Mains — Recipes — ALEXANDRA DUDLEY

Chicken Cacciatore

This rich tomatoey chicken dish is perfect for Autumn suppers. It’s one of those dishes that doesn’t need much to accompany it either. A simple green salad or good loaf of bread will do.

Dinner Party, Mains, One Pan, ChickenAlexandra Dudley17 January 2023chicken, chicken cacciatore, cacciatore, baked, one pot

Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Tahini Yogurt

I love a baked sweet potato. They are often my go-to weekday lunch when I’m after something hearty but nourishing.

Mains, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley16 January 2023loaded sweet potatoes, sweet potato

Brothy Beans with Onion Squash

Heartier than a soup but equally comforting, this is the sort of food I crave in December. It’s the sort of dish that I can happily eat with just a spoon, the bowl propped up on my knees as I rewatch Love Actually for the zillionth time.

Vegetarian, Vegan, MainsAlexandra Dudley3 January 2023beans, cannelloni beans, onion squash

Butter Bean Ribollita

Ribollita is a classic Tuscan soup usually made with stale bread and white beans. I’ve kept this one gluten free and made it all about the butterbeans.

Mains, Soups, Vegetarian, Vegan, One PanAlexandra Dudley7 December 2022ribollita, butter beans

Peppers with Mozzarella and Anchovy Breadcrumbs

I have been making this for years. It is a recipe that brings with it the taste of summer whatever the weather. Anchovy and chilli are an iconic duo in my opinion and add a wonderful hit of umami flavour to the crunchy breadcrumbs.

Mains, Vegetarian, Sides, Salads, Dinner PartyAlexandra Dudley11 August 2022summer, sides, saladComment

Herb Buttered Spatchcocked Chicken

There is something about a roast chicken that instantly soothes. I am always happy whenever dining at a friend’s to be informed that they are ‘just roasting a chicken and throwing together a salad’.

Mains, Dinner Party, ChickenAlexandra Dudley10 August 2022mains, roast chicken, spatchcocked chicken, herb butterComment

Crab Spaghetti With Chilli, Parsley And Lemon

This is a wonderful dish for a summer party that manages to be both light and indulgent at the same time.

Dinner Party, Mains, Fish, PastaAlexandra Dudley10 August 2022pasta, mains, crab spaghettiComment

Crispy Seabass, Potato Bake

These potatoes are a staple dinner party dish of mine. I often serve them with just a squeeze of lemon but they are wonderful with this zippy herby oil - a lazy take on a salsa verde. I love seabass with this and the fillets make for a wonderful dinner party dish too.

Mains, Dinner Party, Fish, One PanAlexandra Dudley10 August 2022fish, seafood, mains, dinner partyComment

Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

This is an incredibly simple pasta dish that relies primarily on store cupboard ingredients. Originating from Naples in the 20th century, the name is often believed to have derived from the word "puttana"…

Mains, Dinner Party, PastaAlexandra Dudley7 August 2022pasta, puttanesca, italianComment

Lemon Potatoes And Aioli

These potatoes are inspired by a potato dish I enjoyed in Greece a few years ago..

Dinner Party, Mains, Sides, Starters, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley4 August 2022potatoes, aioli, sidesComment

Harissa Baked Butter Beans

This has become a staple dish recently. It is hearty and healthful in equal measure and has a chilli kick that I find hard to resist. The key here is to invest in good quality ingredients.

Mains, Sides, Starters, Vegetarian, One PanAlexandra Dudley2 August 2022beans, butterbeans, lunchesComment

Leek And Lemon Risotto With Chive Oil

This is a beautifully simple risotto paired with a vibrant and punchy chive oil. Do not be put off by the idea of infusing your own oil. It is simpler than you think and takes very little time and effort. The base of this risotto comes from leeks. Gentler in flavour than onion, they add a subtle sweetness that works well with the punchy chive oil. Make the chive oil ahead of time if you like. I usually make it the day before to allow time for the flavours to infuse.

Vegetarian, Mains, One PanAlexandra Dudley25 March 2022risotto, leekComment

Chicken And Leek Pot Pie With Garlicky Kale

A chicken pie is just the thing for a dinner party in February in my opinion. Wholesome, warming and guaranteed to please.

Mains, Dinner Party, ChickenAlexandra Dudley23 March 2022chicken pie, chicken, leek, kaleComment

Golden Cauliflower With Smokey Yogurt And Dukkah

I love the vibrancy of this dish. It is one that always brings a bit of sunshine to the table, especially in January. The cauliflower is rubbed in a warming, flavourful spice mix and roasted until golden with just a hint of sweetness from the dates which almost candy in places. Paired with a creamy smoked garlic yogurt, herby oil, and a nutty, seedy, salty dukkah.

Mains, Sides, Vegetarian, VeganAlexandra Dudley8 January 2022cauliflower, golden cauliflowerComment

Winter Greens And Grana Padano Spaghetti

This is one of my favourite things to make when the weather turns cooler. The sauce is glossy and rich and full of the good stuff. I love the depth of flavour that the Grana Padano Riserva brings to this, almost nutty and umami. Go for smoked garlic if you can, otherwise regular will do. This is such a quick recipe to prepare and perfect for a midweek meal.

Dinner Party, Vegetarian, Mains, PastaAlexandra Dudley7 November 2021pasta, spaghetti, cavolo nero, winter, comfort food, autumn, kale, grana padano, creamy pasta, healthy pastaComment

Roasted Squash Linguine

This is such a delicious dish for autumn. The onion squash, also known as red kuri squash has the most wonderfully soft interior and skin when roasted and makes a fantastic pasta sauce. I used fresh linguine for this from Daylesford Farm which was perfect for this. I’ve finished off with a nutty sage and rosemary browned butter that takes this dish to the next level. Perfect for a dinner party or date night.

Summer Gnudi with tarragon and Grana Padano

Taking their name from the Italian word ‘nudi’ meaning ‘naked,’ these pillowy soft balls are similar to what one might use as the filling for a ravioli – only they are without the pasta shell and are therefore, naked. I love to serve gnudi in the summer. Blissfully light and full of flavour they make a perfect simple supper or lunch in the garden.

Vegetarian, Pasta, Mains, Dinner Party, Most PopularAlexandra Dudley16 July 2021gnudi, ricotta, italian, gluten free, grana padano, lemon, tarragonComment

Ravioli Tricolore

My ravioli Festa Della Repubblica has three different fillings. Each filling echoes the colours of the Italian flag: verde (green), bianco (white) and rosso (red). Each filling is also richly flavoured with fresh ingredients and lots of Grana Padano Riserva. This Grana Padano is aged for over 20 months. It has a complex and almost nutty taste as well as a beautiful crumbly texture.

Mains, Pasta, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley24 May 2021italy, ravioli, fresh pasta, homemade pasta, pesto, red pestoComment

Ginger Lemongrass Noodle Soup With Crispy Tofu

I called this a noodle soup because that is how I like to enjoy it. I like the brevity of cooking rice noodles (usually less than five mins) and this is just the sort of thing I will make midweek when I realise that it’s just past lunchtime and my belly is growling. I like to use brown rice vermicelli noodles but you could use any sort of rice noodle or even rice for that matter. Serve it with rice and it could be a curry, or omit the noodles and make it a soup. It is fresh, flavourful and reheats well too.