Recipes

  • Sherry-glazed Chicken Livers with a Creamy Garlic & Sage Sauce by Matt Burgess

    Sherry-glazed Chicken Livers with a Creamy Garlic & Sage Sauce by Matt Burgess

    Serves 2

    Time: 15 min

    Ingredients:

    300g chicken livers, trimmed

     2 tbsp olive oil

    3 garlic cloves, sliced

    Double cream

    Sage

    ⅓ cup sherry (fino or oloroso)

    1 tbsp butter

    Salt and pepper

    Crusty bread, to serve

    Lemon wedge, optional

     

    Method:

    Pat the chicken livers dry with kitchen paper, trim off any sinew and season with salt and pepper.

    Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat on the stovetop until shimmering.

    Add the livers in a single layer, don't overcrowd the pan, and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until browned but still pink in the middle.

    Add the garlic and thyme to the pan, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

    Pour in the sherry (it may bubble up quickly) and let it reduce for 1–2 minutes until syrupy and coating the livers.

    Stir in the butter to finish the glaze glossy.

    Taste and adjust the seasoning.

    Serve immediately, spooned over toasted or torn crusty bread, with extra thyme leaves scattered on top and a lemon wedge alongside if you like.

    Chef's notes & hacks:

    Don't overcook the livers — they turn grainy and tough past medium, you want them still blushing pink in the center.

    Pat the livers really dry before they hit the pan — this is what gives you a proper sear rather than a stew.

    No sherry? Marsala or Madeira both work just as well here.

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  • Leftover Bone Broth - Birria Style Consommé BY Matt Burgess

    Leftover Bone Broth -  Birria Style Consommé BY Matt Burgess

    Serves: 2

    Time: 2 hr 30 min

    Ingredients:

    Roast beef or pork bones (leftover from a roast), about 500g–1kg

    3 dried guajillo chillis, stems and seeds removed

    2 dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed

    1 dried chipotle chilli (optional, for smokiness)

    1 onion, halved

    4 garlic cloves

    1 tsp cumin seeds

    1 tsp dried oregano

    1 cinnamon stick

    2 bay leaves

    1 tbsp tomato paste

    2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

    1.5 liters water or leftover roast stock

    2 tbsn soy sauce

    salt, to taste

     

    To serve:

    Corn tortillas

    Diced white onion

    Chopped coriander

    Lime wedges

    Method:

    Toast the dried chilies in a dry pan over medium heat for 30 seconds each side until fragrant, then soak in hot water for 15 minutes to soften.

    Meanwhile, char the onion halves and garlic cloves in the same dry pan until blackened in spots.

    Toast the cumin seeds in the pan for 30 seconds until fragrant.

    Blend the drained soaked chilies, charred onion, garlic, toasted cumin, oregano, tomato paste and vinegar with a splash of the soaking water until smooth.

    Place the roast bones in a large pot, pour over the blended sauce, add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves and water or stock.

    Bring to a simmer on the stovetop, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 2–2.5 hours, until the broth is deeply red and flavourful.

    Strain the broth through a sieve, discarding the solids and bones, and season with salt to taste.

    Warm the tortillas in a dry pan.

    Ladle the hot consommé into bowls, serve with warm tortillas, diced onion, coriander and lime wedges alongside.

    Chef's notes & hacks:

    Use leftover bones from a roast dinner rather than buying fresh — that's the whole point, it makes a rich broth for free.

    Can't find dried chillies? Swap in 2 tbsp chipotle paste and 1 tbsp smoked paprika for similar smoky depth.

    Skim any fat off the top before serving for a cleaner-tasting broth, or leave it for extra richness.

    Make a big batch and freeze in portions — it keeps well for up to 3 months.

    Shred any meat left on the bones and serve it alongside for dipping tacos into the broth, quesabirria-style, if you want to turn it into a bigger meal.

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  • Lamb Neck Fillet with Harissa & Pomegranate Glaze & Crushed Pistachio by Matt Burgess

    Lamb Neck Fillet with Harissa & Pomegranate Glaze & Crushed Pistachio by Matt Burgess

    Serves 2

    Time 20 min

    Ingredients:

    •    2 lamb neck fillets, about 200–250g each

    •    salt & pepper

    •    1 tbsp olive oil

    •    2 tbsp harissa paste

    •    2 tbsp pomegranate molasses

    •    2 tbsn tahini

    •    1 tbsp honey

    •    1 garlic clove, grated

    •    ¼ cup pistachios, roughly crushed

    •    2 tbsp pomegranate seeds, to serve

    •    fresh mint or parsley, to serve

    Method:

    Bring the lamb neck fillets to room temperature, pat dry, season with salt and pepper.

    In a small bowl, mix the harissa, pomegranate molasses, honey and garlic to make the glaze.

    Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop.

    Sear the lamb neck fillets for 3–4 minutes per side, until well browned and cooked to medium — lamb neck fillet is lean and best not overcooked.

    In the last minute of cooking, brush the fillets generously with the harissa glaze, turning to coat and letting it caramelise slightly in the pan.

    Remove from the pan and rest for 5 minutes.

    Slice the lamb on an angle.

