Courgette, Lemon & Feta Breakfast Fritters

CRISPY CHICKEN & COCONUT NOODLES

PREPARATION TIME: 15-30 MINUTES | COOKING TIME: 25 MINUTES | SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE NOODLES 1 tbsp vegetable oil 3 cloves of garlic, minced 4 spring onions, finely sliced 5cm fresh ginger, grated 1 tbsp tomato paste ½ tsp gochugaru or chilli flakes 400ml tinned coconut milk 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 pak choi, halved lengthways 2 packets dried ramen (180g)

FOR THE CRISPY CHICKEN 2 chicken breasts 40g plain flour 1 egg, beaten 50g panko breadcrumbs 2 tbsp vegetable oil

TO SERVE Jammy soft-boiled eggs, halved Spring onions, finely chopped Sesame seeds Chilli flakes Chilli oil METHOD

FOR THE NOODLES Put the oil into a medium saucepan over a medium heat and add the garlic, spring onions and ginger. Fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and starting to soften. Add in the tomato paste and gochugaru or chilli flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce and 250ml of boiling water and stir to combine, then take off the heat and set aside until needed.

FOR THE CRISPY CHICKEN Put the chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment and bash with a rolling pin to flatten until they are an even 1-2cm thickness. Put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs into 3 separate bowls. Season the chicken breasts with salt and then dip them into the flour, then the beaten egg and finally the breadcrumbs until fully coated. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the breadcrumbed chicken for 5-6 minutes on either side until golden brown and cooked through.

FOR THE NOODLES Once the chicken is almost cooked, bring the coconut milk broth you made earlier to the boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. Add the pak choi and ramen, then cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pak choi is soft but still has a bite and the ramen is cooked.

TO SERVE Slice the crispy chicken diagonally into strips. Ladle the ramen noodles, pak choi and broth into bowls, place the chicken on top and finish with your desired toppings such as soft-boiled eggs and spring onions. Sprinkle over some sesame seeds and chilli flakes, then drizzle with chilli oil if you like.

“If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be: 1) The unwelcome visitor always leaves. 2) Try and ride it out. 3) Don’t self-medicate. 4) Talk to anyone who will listen. These days I look after my mental health by staying sober, nurturing my marriage, and eating well. That last one doesn’t cure depression but eating badly does compound it.

DENISE WELCH (@DENISE_WELCH)