Out Of the Frying Pan

This is one of my favourite recipes - adapted from Jamie Oliver's noodle salad, it's a great mid-week dish and can also be served cold for yummy lunchtime leftovers or a pot luck dinner party dish. For the photographs, I made it with beef and brown rice but it also works well with noodles and chicken. I usually add an orange pepper and some peas to the dish too.

Ingredients (serves four or two with leftovers)
- 2 chicken breasts or medallion steaks, chopped into chunks
- 150g brown rice or two portions of egg noodles
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 orange pepper, chopped
- handful of frozen peas
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped
- handful of coriander, roughly chopped
- 1tsp fish sauce
- 1tsp sesame oil
** If you don't have fish sauce and sesame oil in your cupboard, DO invest in them for this dish - they're essential. Don't worry though - you'll find yourself using them time and time again.**
- 2tbsp soy sauce
- 40g cashew nuts
- 1tsp honey

Directions
- If you're making this dish with brown rice, boil the kettle and put your rice on first. You can prepare everything else while the rice cooks. Set your timer for 20 minutes.
- Heat your oven to 200C and cook the chicken or beef.
- In a large frying pan, add a splash of oil and gently fry your onion and pepper on a medium heat. To soften them more quickly, add a pinch of salt.
- After 10 minutes, add the chilli. Check your chicken/beef and turn or remove from the oven if necessary - it'll depend on how thinly you've cut the meat, and how you like your beef cooked.
- When the rice has just 5 minutes to go, scatter the cashew nuts on a baking tray and stick them in the oven to roast. Keep an eye on them - they'll turn from golden brown to burnt in a matter of minutes!
- When the timer goes, add frozen peas to the rice and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove the chicken/beef if you have not already and add it to your frying pan.
- Also add the coriander, sesame oil, fish sauce and soy sauce. Mix well.
- Check on your cashew nuts! If they're looking golden brown, take the honey and drizzle it over the nuts. Remove them from the oven and set aside.
- When the timer goes again, your rice and peas are ready. Drain and add them to the frying pan, stirring thoroughly to mix your ingredients.
- Serve in a bowl and sprinkle the cashews on top.
- Enjoy! And worry about the mess in the kitchen later...