London mum boosts Brits' kitchen confidence with easy recipes this Christmas

A London mum and influencer has teamed up with AO.com to get more Brits cooking this Christmas, following findings that half of Londoners don't have the confidence to make popular British dishes, from fish and chips to a Sunday roast.

Romford mum Lily Southall, who has over 94,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok (@lilssouthall), shared her favourite recipe for an easy Irish stew and an easy Gyros, to encourage Londoners to get more creative in the kitchen this Christmas. 

Both recipes cost less than £12 to make and can be whipped up in under 30 minutes.

Lily shared her recipes as part of AO.com’s Great British Kitchen Index Campaign, which found that half of Londoners don't feel confident in the kitchen and struggle to make popular dishes at home. 

AO.com's study found Londoners lack confidence in the kitchen, with just one in two (50%) Londoners feeling confident cooking a Christmas dinner, 48% struggling to cook fish and chips, and 1 in 3 admitting they can't whip up a classic shepherd’s pie.

Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in London are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.

“It's not just about tradition, cooking can bring people together and create lasting memories. We want to reignite that passion and show people that with the right tools and some easy tips, anyone can cook their favourite meals from scratch.”

Lily’s easy air fryer Gyros

Watch recipe here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDNZTcCIV9e/

Commenting on the recipe, Lily said: 

“I love this recipe because it’s quick, easy, and takes minimal prep - perfect for a mid-week meal! It’s also packed with flavour and a variety of textures, and the best part is it only costs around £12.

“This dish holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of family holidays when I was younger. My dad used to make this style of chicken and potatoes with Greek salad almost every night. We’d sit on the balcony playing cards as the sun set, and this recipe always takes me back to those cherished moments.” Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts (as many as you want)
• Potatoes (as many as you want)
• Olive oil
• Salt 
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic granules 
• Onion granules
• Mixed herbs
• Smoked paprika 
• Flatbread 
• Tzatziki 
• Aoli 
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Red onion that’s been soaked in lemon juice

Method:  

• Season the chicken breasts with your preferred spices and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and cut them into small, evenly sized chunks.
• Toss the potato chunks with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic granules until evenly coated.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook for 22 minutes at 180°C.
• Add the seasoned potatoes to the air fryer and cook at 190°C for 15 minutes. If you prefer crispier potatoes, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the flatbreads into triangles and brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set aside.
• Once the chicken is cooked, cut it into bite-sized pieces.
• In a serving bowl, assemble the gyros with the chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion (soaked in lemon juice), aioli, olives, and tzatziki.
• Serve with the crispy potatoes and seasoned flatbreads on the side for a complete meal.

Lily’s easy Irish stew recipe

Watch recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDVLGwGof1v/

Speaking about her Irish stew recipe, Lily said: 

“This recipe is one of my favourites because it’s so simple to make. You can set it to cook and get on with your day, which is a lifesaver for busy schedules. It’s also incredibly budget-friendly, costing just £10 and stretching to cover two nights of dinners. Plus, it’s the perfect hearty, comforting meal for colder weather.

“This dish is particularly special to me because of its connection to my family. My mum’s parents were both Irish and moved here as children, and I have vivid memories of eating this stew at their house - it’s a smell and taste I’ll never forget. The recipe has been passed down from my grandmother to my mum, and now to me, which makes it all the more meaningful.”

Ingredients:

• 500g beef chunks (more if needed)
• Salt 
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• 3 slices of smoked bacon 
• 1 white onion 
• 2 carrots 
• 2 celery sticks
• 3 tablespoons plain flour 
• Bottle or can or Guinness
• 400ml beef stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée or tomato sauce 
• Bay leaf 
• Fresh thyme 
• Mash to serve 
• Greens to serve

Method:

• Pat dry 500g of beef chunks and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy-based pan with oil and fry the beef chunks until they are just browned on the outside.
• Remove the beef from the pan and add 3 finely chopped slices of smoked bacon and 1 diced white onion. Cook until the bacon is crispy and the onion is softened.
• Transfer this mixture to a pressure cooker, then add 2 large diced carrots, 2 celery sticks (chopped), and 3 tablespoons of plain flour. Stir well to coat.
• Return the browned beef to the pressure cooker and pour in a bottle of Guinness, 400ml of beef stock, 2 tablespoons of tomato purée (or tomato sauce), 2 bay leaves, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Secure the lid and cook for two hours.
• Once cooked, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Serve the stew hot with buttery mashed potatoes and fresh greens. 

For more information about AO.com’s Great British Kitchen Index Campaign, visit the website for tips and tricks on how you get back into cooking this Christmas.