The colourful world of fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses and funghi provides a wealth of possibilities for delicious dishes. While some dishes listed here are vegetarian containing animal products, they’re easily adapted to a vegan diet by omitting or replacing eggs or dairy with a vegan-friendly alternative. Likewise dishes containing anchovies or non-vegan seasoning can be adapted.
Vegetable Stock A good vegetable stock can be the base of great soups, risotto, casseroles and many other dishes. Roasting the vegetables before boiling them adds further flavour and depth. Stock freezes really well too, so you can always have some on hand. Once you see how simple it is, you’ll never buy stock again. […]
Furikake Edamame Edamame, soybeans in the pod, are a popular bar snack all over Japan – a bit like beer nuts or pretzels. You can buy them frozen from Asian grocers to have on hand when friends drop by for a drink. Simply blanch them (or better still pop them in the microwave for a […]
Chestnut Rice Like this recipe? You’ll love my online Japanese cooking class! Chestnuts are a favourite autumn food in Japan in both savoury and sweet dishes. At their simplest, yakiguri (roasted chestnuts) are sold to passers-by from mobile street stands just as they are in Europe. For something slightly more filling they’re combined with rice […]
Tempura Tempura is an example of how the Japanese take inspiration from other cultures and make it their own. Battered fried seafood and vegetables was introduced to Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the 1700s – the Japanese lightened the batter, added a delicate dipping sauce and created what is now considered one of their most […]
Lebanese Pink Pickled Turnips Like this recipe? You’ll love my online Lebanese cooking class! Pickled vegetables are always on a Lebanese table. Olives, chillies and turnips are most common, and small stuffed eggplants (makdous), cucumbers and cauliflower are also popular. The most distinctive are the pink pickled turnips, traditionally stained bright pink with beetroot. These […]
Orange, Almond & Date Salad Once you discover how easy it is to segment an orange (see video below), you’ll be making this simple dessert regularly. Use vivid Persian pistachio slivers instead of almonds if you like (no need to toast them) or add some pitted olives, chopped parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper for […]
Shallot Pancakes Shallot pancakes are northern Chinese snacks that are irresistibly moreish and a great way to use up the green onion tops that so often end up in the bin. The method is a simple process of rolling the dough several times to create layers that puff up slightly when cooked. The most important […]
Pomegranate Sorbet Like this recipe? You’ll love my online Italian cooking class featuring the food of Sardinia! I love this Italian pomegranate sorbet – and the Italian name for pomegranates, melograno meaning ‘many seeds’. It’s so appropriate for this jewel-like fruit. This simple pomegranate sorbetto, with its balanced sweet/sour flavour from the pomegranate juice, lemon […]
Crispy Smashed Potatoes These crispy smashed potatoes combine the crunchiness of roast potatoes with the creaminess of mash – what’s not to love?! The most important thing in this simple dish is the best ingredients. I use Burbank potatoes from The Gourmet Potato because the high moisture content guarantees a creamy centre while allowing ALTO […]
Jamaican Coconut Drops Get More Caribbean Inspiration Here! Also called simply ‘drops’, Jamaican Coconut Drops are a favourite sweet treat of Jamaicans everywhere. I love the punch the ginger adds to cut through the sweetness of these chewy toffees. Don’t be tempted to take the mixture off the stove too soon or it won’t set; […]
