Sides — Recipes — ALEXANDRA DUDLEY

A simple supper. Confit tomatoes & shallots and my courgette, dill & Grana Padano salad

Tomatoes, garlic and shallots cooked confit - slowly in the oven with lots of olive oil and some rosemary which I paired with a quick zesty salad of thinly sliced courgettes tossed with lemon, dill, olive oil and lots of Grana Padano.

Most Popular, Salads, Sides, Starters, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley13 July 2023salad, summer, courgette, cheese, grana padano, tomato, confit, garlicComment

Charred Sugar snap, Watermelon, Peanut Salad

This watermelon salad is crunchy, zingy and everything you want on a hot day. Chilling the watermelon and charred sugar snaps make it even more refreshing so give yourself time to chill them if you can.

Salads, Sides, Starters, Vegan, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley23 May 2023watermelon, salad, sugar snapComment

Shredded Sprout Salad

This is a really good way to jazz up your sprouts. I love to make this on boxing day to enjoy alongside baked potatoes.

Salads, Sides, Vegetarian, VeganAlexandra Dudley25 February 2023shredded sprout salad, sprout salad, brussel sproutsComment

Crispy Sprouts With Chilli Lime Dressing

These crispy sprouts make for a wonderful side at winter dinner party.

Christmas, Dinner Party, Salads, Sides, Vegan, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley20 December 2022brussel sprouts, sprouts, cilli lime dressing

Peppers with Mozzarella and Anchovy Breadcrumbs

I have been making this for years. It is a recipe that brings with it the taste of summer whatever the weather. Anchovy and chilli are an iconic duo in my opinion and add a wonderful hit of umami flavour to the crunchy breadcrumbs.

Mains, Vegetarian, Sides, Salads, Dinner PartyAlexandra Dudley11 August 2022summer, sides, saladComment

Globe Artichokes With Homemade Mayonnaise.

There is something incredibly indulgent about artichoke leaves dipped into rich glossy mayo. It is one of those starters that never fails to instill joy at the table.

Dinner Party, Sides, Starters, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley10 August 2022artichokes, sides, startersComment

Caesar Salad With Yogurt Dressing

There is nothing quite like a good crunchy salad when the sun is shining. Caesar salad is one that works wonderfully for any occasion, whether it be a summer party or a mid-week alfresco or ‘aldesko’ lunch.

Salads, Sides, StartersAlexandra Dudley8 August 2022salad, caesar salad, side dishComment

Lemon Potatoes And Aioli

These potatoes are inspired by a potato dish I enjoyed in Greece a few years ago..

Dinner Party, Mains, Sides, Starters, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley4 August 2022potatoes, aioli, sidesComment

Harissa Baked Butter Beans

This has become a staple dish recently. It is hearty and healthful in equal measure and has a chilli kick that I find hard to resist. The key here is to invest in good quality ingredients.

Mains, Sides, Starters, Vegetarian, One PanAlexandra Dudley2 August 2022beans, butterbeans, lunchesComment

Asparagus With Champagne Butter Sauce

I always feel immense joy when asparagus comes into season. A sure sign that spring has arrived. This butter is a take on the classic beurre blanc but rather than using white wine, it is enriched with champagne. It goes down spectacularly at a dinner party and is a very good excuse to open a bottle of bubbles too.

Blood Orange, Chicory, Fennel And Radicchio Salad

I love the colour of this salad. Vibrant enough to bring cheer to even the wintriest of evenings, it is the perfect contender to a February supper. You can prepare the dressing and the leaves ahead of time and toss it all together just before serving. Ruby flecked blood oranges look spectacular in this but regular oranges will do just fine if you cannot get hold of them.

