Spiced vegetable soup with lentils and roasted chilli 3 red chillies (see tip below)3 tbsp oil (cold-pressed rapeseed oil or light olive oil)2 onions, finely sliced2 bay leaves2 tsp cumin seeds1 tbsp garam masala3 carrots, chopped into bite-size pieces2 celery sticks, chopped into small bite-size pieces2 garlic cloves, finely chopped300g dried green or brown lentils, washed, soaked in water for 30 minutes, then drained1.5 litres hot vegetable stock100g broccoli florets or baby broccoli2 handfuls spinach leavesJuice ½ lemon4 tbsp Greek yogurt to serve 01.Start by roasting 2 of the chillies. If you have a gas hob, put a wire rack over the flames and roast the chillies on top until blistered and black. If not, char them under a very hot grill. Keep turning the chillies so they colour evenly.
Bao buns with braised shortrib and pickled daikon For the old dough 300g plain flour, plus extra to dust4g fast-action dried yeast140ml lukewarm milk or water For the new dough 500g plain flour60g caster sugar½ tsp salt10g fast-action dried yeast½ tsp baking powder20ml sunflower oil, plus extra to grease and for brushing290ml lukewarm milk or water For the braised shortrib filling Sunflower oil for frying1.5kg British beef shortribs, ribs separated6 garlic cloves1 large onion, quartered5 tbsp soy sauce1½ tbsp Chinese rice wine vinegar240ml shaoxing wineFew pinches caster sugar (to taste) For the quick-pickled vegetables 1 small daikon, peeled2 medium carrots, peeled100ml Chinese rice wine vinegar50g caster sugar1 tsp salt To serve Mayo and chopped coriander leaves You will also need... Bamboo or metal steamer
Spiced lamb and herby quinoa crumble 500g lean British lamb mince1 tbsp light olive oil1 red onion, chopped2 tbsp plain flour2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp ground coriander½ tsp ground cinnamon1-2 green chillies, chopped 5cm piece fresh ginger, grated2 fat garlic cloves, crushed500ml fresh chicken or lamb stock200ml tomato passataSeeds ½ pomegranate For the herby quinoa crumble 190g uncooked quinoa, rinsed 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 150g feta, crumbledZest 1 lemonHandful fresh mint, leaves slicedHandful fresh parsley, leaves chopped You’ll also need… 1 litre ovenproof dish
Shanghai stir-fried chunky noodles Shepherd’s pie Kedgeree and pea purée on toast 2 free-range eggs670g undyed smoked haddock fillets30g butter, plus extra for spreading1 medium onion, finely chopped1 level tbsp mild curry powder100g frozen peas, thawed4 slices bread 1. It’s best to cook the eggs first so that nothing is distracting you. For creamy soft-boiled yolks, add them to water at a rolling boil and cook for 7 minutes, then plunge them into cold water and peel as soon as they are cool enough. Set aside. 2. Meanwhile, pop the haddock fillets into a saucepan and just cover with water.
Poached eggs, tahini and pan-fried avocado 2 tbsp white wine vinegar4 fresh medium free-range eggs (see Know-how)2 tbsp olive or coconut oil2 just ripe avocados, cut into 1cm thick slices4 thick slices fresh bread (such as sourdough or rye bread; see Jo’s introduction)3 tbsp tahini, plus extra to serve1 tsp sumac1 tsp toasted sesame seedsExtra-virgin olive oil for drizzlingSqueeze lemon juice (optional) 01.Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then add the vinegar. Crack in the eggs one at a time, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the whites set. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.02.While the eggs are poaching, heat the 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan. Recipe from In the Mood for Healthy Food by Jo Pratt (www.nourishbooks.com) Freshness is key to really good poached eggs – the firmer white tightly encloses the yolk as it sets.
Chicken fried rice Spiced vegetable pilaf with cauliflower, ginger and garam masala Amelia Freer's poached chicken, crunchy vegetables and herb dressing The 20 best Mediterranean recipes: part 4 | Life and style Theodore Kyriakou’s garides saganaki For this classic Greek saganaki recipe you need fresh medium-to-large-sized prawns, which are deglazed in ouzo to give a unique taste. When I think of saganaki, I taste salty melted cheese with hints of ouzo and plenty of grilled bread, and then I start daydreaming about eating under the Almyrikia trees, my feet in the sea. The word “saganaki” refers to the cooking pan, a flat little frying pan with squat handles on both sides. Serves 4 as a starterprawns 12 tomatoes 4 good size, ripe and juicy, peeledolive oil 80ml banana shallot 1, peeled and finely choppedgarlic 2 cloves, choppedAleppo pepper a pinch salt and freshly ground pepperouzo 70ml, or dry white winefeta 200g, crumbled basil ¼ bunch oregano a pinch Peel the bodies of the prawns, leaving the heads and tails on for extra flavour. Grate the tomatoes into a bowl, using the large blades of the grater. Preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 7. Season the prawns with salt on both sides. Shred the basil.
Olia Hercules' garlicky Georgian poussins 2 free-range poussins4 garlic cloves, finely grated½ tsp cayenne pepper40g unsalted butter1 tbsp sunflower oil1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh tarragon1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh flatleaf parsley1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh basil1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh dill 01.Spatchcock each poussin by cutting it along the backbone (just to one side) with a knife or kitchen scissors. Open out the birds, then flatten with the palm of your hand. Rub the skin with grated garlic, then season generously all over with salt and the cayenne pepper.02.Heat the butter and oil in a large, heavy-based skillet or frying pan. Cook the poussins, cut-side down, over a medium heat for 3 minutes, then flip them over and cook skin-side down for 5 minutes.03.Lower the heat and put a cartouche (circle of baking paper, cut to fit the pan) over the birds, then a smaller frying pan on top. A recipe from Mamushka by Olia Hercules (£25; Mitchell Beazley).
Cheese and potato pie 1.1kg new potatoes6 spring onions, finely slicedSmall bunch fresh flatleaf parsley, roughly chopped5 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves picked5 fresh oregano or rosemary sprigs, leaves picked and chopped2 tbsp dijon mustard250g vintage cheddar, grated15 semi-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped2 free-range egg yolks, lightly beaten, plus 1 whole free-range egg to glaze For the hot water pastry crust 500g plain flour, plus extra to dust1 tsp salt1 medium free-range egg80g unsalted butter, plus extra to grease80g lard (see tip)