Yangnyeom (spicy and sweet fried chicken)
“If you’ve eaten KFC – Korean fried chicken – chances are high that the first version you tasted was the sweet and spicy Dakgangjeong or Yangnyeom. The two are very similar, but my Korean friends tell me that Dakgangjeong is sweeter and sticker, while Yangnyeom is spicier…
Salmon tataki with ponzu and green chillies
I love the silky texture and fresh, sweet flavour of raw salmon, but of course I also love the dense, meaty flavour of grilled salmon – this delivers the best of both worlds, with tangy ponzu and hot green chillies to offset the richness of the fish…
‘R’ rated mac ’N’ cheese & Otis’s killa chicken schnitzel
We couldn’t do a cookbook without one of our all-time fave dinners in it. We have this at least once a week. It is utterly divine — soul food at its best. The mac is a great way to use up any random bits of cheese in the door of the fridge. We usually serve this with a tangy garden salad (for balance)…
Kakiage tempura fritters
These delectable crunch-parcels are one of the most popular toppings for udon and soba in Japan, and it’s easy to understand why. They start off crunchy and sweet, and over time the batter absorbs the broth to make for fabulously juicy mouthfuls…
Duruj kura (whole braised chicken in a rich gravy)
This showstopper of a dish originates from the Chittagong district, and is traditionally served to welcome a new groom into the bride’s family. Mellow, lightly spiced and creamy, the skinless chicken is melt-in-your-mouth and flavoursome throughout thanks to slow cooking and bhagar or tempering of golden fried onions…
Goan lamb chops
Our lamb chops have become a signature dish at Cassia. We have guests who come in each week to just have their Cassia lamb chop fix. This recipe uses a key spice blend called chapli kebab masala, which was introduced to the north of India by the Mughal kings. The spiced cream is inspired by Goan cuisine, which is in turn influenced by Anglo-Portugese flavours…
Nellie’s brawn
This recipe was an essential part of my growing up and has been handed down through generations, so I really felt that it was essential to include it. Brawn was considered a real treat when my mother made it after my father killed a pig. Traditionally we had it sliced on toast with Worcestershire sauce for breakfast…
Lucky burger
We love burgers. A lot. We made SO many burgers to perfect this recipe. Basically, it’s a turbo-charged cheeseburger. And, well . . . yeah, it’s pretty perfect. If you can’t find mortadella, don’t sweat it — it’ll still be fantastic without it…
Korean fried chicken
Growing up in Korea, fried chicken was a special meal that we didn’t get to have often. Back then we had two choices — plain or gochujang — but these days, there are fried chicken shops all across Korea, doing their own flavours and styles. Fried chicken can seem incredibly simple, but in fact it’s quite complex…
Pickled pork & crispy lentil salad
Pork was such a treat for our family when we were young, as we grew up on a sheep farm and were more used to lamb and mutton. Pickled pork was especially beloved and would always feature on our Christmas table, so I’ve always been fond of the flavour…
Hue pancake
In Hue, Vietnam, these pancakes are known as banh khoai, which translates as ‘happy cake’, and happiness is certainly what you’ll experience when you master this classic street dish. The key to replicating it at home is to get your frying pan nice and hot and to spread an even layer of the batter across the pan…
Coconut fish cakes
These Javanese-style fish cakes are simple to prepare, easy to cook and packed with flavour. Any white-fleshed fish will work and, while we’ve gone for snapper, by all means substitute with what’s freshest, sustainable and well-priced at your fishmonger or supermarket. No chilli required here – just whip up a batch of cucumber pickles and you’re away!…
Stir-fried lamb with leeks and coriander
We love the old-world, gruff charm of Kao Rou Ji restaurant in Beijing’s Houhai precinct. This gorgeous area is right on the lake and although it has been hijacked somewhat by souvenir shops and pizza joints, it still speaks of a time when life was a little less polished and a lot less Westernised. The dining room is filled with the smells of cumin and lamb and barbecued meat and this dish reminds us of being there…