Spencer's BIG 30

- Season 1

(2018)

30-minute meals are all about efficiency - start with the most complicated element and finish with the simplest. First, chef Spencer Watts gives us some tips for a rustic Sweet Potato Rosti. Made with a blend of sweet yams, starchy potatoes, and acidic onion, Spencer leaves the Rosti to crisp up in a pan as he starts up his next dish. Spencer cooks up healthy Lemon Thyme Chicken Thighs, perfect for a flavoursome family dinner. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Spencer's secret is olive oil, salt and pepper and his trusty skillet. While the chicken ...

Who knew you could make a budget-friendly beef dinner in 30 minutes? Chef Spencer Watts starts the clock and immediately butterflies a hearty sirloin roast to speed up the cooking process, sprinkles it with aromatic spices, and lets it sizzle in a cast iron pan before roasting it in the oven. Then, Spencer makes a delicious Yorkshire Pudding. This simple dish requires only three ingredients: milk, eggs, and thyme. Pop it in the oven and don't take a peak until it's time to serve. Next, Spencer roasts colourful carrots with shallots, garlic, and fragrant rosemary for a...

Spencer is an expert at 30-minute meals and Lasagna Night is no exception. Don't spend a whole afternoon baking lasagna when you can let it sizzle in a skillet. Spencer mixes together ground beef, tomatoes, passata, cottage cheese, spices, and oven-ready noodles for a deconstructed stovetop lasagna. Topped with melted mozzarella and fragrant fresh basil, this lasagna is a wonderful burst of flavour. Next, a decadent spinach side in a nutmeg-spiced cream sauce that will change your kids' opinion of the leafy green. To contrast the heavy dishes, Spencer then prepares a ...

Fish and chips are always great for a quick, inexpensive family dinner and they're even better when elevated with succulent sides and decadent desserts. Host Spencer Watts makes simple fish and chips with a twist - fish in chips. For an extra-crunchy crust, Spencer uses potato chips to coat the juicy cod and amps up the flavour with fresh dill, parsley, and zesty lime. Then, he offers a unique take on traditional French fries - Crispy Spiced Polenta Fries. These fries are loaded with aromatic spices and pair perfectly with crispy fish. Spencer then whips up a creamy ...

Why order take-out when you can make it fresher, faster, and even healthier at home? Chef Spencer Watts shows us how to make his favourite Chinese take-out dishes. First, Veggie Fried Rice is on the menu. Simmered in veggie stock, this puffed up rice features delicious veg and fluffy eggs - a great way to sneak more nutrients into your kids' diet. To complement the rice, Spencer quickly cooks up some Chinese-style Broccoli doused in a garlicky sauce for extra flavour. Then, Spencer makes a zesty Asian-inspired sauce to caramelize some Sticky Pork Ribs. These easy ribs...

The best way to do a fast, inexpensive dinner for four? Make breakfast for dinner. Chef Spencer Watts starts of by whipping up a fluffy Skillet BLT Frittata. This frittata features crispy bacon, silky eggs, and juicy tomatoes and puffs up in the oven for a delightfully creamy bite. For the L in BLT, Spencer makes a refreshing butter leaf lettuce salad drizzled in a mayo dressing featuring a special kick from the reserved bacon fat. Next, mini tenderized potatoes tossed in fragrant spices and browned in butter are a great alternative to the classic breakfast hash brown...

Pizza night is a great go-to for the whole family to enjoy. Since pizza is quick and easy, host Spencer Watts make two delicious pies: one classic deep-dish and one tasty thin crust. The deep-dish pizza is cooked in a piping hot skillet and topped with savoury tomato sauce, melty mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni. The thin crust pizza is topped with creamy primavera sauce, mozzarella, asparagus, onion, and halved tomatoes and baked in the oven for crispy, golden-brown edges. Spencer then makes a light side to add a little more veg to the meal - soft Kale Caesar Salad. ...

A rich, flavourful Indian feast in under 30 minutes, for around 30 dollars? Some would say it's impossible, but chef Spencer Watts gives it a shot by using fragrant spices from his trusty pantry to make hearty Indian dishes that taste like they've simmered on the stove for hours. First, Spencer makes classic Butter Chicken for a warm, creamy dish loved by anyone. Then, Spencer cooks an aromatic Chickpea Tomato Curry for a healthy, protein-filled main. For a nutritious carb, these curries are poured over traditional Indian Spiced Rice with cinnamon, cumin seed, and ...

Taco night is quick, delicious, and great for entertaining friends and family. First up, chef Spencer Watts caramelizes extra-thin pork tenderloin slices in a skillet loaded with a medley of aromatic Mexican spices and sweet pineapple cubes for flavourful Pineapple Pork Tacos. Next on the menu, a refreshing Roasted Corn Salad. Crunchy iceberg lettuce, roasted corn, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a chili-lime dressing is the perfect cooling side for spicy tacos. Then, taco night wouldn't be complete without Speedy Refried Beans. Rich, savoury, and delectable, these beans ...

Sneak more veg into your kids' diet with meatless Monday in around 30 minutes, for around 30 dollars. If your kids like burgers, they will love host Spencer Watts' hearty Lentil Sloppy Joes. Packed with protein and seasoned with spaghetti sauce, maple syrup, and fragrant ingredients from Spencer's go-to pantry, you wouldn't even know these extra-thick sloppy joes are vegetarian. For a punch of flavour, Spencer quickly pickles some onions to add on top of the sloppy joes. Next up, a little twist on classic coleslaw hits the menu - Brussels Slaw with Ranch Dressing. ...

Everyone gets excited about spaghetti night - especially when it can be done in approximately 30 minutes, for around 30 dollars. First, chef Spencer Watts shows us a healthier version of the classic dish by using spiralized zucchini as noodles. These zoodles are seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices from Spencer's trusty pantry and cooked in a skillet with plenty of olive oil to mimic the texture of noodles. To keep the healthy theme going, Spencer uses lean turkey to craft deliciously juicy Jumbo Turkey Meatballs. Next, spaghetti wouldn't be spaghetti without a ...

Quick and easy comfort food is a no-brainer in the cool winter months. Host Spencer Watts shows us all the tricks for a tasty fried chicken night in around 30 minutes, for around 30 dollars. To start, Spencer bakes up crispy buttermilk and breadcrumb coated chicken in the oven for a healthier version of fried chicken. Then, squash wedges drizzled with a honey-soy sauce dressing are sure to get your kids eating their veg. Keeping the veg theme alive, Spencer prepares a delightful Greek-style Ribbon Salad. Filled with all the fixings for a Greek salad, but with ribboned...

Fast and cheap meals can be as impressive as chef Spencer Watts' delicious fish dinner made in around 30 minutes, for around 30 dollars. To start, Spencer coats a whole trout with butter, fennel, and lemon juice and broils it in the oven for a quick, healthy, fresh Whole Broiled Trout. Next, Spencer makes a versatile French dish - Ratatouille. This dish features eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and tomatoes seasoned with aromatic herbs to add a punch of flavour. Spoon the mouth-watering ratatouille over Spencer's herby, buttery, pearl couscous and you have yourself a ...