A fresh take on the winning formula of meat and two veg

This is one of the very few meat and two vegetable recipes that I have shared here. There’s a lot to be said for that winning formula though. I regularly lean towards more vegetable focused cooking, for plenty of reasons, but it does require a bit more forethought and consideration. The traditional formula of meat and two veg encompasses so many family favourites, spanning from roast chicken with carrots and peas to steak with mushrooms and potatoes.

I do love pork chops, but cook them rarely, so it’s a real treat whenever I buy them. Look for good quality Irish pork, free range if possible. Very little needs to be done to make a pork chop delicious, a sprinkle of salt and the rind of fat rendering in the heat will complete the seasoning. To make this a fresher, zippy summer version I’ve added a bright chimichurri. Found in Argentinian and Uruguayan cuisines, it’s similar to Moroccan chermoula. If you’re tired of pesto then this peppery, spicy parsley sauce will gladly step up to the plate. It’s so easy to make your own and it’s delicious in sandwiches or with barbecued chicken and fish. Add a dollop of it to mayonnaise or use as a salad dressing. I love having a jar of it in the fridge.

We’re still enjoying the new season potatoes that are available. They’re so convenient this time of year. No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen peeling potatoes and these only need a scrub. I usually scrub them in a basin of water then give that soil laden water to my plants. It’s a tradition my mother always does and I’m following suit, hopefully any nutrients in the soil are seeping into my houseplants. There are numerous ways we can use food scraps to nourish the soil and other plants. The most obvious being to turn our food waste into compost.

Another option, which I’ve been doing regularly now for the past few years, is to soak banana peels in water for a few days. Choose organic bananas then immerse the peels in a large jar of water, place the lid on and set aside for two to three days. The peels are rich in potassium, phosphorus and calcium, along with a host of other minerals your plants need. Simply remove the peels and place them in the compost, give your plants the freshly made banana feed and watch them thrive.