Bombay potatoes

These are gorgeous, not too spicy and perfect to accompany a nice balti 🍛 

900g large potatoes peeled and chopped into halves

15g root ginger, peeled 

3 garlic cloves, peeled

2 large tomatoes, one quartered the other cut into slim wedges

4 tbsp vegetable oil

¾ tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 large onion, roughly chopped

2/3 tsp turmeric

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garam masala

½–¾ tsp chilli powder

Large handful of chopped coriander leaves

Method

1) Bring a large pot of salted water. Place in the potatoes and boil until just tender (up to 30 minutes). When cool enough to handle, peel and chop into 2.5cm cubes.

2) Blend together the ginger, garlic and quartered tomato in a food processor until smooth.

3) Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the cumin and mustard seeds, once the cumin starts to darken, add the onion.
4) Cook for a minute before adding the ginger and garlic mixture and the ground spices. 5) Sauté gently for one to two minutes then add the tomato wedges, stir well and cook for three to four minutes. Tip in the potatoes, stir well and cook for three to five minutes to absorb the flavours. Check the seasoning, stir in the chopped coriander and serve! 

Rocky road

• 125g soft butter
• 200g dark chocolate drops
• 100g milk chocolate drops
• 3 tbsp golden syrup
• 200g rich tea biscuits
• 100g mini marshmallows
• 2 tsp icing sugar

1. Melt the butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a saucepan. Put 125ml of the melted mixture to one side.
2. Put the biscuits into a freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin so you have some crumbs and pieces of biscuit.
3. Fold the biscuit pieces and crumbs into the melted chocolate mixture, and then add the marshmallows.
4. Tip into a foil tray 9 inch square and flatten with a spatula. Then pour the remaining 125ml of melted chocolate mixture over the marshmallow mixture and smooth the top.
5. Pop in a fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
6. Cut into squares and dust with the icing sugar using a small sieve.

Potato soup

When you buy too many spuds this is a great way to use them up quickly 

Knob of butter
500g potatoes chopped into small chunks
1 onion sliced finely
1 leek sliced 
1 garlic clove crushed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
600ml hot vegetable stock

1)gently heat the butter and add the onion, leek and garlic. Fry for 5 mins until the veg have started to soften
2)add the potatoes and stir well. Sprinkle over the salt, fennel and dried herbs and fry for another 5 mins. 
3)pour over the vegetable stock and bring to a gentle simmer, pop on a lid and leave for 15-20 mins until the potatoes are soft
4)remove from the heat and blitz in a good processor until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add  some milk or water until you get the right consistency 
5)tasty!

Cranberry & chia muffins

50g melted butter
150ml milk
1 egg beaten
200g plain flour
1 tsp salt
150g caster sugar
2 tsp baking powder
100g dried cranberries
25g chia seeds

1)preheat oven to 180 degrees c
2)stir together the milk, butter and egg
3)in a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt then stir in the cranberries and chia seeds
4)add the milky mixture into the flour and mix together gently 
5)line a muffin tin with cases then fill each one 3/4 full with the most
6)bake for approx 20 mins when you insert a skewer into the centre of the bun it comes out clean

Peanut butter and chia bites

I used Aldi chia seeds and Sainsburys smooth peanut butter

Ingredients:
* 100g peanut butter
* 50g light brown sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 tbsp runny honey
* 140g rolled oats
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 tsp chia seeds
* 2 tsp crushed almonds
* 2 tbsp dates, chopped very finely
Directions
1. In a large bowl, cream peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the honey and egg. Add oats and baking soda to creamed mixture; mix well.
2. Mix in the almonds chia seeds and dates.
3. Roll into small balls and place onto a greased baking sheet approx 2 inches apart; flatten slightly.
4. Bake at 180° c for 8-10 minutes and pop onto wire racks to cool.