UNUSUAL RECIPES

Aligot à l'ancienne

Aligot à l'ancienne is a dish traditionally made in L'Aubrac region of France. It tastes good and makes a great talking point when you have gue

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Idli with Coconut Chutney

Idli with Coconut Chutney is a rice cake (with an accompanying coconut chutney dip) of south Indian origin and very popular throughout India.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 25 Minutes
Kobbari Mithai (Coconut Burfi)

Kobbari Mithai (also known as Coconut Burfi) is a traditional dish from the southern state of Karnataka. It is a savoury usually made for festivals.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Angus Beef Carpaccio with Gorgonzola

Carpaccio was invented and popularised by Giuseppe Cipriani, in Venice. This version is too good to miss, with tasty Angus beef & crumbled Gorgonzola.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 5 Minutes
Asian Lettuce Wraps

Asian Lettuce Wraps are stupidly simple and well tasty. Great for a midday snack or light meal and quick and easy to make.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 8 Minutes
Bacon and Brie Pancakes

Bacon and Brie Pancakes are an unusual twist on the 'standard' pancake recipes. They are great at any time of day.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Bacon Barbeque Prawns

Bacon Barbeque Prawns are great if you're in a sort of relaxed "chuck it in the oven" mood and looking for something that's quick, easy and tasty.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Black Pudding Parcels

This fantastic recipe for Black Pudding Parcels is simple, yet the cream and mustard sauce add a touch of luxury to an exceptional supper.

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Carpaccio Style Octopus

Though the octopus is cooked, the style is that of Carpaccio (finely cut meat or fish with a vinegar and olive oil-base dressing). Perfect for summer.

Preparation: 40 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Champ

Champ is an Irish dish, made by combining mashed potatoes and chopped spring onions (scallions) with butter and milk.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Cheese and Potato Pie

A good hearty winter dish, best served with bacon or sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Chicken 65

The strangely named Chicken 65 is a dish from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, and there are various legends behind why it is called Chicken 65.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Streetwise Spicy Beef Pasty

Lots of "Street Cred" for these delicious Streetwise Spicy Beef Pasties. With a hint of spicy paprika, chilli pepper and curried egg wash.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Stuffed Pork with Redcurrant Sauce

This recipe for Stuffed Pork with Redcurrant Sauce (called, in French, "Porc Farci aux Pruneaux") makes use of prunes and raisins for the stuffing

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Chocolate-coated Banana Pops

Chocolate-coated Banana Pops are not just for kids birthday parties - they're great snacks for all times of day and night!

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Coffee Cup Quiche

Coffee Cup Quiche makes use of the fact that a large coffee cup is the perfect receptacle for a quick meal such as quiche.

Preparation: 4 Minutes
Cooking: 2 Minutes
Crab and Prawn Hot Pots

Crab and Prawn Hot Pots couldn't be simpler but they will never fail to impress. Equally at home as a starter, light lunch or just because ...

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Crisp Potato Cakes with Goats Cheese and Caviar

Crisp Potato Cakes with Goats Cheese and Caviar is, in fact, a rather novel form of savoury "finger food" (petit four salé).

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Crispy Bacon Smashed Potatoes

Crispy Bacon Smashed Potatoes has about the simplest ingredient list on this site! Perfect for parties or simply served with Sunday lunch.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Crispy Bacon Spuds with Cream & Parmesan

Crispy Bacon Spuds with Cream & Parmesan is a delightful "comfort food" that's perfect for winter days by the fire or to accompany a summer BBQ

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Cubes of Veal with Spicebread Sauce

Cubes of Veal with Spicebread Sauce, accompanied by Cauliflower-Cheese - it's truly delicious and to die for!

Preparation: 40 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Cucumber Surprise

Cucumber Surprise will, indeed, surprise you. It's perfect for a starter course at a main meal, or as a light meal or snack on it's own.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Cumberland and Gorgonzola Toad in the Hole

Cumberland and Gorgonzola Toad in the Hole ups the standards from normal Toad in the Hole! A great variation from the normal meal.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Dahi Machhi - Yogurt & Fish Curry

Dahi Machhi - Yogurt & Fish Curry is a unique Indian dish from the coastal state of West Bengal. It makes for a great combination with steamed rice

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Dates Stuffed with Mascarpone

