On a recent episode of James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV, renowned chef James Martin gave viewers an intimate peek into his everyday cooking routine. While preparing a tantalizing blackened cod dish marinated in miso, sake, and mirin, paired with barbecue leeks and grilled broccolini, James engaged in a candid conversation with guest Louise Redknapp about what he typically cooks when he’s away from the spotlight.
Louise, promoting her new solo album Confessions, curiously asked James, “Do you cook dinner for yourself every night? Like, if you’re just home alone, do you still cook something?”
James enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely! Yeah, absolutely!” The singer admitted she had cereal for dinner the previous night, to which James cheekily responded, “So hopefully I’m going to cook for you some nice food.”
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Acknowledging that the sophisticated meal on the show isn’t an everyday occurrence, James explained, “I don’t cook like this every night. But if you can just cook a nice bit of fish, just pan fry it…” He then humorously added, “But yeah, it’s my job! You must sing in the kitchen, don’t you, as you go along?”
Louise laughed in agreement, confirming, “I do, actually!” The delightful banter underscored the joy both find in cooking at home.
Reflecting on his more typical home meals, James previously shared on the show that simple dishes like roast chicken with garden vegetables are his go-tos. “An hour and a quarter in the oven with some nice veg—green beans from the garden, tomatoes from the greenhouse,” he described. Even humble sandwiches make the list when time is tight.
James also commented on the difference between cooking at home and professionally. “As a chef, it’s funny; if you’re cooking for people at home, yes, you get into the process. But for everyday meals, most of us go for something simple but delicious—steak frites, or a steak and jacket potato, or simple pasta are my favourites.”
His pasta tip? “Just a couple of tins of tomatoes, with garlic and basil, cooked for 30 minutes with some good olive oil. Cooking it for a good time makes the difference.”
Alongside Louise, James was joined by chefs Francesco Mazzei and Tom Shepherd, and forager Alysia Vasey. The episode showcased a delightful array of dishes, including flatbread with blue cheese and nettle pesto, an asparagus tart with shallots, cheddar, and golden shortcrust pastry, and lamb chops with purple sprouting broccoli and harissa dressing—sure to inspire viewers in the kitchen.
James Martin’s Saturday Morning airs every Saturday at 9:30 am on ITV1 and ITVX, bringing a mix of culinary craftsmanship and engaging chats straight to your weekend.