Top Ten Dinner Recipes for 2020

Ingredients

• Ricotta and Oregano Meatballs (Ottolenghi's recipe; tender meatballs with ricotta and fresh oregano)
• Chicken Thighs (For the Chicken and Leek Casserole)
• Leeks (For the Chicken and Leek Casserole)
• Mushrooms (For the Chicken and Leek Casserole and Swedish Meatballs)
• 1 bottle White Wine (For the Chicken and Leek Casserole)
• Cream (For the Chicken and Leek Casserole)
• Beef Mince (Used for Swedish Meatballs as a variation of pork)
• Oxtail (For the Slow Braised Red Wine Oxtail)
• Red Wine (For the Oxtail sauce)
• 1 Leg of Lamb (For the Roast Leg of Lamb)
• Chickpeas (For the Ginger and Turmeric Stew)
• Coconut Milk (For the Ginger and Turmeric Stew sauce)
• 1 head Cauliflower (For the Roast Cauliflower Mac and Cheese)
• Parmesan Cheese (For the Mac and Cheese topping)
• Walnuts (For the Mac and Cheese topping)

Steps

1. 1

   For the Chicken and Leek Casserole: Sauté the chicken thighs, leeks, and mushrooms until softened and browned.

2. 2

   Deglaze the pan with white wine and stir in the cream and parsley. Simmer until the sauce is thickened and the chicken is cooked through.

3. 3

   For the Slow Braised Oxtail: Brown the oxtail pieces and place in a roasting pan with red wine and aromatics. Roast slowly in the oven for several hours until the meat is spoon-tender and the sauce is gelatinous.

4. 4

   For the Roast Leg of Lamb: Marinate the lamb overnight with a dry spice rub or oil-based marinade to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.

5. 5

   Slow roast the lamb in the oven for several hours until the meat is meltingly tender and a pan-jam has formed.

6. 6

   For the Ginger and Turmeric Chickpea Stew: Simmer chickpeas in a golden coconut sauce with ginger and turmeric until flavors are well developed.

7. 7

   For the Roast Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: Roast cauliflower florets and combine with cooked pasta and a cheese sauce made of milk, butter, and cheese.

8. 8

   Top the Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and walnuts, then bake until the topping is golden and crispy.

Notes

Many of these recipes, particularly the stews and curries, improve in flavor if made a day in advance. The Swedish meatballs can be served with mashed potatoes or tagliatelle. The Lamb Shawarma is best served in pita pockets with sumac onions and a tomato-cucumber salad.

Nutrition per serving

• Dinner
• Main Course
• Comfort Food
• Chicken
• Lamb
• Pasta
• Stew
• Slow Cooked