There are days when the best meals come not from a recipe book but from a quick rummage through the kitchen cupboards — the kind that reveals forgotten treasures, mismatched jars, and endless possibilities. This little lunchtime adventure began with a single chicken thigh and a guilty glance at the ever-growing jar collection (yes, that harissa really did need using). The result? A gloriously sticky, spicy plateful with all the warmth of North Africa and the comfort of home.
The chicken was marinated in a spirited mix of harissa paste, mustard, marmalade, lime pickle and soy — a curious combination that somehow sings in harmony. As it sizzled in the pan, the glaze caramelised into a fiery-sweet crust while the kitchen filled with that unmistakable chilli-and-citrus perfume.
The spiced lentils that followed are humble but hearty, simmered gently with tomato, soy and balsamic for richness. Together, they make the kind of dish that feels both adventurous and familiar — the sort you’d happily serve to friends with a knowing grin and a bottle of something chilled.
Proof, if ever it were needed, that great cooking doesn’t start with a shopping list — it starts with curiosity and a good cupboard.
Lunch was eaten in companionable silence, save for the scrape of fork against plate and a satisfied sigh. A meal born of leftovers but elevated by imagination — and one I’ll gladly make again the next time a single chicken thigh stares back at me.
The Willoughton Wanderer 
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