My top 12 recipes of 2021

2021 was one of the busiest of my life and I started it in my new studio with a very simple recipe for eggs fried in cream with sage and bay. I’m planning on doing something similarly easy to kick off this year. I just can’t face anything too complicated yet. As has become a tradition here, I always share my favourite recipes for the past year. These are the ones I will make again and again and are the ones that I keep thinking about.

If you want to check out my best recipes for previous years – all of which are still my favourite and delicious: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

MY TOP 12 RECIPES FOR 2021

I published my first eCookbook called Comfort last year, and so many of those recipes were my favourite. I have some of the best renditions of classic dishes in the book such as oxtail braised in red wine, milk tart filled brioche doughnuts, perfect twice-baked cheese souffle and the ultimate coq au vin and coq au vin pie.

You can buy my ebook HERE

I have a few cakes on my best-of list this year as I have the biggest sweet tooth and adore baking, but I will kick off with a few lighter favourites:

Roasted salmon with miso & orange glaze

So easy and totally delicious, this is my take on a salmon version of den miso sauce.

Panzanella salad with white anchovies, fennel & capers

I mashed up a greek salad with a panzanella last year but this rendition is a delicious starter to any meal. I adore this recipe which originated from my friend Fiamma Swainston.

Greek lamb souvlaki and easy homemade pita

The overnight marinade really penetrates the meat in this recipe which is perfect cooked over a fire but still delicious done stove-top on a hot griddle pan.

Crispy noodle slaw with soy, honey & ginger dressing

One of my all-time favourite salad recipes that is packed with flavour and crunchy texture.

Rosemary seed & nut crackers

Packed with seeds, nuts and raisins (you can totally mix this up with other dried fruit or nuts), these are so easy and healthier than any fat-laden store-bought crackers. I made a gluten-free and vegan version too which taste the same.

Pulled pork carnitas tacos

You can cook the pork stovetop, in a pressure or slow cooker and I’m obsessed with this recipe. The filling can be used in tacos, quesadilla’s or served in a bowl with rice.

I made this ciabatta recipe into a cheese and tomato loaf and panini. It is the easiest and most delicious same-day ciabatta bread I have tasted from a domestic oven.

Victorian sponge cake with strawberry jam

I perfected the Victorian sponge, a deceptively difficult cake to get right. This is one of my all-time favourite cakes.

My best carrot cake recipe

I went on a mission to find the best carrot cake recipe and did extensive research. I think this is it.

Spiced date cake

A lovley layered sponge with warming spices and a delicious cream cheese and honey frosting.

Chicken pie with bacon leeks and mushrooms

It really was a toss up between the 3 pies I did last year. This, and a beef and mushroom pie and a lamb shank pie. They are all so delicious and indulgent.

Beef Bourguignon

Set aside some time on a lazy weekend day to make this classic dish, it really is so worth the effort. This is a slight tweak to Joël Robuchon’s famous Burgundian dish and one I will aim to make at least once a year.

* A recipe that completely took me by surprise last year so I thought I would mention it again here, was butter-fried raisins on ricotta toast. Deliciously savoury and unexpected.

I hope 2022 is an amazing year for you and I thank you for visiting my blog and following along.

Sam x

BUY MY NEW eBOOK

Find me on Instagram & Pinterest