Daily 10 December

Ellie Smith & Parm Bhamra
December 10, 2025

Staying In

Make Joe Wicks’ High-Protein Pasta

Joe Wicks is back with another cookbook, and this one is all about unprocessed, protein-rich dishes which don’t require hours in the kitchen. He has shared one with C&TH: a chicken mushroom pasta made with marsala, a fortified wine from Sicily. ‘If you’ve never cooked with it before, don’t worry – it’s great,’ says Joe. ‘It delivers such a rich flavour with the chicken and mushrooms. Be brave, give this one a go and break away from the traditional pasta sauces.’ Plus, don’t miss our interview where the fitness guru reflects on the backlash sparked by his recent documentary on UPFs with Chris van Tulleken.

Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms

Ingredients

2–3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
4 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, or 8 large skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 800g), cut into 1-1.5cm strips
350g chestnut mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2–3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked, plus extra to garnish
180ml dry (secco) marsala or dry sherry (or just use dry white wine)
100g crème fraîche
300g high-protein spaghetti or tagliatelle
4 tsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Handful of curly parsley leaves, chopped, to serve

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat, add half the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan, set aside in a bowl and repeat with the remaining chicken, adding a drizzle more oil. (Cooking it in batches avoids overcrowding the pan.) Season the chicken with salt and pepper and set aside.
Put the same pan back over a medium-high heat and add another drizzle of oil. Tip in the mushrooms and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring regularly, until golden and caramelised. Add the garlic and thyme in the last minute, then immediately pour in the marsala (or sherry) to deglaze the pan: it will simmer and lose its raw alcohol flavour.
Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken pieces to the pan (along with any the juices from the bowl). Simmer for 8–10 minutes – there should be very little moisture in the pan – then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the crème fraîche to warm through. Season with salt and pepper.
While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions (usually in a saucepan of salted boiling water for 8–12 minutes). Drain and toss with a small drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the spaghetti or tagliatelle among four warm bowls. Top with the creamy chicken and mushrooms and sprinkle with the grated Parmesan and the extra thyme leaves and parsley.

Protein in 15 is out now

Going Out

Explore The Paradox Museum

Get a head start on planning ways to keep the kids entertained over the holidays and book a visit to the mind-bending Paradox Museum in Knightsbridge. Packed with over 50 immersive illusions, the popular experience has been given a festive makeover for the Christmas season: think a mirror maze of snow-tipped trees, or a topsy-turvy tube station featuring Rudolph as the train driver. It’s an adventure guaranteed to pluck you straight out of the all too familiar Twixmas slump. Our tip is to grab additional tickets for the zero-gravity room, a hilariously confusing mind trip that is the museum’s most popular attraction for a reason. Once you’re all illusioned out, head over the road to Harrods and drink in the best of the city’s magical festive spirit before January rolls around. Until 4 January, paradoxmuseum.com

Property Of The Day

The oldest recorded home in Pulborough, New Place Manor includes a Grade II-listed stone archway built for Queen Elizabeth I’s 1591 visit, an antique church pulpit, a rare 16th-century dovecot and a 17ft long medieval fireplace – perfect for mass marshmallow roasting.

On the market for £2.5m. Find out more at knightfrank.co.uk

Little Luxury

Candle shop Evermore London has teamed up with artist Charlotte Colbert on this wintry, mystical candle, which blends together notes of eucalyptus, sandalwood and wild florals (£70).

Competition Time

Thanks to a brand new prize draw from Raffle House, this £2.9m Cornwall dream home could be yours for as little as £10. Enter here

Psssst…

Michelin has announced a brand-new award, Michelin Grapes, which will recognise top wineries from all over the world.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Wear a thin stiletto heal this jump racing season. Instead, stylist (and Ascot’s new lookbook curator) Alice Hare recommends a classic block heel: ‘At least then you won’t sink in the mud.’ For more style inspiration at the races, see our handy guide here.