mess (n.)

c. 1300, “a supply or provision of food for a meal”, from Old French mes “portion of food”

Sasha’s Mess - Food and Recipes

Delicious food shouldn’t be exclusive - we bring you tasty recipes using simple ingredients that you’ll love to cook (and eat).

Recent Posts

Here you can find all our most recent posts, so you can keep up to date with whats going on in Sasha’s Mess.

Za’atar lamb cutlets with caponata
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Za’atar lamb cutlets with caponata

These succulent lamb cutlets are generously seasoned with aromatic za’atar, then seared to perfection and served over a bed of vibrant caponata, bursting with the flavours of aubergine, bell peppers, tomatoes and capers.

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Asparagus panzanella with herb yoghurt and pan-seared mackerel
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Asparagus panzanella with herb yoghurt and pan-seared mackerel

This fresh and zingy charred asparagus panzanella is served over an aromatic herb yoghurt, and topped with a pan-seared fillet of mackerel. Perfect for celebrating spring flavours, this recipe is great served as a main course or on a platter as a side in a larger meal.

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Saffron Risotto with Crispy Pancetta and Porcini Mushrooms  (Copy)
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Saffron Risotto with Crispy Pancetta and Porcini Mushrooms (Copy)

This saffron risotto is full of savoury, umami goodness, and perfect for keeping you warm this winter. Basically a hug in a bowl, this risotto is cooked with white wine and chicken stock, then finished with a generous handful of parmesan cheese. Served up with pan fried pancetta and porcini mushrooms, this dish is truly the perfect comfort food.

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Classic Lasagne
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Classic Lasagne

This classic lasagne recipe is made entirely from scratch and there is truly nothing more comforting. A freshly baked lasagne made of homemade beef ragu, bechamel and pasta sheets topped with mozzarella is a comfort food favourite and perfect for the cold.

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Pork Shoulder Steaks with Pearl Barley, Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto, and Goat’s Cheese
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Pork Shoulder Steaks with Pearl Barley, Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto, and Goat’s Cheese

If you’re like me and spend November days thinking of the most comforting dish you can make - you’ve come to the right place. This dish is a bed of pearl barley risotto, cooked with white wine, topped with a rich and perfectly salted pork shoulder steak, along with sweet and tender butternut squash. The balance between sweet and savoury make this dish a winner, along with the touch of sharpness from the goat’s cheese crumbled over.

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Beer Braised Oxtail with Pearl Couscous and Smoked Paprika Tuille
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Beer Braised Oxtail with Pearl Couscous and Smoked Paprika Tuille

The season of slow cooking is here - and what better way to make the most of it than trying this slowly braised oxtail which is pull-apart tender and cooked in a delicious stew. The meat is seared then cooked for around 3 hours until it is soft, then I served it with some buttery pearl couscous and a crisp tuille to add some crunch.

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Vermicelli Noodles with Coconut Rendang Broth, Shiitake Mushrooms and Homemade Chilli Oil
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Vermicelli Noodles with Coconut Rendang Broth, Shiitake Mushrooms and Homemade Chilli Oil

I feel like now that Halloween is over and November is approaching, pretty much everyone right now has a cold - but this recipe is the perfect remedy. Nothing compares to noodles in a freshly made broth, packed with nutrients and goodness. Made with a touch of Indonesian rendang paste, the coconut based broth has hints of ginger and garlic - combined with the homemade chilli oil it is bound to clear your head and get you on the mend.

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Mini Cinnamon Rolls
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Mini Cinnamon Rolls

This small batch mini cinnamon bun recipe is the perfect brunch treat, and on repeat each Sunday morning in my house! The trick is to roll the dough quite thin, so you get these really defined little spirals through the mini buns. Lightly glazed and perfectly buttery, these cinnamon rolls are an October staple you’ve got to try.

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Trofie al Pesto
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Trofie al Pesto

Recently I have been obsessed with hand-shaped pasta, where you don’t need to get out a machine you can just form the shapes from the rested dough. It is super comforting and really connects you to the dish. Trofie pasta is one of mine and my partners favourites, it originates from Liguria in Italy and is best served with a freshly made pesto.

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Roast Pork Belly with Spiced Chickpeas and Honey-Mustard Sauce
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Roast Pork Belly with Spiced Chickpeas and Honey-Mustard Sauce

The recipe for this pork belly gives you a caramelised crisp exterior while keeping it juicy and tender. The sweet and salty tones from the honey and spices balances the flavours just right. The spiced chickpeas are cooked until golden and act as a wonderful base for the gently braised veggies. Served with a honey-mustard sauce, which pairs perfectly with pork, this recipe is a must try.

