Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

10261 recipes found

Cumin & chilli lamb skewers

Cumin & chilli lamb skewers

These cumin and chilli lamb skewers are my go to when I want something impressive but don't have much time. The whole thing comes together in just twenty minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual entertaining. I love how the toasted cumin seeds bring this warm, nutty flavour that really complements the tender lamb, while the chilli flakes add a gentle kick without overwhelming your palate. Cumin is brilliant for digestion too, so you're getting something tasty and genuinely good for you. Served with soft flatbreads, it feels like a proper restaurant meal, but honestly it's so simple and budget friendly that you'll find yourself making it again and again.

20 mins
Dairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Roast chicken with celery & beans

Roast chicken with celery & beans

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in just an hour and honestly tastes like you've spent all day cooking. Chicken thighs are so forgiving and stay incredibly juicy, and when you pair them with creamy cannellini beans and tender celery, you get a really satisfying one pan meal. The beans are packed with fiber and protein, so you're getting something genuinely nourishing without the fuss. A splash of white wine and fresh thyme give it this lovely depth of flavor, and there's barely any prep involved. It's the kind of food that makes everyone happy without breaking the bank or keeping you stuck in the kitchen.

1 hr
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Citrus spritz

Citrus spritz

This is my go to when I want something refreshing that doesn't require much fuss. The beauty of a citrus spritz is that it comes together in minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when you want to unwind without spending ages in the kitchen. Grapefruit juice brings natural vitamin C to brighten your day, while the lemon thyme adds an elegant herbal note that feels special without any real effort. It's simple, elegant, and honestly, it tastes like you've put in way more work than you actually have.

35 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Venison meatballs & root veg tagine

Venison meatballs & root veg tagine

This is one of my favourite weeknight dinners because it comes together in less than an hour and tastes like you've been slaving away for ages. Venison meatballs are leaner than beef, so you get that rich, satisfying flavour without the heavy feeling afterwards. The warm spices of ras el hanout and ginger turmeric paste transform simple roasted root vegetables into something truly special, and the preserved lemon adds this gorgeous brightness that ties everything together beautifully. Serve it over wholegrain couscous for a complete meal that's nourishing and absolutely delicious.

50 mins
Dairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Winter berry bellini

Winter berry bellini

Making this Winter Berry Bellini has become my go to celebration drink during the colder months. The beauty of using frozen berries is that they're incredibly convenient and actually retain more of their antioxidants than fresh ones, so you're getting all those wonderful health benefits while keeping things simple. What I love most is how quick it comes together, taking just twenty minutes from start to finish, which means you can whip up something elegant and impressive without any fuss. A touch of warm spices like cinnamon and cloves transforms ordinary berries into something truly festive, and the splash of sparkling wine at the end makes it feel like a proper treat. It's my favorite way to toast the season.

20 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
The best New York cheesecake

The best New York cheesecake

After years of searching for the perfect cheesecake recipe, I finally nailed it, and I'm so excited to share this with you. This New York style beauty comes together in just two hours from start to table, making it surprisingly simple despite tasting like it came from a fancy bakery. What I love most is using wholemeal digestive biscuits for the base, which adds wonderful fibre and a subtle nuttiness compared to regular versions. The addition of soured cream keeps everything beautifully moist while that vanilla and fresh lemon zest brighten the rich cream cheese filling. Trust me, once you make this, you'll be whipping it up constantly.

1 hr 40 mins
VegetarianNut-Free
Whisky peppercorn sauce

Whisky peppercorn sauce

This whisky peppercorn sauce is my go to when I want to elevate a simple steak dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of it is that you probably have most of these ingredients already, and it comes together in just thirty minutes. I love using both black and white peppercorns because they give you a more complex heat than either one alone, and black pepper is packed with antioxidants that are genuinely good for you. The whisky adds this wonderful depth and richness that makes it taste like you've been cooking all day, when really you're just building layers of flavor with a few quality ingredients and a bit of patience.

30 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Warm roast chicken and quinoa salad with sweet potato, cavolo nero and walnuts

Warm roast chicken and quinoa salad with sweet potato, cavolo nero and walnuts

This is one of my favorite dishes to make when I want something really nourishing but not fussy. A whole roasted chicken gets incredibly tender and flavorful as it cooks with sweet potato, red onion, and thyme, and the best part is that everything happens in one pan. Once the chicken is done, you simply shred the meat and toss it with cooked quinoa, which is packed with complete protein and all nine essential amino acids. The cavolo nero gets wonderfully tender from the warm dressing, the walnuts add a lovely crunch, and pomegranate seeds brighten the whole thing up. It's a proper meal that comes together in just over two hours, and honestly, most of that is hands off cooking time.

2 hrs 10 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-Free
The best beef Bourguignon

The best beef Bourguignon

There's nothing quite like coming home to the rich, aromatic smell of beef bourguignon simmering away. This is my go to recipe when I want to impress without spending a fortune, since ox cheeks are incredibly affordable yet become impossibly tender after a slow braise. The beauty of this dish is that it does most of the work for you over four and a half hours, leaving you free to relax while the oven handles everything. Plus, beef is packed with iron and B vitamins that really nourish your body. Once you've browned everything and got it in the oven, you're essentially done until dinner time. Trust me, one spoonful of this and you'll understand why it's a classic.

5 hrs
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Braised beef in red wine

Braised beef in red wine

This is one of my favorite dishes to make when I want something deeply satisfying without much fuss. Braised beef in red wine is the ultimate comfort food that practically cooks itself, leaving you free to relax while your kitchen fills with the most wonderful aromas. The beef becomes incredibly tender after a slow braise, and the red wine creates this rich, complex sauce that's just heavenly. Best of all, it's remarkably budget friendly since braising steak is affordable and the ingredients are probably already in your pantry. The tomatoes add a nutritional boost with their lycopene, which is great for heart health. Just brown everything, pour in the wine, and let time do the work for you.

2 hrs 40 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Watermelon & lime daiquiri popsicles

Watermelon & lime daiquiri popsicles

There's something magical about frozen daiquiris on a hot summer day, and these watermelon and lime popsicles are my go to when I want to feel fancy without the fuss. Watermelon is packed with lycopene, which is wonderful for your heart health, and the best part is these come together in just twenty minutes from start to finish. They're incredibly simple to make with ingredients you probably already have at home, and honestly, they cost next to nothing compared to buying fancy cocktails out. I love serving these at gatherings because everyone gets excited about a boozy frozen treat that actually tastes refreshing.

20 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Beijing guotie

Beijing guotie

Beijing guotie, or Chinese pan fried dumplings, are one of my favorite things to make at home because they're surprisingly simple and so much cheaper than ordering takeout. The crispy bottoms and juicy pork filling never fail to impress, and honestly, once you get the hang of folding them, the whole process becomes quite meditative. I love using Chinese leaf in the filling because it's packed with vitamin C and adds a lovely freshness that balances the rich pork beautifully. These come together in just over two hours from start to finish, making them perfect for a weekend dinner when you want something special but don't want to spend all day cooking.

2 hrs 5 mins
Dairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free