Two Fancy At-Home Dinner Ideas For The Weekend | AD

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Since what will forever be known as ‘The party where ‘Danza Kudoro’ was the surprise hit of the night‘ (a.k.a My 30th Birthday), Mark and I have been going to bed at 9pm and we’re still tired. So we’re well overdue a weekend with only hibernation, good food and unlimited episodes of Grand Designs on the menu. If you too have a duvet day on the horizon then may I offer you the perfect at-home dining menu. One visit to Waitrose & Partners is all you need and get ready to fill your trolley with their newly relaunched and repackaged No.1 range that’s a little slice of luxury that you can whip up in a matter of minutes in your very own kitchen.

The crème de la crème of Waitrose & Partner’s offering, they are launching 120 new products into the No. 1 range over the course of October. All created by in-house Chefs or sourced and curated by food experts, it’s high-quality and ridiculously delicious. There are 600+ products to choose from, and although there are plenty of scratch-cook ingredients to throw in your basket, it’s the ready-to-go options that really shine for me. Sometimes you just want tasty food, but you also want to watch another hour of Kevin McCloud – you know? Priorities. So I’ve given you two options for each night below; one where all the prep is already taken care of, and the other for if you fancy flexing your Chef muscle a little. The best bit? The Waitrose & Partners No.1 range is currently 20% off, both in-store and online, until the end of the week. Do your food shop now and get ready to snuggle down with the following menu this weekend, tried and tested by yours truly OF COURSE…

SATURDAY NIGHT

THE SPEEDY OPTION: Just know that if ever there is a job that involves pizza in any way, shape or form then I’m more than happy to volunteer as a tribute. Case in point this brand-new Waitrose & Partners No.1 ‘Nduja & Burrata Sourdough Pizza which is just as delicious as it sounds. Whoever thought to put burrata on a pizza, I would quite like to shake their hand and say thank you. It crisps over, but the middle remains melty, so there are pools of burrata to dip your crusts into. I know, I’m salivating right now too. Make yourself a quick little Sweetcorn & Avocado Salad to go on the side as it cooks (or something similarly green) and there you have a dinner that’s perfectly edible in front of your Strictly Saturday viewing. After that you’re going to want something fruity, so I’d be adding the Waitrose & Partners No.1 Tarte aux Fruits to my basket, which tastes like you’ve been slaving over the flakey pastry for hours in the kitchen. Absolutely unreal.

THE COOKING OPTION: Keep your main course the same, but why not get crafty with your dessert and bake a Pear, Cinnamon & Almond Loaf using the Waitrose & Partners No.1 Best of British Pears? Prep time is only 20 minutes and if you shove it in the oven just before dinner is ready, you’ll have just the right amount of time to eat dinner, clear up, get hungry again and then chow down on dessert. Personally I’d have mine still warm from the oven and with a drizzle of the Waitrose & Partners No.1 Madagascan Vanilla Custard over the top, but cold because I’m odd like that. Try it and thank me later; the warm dessert with the cool custard is an epic combo.

SUNDAY NIGHT

THE SPEEDY OPTION: A lasagne has forever been a family favourite in my household. Back in the day it was the only thing my Dad could cook (he now loves his slow-cooker so much that anytime we go over we end up having a ‘Slow Cooking with Steve’ dinner), and he liked it with a side of garlic bread and coleslaw. I can’t knock it – it’s good! But personally I’d suggest pairing the über creamy Waitrose & Partners No.1 Lasagne with Petit Pois with Leeks & Pancetta. A bit of crunch and greens to go with the rich and cheesy dish. YUM. For dessert? I would happily have the Waitrose & Partners No.1 Pots au Chocolat every night of the week if I could. Chocolate mousse is my weakness and these are another level. Small, but mighty and a sweet tooth’s dream.

THE COOKING OPTION: Keep you dessert option the same, but try rustling up your own lasagne with this All-In-One Vegetarian Lasagne recipe. Prep time is just five minutes and with 30 minutes cooking time that gives you enough to sort out a veg side if you’re in the mood. You could throw in whatever meat substitute you fancied, or even add a dollop or two of the Waitrose & Partners No.1 Pesto Alla Genovese. I mean, who am I kidding? I’d probably end up using half a jar. Plus this way if you’re just cooking for one or two people, there will be plenty of leftovers come Monday night. Starting the week off RIGHT.

Photos by Mark Newton