In the third episode of Nadiya’s crafty cooking series, she shares her comforting ‘cook once, eat twice’ recipes, designed to bring joy to both the weekend and the busy week ahead. Like many of us, Nadiya relishes the weekend as a time to cook delicious meals for family and friends, and she also recognises the value of cooking extra to have convenient meals later in the week.
This episode, she presents a Middle Eastern-inspired roast chicken and chickpea dish, a one-pot wonder that’s not only easy to prepare but also versatile. The leftovers from this meal become the foundation for a quick Monday night snack and an unexpected sweet treat. Nadiya’s roast chicken, accompanied by glossy aubergine, chickpeas seasoned with nutty flavours, and a generous drizzle of tahini and chilli oil, makes for a comforting family-style meal.
Nadiya then transforms leftover chickpeas and aubergine into a homemade hummus. She combines them with olive oil and ice cubes, blending them into a rich and satisfying dip. This hummus is perfect for a light Monday night bite, served with strips of leftover chicken, pitta bread, and an assortment of cucumber and carrot sticks for dipping.
She also presents an innovative use for the drained chickpea water from the roast, using it as a key ingredient in her vegan chickpea meringue kisses. Chickpea water, often discarded, can be a surprising substitute for egg whites in vegan baking. Nadiya whips up pink, crispy meringues, a delightful treat with an unusual origin story.
Additionally, Nadiya prepares a hearty beef stew with homemade dumplings, making a large batch to ensure there’s plenty to enjoy throughout the week. This stew is a favourite of Nadiya’s son, offering the ultimate comfort with its filling combination of affordable cuts of meat, carrots, onions, spices, and gravy granules for thickening. Her dumplings, sitting atop the stew like fluffy clouds, are quick and easy to make.
For a sweet treat, Nadiya bakes a wickedly rich chocolate espresso cake, which stays moist for days, making it an ideal choice for a weekend bake that can be enjoyed throughout the week. The secret to its unique texture lies in the use of hot water and olive oil, creating a squidgy centre unlike any other.
Nadiya also welcomes sisters Mandy and Coco Briden, who have pioneered the UK’s first deaf chef food truck. They share their inventive recipe for Yorkshire pudding wraps, a delicious way to give new life to Sunday roast leftovers and ensure nothing goes to waste.
Nadiya’s Cook Once Eat Twice: Episode 3 airs on Tuesday 1 October 2024 at 7:30 PM on BBC Two.
