Portuguese-Style Lemon Chicken And Spiced Fries

Before you start cooking, take your chicken out of the fridge, open the packet and let it air, then preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ gas 7

Cut your potatoes (skins on) into fries

Peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Cut your lemon[s] in half, then cut half the lemon half[ves] into slices

Crush your cardamom pod[s] open by squashing with the side of a knife and discard the outer green pod[s]

Add the cardamon seeds to a pestle & mortar and grind to a fine powder

Add your ground smoked paprika, half your ground paprika (save the rest for later!) and a generous pinch of salt and mix until fully combined – this is your spice mix

Add the fries to a baking tray (or two!) with the spice mix and a drizzle of vegetable oil and mix everything together until the chips are evenly coated in spices – these are your spiced fries

Add your chicken thighs to a separate a baking tray (use tin foil to avoid mess!) with your dried oregano, chopped garlic, a generous pinch of salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil

Give everything a good mix up and top the chicken with the lemon slices – this is your lemon chicken

Put both the fries and lemon chicken in the oven for 20-25 min or until golden and crispy (no pink meat!)

Meanwhile, deseed your pepper[s] (scrape the seeds and pith out with a teaspoon) and dice

Cut your cucumber[s] into quarters lengthways, then slice finely

Finely dice your tomato[es]

Strip your mint from their stems and chop them roughly, discard the stems

Chop your parsley finely, including the stalks and peel and finely dice your shallot[s]

Add the juice of the remaining lemon (not a fan of lemon? Only add a little!) to a medium bowl with the diced shallot, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and stir everything together – this is your dressing

Add the chopped pepper to the dressing with the cucumber, tomato, mint and parsley and give everything a good mix up – this is your herby salad

Combine your mayo with the remaining ground paprika in a bowl – this is your paprika mayo