8 JAMES MARTIN’S BEST-EVER RECIPES

James Martin, the renowned chef known for his passion for simple yet delicious dishes, has graced our kitchens with some of the most mouthwatering recipes over the years. From comforting classics to elegant twists on traditional fare, here are 8 of James Martin’s best-ever recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds.

1. Beef Wellington

Ingredients:

• 1 beef fillet
• 400g chestnut mushrooms
• 1 pack puff pastry
• 2 tbsp English mustard
• 8 slices Parma ham
• 1 egg (beaten)

Method:

1. Sear the beef fillet in a hot pan until browned.
2. Blitz the mushrooms, then fry until the mixture is dry.
3. Brush the fillet with mustard, then wrap with Parma ham.
4. Roll out the pastry, wrap the fillet, and brush with egg.
5. Bake until golden and serve in thick slices.

2. Lemon Tart

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
• 125g unsalted butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 4 eggs
• 150ml double cream
• 150g caster sugar
• Zest and juice of 4 lemons

Method:

1. Rub the flour and butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add the egg yolk and a splash of cold water to form a dough.
3. Chill, then roll out and line a tart tin.
4. Blind bake, then whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar, lemon zest, and juice.
5. Pour into the tart case and bake until set.

3. Steak Diane

Ingredients:

• 2 beef steaks
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove (crushed)
• 150ml beef stock
• 150ml double cream
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method:

1. Season the steaks, then fry in oil until cooked to your liking.
2. Remove from the pan, then add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic.
3. Stir in the stock and reduce, then add cream and parsley.
4. Serve the sauce over the steaks with a side of vegetables.

4. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients:

• 175g chopped dates
• 175ml boiling water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 85g softened butter
• 140g dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• For the sauce:
• 200g dark brown sugar
• 50g butter
• 275ml double cream

Method:

1. Soak dates in boiling water with vanilla.
2. Cream butter and sugar, then beat in eggs.
3. Fold in flour and soda, then stir in dates.
4. Bake until springy, then make the sauce by melting ingredients.
5. Serve the pudding warm with the sauce poured over.

5. Chicken and Leek Pie

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken thighs (diced)
• 2 leeks (sliced)
• 200ml chicken stock
• 200ml double cream
• 1 pack puff pastry
• 1 egg (beaten)
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Fry chicken until browned, then add leeks and cook until soft.
2. Pour in stock and cream, then simmer until thickened.
3. Pour into a pie dish, top with pastry, and brush with egg.
4. Bake until golden and bubbling.

6. Raspberry Soufflé

Ingredients:

• Butter (for greasing)
• Caster sugar (for dusting)
• 300g raspberries
• 4 egg whites
• 100g caster sugar
• Icing sugar (for dusting)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200C and grease ramekins, then dust with sugar.
2. Blitz raspberries and pass through a sieve.
3. Whisk egg whites until stiff, then add sugar.
4. Fold in raspberry puree, then spoon into ramekins.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until risen, then dust with icing sugar.

7. Seafood Linguine

Ingredients:

• 300g linguine
• 200g mixed seafood
• 2 garlic cloves (sliced)
• 1 red chili (sliced)
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 100ml white wine
• Handful of parsley (chopped)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Cook linguine until al dente, then drain.
2. Fry garlic and chili in oil, then add seafood.
3. Pour in wine and lemon juice, then simmer.
4. Toss in pasta, lemon zest, and parsley.
5. Season to taste and serve immediately.

8. Chocolate Fondant

Ingredients:

• 100g unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
• 100g dark chocolate
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 100g caster sugar
• 50g plain flour
• Cocoa powder (for dusting)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200C and grease ramekins, then dust with cocoa.
2. Melt butter and chocolate together.
3. Whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar until thick.
4. Fold in chocolate mix, then sift in flour.
5. Divide into ramekins and bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Turn out and serve immediately with ice cream or cream.

These recipes from James Martin are a testament to his culinary expertise, blending flavors and techniques to create dishes that are both comforting and impressive. Whether you’re craving a hearty pie, a decadent dessert, or a gourmet main course, these recipes are sure to become favorites in your kitchen as they have in countless others’. Enjoy the flavors, the aromas, and the joy of creating delicious meals with these best-ever recipes from James Martin!