Soto Ayam is a comforting Indonesian chicken soup featuring a fragrant spice paste, homemade chicken broth and tender shredded chicken served with egg noodles, rice vermicelli, fresh vegetables and crispy fried mung bean noodles. Rich with turmeric, lemongrass, galangal and warming spices, it's a deeply aromatic soup that's perfect for chilly evenings.
Crispy Korean Seafood Pancake, known as Haemul Pajeon, is a savoury Korean classic made with spring onions, seafood and a light batter that fries to crisp edges while staying soft and slightly gooey in the centre.
The key to a great Haemul Pajeon is a thin, cold batter, plenty of oil in the pan and layering the seafood into the pancake while the batter is still slightly soft so it binds naturally. A simple soy-vinegar dipping sauce completes the balance of salty, sweet and tangy flavours.
Chicken Rendang, or Rendang Ayam, is one of the most iconic dishes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich rempah spice paste, coconut milk and toasted coconut, this dish is deeply aromatic, creamy and intensely savoury. As the sauce reduces, the oil separates and the flavours concentrate, creating that signature nutty, fragrant rendang finish.
Simple Chinese Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry is a classic Cantonese-style flash fry known for its bold peppery heat, silky sauce and tender strips of beef. This Simple Chinese Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry recipe follows the authentic wok method of searing the beef first, removing it, then finishing everything together in a glossy black pepper sauce.
Black pepper beef is hugely popular in Chinese restaurants across the UK and Hong Kong. The key is high heat, quick cooking and using cornflour in the marinade to create that signature silky finish. When the sauce hits the wok, it should bubble immediately, coating the beef and vegetables in seconds.
This tamarind hoisin braised duck is a rich, homely dish inspired by Jeremy Pang’s Saturday Special with Gressingham duck, slowly simmered until tender with a naturally thickened, glossy sauce.
Sichuan Spicy Tofu with Minced Pork
Chinese Mapo Tofu is a bold and fiery Sichuan classic, known for its silky tofu, richly spiced minced pork and signature numbing heat from Sichuan peppercorns. This Chinese Mapo Tofu recipe follows the traditional layering method, building flavour from fermented black beans, chilli bean sauce and aromatics before gently braising delicate tofu in a deeply savoury red sauce.
Mapo Tofu originates from Sichuan province and is famous for its “mala” profile, meaning spicy and numbing. The key is cooking the pork and spices first to create a powerful base, then folding the tofu in gently at the very end so it holds its shape while absorbing flavour.
This Curried Beef Instant Noodles recipe transforms a packet of instant noodles into a quick, flavour-packed meal. Tender slices of curried beef are stir-fried with crunchy vegetables and finished with a light, savoury sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.
Black Pepper Tofu is all about layering flavour. The tofu is marinated, coated and crisped before being wrapped in a deeply savoury sauce packed with black pepper at different stages. The result is crispy-edged tofu that softens slightly in the sauce while keeping its shape, delivering bold Cantonese-style spice and warming heat. This vegan dish proves that when flavour and texture are built properly, tofu can be just as satisfying as any meat stir fry.
Today we’re joined by Chetna Makan, showing us a deliciously simple recipe from her latest cookbook “easy Indian vegetarian”.
A cast iron wok is durable, retains heat exceptionally well and is perfect for slow cooking, braising and deep frying. Proper care ensures longevity, prevents rust and maintains its performance.