Though the oranges, dates and nuts in Dates Stuffed with Mascarpone is reminiscent of Christmas, these little beasts are perfect all year round.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Daube Provençale

If ever there was an underrated "stew", Daube Provençale is it! Daube is tender and carries the exquisite taste and aromas of the Mediterranean

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 3 Hours
Devilled Kidneys

Devilled Kidneys is a traditional British recipe, originating in the Victorian era for lamb's kidneys fried in a spicy sauce.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Eggs in Baskets

Eggs in Baskets are a great way to start the day, or perfect for a quick lunch of something tasty and unusual. The will really make your mouth water.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 50 Minutes
Tapenade

Tapenade is a Provençal dish from France consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies, olive oil and, in this recipe, some brandy

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Tartiflette

Tartiflette is one of those traditional French peasant dishes that stands out for taste and simplicity. The taste comes mostly from the Reblochon

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Five Hour Confit of Lamb

Five Hour Confit of Lamb is not just mouth-wateringly delicious, it's also perfect for when you are entertaining. Simply prepare in advance!

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 5 Hours
Flank Steak With Cabrales Cheese

Steak and blue cheese are a popular combination, and this delicious recipe features juicy flank steak topped with Spain's famous Cabrales blue cheese.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 12 Minutes
French Toast in a Cup

French Toast in a Cup is one of our favourites, particularly since you can prepare it from start to finish in just 5 minutes or less.

Preparation: 3 Minutes
Cooking: 2 Minutes
Fresh Sesame Salad with Prawns and Palm Hearts

The incredibly fresh taste of this salad makes it perfect for a main course or a starter. And it's ready in minutes.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Grenadin de Veau Gratiné

In cookery, a grenadin is a larded fillet, especially one of veal or poultry, glazed with its own concentrated liquor.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
The Weeping Leg of Lamb

Weeping Leg of Lamb is a translation of the French name for this dish, which is "Le Gigot qui Pleure" (sometimes known as "Le Gigot en Braillouse")

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Haggis

Haggis tastes like, well imagine ground lamb mixed with onion, oatmeal and spices and you'll get the idea. It's rather good actually!

Preparation: 1 Hour
Cooking: 5 Hours
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties is the Scottish "national dish" and, though some people scoff at its simplicity, it's actually darn good.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Ham and Leek Bake

Ham and Leek Bake is great for a simple lunch or late supper. If you want to turn it into a more substantial meal, allow two leeks per person.

Preparation: 1 Minute
Cooking: 12 Minutes
Ham, Pea and Mint Pasties

Ham, Pea and Mint Pasties are an unusual homemade springtime treat that make a great variation on the traditional Cornish Pasties.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour
Hot Camembert with Cherry Filling

Hot Camembert with Cherry Filling is a somewhat decadent way of mixing cheese and fruit, but it's very, very more-ish when served with crusty bread.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Julie's Salmon & Prawn with Lime

Julie's Salmon & Prawn with Lime is dedicated to Terry and Julie, our neighbours on The Isle of Man, who served us the most stunning starter ever.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Kidney Beans Curry (Rajma Curry)

Kidney Beans Curry (Rajma Curry) is an unusual curry, having red kidney beans as the main ingredient (Rajma is the Indian name for Kidney Beans).

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Trio of Scallops

a Trio of Scallops is a simple and very effective starter course or you can extend the choice to make it a "quad" of scallops. Absolutely stunning!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Lamb Biryani

Lamb Biryani has many variants in India. Most of them are rich in flavours since the meat (particularly when using mutton) takes a long time to cook.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Lamb Burgers in a Parma Blanket

Lamb Burgers in a Parma Blanket is an unusual way to present lamb but you'll find that everyone from the kids to grandma will love them.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Lamb Kleftiko with Greek Salad

If I suggested that you seal a leg of lamb in a parcel then roast it long and slow with garlic, lemon and herbs, and potatoes, what would you think?

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 5 Hours 20 Minutes
Lamb Shanks in Deep Rich Gravy

Lamb Shanks in Deep Rich Gravy is a magical recipe, especially if you want to have your guests guessing at the secret ingedients.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
Lamb with Quince

Lamb with Quince is truly tasty dish originating in North Africa but now a firm favourite in Southern France and other Mediterranean countries.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 45 Minutes
Leek and Bacon Platter

In this dish, the slightly sweet and salty taste of the bacon compliments nicely the more savoury taste of the leaks. It's a great accompaniment.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Leek and Smoked Salmon Rolls

Leek and Smoked Salmon Rolls is an upmarket version of ham and leek bake. Not only is it an unusual dish, it's also good for your figure!

