

Prawns in tomato and artichoke sauce
This prawns in tomato and artichoke sauce is a simple—optionally quick—dish from the South of France near to the Italian border, and the culinary influences of both countries are evident. The flavour of sun-drenched tomatoes and red peppers shine through, both in the main seafood dish and side dish of pan roasted vegetables. A perfect lighter meal for warmer weather.


8 best side dishes for warm weather
8 best side dishes for warm weather.A collection of delicious and less obvious side dishes originally created for specific recipes. But, they all share being able to work with a far wider range of dishes. Some are classics, others a little more leftfield and many are a good way to stop leftovers from going to waste. Issue no.1 of what I hope to be an occasional series and focuses on side dishes that work well in warmer weather. So, ideal for those who live in hot places or a


Butternut and sweet potato tart
This lactovegetarian butternut squash and sweet potato tart was one of the first recipes I ever created, way back in the Dark Ages when I was still a teenager. With its creamy, slightly sweet filling balanced with herby onions, peppers and black olives, it immediately proved a crowdpleaser that I've dished up to successive generations of plant-based dinner guests.


Spanish slow-roasted pork belly
Spanish slow-roasted pork belly is widely known as the tapas bar dish 'torreznos con mojo dulce,' a sweet spicy sauce. But it also has other guises such here, served with a fresh, green salsa verde, skin-on roasted potatoes, Rioja-style beans and grilled padrón peppers. It's a slow dish, but gets on with it in the background while you get on with other things. A great weekend family meal or alternative to a traditional Sunday roast.


Spicy Sicilian spaghetti with scallops
My father chanced upon this spicy Sicilian spaghetti with scallops in Palermo in the 1960s and it's been a family favourite ever since. It's brimming with flavours—scallops, anchovies, peperoncino, capers, shallots, and more—but takes less than 30 minutes to make. Above all, good quality olive oil is the star. It's a healthy, easy option perfect for hot weather.






