Ainsley Harriott is back with more food to love

The singing, dancing, always smiling host is sharing more of his favorite dishes.

Ainsley with Caribbean chickpea roti Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

--- See the new series of Ainsley's Food We Love Saturdays 7.30pm from 25 December to 29 January. Episodes will be available at SBS On Demand for 30 days after they air. ---

 

"Our favourite tucker feeds our bodies and souls," says Ainsley Harriott in the second series of Ainsley's Food We Love, and if you're feeling like you could use a little bit of cheerful kitchen banter and comfort food after the year we've all had, there's no-one better than the tall man with the huge smile.

Food We Love is full of the smiles, singing and infectious enthusiasm we expect from Harriott. 

Oh and that top-notch tucker for nourishing body and soul? We're talking Jamaican gingerbread made with his grandmother's recipe, barbecue and picnic fare including Cypriot lamb chops and strawberry Hobnob cheesecake jars, and a fruit traybake with passionfruit yoghurt. Plus there's a brace of food-loving friends sharing the food they love, including actor John Barrowman, British Bake Off winner Candice Brown and comedian Alan Davies. 

Here's what you can look forward to.

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Episode 1 – Granny Knows Best

Ainsley proves that Granny knows best. Drawing from his memories he starts by recreating a comforting gold top Irish stew made by his friend’s Granny. He’s joined by pal Brian Turner, who makes him classic sage and chicken cobbler from a family recipe. EastEnders and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here star Jessica Plummer drops by while Ainsley knocks up the Lancastrian favourite, buttery Eccles cakes. Wine expert Olly Smith is in each episode; for this one, he's has taken inspiration from his Granny’s drinks cabinet for this week’s tipples. And Ainsley rounds off the show with his Jamaican gingerbread with lemon sparkle icing.

Ainsley Harriot serves up eccles cakes for Jessic Plummer. Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

Episode 2 – The Life of Pie

Ainsley and guests are living the life of pie…his first dish, tarragon crusted chicken, leek, and mushroom pie, is perfect for all the family. Julie Jones, AKA the ‘Queen of Pastry’ shows off some crowd-pleasing decorations on her delicious rhubarb pie and has plenty of tips to jazz up your own pie tops. Alexandra Burke keeps Ainsley company whilst he makes her a traditional fisherman's pie (including some 'chopping, not looking!!', see below). Olly Smith looks into beers, with some great accompaniments for any kind of pie. Then finally, Ainsley put his twist on a classic with his lemon and coconut meringue pie.

Episode 3 – Sweets and Treats

Ainsley indulges with all kinds of sweets and indulgent treats, starting with his cheesy, gooey souffle welsh rarebit muffins. Bake Off star Briony Williams wows with her towering treat, miso caramel and pear chocolate layer cake. Superstar, actor, singer, and legend John Barrowman entertains (we get John singing and Ainsley dancing!) whilst Ainsley shows him how to make the French classic, palmiers, two ways – savoury and sweet.  Ainsley’s final dish is a Harriott house favourite, his mango and passion fruit traybake with lime and passion fruit yoghurt.

Episode 4 - Al Fresco Dining

Join Ainsley in his kitchen whilst he explores some dishes perfect for dining al fresco. First up is Cypriot lamb chops, cherry tomato skewers, and potato salad, ideal for your next BBQ.

Ainsley with Cypriot lamb chops and cherry tomato skewers Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

Supper Club host, Joseph Denison Carey, serves up some tantalising tagliatelle sure to whisk you away to Italy. Ainsley shows Radio DJ and foodie Dev Griffin how to make sesame and ginger seabass with an Asian noodle salad. Olly Smith has drinks perfect for the great outdoors. And for his last dish, Ainsley has the perfect picnic dessert, strawberry Hobnob cheesecake jars, portable and delicious!

Strawberry Hobnob cheesecake jars Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

Episode 5 – Beside the Sea

Ainsley takes inspiration from days beside the seaside, starting with his Caribbean squash and chickpea roti with hot sauce yoghurt. Bake Off winner, Candice Brown, brings all the fun of the fair with her toffee apple doughnuts. Ainsley cooks up his take on a beachside classic for his mate and comedian Alan Davies with his crispy fish cakes, garden pea crush and sweet potato wedges. And no trip to the beach would be complete without some ice cream. Luckily Ainsley has just the ticket with his homemade honeycomb ice cream sundae with butterscotch sauce.

Homemade honeycomb ice-cream sundaes Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

Episode 6 - Festive Food

This very special festive episode of Ainsley’s Food We Love is packed full of Christmas treats. Ainsley starts with his festive bubble patties, just perfect for a Boxing Day brunch. Singer and actress, Martine McCutcheon joins Ainsley as he cooks a flavourful Thai-style turkey broth that is sure to keep you warm. Old pal Brian Turner drops in and treats Ainsley to his impressive dish of roasted poussin. Panto star Christopher Biggins stops by for some of Ainsley’s indulgent chocolate panettone bread and butter pudding.

Tucking into panettone bread and butter pudding with Christopher Biggins. Source: Ainsley's Food We Love

And if you need a little more food for the soul...

It wouldn't be an Ainsley Harriott series without dancing! It happens every time...