The owner of not just one, but two Michelin-starred pubs, British celebrity chef Tom Kerridge is the king of joyful and comforting fare. Even his healthier takes on hearty classics from the UK and beyond (which helped him shed a whopping 154 pounds) are so lip-smacking, you'd swear they must be bad for you. To help you bring some Michelin magic into your own home, we've rounded up a few of Tom's most delicious recipes, from meaty feasts to diet-friendly staples, and everything else in between.
Read on for some of the best comfort food dishes you'll find anywhere, but be warned: scrolling through our gallery may make you hungry...
Tom's golden, flaky pork and 'nduja versions are so good, you'll never want to buy a ready-made version again. Scintillatingly spicy, with a punch of pickled onion in every mouthful, they're a modern, crowd-pleasing take on the classic recipe that even the least confident of bakers can throw together (hello, shop-bought puff pastry). Your friends and family won't believe they're homemade.
Why should scampi only be made with langoustine tails or prawns? In this deliciously dippable dish, monkfish is the star of the show – and, once you've tried it, you may never go back. Mouth-wateringly meaty, with a sweet and delicate flavor, these fabulous fish bites come wrapped in the lightest, crispiest batter you've ever tasted (the secret ingredient is sparkling water), with a fresh lemon mayonnaise on the side. Whether you serve them as a starter, or as a pub-style main with fries, is up to you.
If you're looking to cut your carb intake without compromising on flavor, this is the recipe for you. A warming hug in a bowl, Tom's curried cauliflower soup is creamy, coconutty, and spicy in the most soothing of ways. Packed with a tongue-tingling mix of chilies, garlic, and curry powder, this recipe elevates the humble cauli into an indulgent taste sensation. On the table in under an hour, it's the ultimate healthy, hearty dish to brighten a dull and dreary day.
This American-inspired salad is not only incredibly easy to prepare, but it's also satisfyingly flavorsome, pleasantly crunchy, and thoroughly good for you. To make it, simply layer up a base of lettuce and grated carrot with colorful veggies, lemony tuna mayo, creamy avocado, and a protein-packed boiled egg, halved to expose the runny middle. Drizzle with a homemade mustard dressing, and it's ready to eat.
A faithful fixture on British menus from London to Lanarkshire, chicken and mushroom pies are comfort food at its finest – and Tom's take on the recipe really pulls out all the stops. Just the thing for a special occasion or Sunday dinner, these individually portioned, pastry-topped pots of deliciousness are filled with succulent chicken, chestnut mushrooms, and artichokes, all smothered in a creamy, mustardy sauce. Serve them up with green vegetables and plenty of mashed potato for the coziest meal imaginable.
Get the recipe for chicken and mushroom pot pies
Pork chops slathered in a smoky barbecue glaze, cooked to juicy perfection, and served with a crunchy, creamy, ever-so-slightly tangy slaw... who could possibly resist? Though it sounds pretty decadent, this American-inspired recipe is surprisingly saintly (it's made with a few sugar-reducing swaps) and takes just half an hour to whip up – making it a go-to lunch or dinner when you're running low on time.
Think you have to slow-cook a stew all day for the tastiest results? Think again. Give Tom's beef stew just three hours in the oven and it'll reward you with scrumptious, soul-nourishing flavors to warm you from top to toe. It comes complete with all the classic ingredients – braising beef, chestnut mushrooms, onions, stock and herbs – but it also contains a good glug of stout for added richness. Serve it with a heap of fluffy mashed potatoes for a wonderfully snug supper.
An all-American show-stopper! Tender, juicy and marvelously melt-in-the-mouth, pulled pork is the dish that keeps on giving. Serve it as a centerpiece in a barbecue spread, strew it over nachos, pack it into your mac 'n' cheese or stuff it in a sandwich – the possibilities are practically endless. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be a pitmaster to make it; you just need a cut of pork shoulder, some spices, and plenty of time. Check out Tom's tried-and-tested recipe for proof of how easy it really is.
Now, what to do with that leftover pulled pork? Tom has a suggestion that'll change how you make sandwiches forever: this spectacularly stodgy, oozy, ale-infused toastie, complete with lashings of mayo and sauerkraut. Sure, it'll take a little longer to assemble than your regular sammie (you'll need to cook up the decadent filling first) – but, when the end product tastes this good, you won't mind one bit. Rich, cheesy, and downright delicious, it's a sandwich-lover's dream come true.
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There's nothing so magnificently messy as a fully loaded Sloppy Joe – and Tom's pulled pork versions are as loaded as they come. These hearty American-style snacks are the perfect use-up for leftover pulled pork; just simmer it up with black pepper, garlic, spices, and stock for a good hour, then spoon the saucy mix into your buns. Top with chilies, shallots, mustard, and sour cream, and prepare for a party in your mouth.
Get the recipe for black pepper pulled pork Sloppy Joes here
Feel like putting your cooking skills to the test? Grab that leftover pulled pork, and get baking! A classy twist on a British picnic classic, Tom's pulled pork pies are filled to bursting with the heavenly flavors of cooked apples and scrumpy cider. There's a hot water crust pastry to make, so they're a little trickier to master than some of his other recipes. Once you bite into the golden, crumbly exterior, you'll be glad you made the effort. Serve with mashed potatoes, lavishly laced with clotted cream, for a meal to remember.
Perfect for a post-workout pick-me-up, this energy-boosting breakfast shake couldn't be easier to blitz together. Just scoop up a large handful of berries (frozen or fresh), and pop them in a blender with a handful of porridge oats, a dollop of Greek yogurt, a good glug of milk, some sweetener, mint leaves, and a few ice cubes. You can even make it vegan – just swap out the cows' milk for coconut milk or almond milk.
If there's one dessert that can be consistently relied upon to round off a dinner party in style, it's a good old-fashioned apple crumble – and Tom's individually portioned versions are guaranteed to garner rave reviews from your guests. From their fruity filling to their crunchy topping, there's childhood nostalgia in every sweet spoonful – especially when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous drizzle of custard. Trust us, you'll want to save room for these.
Delightfully gooey, sweet, and sumptuous, consider this decadent dessert a fancier version of traditional sticky toffee pudding, made with soft, chewy dates. The crowning glory is the caramel sauce; a blend of coconut milk and muscovado sugar, it sinks into the sponge in the sultriest, most inviting of ways. Everyone will want seconds, so make sure there's plenty to go around.
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Get the recipe for sticky date pudding with coconut caramel here
Hungry for more? Discover James Martin's best-ever recipes here