Dinner Party, Salads, Sides, Starters, Vegan, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley20 March 2022salad, blood orange, radicchio, fennel saladComment

Roasted Rainbow Carrots On Pureed Lemony Butterbeans

I love the colours of rainbow carrots. It somehow seems to make carrots seem far more delicious but the flavour in rainbow or heritage carrots is often more delicious too. The taste is richer, more carroty and almost sweeter. I love pairing them with the bright green zippy pistachio pesto and the lemony butterbean puree makes this dish a real contender as a centre stage

Vegan, Vegetarian, Sides, SaladsAlexandra Dudley22 February 2021carrots, butterbeans, pesto, vegan pestoComment

Crunchy Beetroot Lentil Salad

Beets can be a divisive subject at the dinner table. They have somewhat marmite charm to them. Some love them. Some loathe them. I have catered for both camps and even with the most perturbed of beetroot eaters have managed to turn them round to enjoying them with this salad. Roasting beets brings out a natural sweetness in them reducing their earthiness whilst still maintaining their flavour.

Dinner Party, Mains, Salads, Sides, Vegan, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley21 February 2021beetroot, tarragon, lentil salad, salad, winter saladComment

Cavolo Nero And Golden Sultana Risotto

Cavolo nero, also known as Lacinato kale, is the taller, darker Italian cousin of curly kale. With its dark, dinosaur grooved leaves, it is easily recognisable. Cavolo nero has a rich and earthy taste but is slightly sweeter than regular kale.

Dinner Party, Sides, Vegetarian, Most PopularAlexandra Dudley11 January 2021risotto, cavolo nero, kaleComment

Crispy Potato Gratin

Crispy, garlicky, cheesy topped potatoes with a good kick of chilli and aromatic rosemary. Similar to a gratin but perhaps a little lighter owing to the absense of cream. These are crunchy on the top and buttery soft below. Delicious alongside some simple white fish (spoon over any excess chilli garlicky butter over it) or even steamed greens.

Dinner Party, Sides, Vegetarian, One PanAlexandra Dudley7 January 2021gratin, potatoes, healthy gratin, spicy, chilliComment

Sesame, Soy Grilled Mushrooms

These are delicious if you fancy something meaty and delicious that’s not meat. I love to serve these alongside some jasmine rice and wok’d vegetables. They make for a delicious side dish too.

Sides, Dinner Party, Vegan, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley23 December 2020crispy, mushroom, soy, sesame, grilled, asianComment

Burrata With Charred Pear And Hazelnuts

I love the colours in this dish and it’s often something I’ll cook for a midweek supper for two when I feel like the week needs an injection of joy. I say cook, it’s more of a throw together. The only cooking required is to char the pear but even that takes no time at all.

Dinner Party, Sides, Starters, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley15 December 2020charred pear, pear, burrata, chicory, hazelnutsComment

Warm Winter Salad Of Acorn Squash, Tropea Onion and Grana Padano

I love the nuttiness of acorn squash, but you could use butternut squash, onion squash or crown prince squash too. Tropea onions are long torpedo-shaped onions traditionally from Italy. When roasted they are beautifully sweet and soft and work wonderfully with the salty creaminess of the Grana Padano Riserva.

Mains, Sides, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley5 November 2020roast squash, acorn squash, charred, pesto, squash salad, winter saladComment

Roast Squash With Mozzarella, Sage Pesto, And Blackberries

If ever I am hosting a dinner where I know I need to impress this is always a dish I think about. Although the components are simple; squash, mozzarella, blackberries and pesto, there is something so incredibly moreish and delicious about it that I am rarely without ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ when serving it. It is plate lickingly good as well as beautiful which is the perfect dinner party material in my book. We often think of juicy tomatoes when using mozzarella but blackberries are the perfect match too, bursting in the mouth with fresh juiciness.

Dinner Party, Sides, Salads, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley2 November 2020pesto, squash, blackberry, winter saladComment

Crispy Potatoes And Purple Sprouting Broccoli With Smoked Garlic Yogurt

A true plate licking worthy side dish with crispy potatoes, crunchy roast broccoli and a creamy, smoked garlic yogurt. I love to serve this as a side or even star of the dinner table and the left overs make for wonderful bowlfuls too.

Dinner Party, Sides, VegetarianAlexandra Dudley1 October 2020winter salad, purple sprouting broccoli, crispy potatoes, warm saladComment