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Left-over Mussels

Well I know it sounds strange to leave mussels uneaten but sometimes there are a few too many even for Meester Graham! No problem...

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Lemon Chicken Portions

This very simple recipe produces a delightfully light and tangy chicken when you want something just a little different.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Mackerel in White Wine - Maquereaux au Vin Blanc

Mackerel in White Wine is a speciality of North-Western France. Washed down with a glass of fresh Muscadet, there's nothing to beat it.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Manx Tart with Black Pudding, Onion and Bacon

Manx Tart with Black Pudding, Onion and Bacon is brimming full of calories! It's also brimming full of flavour and is just as good cold as hot.

Preparation: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Mash with Attitude

Mash with Attitude is just what it says, a creamy potato mash with flecks of carrot, topped with crisp bacon that gives it a somewhat theatrical pose.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Black Pudding Scotch Eggs

Black Pudding Scotch Egg is a great cold addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries. Eat cold or warm.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Meatball Tagine with Lemon & Olives

Meatball Tagine with Lemon & Olives is a beautifully rich dish with spiced lamb meatballs, and the fresh taste of lemon. A perfect dish for winter.

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Minted Lamb Meatballs

Minted Lamb Meatballs is a little bit "fiddly" but I've included it because it makes a superb starter for any meal if you are entertaining.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Monkfish Medallions à l'Orange

Monkfish is a firm fish, once called "the poor man's lobster" because its texture, when cooked properly, is really similar to lobster.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Moroccan Lamb Balls with Eggs

Moroccan Lamb Balls with Eggs is one of those yummy dishes that just scream to be eaten on a cold, winter's evening near the fire.

Preparation: 40 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Pan Fried Scallops on Black Pudding with Pea & Mint Purée

Pan Fried Scallops on Black Pudding with Pea & Mint Purée is an ideal starter course or could easily be made into a main dish.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Piperade

Piperade (pronounced "pip-eh-rad") is a typical Basque dish from the south west of France, prepared with onion, green peppers, and tomatoes.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Pork Burgers with Apple and Potato Mash

I didn't really know what to call this recipe since the full description is Pork, Onion and Sage Burgers with Apple and Potato Mash and Onion Gravy!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Pork with Green Lentils (Petit Salé aux Lentilles)

This is traditional French cooking - the sort you'd come across in any country family. The meat and lentils are cooked, together with the vegetables.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Potato and Pea Nests

Definitely one of my favourites when entertaining family or friends, Potato and Pea Nests are great fun to serve and look very professional too.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Prawns in Sherry

This very simple recipe for Prawns in Sherry makes an excellent starter for a main meal or can be eaten with a slice or two of bread as a light meal

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Provençale Bake

Provençale Bake is inspired by my wife's love of tomatoes and our joint love of food from the Provence region of France.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 45 Minutes
Pulled Pork with Pineapples

There's only one way to describe Pulled Pork with Pineapples - comfort food! And the hot pork when first cooked makes a fantastic sandwich.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 4 Hours
Pumpkin Halwa

Pumpkin Halwa is a very popular dessert in the southern part of India. As with most Indian desserts, Pumpkin Halwa is very easy to prepare.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Rare Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

Rare Roast Beef on Yorkshire Pudding takes a typically British tradition and turns it into a typically British snack

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 45 Minutes
Rasgulla

Rasgulla is the most popular desert from the eastern state of west Bengal. This is a great dish and I am sure you will savour it for a long time

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Rice Soup with Chicken and Ginger

Rice Soup with Chicken and Ginger is perfect for a light lunch or as a starter for a meal with friends. It's a simple, straightforward recipe.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 50 Minutes
Rillettes de Porc

Rillettes de Porc (pronounced "ree-et-der-por") is very French and very tasty! If you're on a strict diet, maybe choose something different though!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 4 Hours
Roast Beef with Marmalade Marinade

Roast Beef with Marmalade Marinade is one of my little secret recipes, so consider yourself lucky that I'm sharing! ... Thank you, Graham!

