This Thai-inspired salmon curry is a real crowd pleaser and family favourite which packs a punch, full of flavour with every mouthful.
There are so many different textures, flavours and notes flowing through the dish which, when all combined together, create the perfect most beautiful harmony. Just one of the many benefits of this curry is that it remains super healthy and well-balanced whilst staying at a modest price. The beauty of this bung-it-together meal is that, with so many cupboard ingredients, it is the perfect meal for when you need a bit of inspiration or if you have any left over salmon you need to use up. The lime and coconut really elevate the flavours with a wash of elegance and make the whole experience that little bit more refreshing. To serve, just like any curry it goes perfectly alongside some lime-infused Jasmine rice. Ingredients:
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This rich yet delicate fish dish is a tasty and super easy mid week meal which is sure to bring tasty waves of the Mediterranean flooding into your mouth.
The fish itself should be so flaky it should fall apart in your mouth, and when combined with the rich tomato sauce it really does transport you to your own sun-filled island off the Mediterranean! The olives are hidden gems within this dish and when you find one it is like a little flavour injection which goes a long way. Not only does it taste great, but it's super healthy with absolutely no nasties hidden away in there. Many people see the teaspoon of sugar and get ready to throw it out, but don't worry! Stop stressing yourself! This tiny amount of sugar isn't enough to hurt the healthiness, but rather brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. This dish doesn't need many accompaniments, so keep it simple with some crusty bread or herby focaccia to serve alongside. Ingredients:
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Tortugas, 19-21 Friar St, Worcester, WR1 2NA (01905 27673). Starters £5-£8, mains £8.50-£21, desserts £6-£7, cocktails from £7.50.
Among the restaurants in Worcester, Tortugas is the relative ‘new kid on the block’ and honestly feels like a breath of fresh air blowing away the cobwebs in the fusty old city whilst boasting a favourable spot on arguably Worcester’s oldest and most interesting street. Worcester has no shortage of restaurants – however, especially in the city itself it can often feel repetitive and all very similar with the endless supply of chain restaurants. It is therefore a very rare occasion when a new independent restaurant opens its doors with a smorgasbord of new and exciting different dishes to feast upon. First impressions of this quirky little place are simply joyous - the minute you arrive outside, before even stepping through the door you are greeted by an explosion of colours and smiling friendly faces. Being guided through the restaurant to your table it becomes clear that the Caribbean theme is anything but subtle – and nor should it be! It brings a certain element of fun to your dining experience and when paired with the relaxed energy for the staff, it immediately makes you feel comfortable in your surroundings. Waiting to kickstart our meal we went straight in for the cocktails with a ‘Shroudbreaker’ and ‘Hurricane’, the beautifully presented fruity punch of flavour set the tone for the meal and certainly built-up excitement for the upcoming food courses. We didn’t have long to wait as our starters were fast approaching our own corner of the Caribbean. Elegantly presented, the food reiterates the point that through all the fun and laid-back energy, this place is one to be taken seriously! We started with ‘tiger prawns – accompanied by garlic and thyme butter and served with a salad with honey and lime dressing.’ As well as a ‘baked callaloo & cheese soufflé – served with a tomato and red onion salsa.’ The soufflé was simply delicious! Rich and indulgent, whilst remaining light and airy, a real savoury treat! The salsa provides a nice, sweet tang to counter the natural saltiness of the cheese, the only thing missing perhaps was another form of texture to the dish, something to give a slight bite or crunch. The tiger prawns were simple but effective, cooked to perfection and paired perfectly with the butter, they were a real hit. With this dish it wasn’t that it was missing another element, it was that it was missing more of the same. The portions were just a little small with a total of two prawns, it meant that as much as the starter was enjoyed, it was also over very quickly. Just a couple more tier prawns would have made it a more well-balanced start to a meal. After a laugh and a joke with the waiting staff the main courses were waiting in the wings, ready to take centre stage and delight our stomachs. We confidently decided upon the ‘jerk chicken burger – served in a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle and coleslaw along with a side of fries for an additional £4.’ As well as the ‘red snapper fillet – served with pan-fries, yam and sweet potato gratin and Pak-choy.’ The burger went down very well indeed, as did the cocktails to which we were now onto our second round of ‘Hurricanes’! The brioche bun is always a winner with a burger, and it is surprising just how many restaurants decide not to offer them, but of course Tortugas did, and the sweetness of the toasted bun perfectly counteracted the punchy jerk spices of the chicken. The creamy coleslaw was the perfect combination with the burger as was the generous portion of triple cooked chips! It could have done without the pickle but that is purely down to personal opinion and taste and I’m sure there would be many people who heavily disagree with me. The red snapper fillet was the real star of the show! The presentation was nothing short of stunning and incredibly enticing. The fish itself was cooked to perfection and well-seasoned offering a tasty saltiness every now and then, the yam and sweet potato gratin was also a real winner. Something extremely different but successfully satisfying, offering a world of flavours in just a bite. The Pak-choy I took slight issue with, it was definitely essential to the dish and added a much-needed greenness to the plate, I am an enormous fan of it however, when nit-picking, with it resting at the bottom of the plate underneath the gratin and fish it went just a bit too soggy and slimy. That being said every single morsel of this dish was eaten and enjoyed thoroughly. The dining experience (with two rounds of cocktails) came to a sum of £67.50. The whole experience was an absolute joy, helped by the friendly service! This is a place completely unique and offers you something you just cannot get anywhere else in Worcester. The Caribbean experience will sweep you away and even leave you ready to exit wearing a grotesque Hawaiian shirt and a mini umbrella tucked behind your ear, or perhaps that was the cocktails influence? Taking everything into consideration, Tortugas proves itself to be one of the best places to eat in Worcester, standing out proudly as a heavyweight of the city’s independent restaurants alongside heavy hitters such as ‘The Olive Branch’. Tortugas is a step in the right direction and definitely something the city needs more of. This fish dish is completely different to anything you have ever tasted before, it's a bit more of a challenge simply because of all the timings of the different components, but if you're feeling up for it then the pay-off is outstanding.
