pasta, pasta recipe, beef, ragu, slow cooked, comfort food Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, beef, ragu, slow cooked, comfort food Bethany Ferguson

Beef Shin Ragu

It depends which day you ask me, but this could be my death row meal - its definitely in my top 3. For me, nothing beats this when I’m craving a rich, hearty, delicious bowl of comforting pasta. It’s all about the slow cooking of the beef shin here which after a few hours in a low oven just melts in your mouth. The end result is a ragu rich with red wine, plenty of rosemary, parmesan, garlic, sweet vegetables, sweet good quality Italian tinned tomatoes and well made beef stock.

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Crispy Chicken, Sundried Tomato, Olive and Fennel Traybake with Salsa Verde, Feta Oregano Smashed Potatoes and Almond Asparagus

I made this a few weeks ago when I was craving a Sunday roast but wanted something lighter and full of summery flavours. It’s super easy to make and full of flavour. It’s the type of meal you can put on platters in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. Fennel, olives, tomatoes and plenty of garlic amp up the Mediterranean flavours and with a punchy bright green salsa verde, it’s the perfect pairing. Super crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and with oregano, plenty of sea salt flakes, and crumbled salty feta the potatoes are the dream side dish for this spread. Some simply fried in-season asparagus spears and toasted flaked almonds add some freshness and crunch.

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bolognese, pasta, pasta recipe, halloumi, greek Bethany Ferguson bolognese, pasta, pasta recipe, halloumi, greek Bethany Ferguson

Greek Lamb Bolognese with Dried Mint and Grated Halloumi

Lighter and fresher than a typical bolognese, this greek version using lamb mince, chicken stock, dried mint and grated halloumi is full of flavour and comfort without the heaviness of a traditional rich ragu. Cooking the dried pasta in chicken stock with the mince always ensure it soaks up all those lovely flavours.

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beef, dumplings, casserole, chocolate, comfort food Bethany Ferguson beef, dumplings, casserole, chocolate, comfort food Bethany Ferguson

Guinness & Chocolate Beef Shin Casserole with Herby Pancetta Dumplings

With the Six Nations ongoing Guinness is on the mind. While I’m not a massive fan of a pint myself, it works really well in this rich, comforting beef stew. A little dark chocolate adds slight sweetness to the rich sauce, while some herby potato dumplings with salty pancetta soak up all the yummy flavours and add a whole other level of comfort. Super easy to make and perfect for a Sunday dinner.

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Anchovy, Garlic and Rosemary Leg of Lamb with The Best Dauphinoise, Marmite Redcurrant Jus and Steamed Kale

Roast leg of lamb is always a winner. Although it is a pricier cut, it really does go a long way and you can do a lot with leftover lamb. For me, lamb goes so so well with the creamy richness of dauphinois potatoes and some simply steamed green veg on the side. Anchovies, garlic and rosemary are a marriage made in heaven and with a sweet but umami rich redcurrant jus with marmite, red wine and Worcestershire sauce, this is Sunday comfort food heaven.

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chicken, chicken recipe, comfort food Bethany Ferguson chicken, chicken recipe, comfort food Bethany Ferguson

Chicken Parma with Tomato Sauce & Rocket Salad

You just can’t beat a chicken parm. Soft chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and basil, wrapped in salty parma ham, topped with cheesy, lemony, herby breadcrumbs and served with a rich tomato sauce and fresh rocket salad - it is ultimate comfort food. Kids will love it, adults will love it, its just one of those dishes which is a total crowdpleaser. Perfect for a midweek dinner but also tasty enough that people would be delighted to be served it at a dinner party, it’s just too good.

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comfort food, macaroni cheese, cheese, chorizo, kale Bethany Ferguson comfort food, macaroni cheese, cheese, chorizo, kale Bethany Ferguson

Chorizo & Kale Macaroni Cheese with Caramelised Onions

Nothing screams comfort food more than a bubbling macaroni cheese with a crunchy topping. This is my ultimate macaroni cheese which has a few twists. With some spicy roasted chorizo, charred kale, crispy breadcrumb topping, sweet caramelised onions and some fresh thyme, you won’t be able to keep your spoon out of this one. Plus it is a really cost effective dish which everyone will love. I used three types of cheese which is essential in my opinion. Try and use an extra mature cheddar for added umami punch and gruyere and parmesan help to up the cheese factor. A spoonful of marmite, dijon and a good grating of fresh mustard is also key to add more depth to your sauce.

