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Sunday, 23 October 2022

It’s all Greek to me! Spicy sausage flatbreads!

 

Spicy sausage flatbreads!
Spicy sausage flatbreads!

  • 3 flatbreads
  • 6 spicy sausages of choice (I used triple chilli pork sausages from Asda)
  • 1 red onion, finely sliced
  • 2 tomatoes cut into bite sized chunks
  • 1/2 small cucumber cut into chunky slices and quartered
  • Handful of cubed feta cheese
  • Red pepper cut into strips
  • 70g pitted green olives with herbs and garlic
  • Few spoonfuls of mayonnaise
  • Dash of mustard
  • Olive oil
  • Good pinch of oregano and mixed herbs

Cook the sausages according to packet instructions.  Whilst they are cooking mix together the red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, peppers and feta cheese along with a good splash of olive oil and the herbs to make a nice Greek salad then set aside.  Heat the flatbreads in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Mix the mayo and mustard together and spread evenly over each flatbread. 

Once the sausages are cooked slice them in half lengthways.  Top each flatbread with the Greek salad mixture and place a couple of the sliced sausages on top and drizzle over any remaking salad dressing and get stuck in.

This is such a simple yet tasty dish, give it a bit of a gyros feel and add some chips, you won’t be disappointed, this was a huge hit in our house and the kids loved it.

Spicy sausage flatbreads with chips!
Spicy sausage flatbreads with chips!


Friday, 15 April 2022

Bacon Naan Sandwich and Masala Fries

 

Bacon Naan Sandwich and masala fries
Bacon Naan Sandwich and masala fries

For the bacon naan sandwich - serves 4

  • 12 rashers of smoked streaky bacon
  • 8 mini naan breads
  • Soft cream cheese
  • Sweet chilli jam
  • Fresh coriander
  • Lambs lettuce
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • One large tomato cut into small chunks

Preheat the grill to medium-high, place the bacon on a lined tray and cook for several minutes each side until sizzling and cooked through.  Place the naans under the grill for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.  Spread one side of the naan with cream cheese and drizzle over some chilli jam and top with some lambs lettuce, place 3 slices of bacon on top and a small amount of plucked coriander and some of the sliced onion and chopped tomato, top with the second naan and you are good to go. (Repeat for the remaining 3 portions).

Masala Fries
Masala Fries


Masala fries

  • 900g frozen fries
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • Few pinches of crushed sea salt

Masala sauce

  • 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 1 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 5 tbsp hamburger relish
  • 5 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp mixed garlic/ginger paste

To start, you need to make the sauce.  Heat the oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat, when hot, add the cumin seeds and fry for around 30 seconds.  Add the hamburger relish and ketchup and bring to a simmer.  Stir in the sugar and cook for a further minute, then add the chopped onion and the garlic/ginger paste, season with a little salt, stir through and then set aside.

Cook your fries according to packet instructions (varies depending if oven fries or you are air frying).  When the fires are cooked season them with the chilli powder, cumin, coriander and a little salt to taste.  Whilst the fries are still hot, add them to the pan with the sauce, stirring so the fries are evenly coated.  Plate up and serve alongside the bacon naan.

Bacon Naan Sandwich
Bacon Naan Sandwich


This is a great dinner, you can spice up a bit more if you like and add some fresh chopped chillies.  Quick and easy to make, this will soon become a Friday night favourite!

Mark’s top tip - ensure you coat the fries quickly with the masala sauce otherwise the fries will go soggy!  Alternatively serve the masala sauce in a small dish on the plate and you can then dip your fries in!


Saturday, 29 January 2022

The Red Lion - Handcross

 

Red Lion Handcross Menu
The Red Lion, Handcross, West Sussex

I stumbled across this lovely pub following a pop up on my Facebook, they had been closed following an extensive refurbishment and were holding a variety of relaunch events including a complimentary lunch which I promptly signed up for.  

Red Lion Handcross Interior

Not having previously visit the pub I can’t comment on what it used to look like however it is now nicely decorated, stylish and inviting with a lovely open fire in the bar side of the pub where I was lucky enough to sit on my first visit.

Red Lion Handcross Fire

The menu has a good variety of dishes which features flavours inspired by the seasons and modern world-food trends, fresh fish that is delivered daily, Asian influences and a good variety of healthier and lower calorie options, which includes nourish bowls and healthy salads.  They also have a pretty good vegan menu, so there is something for everyone.

Red Lion Handcross Bar

The fact I have had lunch a total of four times since just before Christmas should speak volumes, it has also given me the opportunity to try a number of different dishes. 

Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Koftas
Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Koftas

I can’t fault any of them, each and every one has been full of flavour and beautifully presented.  Since my first visit there are already new dishes on the menu so it is ever changing which is great, there is nothing worse than frequenting an establishment where it is the same old menu!  

Panko Breaded Chicken Milanese
Panko Breaded Chicken Milanese

The Red Lion have also launched a Dine at Home service, allowing you to order and collect your favourite dishes to eat at home, this includes a 20% discount at present so it makes eating at home even tastier.

Devon Crab and King Prawn Fishcakes
Devon Crab and King Prawn Fishcakes

The Red Lion has a good and varied drinks menu which includes cocktails, a gin bar and a nice selection of draught beers along with the usual non alcoholic options.

Diablo Pizza made with hand-stretched dough
Diablo Pizza made with hand-stretched dough

Asian style Crispy Duck Salad
Asian style Crispy Duck Salad

All in all our dining experiences have far exceeded expectations, fresh seasonal produce, tasty combinations (the Asian style crispy duck salad was amazing), ok, all the dishes have been amazing to be honest.  

All the photographs included within this review are of the dishes we have been lucky enough to try, taken "as served" at the table. I have also tried the pan-fried king prawns with chilli and feta which was fantastic, sadly my photograph didn’t do it justice!

Red Lion Handcross Interior

One of my favourite meals is a good roast dinner which sadly is hard to find so I am very much looking forward to trying a Sunday Roast at The Red Lion as the photographs look great!  They also have a good selection on the children’s menu, including a spiced coconut chicken curry which I think our eldest would love.

Salt and Szechuan Pepper Squid
Salt and Szechuan Pepper Squid

Maple Glazed Rotisserie Pork Belly
Maple Glazed Rotisserie Pork Belly

I think we have found our new favourite local pub, 10 minutes from where we live, good location, ample parking (don’t forget to register your car details when visiting), lovely looking establishment, fantastic food, not badly priced for what you are getting and a friendly warm service, we are very much looking forward to many more visits to come.  There is also a nice looking butchers shop directly across the street which I must try!

Buttermilk Chicken Somerset Brie and Bacon Pie
Buttermilk Chicken Somerset Brie and Bacon Pie

Become a friend of The Red Lion Handcross by signing up online to receive exclusive news, offers and promotional updates. We have already enjoyed half price mains, complimentary starters and a bottle of Prosecco for my husband’s birthday.  

Tomato and Basil Linguine
Tomato and Basil Linguine