Category: Recipes

As we move into April, lighter lunches start to take centre stage. This classic tomato and mozzarella salad is simple, fresh, and perfect for brighter days.

Ingredients:

• Ripe tomatoes (mixed varieties if possible)
• Fresh mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Olive oil
• Balsamic glaze
• Salt & pepper

Method:

1. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella.
2. Arrange on a plate, alternating layers.
3. Scatter basil leaves.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
5. Season lightly.

Why it works now:

April is all about fresh, simple food. This dish is quick, colourful, and ideal for lunches or light dinners.

April brings those in-between days—sunshine in the afternoon, a chill in the evening. That’s exactly where a comforting bowl of roasted tomato soup comes in.

Using fresh tomatoes (or good-quality vine tomatoes), roasting them first brings out their natural sweetness and creates a rich, deep flavour that feels far more indulgent than it actually is.

Ingredients:

• 800g tomatoes (vine or cherry)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Handful of fresh basil
• 500ml vegetable stock

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Place tomatoes, onion, and garlic on a tray. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 25–30 minutes until soft and slightly caramelised.
4. Transfer to a pan, add stock, and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Blend until smooth and stir in fresh basil.

Why it’s perfect for April:

Tomatoes are starting to come into season, and lighter, fresher meals begin replacing heavy winter dishes. This soup bridges the gap beautifully.

As we move into spring, tomatoes start to bring colour and freshness back into our kitchens. When roasted, they become sweet, rich and packed with flavour — making them the perfect partner for quality sausages.

This Roasted Tomato & Sausage Spring Traybake is simple, vibrant and ideal for busy evenings.

Ingredients:

• 8 quality pork sausages

• 400g cherry tomatoes

• 1 red onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• Olive oil

• Fresh thyme or basil

• Salt & black pepper

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (fan 170°C).

2. Place sausages, tomatoes, onion and garlic into a roasting tray.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season well.

4. Roast for 30–35 minutes until sausages are golden and tomatoes have softened and burst.

5. Finish with fresh herbs before serving.

The roasted tomatoes create a natural sauce that pairs beautifully with the sausages. Serve with crusty bread, pasta or buttery mash.

It’s comfort food — but lighter, brighter and perfect for March.

Mother’s Day in March is the perfect excuse to gather the family and cook something special. Why not treat Mum to a beautiful roast beef dinner made with quality ingredients?

Ingredients:

• Topside or sirloin joint

• Potatoes for roasting

• Carrots

• Broccoli

• Yorkshire pudding batter

• Gravy

Method:

1. Bring beef to room temperature before roasting.

2. Season generously and roast according to weight preference.

3. Roast potatoes in hot oil for extra crispiness.

4. Steam greens lightly to keep colour and bite.

Cooking a traditional roast is about more than the food — it’s about bringing everyone together and showing appreciation.

This year, make it personal. Set the table, open a bottle of wine, and celebrate properly.

Comfort food with a lighter twist — this Creamy Chicken & Leek Pie is ideal for those in-between winter and spring days.

Ingredients:

• 500g diced chicken breast

• 2 large leeks, sliced

• 1 onion, diced

• 300ml chicken stock

• 150ml double cream

• 1 tbsp flour

• Puff pastry

• 1 egg (for glaze)

Method:

1. Gently fry onion and leeks until soft.

2. Add chicken and cook until sealed.

3. Stir in flour, then gradually add stock and cream. Simmer until thickened.

4. Transfer to an oven dish, top with puff pastry and brush with egg.

5. Bake at 200°C for 25–30 minutes until golden.

Perfect served with spring greens or new potatoes.

As the days get lighter and we begin to welcome spring, there’s nothing better than a comforting, seasonal meal that’s simple to prepare but packed with flavour. This Spring Lamb & Rosemary Traybake is the perfect way to celebrate the new season.

Ingredients:

• 1 leg of lamb (bone-in or boneless)

• 1kg baby potatoes

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 2 red onions, cut into wedges

• 4 cloves garlic

• Fresh rosemary

• Olive oil

• Salt & black pepper

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (fan 170°C).

2. Place chopped vegetables in a large roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and season well.

3. Sit the lamb on top, rub with oil, salt, pepper and plenty of rosemary.

4. Roast for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (depending on size), basting halfway through.

5. Rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Serve with seasonal greens for a beautiful Sunday lunch that feels light enough for spring but hearty enough to satisfy.

There’s something about lamb in March that feels traditional yet fresh — perfect for family gatherings or relaxed weekend dinners.

A warming, plant-based curry that’s filling, healthy and budget-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 2 tins chopped tomatoes

• 1 tin chickpeas

• 1 onion

• Curry powder or paste

• Garlic & ginger

Method:

1. Fry onion, garlic and ginger.

2. Add curry spices and tomatoes.

3. Add chickpeas and simmer 20 mins.

4. Serve with rice or naan.

Perfect for batch cooking and freezing.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean expensive meals out. This creamy tomato pasta is simple, comforting and perfect for a cosy night in.

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic

• 100ml cream (or plant-based alternative)

• Handful fresh spinach

• Pasta of choice

• Olive oil

• Salt & pepper

• Optional: parmesan or fresh basil

Method:

1. Fry onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.

2. Add tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in cream and spinach until wilted.

4. Mix through cooked pasta and season.

Serve with garlic bread and a glass of wine for an easy but impressive Valentine’s meal.

February is the perfect time for comforting, homemade food, and nothing beats a classic tomato and basil soup. It’s simple, nourishing and ideal for using up store-cupboard ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 tins chopped tomatoes

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 vegetable stock cube

• Handful fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)

• Salt & pepper

• Olive oil

Method:

1. Fry onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.

2. Add tomatoes and stock.

3. Simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Blend until smooth, add basil and season.

Perfect served with crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich.

After heavier festive foods, January is the perfect time to reintroduce lighter meals. This tomato and avocado salad brings freshness and colour to winter plates.

Juicy tomatoes paired with creamy avocado and a zesty dressing make this salad simple yet satisfying. It works as a side dish or a light lunch.

Recipe:

• R&L Holt tomatoes

• Ripe avocado

• Red onion

• Lemon juice

• Olive oil

• Salt & pepper

Combine gently and serve fresh.

A reminder that winter meals don’t have to be dull.