Charred runner beans with lemon and yoghurt

A super-simple recipe that sings of summer. Use a griddle pan or barbecue; if you have neither, a dry frying pan will do the trick, too. SERVES 2 as a side 400g runner beans, tops trimmed 2 lemons, halved 1 tsp...

Posted: 29.06.22 0 Comments

Olive oil-braised runner and butter beans with tomato, feta and flatbreads

I serve these for lunch or dinner with feta, flatbreads and salad. They also make a good starter for a more substantial meal with good bread for mopping up the juices. Serves 4 400g runner beans 150ml good...

Posted: 0 Comments

Keralan runner bean curry

This a quite a dry curry based very loosely on a thoran, but mine has a bit more sauce than a traditional thoran to suit British tastes. If you have the time and the inclination, you could use a fresh coconut and grate...

Posted: 0 Comments

Tomatoes on toast with chilli and fennel seeds 

It virtually goes without saying that the better the tomatoes, the better the toasts. I love Ligurian bull’s heart tomatoes and, of course, our rainbow ones from the Isle of Wight. If your tomatoes are less tasty,...

Posted: 15.06.22 0 Comments

Five Ways with Fresh Herbs

Herbs hold a special magic for me in the kitchen. As a young chef I remember listening to a talk by the amazing Jekka McVicar, the queen of herbs, a guardian of rare herb varieties and an expert on all thing herbal; she...

Posted: 30.05.22 2 Comments

How to eat more knockout delicious veg (and less meat)

I’m not usually a fan of a ‘national day or week’. National mulled wine day on March 4th anyone? And I’m always torn between celebrating national carrot cake day (3rd Feb) and international carrot cake day (4th...

Posted: 12.05.22 8 Comments

Four colours of portable picnic dips

Each of these easy dips use tinned pulses as a base. They all follow the same formula: once you get the hang of the ratios, you can experiment and try different flavour combinations. They each follow the same basic...

Posted: 11.05.22 4 Comments

Spiced and herbed puy lentil salad 

A salad that travels well and is more than a sum of its parts. Rice, quinoa or normal couscous can be used in place of the giant couscous if you like. Prep 20 min Cook 40 min Serves 4 100g raisins or currants 4...

Posted: 1 Comments

Toasted cashew and coconut greens noodle salad

Serves 4 200g rice noodles (I use brown rice) A few large handfuls mixed greens (Swiss chard, kale, spinach) 150g sugar snaps For the dressing 2 tbsp tamari or soy 2 tbsp sesame oil 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp brown...

Posted: 2 Comments

Brown butter roast potatoes

These have quickly become my desert island potato. And, coming from a potato enthusiast of Irish heritage, that says a lot. Serves 4-6, as a side 1kg new potatoes, scrubbed clean 4 bay leaves, or a few sprigs...

Posted: 04.05.22 0 Comments