Category Archives: Opinion

Julep lamb chops

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I love gin cocktails and the mint julep is one of my favourites because of it’s fresh, summery taste. I was inspired to create this recipe while drinking a gin and tonic while I prepared some lamb for the barbecue. It adds an extra twist to the traditional minted lamb recipes and the brown sugar adds a divine crunch.

  • 8 lamb chops
  • 50ml gin
  • large handful mint
  • 3 spring onions
  • 1 medium onion (white, red or brown according to your preference – shallots might also be nice)
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Juice and zest of two limes
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • Pepper
  • Salt

With a food processor or hand blender, combine all the marinade ingredients into a paste, then slather over the lamb. I left mine to marinate in the fridge for three hours, but you can prepare this the night before or sooner if you have less time or want a less intense flavour. When you’re ready, heat your grill, barbecue or grill pan to a high heat if you want rare lamb with a crispy skin, or medium heat for medium or well done. Tastes great with potato salad!

Paprikás pancakes

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One a recent holiday to Budapest I feel in love with these pancakes, which I tried in a lovely traditional restaurant near the City Park. I couldn’t wait to try out my own take on them when I got home – here I’ve made the sauce less salty, reduced the calories by using low fat yoghurt and used flavourful chicken thighs instead of breast.

  • 6 chicken thighs, skin removed
  • 2 green peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1.5 tbsp hot paprika
  • 1.5tbsp sweet paprika
  • 500ml chicken stock
  • 4-5 tbsp low-fat plain yoghurt
  • 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 6-8 plain pancakes (use your favourite recipe – I like this one)

Mix the flour with 1tbsp hot paprika and 1 tbsp sweet paprika. Heat the oil and dredge the chicken thighs in the flour, setting the leftover flour aside for later. When the oil is hot, fry the chicken thighs in batches until browned all over. Once done, keep the chicken in a plate or bowl while you fry the peppers and onions until the onion is soft. Add the chicken back to the pan with the chicken stock, then bring to the boil, cover, and turn down to a simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and leave to cool slightly. Mix the reserved flour into 2tbsp of yoghurt and then stir into the stew. Finally, stir in the rest of the yoghurt.

To serve: remove the bones from the chicken pieces and shored the meat into the sauce, then use to fill or top the pancakes. Great with garden peas or a crunchy salad.