Make-Ahead on charalambous.uk

BLT Baguettes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

BLT Baguettes

20 min, make ahead, serves 8

Ingredients

baguettes 4
streaky bacon 12 rashers
tomatoes 3
little gem 1
butter softened, to spread
mayonnaise 4 tbsp
salt and pepper to taste

Bake the baguettes ahead and cool completely before filling.
Soft bread is fine, the crust won’t stay crisp wrapped.

Egg Mayo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Egg Mayo

15 min, makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

eggs 3
mayonnaise 2 tbsp
dijon mustard 1/2 tsp
cress small handful
salt and pepper to taste

Cress is optional, chives or spring onion work too.

Flour Tortillas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Flour Tortillas

69% hydration, 35 min, pan sized, makes 8

Ingredients

Makes 8 large

plain flour 360g
lard/trex 120g
warm water 250g
salt 7g
spinach 100g, optional

No baking powder. The high hydration is what keeps them soft, it will feel sticky and firms up as it rests.
Lard, Trex or Stork block (1:1) for the best result. Olive oil works for a lighter, healthier wrap, and butter works too.

Greek Pasta Salad

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Greek Pasta Salad

high protein, make ahead, serves 4, 20 min

Ingredients

Salad
pasta 300g
cooked chicken 300g
cherry tomatoes 250g
feta 200g
black olives 100g
cucumber 1/2
red onion 1/2

Dressing
olive oil 5 tbsp
lemon 1
Greek yogurt 1 tbsp
dried oregano 1 tsp
garlic 1 clove
salt and pepper to season

Chickpeas or fried halloumi swap in for the chicken. Use wholewheat or chickpea pasta to push the protein and fibre higher.

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

30 min, serves 4, make ahead

Ingredients

Salad
pasta 300g
chicken thighs 500g
smoked streaky 6 rashers
cherry tomatoes 200g
cucumber 1/2
red onion 1/2
sweetcorn 150g

Green dressing
mayonnaise 3 tbsp
yoghurt 2 tbsp
cosmic souvla 4 tbsp
lemon 1/2
salt to taste

The dressing is just cosmic souvla sauce loosened into something creamy. Aji verde works the same way. Chicken breast or a shop rotisserie chicken is fine instead of thighs.

Italian Deli Pasta Salad

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Italian Deli Pasta Salad

make ahead, serves 4, 20 min

Ingredients

Salad
pasta 300g
cherry tomatoes 250g
mozzarella 150g
roasted peppers 150g
salami 100g
black olives 100g

Dressing
olive oil 5 tbsp
red wine vinegar 2 tbsp
Dijon mustard 1 tsp
dried oregano 1 tsp
garlic 1 clove
sugar pinch
salt and pepper to season

Lountza works in place of the salami, fried halloumi in place of the mozzarella. The mustard emulsifies the dressing so it stays loose and clings, even cold from the fridge.

Miso Cod

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Miso Cod

serves 4, 15 min plus 2 to 3 days marinating

Ingredients

cod fillets 4 (about 150g each), skin on
sake 50ml
mirin 50ml
white miso 150g (shiro miso)
sugar 75g

Start this two to three days ahead. The marinade is quick, but the long cure is where the silky texture and deep savoury flavour come from.

Scotch Eggs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scotch Eggs

makes 6, 30 min, 170°C fry, make ahead

Ingredients

eggs 6, plus 2 to coat
sausagemeat 500g
breadcrumbs 150g
plain flour to dust
english mustard 1 tsp
thyme or sage small handful
salt and pepper to taste
oil to fry

One pack of sausagemeat does all six, or use 6 sausages with the skins removed.
Panko breadcrumbs give the crispest shell. Older eggs peel more easily.