London mum shares easy £12 recipes for Xmas period

An east London mum and influencer has shared two easy recipes perfect for the Christmas in-between period - and costing less than £12 per recipe.

Influencer Lily Southall (@lilssouthall) has a combined following of 94,000 across Instagram and TikTok, and has shared two quick, affordable recipes - an easy Gyros cooked in an air fryer in just 30 minutes, and an easy Irish stew prepared effortlessly in a pressure cooker. 

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

The 29-year-old from Romford shared the recipes on Instagram and TikTok as part of AO.com’s Great British Kitchen Index Campaign, which found that the air fryer is the UK’s “most important” kitchen appliance, very closely followed by the classic oven and hob.

Commenting on the campaign, Katy Roberts, Air Fryer Expert at  AO.com said: “Our recent analysis revealed that air fryers are the most popular kitchen appliance in the UK, and these are often more energy efficient to run, using up to 50% less energy than a typical oven on average.”

Lily’s easy air fryer Gyros

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

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.