Serves 4–6

Time 5.2 hours

Ingredients:

1 whole lamb shoulder (bone-in, 2–2.5 kg)

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

1 kg banana shallots, peeled and halved

30g fresh garlic, smashed

150 ml white wine

200 ml lamb or chicken stock

2–3 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped

A splash of fig leaf vinegar

6–8 cloves black garlic, chopped

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

4 tbsp capers, rinsed

Fresh dill, chopped

2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

Method:

Preheat your oven to 160°C.

Generously season the lamb shoulder with sea salt and black pepper. Rub with olive oil and rosemary.

In a large roasting pan, scatter the halved banana shallots and smashed garlic. Place the seasoned lamb shoulder on top. 

Pour in the white wine and stock around (not over) the lamb to maintain the crust.

Cover tightly with foil and roast for 3.5–4 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart effortlessly.

Remove foil, baste the lamb, and roast uncovered at 200°C for 20 minutes to achieve a crispy, caramelised exterior.

Rest the lamb for 20 minutes, reserving the shallots and pan juices.

In a bowl, mix chopped black garlic, capers, fresh dill, a splash of fig leaf vinegar, and toasted pine nuts with a drizzle of olive oil. Season to taste.

Plate the lamb with the caramelised shallots, spoon the black garlic-caper relish generously over the top, and drizzle with reserved pan juices.

Chef's Notes:

Roast the shallots underneath the lamb to soak up flavourful juices, turning them into sweet, umami-packed gems.

De-glaze the pan after roasting with a splash of fig leaf vinegar to create an intense, tangy sauce.

Swap fig leaf vinegar with pomegranate molasses for a sweet-tart note.

serve with some Turkish flat breads and a yogurt-dill sauce.

Serves 3–4

Time 45 mins

Ingredients:

1 beef flank steak (900 g–1 kg), butterflied if needed 

olive oil

sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

200g wild mushrooms (chestnut, shiitake, oyster), finely chopped

2 large onions, thinly sliced 

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

150g spinach 

small knob of butter (optional)

a few rosemary sprigs

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 200deg C (400def F).

Lay the butterflied flank steak flat, drizzle with olive oil, and season both sides generously with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

In a hot pan with a splash of olive oil, sauté onions until caramelised. Add the garlic and cook briefly, then stir in the chopped mushrooms. Season and cook until moisture evaporates. Toss in spinach until wilted. Optionally, add a knob of butter for richness. 

Spread the mushroom-spinach mixture evenly over the steak. Roll tightly from one end and secure with kitchen twine. 

Sear the rolled steak on all sides in a hot pan with olive oil and rosemary sprigs to infuse the flavour. Then, roast in the oven at 200°c (400°f) for 20–25 minutes for medium-rare.

Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thick, juicy rounds.

Chef notes

• Add a smear of dijon mustard on the steak before adding the filling for depth.
• Try 'dry brining' the steak with salt a few hours before cooking; it intensifies flavour and softens texture. 
• Swap spinach for kale for texture.
• Add crumbled blue cheese to the filling for a spicy bite.
• Finish with a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a sweet-tangy contrast.

Serves: 4–6

Time: 4 hrs.

Ingredients:

1.8–2 kg pork belly, skin on

 sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 fennel bulbs, sliced

2 apples, cut into wedges

2 onions, sliced

2 tbsp white miso

2 tbsn maple syrup

1 tbsp english mustard

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

2 tbsp olive oil

black pepper

150 ml dry cider

150 ml pork or chicken stock

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220°c (428°f). Score the pork belly skin and rub generously with sea salt and black pepper.

Place the sliced fennel, apples, and onions in a roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.

In a small bowl, mix white miso, maple syrup, english mustard, and wholegrain mustard to form a paste. Rub this mixture over the meat side of the pork belly, leaving the skin uncovered.

Lay the pork belly skin-side up over the fennel, apples, and onions. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes until the skin starts to crisp.

Reduce the oven temperature to 160°c (320°f). Pour the dry cider and stock into the tray without wetting the pork skin. Roast for an additional 2 to 2.5 hours until the meat is tender.

Increase the oven temperature back to 220°c (428°f) for the last 15 minutes to achieve extra crispy crackling.

Rest the pork belly for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the roasted fennel, apples, and onions, spooning some of the reduced pan juices over the top.

Chef’s notes:

For perfect crackling, ensure the skin is as dry as possible before roasting. Pat dry with paper towels and leave uncovered in the fridge overnight if time allows.