salmon, salmon recipe, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson salmon, salmon recipe, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Baked Salmon with Super Green Orzo

One of my favourite midweek recipes that is full of green goodness. It’s also a great one for kids as they are getting plenty of veggies without realising. Plenty of basil, lemon and parmesan adds heaps of flavour, while a spoonful of creme fraiche helps make the sauce nice and creamy while still being very light and fresh. Delicious on its own but I like it with a simply baked salmon fillet on top. Would also work really well with chicken.

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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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pasta, pasta recipe, anchovy, tomatoes, healthy, quick meals Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, anchovy, tomatoes, healthy, quick meals Bethany Ferguson

Tomato, Fennel and Anchovy Pasta with Pangrattato

I have been quite busy recently and craving tasty, quick pasta meals in the evening. This is one of my favourites and includes ingredients you probably have in your cupboard anyway. Anchovies add a lovely umami saltiness, while sweet tomatoes, sharp lemon, salty capers and fragrant fennel all work together to make this not just your typical bowl of midweek pasta. Pangrattato toasted in garlic, oil and parmesan add crunch and texture and is a must to sprinkle over any pasta dish. This will be on the table in minutes.

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meatballs, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson meatballs, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Pork and Ricotta Meatballs with Basil, Pea and Parmesan Orzo

Serving the meatballs with a green pea orzo is a little different from your usual tomato based sauces, so this is an ideal way to switch up your usual meatball recipes. The ricotta makes the meatballs so light and fluffy, while plenty of parmesan adds umami richness to the orzo which is full of colour, flavour and lots of basil. This is the sort of recipe which you immediately feel better after eating and at £2.32 per portion, it won’t break the bank either. It’s a comforting but healthy dinner full of goodness which adults and kids will both love. 

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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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greek, chicken, chicken recipe, healthy, summer Bethany Ferguson greek, chicken, chicken recipe, healthy, summer Bethany Ferguson

Greek Chicken Orzo Salad with Tzatziki

This has become one of my go-to meals when I get home from work. Perfect for a weeknight meal and great for leftover lunches the next day. The chicken breasts are marinaded in a simple marinade of oregano, lemon, garlic and olive oil while the orzo pasta salad has all the ingredients of a delicious fresh and zingy Greek salad - kalamata olives, crumbled feta, parsley, mint, lemon, balsamic, chopped red pepper and tomatoes and some cucumber. Finished with a little sumac and red pepper flakes for some heat, topped with creamy cooking tzatziki, this is a tasty and healthy bowl of goodness.

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prawns, pasta recipe, pasta, pesto, summer, summer vegetables, healthy Bethany Ferguson prawns, pasta recipe, pasta, pesto, summer, summer vegetables, healthy Bethany Ferguson

Prawn Courgette Pasta with Sundried Tomato and Sunflower Seed Pesto

This pesto recipe is a great one for nut-allergies as it uses sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts. The texture and flavour is just the same as other pesto recipes (some might say actually more tasty) and its so versatile. You can add it on pizzas, stir it through risottos, or use it as a topping for hummus. The possibilities are endless.

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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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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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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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pasta, pasta recipe, ragu, slow cooked, lamb, lamb recipe Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, ragu, slow cooked, lamb, lamb recipe Bethany Ferguson

Ultimate Pasta Ragu

This is one of my favourite recipes I have tested lately and one I will return to again and again. I wanted to come up with an ultimate pasta ragu recipe using lamb shoulder which falls apart, slow cooked in a rich sauce flavoured with anchovies, olives, capers, white wine, parmesan and plenty of herbs. Although decadent, by using white wine and chicken stock, this ragu is surprisingly light and not too heavy at all - meaning you can happily eat bowl after bowl (in fact I’d encourage this).

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pasta, linguine, vongole, seafood, seafood recipe, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson pasta, linguine, vongole, seafood, seafood recipe, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Classic Linguine Vongole with Samphire and Crispy Parmesan Breadcrumbs

Any kind of seafood pasta is up there with my ultimate food heaven. I could just eat bowl after bowl. This is the recipe for my version of the classic linguine vongole. I think there are just some recipes which shouldn’t be messed around with and this is one of them. The combination of white wine, garlic, chilli and clams is just too good - I’ve added some crispy parmesan breadcrumbs for some added texture and some lovely samphire for added greenery and saltiness but ultimately I’ve stayed true to the original flavours.

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crab, fennel, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson crab, fennel, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Crab, Fennel and Courgette Bucatini with Anchovy, Caper and Lemon Parsley Breadcrumbs

Crab and fennel is a classic combination. Teamed with lemon, parsley, chilli, anchovies and capers, the flavours just come alive. This is the recipe for my crab bucatini which is healthy, full of flavour and so versatile. It is both a perfect quick midweek meal and a dish to impress for a dinner party. For me it’s the breadcrumbs which make this recipe so don’t miss out on those.

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pasta, pasta recipe, pesto, summer vegetables Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, pesto, summer vegetables Bethany Ferguson

Super Green Summer Vegetable Pasta with Pistachio Pesto and Parmesan

Summery, healthy, so moreish and full of goodness - this is the type of pasta recipe which kids will love and have no idea just how many veggies they’re eating. The courgettes soak up all the lovely flavours from the pesto, while the toasted pistachios add a nutty sweetness and texture to the pesto.

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