Spinach gnocchi with cherry tomato ragù
Gnocchi has a tainted reputation due to the prepackaged varieties available in the supermarket. They are bland and very stodgy. Freshly made gnocchi should be light and fluffy like little pillows. If you’re not a fan of gnocchi and have never tried freshly made, give...
Moroccan stuffed flatbread
These flatbreads are simple to make and absolutely delicious. Don’t be worried if the filling pokes through the dough, it will be fine in the end. The filling possibilities are endless – a variety of fresh herbs, spices and tastes can be added to create your own...
Samosas with fresh mint and coriander chutney
Everyone loves a good samosa. This samosa recipe makes a bundle of the little parcels, but don’t worry if they’re not gobbled up because they freeze well too. The secret to this recipe is the amchoor powder, which is a fruity spice powder made from dried green mangos....
Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is very satisfying and soulful. This recipe is based on the traditional way to make it, however I’m leaving the option to add courgette, sweetcorn and beans to make the soup into a more substantial meal. The combination of beans, sweetcorn and squash...
Roasted squash and mango soft tacos
In Mexico, the cheeses are very subtle and creamy, unlike the punchy cheddars we have in the UK. Feta may seem a weird choice, but it works well – opt for a creamy feta instead of a salty or long cured one. Wensleydale is also a good substitute for Mexican cheese. ...
Insalata Caprese
Simple, classic and timeless. There is a reason why this salad has stood the test of time. Best made in the late summer with homegrown tomatoes and basil or purchased from a local farmer’s market. Try heirloom or heritage varieties of tomatoes that offer flavour,...
Hummus
Hummus made with dried chickpeas that are soaked and then cooked is a bit more time consuming, but so worth the effort. To do this, simply use 100g dried chickpeas per 400g tin, so this recipe would need 200g. Put the chickpeas in a bowl and cover with twice the...
Fattoush
Fattoush is a great way to use up old pittas and create an unforgettable summer salad. Sumac is a reddish-purplish powder made from dried and crushed fruits produced by one of the varieties of the sumac plant. It’s used in salads, to sprinkle on hummus and other mezze...
Pad Thai
Over the years, I have tried various Pad Thai recipes and have been gravely disappointed. This recipe is a variation of one I learned in Chang Mai, Thailand. It’s truly authentic and delivers all that a vegetarian Pad Thai should. A couple times a year I run a Pad...
Wild Garlic Pesto
England, in the spring, is full of wild garlic, perfect for making wild garlic pesto. I’m forever encouraging people to get out and take advantage of it. Wild garlic leaves are easy to recognize and if all else fails, just smell the leaves for that pungent...
Spanakopita
For me, as a young university student and very new to being vegetarian, spanakopita was love at first bite. It has been a long relationship and lasted throughout the years, altered for when I was vegan for 8 years and enhanced when I started growing my own herbs. I’m...
Authentic Baklava
Flakey filo, meaty nuts and sticky syrup, what more could you ask for? The more you make this dish, the better you get at it. I was recipe testing for this book and brought some of the leftovers to a barbeque. At first it was overlooked and I heard someone say...
Massaman Curry
Massaman curry is a lesser know curry from Thailand, but once people experience the flavour explosion, they don’t forget. It is believed that the name Massaman was originated from the word ‘Mussulman’ which is another word for Muslim. The curry is rich and full...
Shiitake Mushroom Gyoza
Chinese New Year is almost upon us! This year is the year of the rooster. Celebrate by making delicious Shiitake Mushroom Gyoza. This is one of the recipes in my Asian Street Food class, simple to make and very tasty. Shop bought or homemade dumpling wrappers can be...
Beetroot Rosti with Vodka Horseradish Cream
These little Beetroot Rosti with Vodka Horseradish Cream canapes are a delightful little mouthful perfect for the festive season. Easy to make, can be gluten free and store well in the fridge so perfect for making in advance and then assembling as and when a tempting...
Polenta with Mushroom Ragu
As with most things that are not cooked or seasoned properly, polenta has an undeserved bad reputation. Please let this recipe for Polenta with Mushroom Ragu change your mind. Yes, you can purchase pre-cooked polenta, but why would you bother when freshly made polenta...
Pumpkin and Lentil Tagine
Warm up this winter with Pumpkin and Lentil Tagine inspired by travels to Morocco. The word tagine refers to the cooking vessel, not the dish. An earthenware pot consisting of two parts, a conical shaped lid that has a steam hole and a circular base that the cone sits...
