Some meals are nice. Some are memorable. And then there are the recipes that have people lining up for seconds (and maybe even thirds). These dishes aren’t just about flavour, they’re about comfort, sharing, and creating those “can I have a little more?” moments around the table.
Here are three crowd-pleasing recipes, written in UK measurements, that are guaranteed to impress.
Creamy Garlic & Herb Chicken
A comforting dish that feels fancy but only takes 30 minutes.
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 600g total)
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2 tbsp olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
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250ml double cream
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100ml chicken stock
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50g Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 tsp dried Italian herbs
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Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
Method:
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Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5–6 minutes each side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
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In the same pan, add the garlic and cook gently for 1 minute.
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Pour in the stock and cream, stirring well. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Stir in Parmesan and Italian herbs. Return the chicken to the pan, coat in sauce, and cook for 2 minutes more.
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Sprinkle with parsley and serve with your choice of pasta or crusty bread.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
The ultimate British dessert - rich, indulgent, and impossible to resist.
Serves: 6–8
Ingredients (for the sponge):
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175g pitted dates, chopped
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175ml boiling water
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1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
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85g unsalted butter, softened
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140g light brown sugar
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2 large eggs
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200g self-raising flour
For the sauce:
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200g light brown sugar
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100g unsalted butter
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250ml double cream
Method:
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Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas 4. Grease a 20cm square baking dish.
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Place dates in a bowl, pour over boiling water, and stir in bicarbonate of soda. Leave for 10 minutes.
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In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in flour, then stir in date mixture.
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Pour into the dish and bake for 35–40 minutes until risen and firm.
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For the sauce, heat sugar, butter, and cream in a pan until smooth and bubbling.
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Pour over the warm pudding, and serve with custard or vanilla ice cream.
Honey & Soy Glazed Salmon
Quick, healthy, and full of sweet-savoury flavour.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
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2 salmon fillets (about 300g total)
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp honey
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 garlic clove, minced
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1 tsp grated fresh ginger
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Juice of ½ lime
Method:
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Mix soy, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, and lime juice.
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Place salmon in a shallow dish and coat with marinade. Leave for 15 minutes.
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Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Cook salmon for 3–4 minutes each side, brushing with extra marinade.
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Serve with rice and your choice of vegetables.
Cheesy Baked Macaroni
Classic comfort food that disappears from plates faster than you can dish it up.
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
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400g macaroni pasta
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50g butter
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50g plain flour
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600ml whole milk
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200g mature cheddar cheese, grated
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75g mozzarella, grated
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1 tsp English mustard
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50g breadcrumbs (optional topping)
Method:
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Cook macaroni according to packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute.
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Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened.
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Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and mustard. Mix until smooth.
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Combine pasta with cheese sauce and transfer to an ovenproof dish.
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Sprinkle breadcrumbs and a little extra cheese on top.
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Bake at 200°C (180°C fan) / Gas 6 for 20 minutes until golden.
Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Rich, gooey, and impossible to stop at one square.
Makes: 12 squares
Ingredients:
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200g dark chocolate
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200g unsalted butter
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250g caster sugar
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3 large eggs
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100g plain flour
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30g cocoa powder
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Pinch of salt
Method:
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Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas 4. Grease and line a 20cm square tin.
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Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Cool slightly.
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Whisk in sugar, then eggs one at a time.
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Sift in flour, cocoa, and salt. Fold gently until just combined.
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Pour into tin and bake for 25 minutes (for fudgy brownies) or 30 minutes (for cakier).
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Cool completely before slicing.
These recipes are simple enough for a weekend dinner yet delicious enough to have everyone asking for more. Whether it’s creamy chicken, bubbling mac and cheese, or a rich sticky toffee pudding, you’ll have no leftovers and that’s always a good sign.