Threshold Mortgage Advice

One of the best things about having your own space is being able to entertain and have friends over but before Cards Against Humanity makes an appearance, your guests might need a full stomach.

And what better way to settle in your new build property than to fill it with friends and good food!

Dahl Curry

Full of goodness and oozing with exotic smells, a vegan Dahl is the perfect curry to serve if your guests aren’t fans of heat. The ingredients are sold commonly in supermarkets so if you don’t have them, this is the perfect excuse to fill up your cupboards with some staple spices.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 4 inch piece of ginger
• 1 tablespoon of garam masala
• 1 tablespoon of turmeric
• 1 tablespoon of cumin
• 1 white onion, diced
• The red chilli, finely chopped and de-seeded
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into small chunks
• 600ml of vegetable stock
• 250g of split lentils
• 1 can of chickpeas
• 80g spinach

Here’s the technique:

1. Heat your oil in a large pan on a medium heat.
2. Add the onion and once it turns slightly brown, add the garlic, ginger and chilli. Cook for one minute.
3. Next, add the turmeric, cumin, garam masala and sweet potato chunks and then stir together so that your chunks are covered in the seasoning.
4. Pour 250g of red split lentils and 600ml of vegetable stock into the pan and stir the mixture until it comes to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and cover with a saucepan lid. This allows really locks in the flavour and allows the Dahl to be cooked within 20 mins.
6. Add the spinach and salt and pepper to taste.

Top tip: If your new build property includes a dining area, serve this dish in the centre of your table alongside yoghurt and coriander to really show off your the array of colours that make this meal so enticing.

Welcoming wellington

The sweet chestnut and cinnamon in this recipe is sure to fill the air with an inviting aroma, making this a favourite with visitors and dinner party guests alike.

This is another great centrepiece dish for any table and works well served with a rich red wine gravy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 100g vac-packed chestnuts (these are available in supermarkets)
• 2 slices of toasted whole grain bread
• 3 cloves of chopped garlic
• 1 leek, chopped
• 1 lemon
• A pinch of salt and pepper
• 20g butter
• 250g of sliced mushrooms
• 200g spinach
• 1 small butternut squash, cut into chunks
• olive oil
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 1 sprig of rosemary, leaves picked and chopped
• 500g of ready to roll puff pastry
• 1 egg
• 1 splash of milk

Here’s the technique:

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6.
2. Add the chunks of butternut squash to a baking tray with a drizzle of olive oil, cinnamon, coriander and rosemary leaves. Give it a good shake to ensure each chunk is coated generously and pop in the oven for 45 minutes.
3. Pop your bread in the toaster and heat a saucepan over a medium heat with a good glug of olive oil. Add the chopped leek with salt and pepper to taste and cook until the leek appears soft.
4. Chuck your chestnuts into the mix, along with your garlic, mushrooms and toast. Cook for a few minutes so the flavours blend well.
5. Squeeze the juice from a lemon into the pan and add your spinach.
6. Roll out your pastry onto a baking tray and add your chestnut mix into the centre.
7. Take the squash chunks out of the oven and place on top of your chestnut mix. Gently pull the pastry to cover the filling.
8. Beat an egg with a splash of milk. Fold over the ends of the wellington and then brush the pastry.
9. Pop your wellington into the oven for 45 minutes and serve in golden brown slices.

Macaroni and cheese

Say thank you to friends or family who have helped you move by cooking a comforting classic with a subtle yet morish mustard zing.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 250g of macaroni pasta
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of plain flour
• 250g of grated cheese or a cheese alternative
• 500ml of milk
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 1 clove of finely chopped garlic

Here’s the technique:

1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
2. Boil your pasta for 8 minutes and drain.
3. Melt 2 3bsp of butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour.
4. Add the garlic and english mustard and slowly whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce.
5. Simmer for 5 mins and then add in your grated cheese.
6. Add the sauce to the pasta and pour into an ovenproof dish. Pop in the oven for 20 minutes and serve with ciabatta or garlic bread.

Enjoy hosting in your new build!

Head over to our blog page for more tips and advice on how to make the most out of your new build including, “What to expect in your first year after buying a new build home.”

Still on the lookout for a new build property?

Our experts provide mortgage and financial advice to hundreds of buyers who are looking for new build properties and with their guidance, you could be moved in to your own space ready to host in no time.

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