    Spoon over any remaining glaze, scatter with crushed pistachios, pomegranate seeds, tahini and torn mint. 

    Chef's notes & hacks:

    1. Lamb neck fillet cooks quickly and is lean, so treat it like a steak — don't take it past medium or it can dry out.
    2. Brush the glaze on right at the end of cooking, not at the start, or the honey and sugars in it will burn before the lamb is cooked through.
    3. Toast the pistachios in a dry pan for a minute before crushing for extra flavour.
    4. Make extra glaze and keep in the fridge for a week — it's great on roasted vegetables or brushed onto chicken too.
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  • Iberico Secreto, Membrillo & Sherry Vinegar Glaze, Manchego Shavings by Matt Burgess

    Iberico Secreto, Membrillo & Sherry Vinegar Glaze, Manchego Shavings by Matt Burgess

    Serves: 2

    Time: 20 min

    Ingredients:

    2 Iberico Secreto steaks (about 200–250g each)

    Salt and pepper

    1 tbsp olive oil

     ½ cup membrillo (quince paste), roughly chopped

    3 tbsp sherry vinegar

    2 tbsp water

    1 tbsp butter

    Shaved manchego, to serve

    Handful of rocket, to serve 

    Method:

    Take the secreto from the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature. Pat dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

    Heat a heavy pan (cast iron ideal) over high heat on the stovetop until smoking. Add a touch of olive oil.

    Sear the secreto for 2–3 minutes per side, until well browned outside and still pink and juicy in the middle — secreto is well marbled and best cooked medium, not well done.

    Remove and rest on a warm plate, loosely covered with foil, for 5 minutes.

    While it rests, make the glaze in the same pan: add the membrillo, sherry vinegar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the membrillo, until melted and glossy, about 3–4 minutes. stir in the butter to finish.

    Slice the rested secreto against the grain.

    Spoon the membrillo glaze over the sliced meat, scatter with shaved manchego and rocket if using.

    Chef's notes & hacks:

    Secreto is well marbled and cooks fast — treat it like a steak, not a slow-cook cut, and don't take it past medium or it'll toughen up.

    Use the same pan for the glaze — all those browned bits left from searing the meat add extra flavour.

    No membrillo? Apricot jam works as a substitute, just add an extra splash of sherry vinegar for sharpness.

    Shave the manchego with a vegetable peeler for the thinnest, prettiest curls.

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  • Beef Marrow Boats with 'Nduja Pangrattato, Sweet Red Wine Vinegar & Sourdough by Matt Burgess

    Beef Marrow Boats with 'Nduja Pangrattato, Sweet Red Wine Vinegar & Sourdough by Matt Burgess

    Serves 2

    Time 30 min

    Ingredients:

    • 2 pieces beef marrow bone, split lengthways ("boats")
    • ½ tsp flaky sea salt
    • 50g fresh breadcrumbs (panko or torn stale bread)
    • 2 tbsp 'nduja
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
    • 80ml red wine vinegar
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 2 thick slices sourdough
    • olive oil, for brushing

    Method:

    Preheat the oven to 220°c (425°f / gas mark 7)

    Lay the marrow bones on a baking tray, marrow-side up, season with the salt. Roast for 15–20 minutes, until the marrow is soft and just starting to bubble at the edges.

    While the bones roast, heat the olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. add the 'nduja and break it up with a spoon until it melts and turns the oil red, about 2 minutes.

    Tip in the breadcrumbs, stir to coat, and fry, stirring often, until deeply golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. take off the heat and stir through the parsley.

    In a small saucepan, combine the red wine vinegar and honey. bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by about half and syrupy, 5–6 minutes.

    Brush the sourdough slices with olive oil and toast in a hot pan until charred at the edges, about 2 minutes per side.

    Spoon the sweet red wine vinegar over the hot marrow, scatter generously with the 'nduja pangrattato, and serve immediately with the charred sourdough alongside.

    Chef's notes & top tips:

    Ask one of out butchers to split the bones lengthways for you rather than trying it at home.

    Once the marrow looks glossy and just starts bubbling at the edges, it's ready — leave it too long and it melts away into the tray.

    Make double the pangrattato and keep the extra in the fridge for up to 3 days, it's excellent over pasta too.

    Swap the 'nduja for chorizo if you want something milder.

    Finish with a squeeze of lemon if you want extra brightness against the richness.

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  • Iberico pork collar with burnt apple & sherry glaze by Matt Burgess

    Iberico pork collar with burnt apple & sherry glaze by Matt Burgess

    Serves 4

     

    Ingredients:

    800g iberico collar

    salt

    black pepper

     

    Burnt apple glaze:

    100g sherry vinegar

    60g maple syrup

    20g olive oil

    10g salt

    2 pink lady apples, blackened and chopped

     

    To finish:

    Watercress

     

    Method:

    Blacken the apples on the grill, chop them, and mix in vinegar and maple until a syrupy consistency is achieved. Whisk in the oil and set aside. 

    Season the pork and grill it over medium-high heat until it caramelizes on the outside and cooked to an internal temperature of 70deg c. 

    Let it rest and then slice it.

    Toss the slices with the glaze and apples and serve them over fresh watercress.

     

     

     

     

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