Get Ready To Revolutionize Your Kitchen Game With These Incredible Cooking Shows

Let’s face it—there’s nothing more satisfying than creating a meal that rivals the finest Michelin-starred restaurant. But let’s also be honest, who has the time to spend hours in the kitchen? Not many of us, right? That’s why this October, BBC Lifestyle is bringing you two incredible shows that promise to make your culinary adventures faster, easier, and just as delicious as ever.

Starting October 8, 2024, BBC Lifestyle is premiering two highly anticipated cooking shows—Mary Berry Makes It Easy and Nadiya Hussain's Fast Flavours. These shows are designed to make home cooking not only simpler but also way more exciting. Both series will air every Tuesday starting at 20:00 on DStv Channel 174 or DStv Catch Up.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent hours glued to the screen watching Mary Berry and Nadiya Hussain work their magic in the kitchen. Now, they’re back with brand-new episodes filled with mouthwatering recipes that won’t leave you stuck in the kitchen all day. These culinary legends are here to prove that great food doesn’t have to mean hours of prep and cooking.

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Mary Berry Makes It Easy: Your New Kitchen Companion

Mary Berry Makes It Easy (Tuesdays at 20:00) is the ultimate guide to making your kitchen life a whole lot easier. In this show, Dame Mary Berry invites her celebrity friends to join her in the kitchen as she helps them tackle their cooking challenges. Over six episodes, she shares her tried-and-true tips and easy-to-follow recipes that will make even the most inexperienced cooks feel like pros. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for new ideas, Mary’s warm personality and expert advice will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.

Nadiya Hussain Fast Flavours: Flavor in a Flash

Right after Mary Berry, Nadiya Hussain takes the stage with Fast Flavours (Tuesdays at 20:30). This show is all about creating big flavors without spending a ton of time. Nadiya’s approach is simple yet bold, proving that you don’t need fancy techniques or expensive ingredients to make something truly unforgettable. Her recipes are designed to reignite your love for cooking and show you just how quick and easy it can be to whip up something amazing.

One of the biggest fans of these shows is Luyanda Mafanya, a self-taught chef who made waves on My Kitchen Rules South Africa and MasterChef South Africa. She recreated one of Mary Berry’s iconic recipes, the Classic Apple Tart, and even added her own twist to Nadiya’s Honey-baked Sriracha Drumsticks. Let’s dive into these recipes and see how you can bring them to life in your own kitchen.

Classic Apple Tart: A Sweet Treat for Every Occasion

This classic apple tart is the perfect dessert to impress your friends and family. It’s simple, elegant, and utterly delicious. Plus, it only takes about an hour to prepare, so it’s perfect for those busy evenings when you still want to treat yourself to something special.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 350g apples (preferably green), peeled and diced
• 100g castor sugar
• Plain flour, for dusting
• 500g puff pastry (Luyanda’s Alternative: Crushed Tennis Biscuits mixed with melted butter)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 apples (preferably red), skin on, very thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp apricot jam

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a large baking sheet with baking paper. Get everything ready before you start cooking.
2. In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, castor sugar, and 1 tbsp water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Cover and simmer gently for about 10 minutes until the apples are soft. Increase the heat to evaporate any excess liquid, then mash the apples into a smooth purée. Let it cool.
3. Lightly dust your work surface with plain flour and roll out the puff pastry into a 25cm circle. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the border of the pastry with beaten egg, then fold in the edges and twist to create a decorative border.
4. Spread the cooled apple purée in the center of the pastry. Arrange the thinly sliced apples around the edge and in the center in a decorative pattern. Sprinkle brown sugar over the apples and brush the pastry edges with more beaten egg.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tart is well-risen, golden on top, and crisp underneath.
6. Melt the apricot jam in a small saucepan until runny. Brush the tart with the glaze while it’s still warm. Serve the tart warm with crème fraiche, a dollop of ice cream, or whatever suits your fancy.

Honey-baked Sriracha Drumsticks with a Twist

These drumsticks are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or planning a casual braai, these are sure to be a hit. Luyanda added her own South African flair by swapping Sriracha for chutney, giving the dish a unique twist that’s both familiar and exciting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Serves: 5

For the drumsticks:

• 10 drumsticks, skin on
• 3 tbsp oil, plus extra for greasing the tray
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 4 tbsp Sriracha sauce (Luyanda’s Alternative: Chutney)
• 3 tbsp runny honey
• ½ tsp ground star anise
• 2 tbsp cornflour

For the potato salad:

• 567g of new potatoes, halved
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 6 tbsp mayo
• 2 pickled eggs, grated
• 1 heaped tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 1 tbsp honey
• A large handful of chopped fresh chives
• A pinch of salt
• Chopped fresh coriander, to serve

(Luyanda’s Alternative: Grilled Eggplant with feta, rocket, and cherry tomatoes)

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Method:

1. Begin by preparing the chicken. Place the drumsticks in a large pan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, let it simmer for 5 minutes, and then drain. Set the chicken aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C and lightly grease a baking tray with oil.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oil, garlic, soy sauce, Sriracha (or chutney), honey, star anise, and cornflour. Mix well. Pat the chicken pieces dry and toss them in the sauce. Arrange them on the tray in an even layer and bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.
4. While the chicken is cooking, make the salad. Place the drained potatoes in a bowl with the grated carrot and mix together. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayo, grated egg, wholegrain mustard, and honey. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and mix until coated. Add the chives and salt, and mix again.
5. Once the chicken is ready, sprinkle it with chopped coriander, if you like, and serve it alongside the potato salad—or Luyanda’s alternative, grilled eggplant with feta, rocket, and cherry tomatoes.

These dishes are a fantastic way to explore new flavors while still staying true to the tastes we all know and love. They’re perfect for anyone who wants to elevate their cooking game without spending hours in the kitchen.

To take your home cooking to the next level, be sure to tune into BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) from October 8, 2024, and catch these exciting shows. You’ll be amazed at how simple it can be to create restaurant-quality meals in no time.

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