Chicken Kiev

Less than 30 mins preparation time

10 to 30 mins cooking time

Serves 4

This simple recipe for a homemade chicken kiev is so much better than shop-bought versions.

Ingredients

For the chicken kiev

• 4 x 175g/6oz chicken breasts, skin removed
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 lemon, juice only
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 230g/8oz butter, slightly softened
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1 free-range egg, beaten
• 10-12 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
• olive oil, for frying

For the rice

• 250g/9oz cooked white and wild rice (from a packet of mixed white and wild rice)
• 100g/3½oz bacon lardons, fried until crisp
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 100g/3½oz pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. For the chicken kiev, slice a piece out of the centre of the chicken breast to make a pocket using a sharp knife. Place the garlic, lemon juice, salt and freshly ground black pepper, tarragon and butter into a bowl and mix well. Stuff this mixture into the pocket in the chicken breasts.
3. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, then dip into the beaten egg, then the breadcrumbs to coat completely, shaking off any excess.
4. Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan and fry the chicken breasts on all sides until lightly browned. Transfer to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden-brown and completely cooked through.
5. For the rice, place all the rice ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pack the rice mixture into four cups or ramekins.
6. To serve, turn the rice out onto serving plates with the chicken kiev alongside.

Minced Beef Pie

This tasty and economical pie recipe will quickly become a family favourite. Serve with mounds of mash.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 500g/1lb 2oz beef mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato purée 1½ tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 75g/2½oz mushrooms, chopped
• 250ml/9fl oz stout or beef stock
• dash Worcestershire sauce
• 400g/14oz ready-made shortcrust pastry
• 1 free-range egg, yolk only, lightly beaten

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the beef mince for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns.
3. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for a further minute, then add the chopped mushrooms, the stout or beef stock and a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside and leave to cool, then turn the meat mixture into a one litre pie dish.
4. Roll out the pastry on a floured work surface until it is slightly larger than the pie dish. Gently drape the pastry over the dish, pressing firmly onto the edges. Trim, then shape the edges into a fluted shape.
5. Cut some leaf shapes out of the pastry trimmings and decorate the top of the pie, sticking them to the pastry with the beaten egg yolk.
6. Make three or four slits in the pastry to allow the steam to escape, then brush the pie with the rest of the beaten egg yolk and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden-brown.
7. To serve, slice into wedges.