salt, Selected by Maldon. Knead with the dough hook for 10–15 minutes until smooth and coming away from the sides of the bowl.
First prove: Cover the bowl again with cling film and leave to prove for 2–3 hours, or until the dough has tripled in size.
Shape and coat in sesame: Tip onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a long oval loaf (or a round loaf or buns). Scatter the sesame seeds on a tray, wet the top of the loaf lightly with water, then roll the top in the seeds to coat well. Set on a lined tray and score the top a few times with a sharp knife.
Second prove: Cover loosely with a plastic bag or cling film, raising the edges so it doesn’t stick to the dough, and prove for a second time for 45 minutes–1 hour.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Remove the covering and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown – it should sound hollow when tapped on the base. Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Sesame Semolina Bread
Don’t rush the prove: The long, slow first prove is what gives the loaf its flavour and light, open crumb.
Wet before seeding: Lightly wetting the top of the loaf helps the sesame seeds stick for an even, golden crust.
Tap to test: A properly baked loaf sounds hollow when you tap the base – if not, give it a few more minutes.
What to Serve with Sesame Semolina Bread
This loaf is endlessly useful across a Sicilian table. Serve it warm with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, alongside homemade cavatelli or grilled swordfish to mop up the juices, or as the base of an antipasto with burrata and tomatoes. It also makes excellent toast for the days after baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make rolls instead of a loaf?
Yes – shape the dough into small buns rather than one loaf, coat them in sesame and reduce the baking time, checking from around 12 minutes.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No. You can knead the dough by hand, though it will take a little longer to reach a smooth, elastic texture – around 12–15 minutes.
Why didn’t my bread rise?
The most common causes are yeast that’s past its best or a proving spot that’s too cold. Use fresh fast-action yeast and prove somewhere warm and draught-free.
A No-Churn Summer Dessert by Margie Nomura
Looking for the ultimate make-ahead summer dessert? This Salted Caramel Ice Cream is rich, creamy, wonderfully indulgent and surprisingly easy to make. Created in collaboration with Maldon Salt and chef Margie Nomura, this no-churn recipe combines velvety homemade caramel with the distinctive crunch and flavour of Maldon’s iconic flaky sea salt.
For an extra touch of fun, we’re serving it in an iconic Maldon Original Sea Salt 570g Tub. Once cleaned and repurposed, the tub makes the perfect freezer-safe container for homemade ice cream, giving food lovers a creative way to reuse a kitchen staple while creating a showstopping dessert.
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, planning a family gathering, or simply looking for an easy frozen treat on hand, this salted caramel ice cream is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleased.
Meet Margie Nomura
Source: KITRI Spotlight: Margie Nomura
Margie Nomura is the chef, food writer and creator behind Desert Island Dishes, a hugely popular recipe platform dedicated to simple, delicious home cooking. With more than a decade of experience as a professional chef, Margie trained at the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School and has cooked professionally around the world. She is passionate about creating recipes that deliver maximum flavour with minimal effort, helping home cooks feels confident in the kitchen.
Through Desert Island Dishes, Margie shares accessible recipes, practical cooking tips and inspiration for everyday meals, desserts and entertaining.
This Salted Caramel Ice Cream perfectly captures her cooking philosophy: simple ingredients, straightforward techniques and incredible results.
How to Make Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Rich, creamy no-churn ice cream with ribbons of homemade salted caramel running through it. The perfect make-ahead dessert.
Make the salted caramel sauce – Place the light brown sugar and butter into a saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Pour in the double cream and whisk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and stir through the Maldon Original Sea Salt flakes and vanilla extract, if using. Leave to cool completely.
Prepare the ice cream base – Whip the double cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the condensed milk until fully combined and smooth.
Create the caramel ripple – Fold approximately half of the cooled caramel sauce through the ice cream mixture. Avoid overmixing to keep beautiful ribbons of caramel running throughout.
Freeze – Spoon the mixture into a cleaned Maldon Original Sea Salt 570g Tub or another freezer-proof container. Swirl through a little extra caramel sauce for an even more dramatic ripple effect. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or until firm.
Serve – Scoop generously into bowls or cones, drizzle with the remaining salted caramel sauce and finish with a pinch of Maldon flaky sea salt for the ultimate sweet-and-salty finish.
Recipe Tips
Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping.
For extra texture, add chopped honeycomb, roasted pecans or chocolate shards before freezing.
The Maldon Sea Salt flakes provide a clean, delicate crunch that enhances the sweetness of the caramel without overpowering it.
Using a repurposed Maldon Original Sea Salt 570g Tub makes this recipe ideal for transporting to picnics, garden parties and family gatherings.
Storage
The caramel sauce will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Gently warm before serving if it becomes too firm. The ice cream can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
The Perfect Summer Treat
Creamy, sweet, salty and irresistibly scoopable, this Salted Caramel Ice Cream is everything a summer dessert should be. Made with pantry staples, elevated by the unmistakable flavour of Maldon Sea Salt, and inspired by the effortless cooking style of Margie Nomura, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll return to all season long.
