Recipes

  • Pepper Beef Rump Roast with Carrots, Leeks & Thyme by Matt Burgess

    Pepper Beef Rump Roast with Carrots, Leeks & Thyme by Matt Burgess

    Serves: 4

    Time: 2 hours

     

    Ingredients

    1.2kg – 1.4kg beef rump roast

    2 tsp cracked black pepper (coarse, not ground fine)

    olive oil

    sea salt

    4–5 carrots, cut lengthways

    3 leeks, trimmed and cut into large pieces

    ·      black pepper 

    4–5 sprigs thyme

    1 garlic bulb, halved (optional)

     

    Method:

    Preheat the oven to 180°c. Heat some olive oil on a pan on a med-high heat and sear the beef rump roast until it's coloured all over. Rub the seared beef rump roast with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper.

    Place carrots, leeks, thyme, and halved garlic bulb in a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil, season with sea salt and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

    Set the beef on top of the vegetables. Roast uncovered for about 1.5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 55-60°c for medium-rare.

    Remove from oven, cover with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

    Slice the beef against the grain. serve with roasted vegetables and horseradish

     

    Chef notes:

    Add a splash of red wine or beef broth to the pan before roasting for extra depth and a ready-made jus.

    Smear a thin layer of dijon mustard on the roast before seasoning 

     

     

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  • Lamb Wellington with Leek, Rosemary, Black olive & Bitter Leaf Salad by Matt Burgess

    Lamb Wellington with Leek, Rosemary, Black olive & Bitter Leaf Salad by Matt Burgess

    Serves 2–3

    Time 2 hours

     

    Chef's notes 

    - Add a thin layer of dijon mustard over the seared lamb before wrapping for an extra zing.

    - For an ultra-crispy pastry, sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs on the ham before adding the leek mixture.

    - Resting after baking ensures juicy, tender meat and prevents soggy pastry. Experiment with different herbs like thyme or tarragon for unique flavour profiles. Swap black olives for sun-dried tomatoes for a sweeter note.

     

    Ingredients

    ·       1 lamb loin approx 500–600g trimmed (ask the team in advance for availability)

    ·       50g butter

    ·       sea salt

    ·       freshly ground black pepper

    ·       6 slices serrano ham or prosciutto

    ·       1 sheet all-butter puff pastry

    ·       1 egg, beaten

    ·       2 leeks, finely sliced

    ·       2 tbsp butter

    ·       1 small sprig rosemary, leaves finely chopped

    ·       60 g black olives, very finely chopped

    ·       black pepper

    ·       radicchio, chicory, or a mix of bitter leaves

    ·       olive oil

    ·       1 tbsn red wine vinegar

    ·       Few leaves mint

    ·       sea salt

     

    Method:

    Preheat the oven to 200deg C.

     

    In a pan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sauté the finely sliced leeks until soft and translucent. Add the chopped rosemary and black olives, cooking for an additional minute. Season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Set aside to cool.

     

    Generously season the lamb loin with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a hot pan with a dash of oil, sear the lamb quickly on all sides to lock in the juices. Let it cool completely.

     

    Lay out the serrano ham slices on a piece of cling film, slightly overlapping. spread the cooled leek and olive mixture over the ham. Place the lamb loin on top and roll tightly using the cling film. Chill for 20 minutes to set the shape.

     

    Roll out the all-butter puff pastry. remove the cling film from the lamb and place it on the pastry. Brush the edges with beaten egg, then wrap the pastry around the lamb, sealing the edges. Brush the outside with more beaten egg.

     

    Place the wrapped lamb on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

     

    Toss radicchio, chicory, or a mix of bitter leaves with olive oil, a dash of red wine vinegar, fresh mint, sea salt, and cracked black pepper.

     

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  • Roasted Pork Loin roast with Fennel, Apple Cider & Leeks by Matt Burgess

    Roasted Pork Loin roast with Fennel, Apple Cider & Leeks by Matt Burgess

    Serves 4

    Time: 2 hours

     

    Chef’s notes 

    Ensure the pork skin is as dry as possible before roasting. Air-dry in the fridge overnight if time permits.

     

    You can add crushed garlic cloves and fresh thyme when roasting vegetables for extra depth.

     

    Brush the pork skin with a light vinegar wash before salting to enhance crackling crispness. 

    swap cider for pear juice for a different fruity note.

     

     

    Ingredients:

    1.2–1.4 kg pork loin, skin on or fat cap intact

    olive oil

    sea salt

    freshly ground black pepper

    2 fennel bulbs, sliced into wedges

    2 leeks, sliced

    2 sticks celery sliced

    300 ml dry apple cider plus a splash for later

    200 ml chicken stock

    knob of butter

     

     

    Method:

    Preheat the oven to 220°c.

     

    Rub the pork loin with olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance crispiness.

     

    Place the pork loin on a rack over a roasting tray. Roast for 20 minutes to crisp the skin, then reduce the temperature to 180°c and roast for an additional 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63°c.

     

    In a separate roasting tray, toss fennel, leeks, and celery with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of cider. Roast alongside the pork for 30-35 minutes until caramelised.

     

    Deglaze the pork roasting tray with 300 ml dry apple cider, scraping up any browned bits. Add chicken stock and reduce by half over medium heat. Whisk in a knob of butter for richness.

     

    Let the pork rest, loosely covered with foil, for 15 minutes before slicing.

    Slice the pork and serve with roasted vegetables and cider reduction sauce.

