For anyone who loves cooking, a bank holiday means the luxury of some laid-back time in the kitchen to cook a recipe you’ve had marked for some time, free of the constraints of midweek cooking. Here we’ve rounded up some of our favourite projects for a weekend of joyous cooking, with plenty of ideas that are perfect for feeding a crowd in case you also happen to be entertaining too.
Chicken Musakhan
This traditional Palestinian dish is perfect for a shared feast:beautifully spiced, juicy, and flavoursome chicken that’s so tender it falls off the bone. Best served with warm flatbreads, to mop up any remaining juices.
Adobo Brisket with Griddled Pineapple Salsa
With flavours inspired by Mexican street food, this slow-cooked brisket is ready to melt after four hours of gentle roasting. Pile into tacos and top with a vibrant pineapple salsa and you’ve got yourself a fiesta on a plate.
Classic Moussaka
If a crowd pleaser is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Georgie Hayden’s moussaka, a recipe handed down through the generations of her Cypriot family. Rich, creamy and substantial, it’ll feed even the hungriest of tables.
Meera Sodha’s Grand Vegetable Biryani
If it’s a meat-free feast that you’re after, this show-stopping vegetable biryani is the centrepiece you’ve been searching for. It’s full of colour and flavour, and packed with everything from spiced paneer, chickpeas and tomatoes to roasted beetroots, sweet potatoes and a citrusy coconut and coriander sauce.
Gnudi Three Ways
Serve these delicious ricotta dumplings with wild rabbit ragu, prosciutto and parmesan, or watercress & goats’ curd, or go all out and try all three.
Crispy Jerk Barbecue Tacos
A mouthwatering Caribbean take on a Mexican classic, these vegan tacos pack a seriously flavourful punch, with tasty toppings including jerk BBQ mushrooms, fried plantain, sliced mango, avocado, and chilli.
Paella de Marisco – Seafood Paella
What could be a better way to make the most of some extra cooking time than mastering an authentic seafood paella? This accessible recipe from Omar Allibhoy is the perfect starting point.
Julius Roberts’ Epic Tarragon Roast Chicken
If you’re looking for a fresh yet leisurely Sunday roast, Julius Roberts has the perfect solution with his effortless seven-ingredient recipe, complete with a creamy mustard and tarragon sauce.