Malaysian Tofu and Aubergine Satay
Satay has become very well-known and there are lots of variations of the sauce served with the skewers. This recipe for Malaysian Tofu and Aubergine satay is exploding with flavour. Veget
Malaysian Noodle Curry
Malaysian noodle curry is an easy, delicious curry packed with fresh, fragrant flavours for any day of the week. This recipe is quick, versatile and is packed with loads of flavour. The vegetables can be swapped for what you have on hand or what is in season....
Stollen
STOLLEN Makes one large stollen or can be made into four mini stollen. 150g mixed dried fruit 25g mixed peel 2 tbsp rum or brandy Flying Sponge 100g plain flour 5g dried yeast 90g warm milk 5g salt zest of 1 lemon 1 egg 50g sugar 1 tsp mixed spice 150g plain flour 50g...
Spinach Breakfast Wrap
The morning after I teach an evening cookery class a Spinach Breakfast Wrap is just what I need to start the day. Easy to make, packed with protein, low in carbs and high in flavour, this green wrap can be stuffed with a variety of fillings. Also a great way to pack...
Mexican Lasagne
Mexican Lasagne has been in my little black recipe book for over 15 years. This recipe uses cupboard and freezer staples to create a delicious, wholesome recipe that is full of flavour. It can be adapted with the seasons but incorporating things like winter squash,...
Tom Kha Soup
Tom Kha Soup is comfort in a bowl. Creamy coconut milk, seductive chillies and fragrant lemon grass and lime leaves set this soup apart from any you have ever had. The vegetables can be swapped with the season, the coconut can be swapped to low fat if that is a better...
Vegan Lemon Tart
This recipe for Vegan Lemon Tart has been with me for most of my culinary career. I just realised that I have been keeping it secret and not sharing! I do apologise. The tart is lemony, zingy, creamy, sweet and tart, everything a lemon tart should be. The macaroon...
Galloping Horses Canapé
These little canapes not only look gorgeous, they are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Easy to make and simple to assemble. The satay sauce can also be used as a sauce or dressing for steamed vegetables. Roasted winter squash or cauliflower are lovely seasonal alternatives...
Chestnut and Mushroom Wellington
This Chestnut and Mushroom Wellington recipe is a very special vegetarian main, served for Christmas dinner or Sunday lunch. The stuffing makes enough for 6 mushrooms, but 500g of puff pastry only makes four individually wrapped Wellingtons. We recently made the...
Mulled Wine Sachets
Christmas gift that are homemade and edible are the best by far. Mulled wine sachets are perfect for sharing. Everyone loves a glass of mulled wine or apple juice for festive cheer. These spice bombs can be made well in advance and given as part of a hamper or with a...
Brazil Nut and Black Bean Falafels
Every once in a while you stumble across a recipe that will be used time and time again. Brazil nut and black bean falafels is definitely one of those recipes! Traditional falafels are fabulous and grace our dinner plates quite often, but these little beauties are a...
Curried Split Peas with Courgette
Curried Split Peas with Courgette is inspired by trips to the Caribbean where I first had split peas cooked in this manner. The split peas are not mushy like in soup or dhal, but indvidual, cooked, but still with texture. The last 15 minutes of the cooking time the...
Athena Salad
Athena Salad is a powerhouse of flavour, texture and sophistication, it’s my revamp of the classic Caesar salad, but as I believe you should not mess with classics, I have renamed it the Athena Salad, after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, courage and inspiration....
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Summer is all about not having to spend much time in the kitchen and not having to turn on the oven. Spicy Peanut Noodles accomplishes both of those and is very moorish! The rice noodles only need soaking in hot water, the veggies just need chopping. This is great as...
Roasted Summer Vegetables and Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is a powerhouse food that contains a high amount of protein in every serving. Roasted Summer Vegetables and Quinoa Salad is great a main meal or a side and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Instead of roasting the vegetables, try using the bbq if you...
Onion, Olive and Egg Tagine with Zahtar
Moroccan food is bold, colourful and tasty, so is this dish. Onion, Olive and Egg Tagine with Zahtar aims to please. The combination of onions, olives and Moroccan spice blend, zahtar delivers deep flavour with minimal cooking time. Tonight for dinner I paired this...
Moroccan Carrot Salad
Favourite recipes resemble old friends, dependable, understanding, always there for you and make you feel good. Moroccan Carrot salad is not only a favourite recipe but it was given to me by an old friend. Nina taught me to cut the carrots a very specific way as this...