In the third week of our month-long series with Neven Maguire, the chef shares some easy dishes for the whole family to enjoy. Brought to you in association with Dunnes Stores Simply Better.
Easy, speedy and affordable: one tray dinners are simply magic for busy families. Make weeknights tastier with these roasting tin recipes using chicken, lamb or sausage, or dish them out with bread and salads for a stunning weekend brunch. Better yet, there’s very little to wash up!
Lemon & Balsamic Glazed Chicken Tray Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
2 Tbsp Simply Better Cold Pressed Irish Rapeseed Oil
8 Simply Better Irish Corn Fed Chicken Thighs
25g Butter
500g Baby Potatoes, cut into halves or quarters
1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 Large Courgette, sliced thickly
1 Red Onion, sliced into chunks
1 Punnet of Cherry Tomatoes
1 Red Pepper, sliced
For The Dressing
2 Tbsp Simply Better Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
2 Tsp Simply Better Organic Cajun Spice Seasoning
2 Tbsp Simply Better Orange Blossom Honey
Zest of 1 Lemon
2 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas Mark 4).
2. To make the dressing, mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well to combine.
3. Heat the rapeseed oil and the butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Season the skin of the chicken with salt and pepper before placing skin side down on the pan. Season the flesh side of the chicken and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes skin side down to achieve a good colour. Don’t be tempted to turn the chicken too soon. After 2-3 minutes, turn over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is sealed.
4. Place the potatoes into a roasting dish or large baking tray along with the courgette, red onion and pepper. Carefully transfer the chicken thighs to the dish or tray and nestle them among the potatoes and vegetables. Pour over the dressing.
5. Transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 20 minutes. Then remove the tray from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes. Return the tray to the oven for a further 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Once cooked, sprinkle over the chopped parsley and serve straight to the table.
One Tray Lamb Mezze
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
370g Simply Better Connemara Hill Lamb Fresh Irish Lamb Mince
1 Simply Better Free Range Corn Fed Large Egg
2 Tbsp Simply Better Terra Di Bari Bitonto Extra Virgin Olive Oil
100g Simply Better Barrel Aged Greek Feta, crumbled
1 Tbsp Simply Better Handmade Caramelised Red Onion Relish
50g Simply Better Rustic Ciabatta Breadcrumbs
100g Simply Better Italian La Bella Della Daunia DOP Green Olives, halved
Simply Better Wild Atlantic Sea Salt with Organic Herbs
1 Tsp Fresh Mint
2 Red Onions, cut into wedges
2 Tbsp Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped
2 Large Potatoes, cut into wedges
1 Courgette, cut into batons
12 Cherry Tomatoes
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6).
2. Place the lamb, breadcrumbs, egg, and mint, one tablespoon of parsley, red onion relish and seasoning in a bowl. Using your hands, mix until well combined and shape into eight, even-sized patties. Place in a large, shallow roasting tin.
3. Place the onion wedges around the lamb patties with the potato wedges, courgette batons and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle over the olive oil and season to taste.
4. Roast for about 40 minutes, turning everything once, until the lamb patties are cooked through and vegetables are all tender and lightly charred.
5. Remove the tin from the oven and scatter over the feta cheese and green olives with the rest of the parsley. Bring straight to the table to allow everyone to help themselves.
Sausage Tray Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
12 Simply Better Irish Pork Spring Onion & Black Pepper Sausages
500g Baby Potatoes, cut in halves or quarters depending on the size
1 Large Red Onion, cut into wedges
1 Large Red Pepper, roughly chopped
1 Courgette, sliced
250g Cherry Tomatoes
2 Sprigs Thyme, leaves picked off
For The Dressing
4 Tbsp Simply Better Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
4 Tbsp Simply Better Organic Grade A Canadian Maple Syrup
1 Heaped Tsp Simply Better Irish Made Wholegrain Mustard with Orange Blossom Honey
2 Garlic Cloves, peeled and crushed
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6).
2. Place all of the dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
3. Place the sausages, potatoes and vegetables on a large baking tray, drizzle over the prepared dressing and mix everything to ensure they are well coated in the dressing. Sprinkle over the thyme leaves.
4. Place the tray in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until the sausages and potatoes are cooked through.
5. Serve straight to the table and let everyone help themselves.
All ingredients available at Dunnes Stores.
Brought to you in partnership with Dunnes Stores Simply Better.