There are so many different flavours running through every element of the plate, then when it all comes together, perfection. There are a few things to watch out for however, as you don't want to overcook the fish - something that is very easy to do, especially when you have so much else going on. You also don't want to mash the potatoes till they are completely smooth, this will make them too loose and won't absorb the liquids in the right way - they need to be a bit chunky here and there. Finally, as I always say, do not under any circumstances overcook the veg! No-one likes mushy veg! Not much needs adding to this dish as there is already so much going on, but if you were looking for an additional side, then keep it simple with some crusty bread. Ingredients: For the mash:
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This beautiful creamy chicken dish is a perfect way to spice up your mid-week meals, or treat some lucky friends at your next dinner party without killing yourself in the kitchen! The rich sauce is so comforting and is guaranteed to fill your belly making it the perfect winter warmer and one of my all time favourite recipes!
The tomatoes add that little sudden burst of juice and flavour, whilst the chicken is so tender it literally falls apart. Don't worry if there are few charred bits in the bottom of the pan after first cooking the chicken - this will only just add more colour and flavour to the sauce and will loosen once you add the remaining ingredients. Lovely fluffy mash goes hand-in-hand with this dish along with some fresh greens. Combined, you will have an elegant and utterly delicious meal which will leave you completely stuffed. Ingredients:
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The old family favourite has never tasted so good! This has become a firm favourite in my family, especially for my niece and nephew who insist I cook it for them whenever they come to visit - and they are guaranteed to always go back for seconds!
I have always been obsessed with Italian cooking and lifestyle, but the one thing that I've always loved, is how food will bring the whole family together. This old authentic Italian recipe will take you and your family right into the heart of Italy, and will leaving everyone craving more. The meat is incredibly rich, and the béchamel sauce is sumptuously creamy - with the special ingredient of nutmeg kicking it off to a whole other level. The one thing I really hate is when people use sauce out of a jar! There is no need for it, yes it's easy, but you lose so much flavour and they're generally pumped full of sugar. Those demonic Dolmio puppets are really going to hate me, but this recipe will show you just how easy it is to make a delicious fresh sauce from scratch! To serve, anything goes really, whatever your preference of sides is. Personally I choose to keep it simple with some greens or maybe a fresh salad and some delicious garlic bread. Ingredients:
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Steak bakes, sausage rolls, doughnuts and pizza slices are just a few of the high cholesterol 'treats' you can acquire from the blue devil bakery stores that lie in waiting, seemingly round every corner, ready to seduce people in with wafts of processed meats and fat-induced pastry.
