CHEEKY SLOW COOKED SPINACH AND CHICKPEA TAGINE

A few years ago we went on holiday to Morocco and it was there that I fell in love with one of their most famous dishes, the tagine. Named after the clay pot in which they are traditionally cooked in, there are many regional variations of this slow cooked stew but in my recipe I have taken some of the more classic tagine spices such as cumin, turmeric and cinnamon and used them to flavour a delicious vegetarian broth crammed full with chickpeas and an array of vibrant vegetables to create a truly wonderful meat free feast. 

THE RETURN OF THE (NO) BUTTER (NO) CHICKEN CURRY

Everyone loves curry night! Getting a takeaway on a Friday is the ultimate in lazy weekend treats. I love creamy curries and my absolute favorite is a scrummy butter chicken. Dipping your naan bread into that yummy sauce, it's naughty but oh so nice! Butter chicken is not the best thing to have really if your trying to shed a few pounds though so it was great when we created this low calorie version a few years ago as it meant I could enjoy this coconut milk based version without any of the guilt. Hurrah!

MARVELOUS MEAT FREE BBQ "PULLED PORK"

I'm always looking around for meat free alternatives of my favorite meaty dishes to make so I can enjoy them with the vegetarian at home and recently I've been noticing "pulled pork" made from jack fruit popping up more and more online and in magazines. I really didn't understand how a fruit could taste like pork but upon giving it a try I completely get it. Jack fruit breaks up into little strands to create that pulled pork effect and flavoring it by slow cooking in a homemade BBQ really does work. It's a revelation!

MATTY'S VEGGIE "BB" CURRY

One of the food based highlights of our holiday to Bali recently was our meal at Skai Beach Club and the chef's signature chicken "Too-Too". This was a twist on the traditional Balinese be tutu dish, a fragrant and spicy yellow curry that is absolutely to die for. I've tried to recreate a vegetarian version here using Quorn pieces instead of chicken which I toss into my own slow cooked take on this yummy sauce along with some vegetables, which I'm calling my "BB" curry (see what I did there!).

CHINESE VEGGIE SLOW COOKED "YEAR OF THE" ROOSTER

Saturday 28th January 2017 was the start of the Chinese Year of the Rooster and so to celebrate I decided to rustle up an Asian inspired dish but as it was a Saturday, I wanted to make something that would require a minimal amount of effort (well the weekend is a time for chilling isn't it?). This dish of five spice Quorn chicken slow cooked in a soy, ginger, garlic and chili broth was the answer to my prayers. All you need to do is add the ingredients into your slower cooker in stages and you'll build up a dinner that is defiantly going to get you in the mood for a party.

SUPER SLOW COOKED VEGGIE SAUSAGES AND LENTILS

So it's now mid January, it's raining everyday and it's just too grim to step outside the house. What you need is a bit of comfort food to cheer you up and this is where my slow cooker veggie sausage and green lentil dish comes in. The best part about this recipe is that it takes minimal effort to prepare and then you simply have to let your slow cooker do all the work for you. As with all slow cooked meals though, that low and slow cooking just ramps up the flavor to create something truly scrumptious to get you through these winter months.

VEGGIE PEPPER "CHICKEN" CURRY

If you don't like spicy food then I suggest you turn away now! This veggie pepper Quorn chicken curry is a great dish for blowing away those January cobwebs with its intense chili kick and fiery pepperiness. Its definitely one that's not for the faint hearted! What's also great about this curry is that it's packed full of veggie goodness with a sauce made from fresh tomatoes and Greek yogurt so that it's also good for anyone who still wants to enjoy their curry night whilst being able to cut down on some of the calories. 

STREET N4 FINSBURY PARK LONDON (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

We're back in the big smoke this weekend and with tickets to see a show at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park we needed to find somewhere nearby to have  pre show nibble. How lucky for us then that Street N4 should be located right next door. When we saw that it sold burgers and burritos we were instantly sold so off we popped on the tube to go and see if the food tasted as good as it sounded.

SUMMERY SLOW COOKED ITALIAN RED LENTILS

Whilst the warm weather hangs around making summer in the UK last for just that little bit longer, here is a gorgeous dish that you can pop into your slow cooker and leave to work it's magic whilst you enjoy the remaining sun. This red lentil dish is an Italian favorite that uses a tin of tomatoes and chili, garlic, a variety of herbs, red wine vinegar, a pinch sugar and a good blast of seasoning to great a vibrant side that is a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, bringing those summer vibes right into your kitchen.

TUSCAN STYLE SLOW COOKED BUTTER BEANS

I'm having a bit of a love affair with butter beans at the moment. Ever since I used them in my Thai Veggie patties and for my Tasty Thai Crab Cakes I've realized what an underrated gem they are. This recipe inspired by a Tuscan style of cooking uses just a few ingredients to make the beans the star of the show. By slow cooking the butter beans, they become really beautifully soft, creamy and infused with the flavors of garlic, sage and rosemary which they are simmered with. A fantastically simple recipe perfect for a lazy weekend.

SUPER SLOW COOKED ROGAN JOSH

One of the best things about the weekend is that I have more time to play in the kitchen and when I'm feeling like I want a big plate of comfort food there is nothing better than getting the slow cooker out and making a delicious curry from scratch. No ready made sauces from a jar here, it's all about a homemade curry paste made with an array of herbs and spices and then frying it up with some onions and carrot before letting it simmer for hours until it's ready to be bulked out with some Quorn chicken and more fresh veg.

NEON JAMON LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

If there are two things that go well together its Tapas and a warm sunny day. Last week in Liverpool as the sun continued to shine over the city, I headed up to Neon Jamon on Berry St with a friend to take advantage of the glorious weather and pretend that I was outside a small cafe on the Mediterranean coast enjoying fine wine and great food. Having opened their new site just over six months ago, had Neon Jamon managed to transfer that taste of Catalonia from it's Smithdown Place branch near Penny Lane to the bustling streets of Liverpool's vibrant, multicultural city centre?

"SPRING IS HERE" RABBIT STEW

So Spring has arrived! A new season is a good time to new and exciting things and that is what crossed my mind when I came across a whole rabbit in my local butchers the other day. I'd never eaten rabbit before but I thought it was time to throw caution to the wind and give it a go. I'm pleased I did, it was delicious. If your a fan of chicken, turkey or lamb then you are going to love it too especially after you have slow cooked it for a couple of hours in a vegetable filled broth of herbs and cider and finished off with a touch of cream.