     

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  • Bone Broth Beef Pho by Matt Burgess

    Bone Broth Beef Pho by Matt Burgess

    Serves 4-6

    Time 4.5 hours

     

    Ingredients

    ·       2 large onions, halved, charred

    ·       150g ginger, sliced down the centre, charred 

    ·       10-star anise

    ·       4 cinnamon quills

    ·       4 cardamon pods

    ·       2 cloves

    ·       1.5 tbsp coriander seeds

    ·       1.5kg beef brisket

    ·       1kg oxtail

    ·       3.5 litres water

    ·       2 tbsp white sugar

    ·       1 tbsp salt

    ·       40 ml fish sauce

    ·       50g dried rice sticks

    ·       30g oxtail, pulled

    ·       3 – 5 brisket slices (used for broth)

    ·       Beansprouts, handful

    ·       Coriander 3 – 5 sprigs 

    ·       Lime wedges

    ·       Finely sliced red chilli

    Sriracha

    Method:

    In a dry pan, char halved onions and ginger until blackened for depth. Set aside.

    In the same pan, lightly toast star anise, cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves, and coriander seeds until fragrant.

    Place brisket, oxtail, charred aromatics, toasted spices, water, and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Skim off impurities regularly for a clear broth.

    Cover slightly and let it simmer for 4-6 hours until the meat is tender and flavours develop.

    Remove meat, strain the broth, discarding solids. Season with salt and fish sauce to taste.

    Soak rice sticks in hot water until soft, then drain.

    In bowls, place noodles, slices of brisket, pulled oxtail, and toppings: beansprouts, coriander, lime wedges, chili, and sriracha. Pour hot broth over to serve.

     

    Chef Notes

    Adding beef marrow bones enhances the umami and richness.

    Parboil meat briefly in boiling water before step 3 to eliminate excess scum and gives a clearer broth.

    Add a dash of brown sugar instead of white sugar for subtle caramel notes.

    Infuse sesame oil with garlic and spring onions, drizzle for extra aroma before serving.

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  • Lamb Shank Bourguignon by Matt Burgess

    Lamb Shank Bourguignon by Matt Burgess

    Red wine braised lamb with onion, rosemary, and charred mushrooms. Prepare overnight for ultimate flavour.

     

    Ingredients:

    4 lamb shanks

    750ml red wine (pinot noir or burgundy preferred)

    10 juniper berries, lightly crushed

    3 bay leaves

    2 tbsp sunflower oil

    1 large brown onion, roughly chopped

    2 carrots, coarsely chopped

    1 tbsp plain flour

    1 tbsp tomato purée

    250ml beef or veal stock

    100g smoked streaky bacon, cut into lardons

    450g baby button mushrooms

    1 sprig fresh rosemary

    freshly ground black pepper, to taste

    fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish

     

    Method:

    Place the lamb shanks in a large bowl with the wine, juniper berries, bay leaves, and rosemary. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

    Remove the lamb from the marinade (reserve the liquid) and pat dry. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the sunflower oil in a heavy casserole dish and brown the shanks well on all sides until deep golden. Remove and set aside.

    In the same pan, add the onion, carrots, and bacon. Cook until the onion is softened and the bacon begins to crisp. Stir in the flour and tomato purée, cooking for 1–2 minutes to form a paste.

    Pour in the reserved wine marinade, scraping the base of the pan to lift any caramelised bits. add the stock and return the lamb to the casserole. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently at 160°c for 2.5–3 hours, until the meat is tender and falling from the bone.

    Meanwhile, heat a dry pan over high heat. Char the baby mushrooms in batches until golden and smoky. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.

    Once the lamb is ready, stir through the charred mushrooms and adjust seasoning with pepper. The sauce should be glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon — reduce on the stove for 5–10 minutes if needed.

    To serve: spoon the lamb shanks onto warm plates, ladle over the sauce, and scatter with fresh parsley. This dish begs for creamy mash, buttered pasta, or a thick slab of white baguette and butter to mop up the juices.

    Notes

    • Pinot noir brings elegance, while burgundy gives more earth and depth — either works beautifully.
    • The overnight marinade transforms the meat and deepens the sauce — don’t rush it if you can help it.
    • Charred mushrooms add smokiness and stop the dish from becoming too heavy.
    • Even better made the day before and gently reheated — the flavours become symphonic.

     

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  • Duck Salad with Blackberries, Baby Gem Lettuce & Pickled Onions by Matt Burgess

    Duck Salad with Blackberries, Baby Gem Lettuce & Pickled Onions by Matt Burgess

    Ingredients:

    2 confit duck legs or leftover roast duck

    6 fresh blackberries

    1 baby gem, leaves washed and separated

    3 radishes, finely sliced

    1 red onion, thinly sliced

    2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

    50g olive oil

    sea salt & cracked pepper

    Method:

    In a small bowl, toss the red onion with balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes to quick-pickle.

    Warm the duck legs gently in a hot oven (180°c) for 8–10 minutes until the skin crisps and the meat loosens. Shred into generous bite-sized pieces.

    Lay the gem leaves on a platter, scatter over the radishes, blackberries, and pickled onions.

    Nestle the shredded duck through the salad.

    Drizzle with olive oil, season with sea salt and cracked pepper, and finish with a touch of the pickling liquor for brightness.

    Notes:

    A few toasted walnuts or hazelnuts add crunch.

    Swap blackberries for cherries, figs, or even grilled peach if out of season.

     

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