So grab your Maldon Salt tub, gather your favourite people and enjoy a homemade frozen dessert that’s guaranteed to disappear fast. One scoop is never enough.
Bringing Together Flavour, Fire, and Caribbean Inspiration
Combining authentic Caribbean-inspired flavours, premium outdoor cooking equipment, and the distinctive taste of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt, this recipe celebrates the joy of cooking outdoors and sharing great food with family and friends.
Why Cook on a Weber Slate Griddle?
For more than 70 years, Weber has been at the forefront of outdoor cooking, helping grill enthusiasts create unforgettable meals. The Weber Slate Griddle is designed for versatility, featuring a pre-seasoned carbon-steel cooking surface, even edge-to-edge heat distribution, and temperatures exceeding 500°F (260°C), making it ideal for everything from smash burgers and fajitas to perfectly charred jerk chicken.
The Weber Slate’s consistent heat control allows the jerk-marinated chicken to develop a beautiful caramelised crust while ensuring the homemade roti cooks evenly with the perfect balance of softness and char.
Meet the Chef: Alexander James (AJ), Founder of All in a Box
Alexander James, better known as AJ, is the Founder and Managing Director of All in a Box, an experience-led food and catering business that was born during lockdown from a simple idea: helping people create unforgettable food experiences at home. What started around AJ’s kitchen table in Buckinghamshire has grown into a thriving family-run business, delivering premium food experiences, corporate catering, events and nationwide gifting campaigns, while staying true to its roots of bold flavour, great comapny and memorable moments.
AJ’s food philosophy is heavily influenced by both Caribbean and British culinary traditions, bringing together vibrant spices, quality ingredients and outdoor cooking techniques. His pass for flavour is at the heart of every All in a Box menu, creating dishes that celebrate comfort food with a creative, modern twist. AJ has built a reputation for delivering food that connects people and creates lasting memories.
The Importance of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt In This Recipe
Greta seasoning is the foundation of exceptional food, and Maldon Chilli Sea Salt plays a crucial role in this recipe. The distinctive crunch of Maldon’s pyramid-shaped sea salt flakes combined with warming chilli create the perfect finishing touch for the sweet, spicy and smoky flavour profile.
Throughout the recipe, a range of Maldon Sea Salt flavours work together to build layers of flavour:
Maldon Chilli Sea Salt elevates the hot honey glaze and final presentation with a balanced chilli kick and signature flaky texture.
How to Make Jerk Hot Honey Chicken Roti
Blitz all the marinade ingredients in a blender until smooth — this is ‘Pearl’s‘ recipe and it gets better the longer it sits. Coat the chicken thoroughly and marinate overnight in the fridge, minimum 12 hours. Don’t shortcut this; the depth of flavour comes from the time.
For the roti, drain the soaked split peas and boil in fresh water for 15–20 minutes until just tender but still holding shape. Drain well and pulse in a food processor with cumin to a fine breadcrumb consistency — you want texture, not a puree. Spread on a tray and cool completely.
In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, butter and Maldon Original Sea Salt. Add the warm water and bring together into a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth, then rest covered for 30 minutes.
Divide the dough into 4 balls. Flatten each, spoon 1 teaspoon of the split pea mix into the centre, pinch closed and roll out gently on a floured surface to a round about 20cm wide. Take your time — the filling wants to stay sealed in.
Mix the slaw ingredients in a bowl, scrunch with your hands and leave to soften for 30 minutes. Stir the garlic yoghurt together and chill.
Warm the honey, hot sauce and lime in a small pan until just loose. Season with Maldon Chilli Sea Salt and set aside.
Get the Weber Slate properly hot — you want a steady, even heat across the surface. Lay the chicken skin-side down and don’t move it for 4–5 minutes. Flip, baste with the hot honey, and cook for another 4–5 minutes until charred and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Brush the Slate with a little oil and griddle the roti for 1–2 minutes a side until puffed, golden and lightly charred. Keep warm under a clean tea towel.
Build: roti base, smear of garlic yoghurt, sliced chicken, pile of slaw, extra drizzle of hot honey, pomegranate, coriander and parsley. Finish with a generous pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt.
Discover More from Weber, Maldon Salt and All in a Box
To elevate your everyday cooking, discover the complete Maldon Salt collection.
For more creative recipes and inspiration, visit All in a Box.
A Fire-Cooked Dessert Collaboration Between Maldon Salt, Weber Grills and Chef Matt Burgess
When live-fire cooking meets modern outdoor grilling, desserts become something truly unforgettable. This Cloud Cake recipe by Chef Matt Burgess, also known as @matblak, is a bold collaboration celebrating texture, flavour and innovation – combining the versatility of the Weber Lumin electric grill with the delicate finishing power of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt.
Soft, airy, and lightly steamed under the lid of the Weber Lumin, this raspberry cloud cake is balanced with bright fruit acidity, crisp raspberry coral, white chocolate and a subtle hit of chilli salt. It is restaurant-quality outdoor cooking designed to show that barbecue cooking goes far beyond meat and flame.