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Roast Beef with Rich Stout Gravy

Roast Beef with Rich Stout Gravy is a recipe I've kept all to myself till now! It's great for an informal meal or just for fun on a winter's day.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Roast Belly of Pork Dinner

Roast Belly of Pork is one of those comfort foods that scream 'fat' and yet, properly cooked, it proves a satisfying meal without adding inches.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 2 Hours
Roast Lamb Guard of Honour with Peppercorn Sauce

This is a beautiful way to cook and serve a complete row of lamb cutlets. You will need to buy the cutlets from your butcher so he can "chine" them.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour
Roast Parsnips with Cheese and Bacon

Roast Parsnips with Cheese and Bacon is the least boring way I know to cook parsnips! I'm not saying parsnips are boring, mid you.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Roast Potato Bombs

Roast Potato Bombs is one of those great recipes that lifts the normal into the stratosphere of "Wow" where you are transported into a world of taste

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Black pudding, King Scallop and Apples

Black pudding, King Scallop and Apples - that beautiful combination of sweet apples, tender scallop and the oatmeal and barley of black pudding.

Preparation: 13 Minutes
Cooking: 17 Minutes
Salad Horseradish

While many people are aware of horseradish sauce (much favoured on beef), less people are aware that you can eat horseradish as part of a salad meal.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Scallops and Chorizo

Scallops and Chorizo is quick, simple and absolutely delicious. The smokiness of the chorizo and the sweetness of the honey is an absolute delight.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Scotch Egg

Scotch Egg is a great addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries. Not many people know how to make their own

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Scotch Egg Pasties

Scotch Egg Pasties are a really unusual combination of everything that's good about picnics - Cornish Pasties and Scotch Egg all in one.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 50 Minutes
Seafood Chowder Mash

Seafood Chowder Mash is a real comfort food, consisting of a wealth of fish and seafood over a bed of mashed potatoes... surf and turf, if you like!

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Sesame Noodles with Chicken

Sesame Oil is a true delight and this recipe for Sesame Noodles with Chicken makes full use of it's rich flavours.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Shrikhand

Shrikhand is popular milk based dessert of western Indian state of Gujarat. This dish always ends a great Gujarati meal. A treat for the whole family.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Simple Rajma Curry

Simple Rajma Curry is so named because (a) it's simple to make !! and (b) Red Kidney Beans are known as Rajma in India.

Preparation: 2 Hours
Cooking: 30 Minutes
Smoked Salmon (without the smoke)

This unusual recipe for Smoked Salmon Without the Smoke has been passed down through my wife's family for generations (well, a couple of years anyway)

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Smoked Salmon on Potato Pancakes

This Smoked Salmon on Potato Pancakes recipe will make 8 pancakes which are ideal as a starter for 8 people or a light meal for 4 people. Perfect!

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Smoked Snapper with Lemon Couscous

Light, delicious, east to make, Smoked Snapper with Lemon Couscous is one of those unusual recipes that will delight guests and family alike.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Spiced Bobotie with Apricot Glaze

Spiced Bobotie with Apricot Glaze is of Indonesian origin, consisting of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping - a real depth of flavours

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour
Spicy Vegetable Tagine

Spicy Vegetable Tagine is a superb way to enjoy fresh vegetables. In fact, you can get your day's vegetable quota all in one go... the perfect dish!

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 35 Minutes
Boneless Cushion of Lamb with Festive Stuffing

Boneless Cushion of Lamb with Festive Stuffing is an alternative Christmas or Thanksgiving roast featuring boneless cushion of lamb shoulder.

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Saltimbocca

Saltimbocca is thought to have been invented in Brescia, where the name loosely translates as 'jump in the mouth'.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Parmentier de Canard (Duck Pie)

A different take on Shepherd's Pie or Cottage Pie, this duck version will delight your family and your guests alike.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Granny's Slow-baked Chicken

An extremely easy and foolproof recipe. The chicken cooks in its own steam at low temperature, there is no risk of it overcooking or drying out.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 3 Hours 30 Minutes

What To Eat Tonight

When the winter chill sets in, there's nothing like a plate of hot comfort to make you feel good about the world outside.

109 Unusual Recipes

There are lots of recipes for some foods, but here we offer a selection of recipes that are truly out of the ordinary. You'll be amazed.

155 One-Bowl Dinners

One Bowl Dinners simply means that you get to cook (and present) your food all from one dish. We have so many easy "one-bowlers" for you.

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