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Chicken and Chorizo Filo Pie with Parmesan Sun-dried Tomato Mash and Green Beans with Shallots, Olives and Almonds

This recipe is one of my absolute favourites and with a few simple twists elevates your traditional chicken pie to the next level. The filo topping adds texture and crunch which works so well with the creamy filling with mustard, leeks and a slight smoky heat from sliced chorizo. Served with moreish sun-dried tomato parmesan mash which has a lovely salty tang from the cheese and some sautéed green beans with caramelised shallots, olives and almonds - the sides really make this dish. This is a special meal which everyone will love.

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spaghetti, pasta, pasta recipe, prawns, simple, quick meals, comfort food Bethany Ferguson spaghetti, pasta, pasta recipe, prawns, simple, quick meals, comfort food Bethany Ferguson

My All Time Favourite Prawn Spaghetti

This is my ultimate quick and easy pasta recipe for when I need a bowl of comfort food fast. It’s the type of food I could just eat and eat and eat. This recipe is not going to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes you just need simple food fast and there is nothing wrong with that.

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Indian Roast Chicken with Dal Makhani and Jammy Tomatoes

I haven’t posted a Sunday roast dinner recipe for a while and thought it was time to share a slightly different take on the traditional roast. The marinade on this chicken keeps it so lovely and moist, while the dal is just delicious, full of depth and flavour. This is the type of dish I could just eat and eat and eat. The tomatoes roasted with lemon, garlic and spices adds a burst of sweetness, while naan breads full to the brim of cardamom, spiced coconut and raisins are perfect to mop everything up.

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Warming Mushroom and Lentil Curry

I was very kindly sent some Yondu vegetable umami seasoning and I was really impressed with the deep umami flavour it gives. I decided to create this warming and nutritious vegan mushroom and lentil curry - ideal for veganuary. It’s full of goodness, lots of veggies and plenty of flavour.  Comforting, completely plant based and £1.42 per portion - perfect for brightening up a very chilly January.

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comfort food, beef, pork, ricotta, parmesan, pasta, polenta Bethany Ferguson comfort food, beef, pork, ricotta, parmesan, pasta, polenta Bethany Ferguson

Beef & Pork Ricotta Meatballs with Parmesan Polenta and Cavolo Nero

Meatballs of any kind will always be one of my favourite meals. Just sheer, unadulterated comfort which never fails to brighten a cold, miserable night. I make mine with high quality beef mince and pork sausage meat for extra flavour, while plenty of ricotta and parmesan cheese keeps them ridiculously light, fluffy but with a salty umami depth.

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Ultimate Chicken Biryani

This chicken biryani has got everything you want - fluffy rice which absorbs the fragrant and aromatic sauce, tender, moist chicken thighs, sweet caramelised onions and a luxurious saffron milk to finish everything off. This is full of flavour and texture and the whole thing is just a hug in a bowl. Plus at £2.01 a portion it’s an affordable, filling dish the whole family will love.

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pasta, pasta recipe, comfort food, bolognese, ragu, italian, classic Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, comfort food, bolognese, ragu, italian, classic Bethany Ferguson

Ultimate Spaghetti Bolognese

This is my version of the classic recipe, with a few storecupboard twists in there to elevate your normal bolognese to the next level. Little tricks like adding the parmesan rind for salty depth, some whole milk for richness, soy for umami, dark chocolate for a touch of bitter sweetness and red wine vinegar to balance out the acidity all works to make it just a little bit different. It also tastes better after a night or two in the fridge so if you can wait that long do - its worth it.

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Roast Chicken Orzo with Fennel, Lemon and Parmesan

This is a true one pot dish which makes one chicken go a long way. Roasting the chicken on top of the orzo and vegetables allows all the chicken juices to be absorbed by the pasta grains, making them extra delicious. It’s a great way to enjoy a roast but without the many pots and pans and often hefty price tag. Healthy and so comforting at this time of year, this will become a regular recipe in your household I’m sure.

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classic, chicken, chicken recipe, chicken kyiv, roasted veg Bethany Ferguson classic, chicken, chicken recipe, chicken kyiv, roasted veg Bethany Ferguson

Chicken Kyiv with Garlic Herb Butter and Minted Veg

Chicken kyiv may be a retro classic but I’d forgotten just how delicious and comforting they are. This was a birthday request meal from a few weeks ago and I discovered when coming up with the recipe that the secret to a great chicken kyiv is the butter - it really is a case of the more butter the better. It’s the type of meal I never make but it’s the perfect weeknight comforting dinner on these dark, wintry nights.

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