Whether you are cooking on a balcony, terrace or garden setup, this recipe highlights how electric grilling, live-fire inspiration and premium ingredients can create a memorable summer dessert.
Who are Weber Grills?
Weber Grills are globally recognised as one of the leading names in barbecue and outdoor cooking innovation. Known for combining performance, reliability and design, Weber has become synonymous with modern grilling culture worldwide.
The Weber Lumin electric barbecue reaches temperatures over 315°C while also offering steaming, smoking, searing and warming functions. This versatility makes it ideal for dishes like cloud cake, where controlled heat and trapped steam are essential for creating this signature soufflé-like texture.
Unlike traditional desserts cooked indoors, this recipe users the Weber Lumin pancha and lid system to gently steam and lift the batter, producing an airy cake with a caramelised outer edge and soft centre.
For urban grillers, food lovers and chefs experimenting with outdoor desserts, the Weber Lumin proves that barbecue cooking can be sophisticated, technical and creative.
Chef Matt Burgess, widely recognised as @matblak, is a New Zealand Māori chef, live-fire specialist and founder of Kaiwhenua – Kai by Matblak. His cooking philosophy is built around fire, flavour, culture and connection.
After beginning his culinary career in Wellington, New Zealand, Matt went on to work with some of London’s most respected hospitality brands, including Soho House, Bluebird Chelsea, Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill, and Jamie Oliver’s Threadneedle street.
Today, through Kaiwhenua – meaning “food from the land” in Māori – Matt develops recipes, host supper clubs and creates premium condiments inspired by live-fire cooking and layered flavour. His work blends refined restaurant technique with open-fire cooking, making him one of the UK’s most exciting modern barbecue chefs.
Matt’s approach to dessert reflects the same philosophy throughout his cooking: balance, smoke, texture and restraint.
Explore Kaiwhenua and Kai by Matblak here: https://www.kaiwhenua.co.uk/
Why Maldon Chilli Sea Salt Matters in This Dish
Salt is often overlooked in desserts, but in this recipe Maldon Chilli Sea Salt plays a crucial role.
The delicate crunch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes enhances sweetness, sharpens raspberry acidity and balances the richness of white chocolate. The added chilli gives subtle warmth that lingers gently on the palate, elevating the flavour profile without overpowering the dessert.
In the cloud cake batter, the chilli salt helps heighten the fresh raspberry flavour. As a finishing touch, it creates contrast against the soft sponge, crisp coral and creamy chocolate.
This sweet-and-heat combination is what transforms the dish from a simple grilled sponge cake into a refined barbecue dessert.
What is a Cloud Cake?
A cloud cake is an ultra-light, souffle-style cake known for its airy texture and delicate rise. Inspired by Japanese souffle pancakes and steamed sponge techniques, cloud cakes rely heavily on whipped egg whites to create lift and softness.
Unlike dense sponge cakes, cloud cakes are designed to feel light, almost mousse-like in the centre, while maintaining a lightly caramelised exterior.
In this version, the Weber Lumin lid traps heat and steam during cooking, helping the cake rise gently while staying soft and moist inside.
How to Make Cloud Cake, Raspberry Coral with Chilli Sea Salt
Preheat the Weber Lumin with plancha to medium–low heat. You want gentle, even heat.
Whisk egg yolks with milk and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder. Mix smooth.
Whip egg whites with a pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Slat to soft peaks. Add sugar gradually. Take to medium peaks.
Fold one third into the yolk mix to loosen. Fold the rest gently. Keep the air.
Fold in raspberries last.
Lightly butter the plancha. Spoon thick rounds, 2–3 cm high.
Cook undisturbed until the base sets. Close the lid to trap heat and allow the cake to rise and steam.
Flip carefully. Cook until just set. Centre stays soft. Remove and rest.
For the dressing, crush raspberries with lemon zest, juice and icing sugar. Keep it loose.
For the coral, mix all ingredients until smooth.
Pour a thin layer onto a hot section of the plancha.
Let it bubble and separate. Do not touch it.
Once dry and lightly coloured, lift carefully and cool. It will crisp as it cools.
Plate the cake. Spoon over dressing.
Add coral, micro planed white chocolate and basil.
Finish with a light pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt.
Weber Lumin Cooking Tips
Always use the lid — trapped heat is essential for the signature cloud cake rise.
If the base colours too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
Coral needs a dry, hot surface to crisp correctly.
Avoid overmixing the batter or the texture will become dense.
Cook in batches and avoid overcrowding the plancha
Explore More
Buy Weber Grills – Discover the Weber Lumin electric barbecue range and outdoor cooking accessories: https://www.weber.com/GB/en/home/
Discover Kai by Matblak – explore Matt Burgess’ recipes, sauces, live-fire cooking and flavour philosophy.
Shop Maldon Salt – Explore Maldon Sea Salt flakes and flavoured blends: https://maldonsalt.com/our-salt/