This will be a very controversial read for many people and would certainly class as unpopular opinion, hence why I find it such a fascinating topic to dive into. People can be and generally are, incredibly defensive over the bastardised bakery, it never ceases to amaze me just how offended people can get over the mere association with Greggs and poor quality. But let's be crystal clear, Greggs is an absolute atrocity whilst being severely overrated. We are a fat country, the heftiest in Europe in fact. As of January 2021, over 64% of the UK adult population was classed as being either overweight or obese, and studies have shown that 1 in 5 children leave primary school obese. But is it any wonder when you look out at what litters our high streets? McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Dominos, Subway and Five Guys, wherever you look there are fast-food hell holes luring people through the doors with 'convenience food' and the promise of an early grave. We all know this food is bad for us, and yet that chubby little overweight red devil sitting on the shoulder, whispering in the ear, will somehow always manage to convince people to go and gorge themselves silly on fake food. For some this will be a weekly, if not daily occurrence, for others with maybe a bit more self-restraint, it may be once every couple of months, after which and racked with guilt, they take themselves straight to the nearest confessional booth for a quick "forgive me father for I have diet sinned". But Greggs stands out from the rest. If it didn't infuriate me so much it would truly fascinate me! Like a true master of illusion, it has managed to brainwash people into believing that it is different from other fast-food establishments, and that it is actual good food. It cleverly hides behind vegan trends and minuscule fruit pots to trick you into believing that it cares for the health and wellbeing of our once great nation. Don't be fooled, this is no longer the charming small family bakery founded in 1939. It sold out a long time ago, making it the cheap large-scale conglomerate you see before you today infecting our town centres. Upon entering the gates of hell, you are immediately greeted with a sea of brutally beige food. But I get it, it's cheap and affordable, as is the taste! Only 20% of the famous Greggs sausage roll the faithful followers dream about at night, is made from pork. I dread to think what nasties hide in the remaining 80%, and before tucking into a steak bake, you are probably well aware that it will result in you suffering from chronic diarrhea for the next two days. And is it any wonder? It is effectively gristle-based dog food, with a rich sauce resembling puddle water, all held together in bland pathetic pastry. By far the most intriguing thing about Greggs, is the darling brainwashed army of impassioned pasty-munching followers it has acquired over the years. I can feel their burning rage now as I dare to criticise the mothership! 'Barry' and 'Dazza', who enjoy their pastry almost as hard as their Brexit, will be up in arms. Whilst the vegetarians and vegans are busy facing a moral crisis after being presented with a hot sausage roll, pondering whether they should abandon their whole belief system to taste that flaky pastry, dripping in processed meat. The answer to their prayers? The vegan sausage roll, because pretending to eat animals makes it so much better, right? One thing I will say for Greggs, is that it certainly unites people. I challenge you to walk around any town or city centre on a quest for lunch and not come across at least three Greggs on your travels. Run in the opposite direction as fast as you can - like Indiana Jones running from that obscenely large boulder. Though if the rumours are true then soon you won't even need to walk, or waddle, to get your fix as plans are being made to install drive through bakeries across the country, marking a dark new era and allowing our country to become even more overweight. I have no doubt that even in the event of the impending apocalypse we keep being promised, Greggs will still find a way to survive like the cockroach it is. Now, this is an absolute classic! Zesty with a tongue-tingling fiery kick, this fragrant curry will bring the gorgeous taste of India into your home.
We are a country obsessed with curry, and yet so often we don't open ourselves up to true authentic Indian recipes. Well I refuse to let this stand, I am about to open your eyes and rock your world with this recipe! After which, I'm sure you will understand where I am coming from, and why that extra bit of effort, makes the world of difference. Nothing can prepare you, when tucking in to this curry, for that first mouthful of flavour. Explosions. The tangy, zesty lemons with the sweet peppers kick-starts a certain zing, followed by a subtle punch of spice and heat in the form of the almighty cayenne. The chicken remains beautifully tender, falling apart in your mouth whilst the combined juices flood your mouth like a giant zesty tidal wave. I'm pretty sure you will know what direction to take when it comes to sides. But just in case, my suggestion would be some bay-leaf infused basmati rice, with a nice naan/flatbread to dip in, and soak up all those juices! Ingredients:
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Enjoy this scrumptious, flavour bursting pasta in no time. The colourful dish screams elegance and is packed full of freshness. But what makes it even better, is that it's ready to eat in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect mid-week meal!
Salmon is a real favourite of mine, but you can be in danger of becoming repetitive with how you cook it. This recipe is the perfect way to change how you enjoy the fantastic favourite fish, and is served perfectly alongside some delicious herby focaccia! Everything in this meal just balances beautifully, whilst remaining super healthy, and surprisingly filling. The salmon and smoky chorizo, as always, excellently compliment each other, like two old best buddies. Whilst, the pasta shells act as little flavour pockets, trapping in all those delicious juices and heart-healthy ingredients. The parmesan adds that final and salty 'je ne sais quoi', whereas, the edible flowers - well they're just for showing off really and impressing your friends, adding a nice bit of colour to the plate in the process. Ingredients:
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This beautiful taste of summer is the perfect mid-week 15-minute meal for those busy days when you just don't want to be spending too much time slaving over a hot stove,
Imagine the scene, it's a beautiful hot British summer day and you're sitting outside with a cheeky glass of vino in hand, maybe even a cocktail if you're feeling particularly fruity. Dinner is served and you possess a plate full of delicious fresh fish, smoky chorizo and juicy tomatoes. It's about as close as we can get in England to living the Mediterranean lifestyle. So please, savour it and let this recipe transport you to your favourite holiday location leaving your troubles behind. The dish is a great heart-healthy diet meal with absolutely no nasties whatsoever. But the best part is that it does not hold back on flavour and is just so incredibly quick and simple to cook. Minimum effort, maximum satisfaction. If you are looking for something to serve alongside your fish then this meal is paired perfectly alongside some crusty bread or herby focaccia. I have customised the quantities of this recipe to feed two people, so if you have a few more mouths to feed, then please, adjust the quantities accordingly to what fits for you. Ingredients:
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