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Braised Leeks with Spiced Lentils and Pancetta
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Braised Leeks with Spiced Lentils and Pancetta

This week’s recipe is perfect for autumn evenings - gently braised leeks, cooked to tender perfection with butter and honey, crispy pancetta for that irresistible crunch, and a hearty lentil base infused with a blend of spices. It is super simple to make and garnished with dill and chilli flakes for an extra kick.

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Bucatini with Sausage and Leek Ragú and Crispy Onions
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Bucatini with Sausage and Leek Ragú and Crispy Onions

Now that the weather is back to being well and truly gloomy, there is nothing I am craving more than proper comfort food - and this Bucatini with Sausage and Leek Ragú is just that. With warm hints of chilli, the perfect amount of garlic, and topped with crispy onions to add a little crunch, this pasta is perfect now that the weather is turning colder.

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Octopus Salad with Capers and Garlic Crisps
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Octopus Salad with Capers and Garlic Crisps

This Octopus Salad with Capers and Garlic Crisps is the perfect summer appetiser. Packed with mediterranean flavours and ready in 15 minutes - it’s great for lunches and mid-week meals. Serve with some focaccia to dip into the olive oil, and enjoy!

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Fried Whitebait with Tartar Sauce and Lemon
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Fried Whitebait with Tartar Sauce and Lemon

Whitebait is an old English term for small fish, dusted in flour and fried until golden and crispy. A classic British snack, whitebait is typically served with tartar sauce - and a beer. Here, I used blue anchovies, but you can use any other small fish such as herring or sardines. If you’re craving something salty, satisfying and quick to make, you’ve got to give this a try.

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Clam and Chorizo Stew with Red Kidney Beans
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Clam and Chorizo Stew with Red Kidney Beans

This light and aromatic stew, infused with smokiness from the chorizo and paprika, is perfect served with baguette bread to mop everything up. The spicy kick of the chorizo pairs brilliantly with the clams, paying homage to classic Spanish flavours. This dish is comes together in one pot in less than 40 minutes, and really is a must try.

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Squid Ink Spaghetti
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Squid Ink Spaghetti

You won’t believe how simple this squid ink spaghetti is. This recipe uses only 7 ingredients (minus salt and pepper) and comes together in 30 minutes. Squid ink gives the pasta this gorgeous colour along with a rich, briny flavour and a hint of sea-saltiness. I bought the squid ink in Sardinia and have been waiting get the chance to use it, and I am so happy it went to good use in this recipe!

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Roast Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas, Tomato and Fennel
Sasha Berman Sasha Berman

Roast Chicken Thighs with Chickpeas, Tomato and Fennel

This dish is perfect for when summer isn’t quite summer-ing. Being both hearty and comforting, but won’t leave you feeling slumped - it is perfect for those rainy August days and late-summer bbq’s alike. With succulent chicken thighs, chickpeas cooked with garlic and onions, topped with fragrant fennel and a touch of chilli, yo'u’ve got to give this one a go.

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Braised Pork Belly with Brown Rice and Salsa Verde
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Braised Pork Belly with Brown Rice and Salsa Verde

Considering the weather this August has truly been similar to most years Octobers, I decided to make a favourite dish of mine that I always turn to for cozy days in where comfort food is a must. This recipe uses minimal equipment and ingredients which I almost always have in the kitchen making it perfect for a weekday dinner.

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Chicken Keema Curry with Roti and Greens
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Chicken Keema Curry with Roti and Greens

Treat yourself this week to our Chicken Keema Curry, accompanied by soft, homemade Roti and sautéed Greens. This recipe, serving four, combines chicken mince with a medley of aromatic spices, including ginger, turmeric, paprika and more. This is the perfect recipe for some real comfort food and a pick me up - if you’re feeling under the weather and need some warmth, this is the way to go.

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100 Recipes For Your Twenties

In this book I am going to show you my 100 favourite classic family cooking recipes passed down from my Mum, and from my own trials and errors in the kitchen. I believe that when you learn how to make just a few recipes, you unlock a whole new multi-sensory art that you can develop and change to your taste. The joy that comes from making a good meal from scratch is unbeatable, not to mention how beneficial it is for your mind and body.