smoked mackerel and parsnip fish cakes We should be eating as much oily fish as we can, and this is a delicious way to do so. Serve with a home-made tomato sauce.Serves 4 800g parsnips, peeled (unless organic) and roughly chopped2 tbsp co
spring salsa verde recipe A herb dressing that is wonderful with globe artichokes, chicken, fish, beef or lamb.for 8-10 1 large bunch flat-leaf parsley 1 large bunch mixed herbs (chives, fennel, chervil, coriander
ricotta al forno recipe This is rich and yet fresh - wonderful with bread and a crunchy green salad. Sometimes I make it with olives, sometimes pinenuts. Make it with basil pesto or we love it with wild garlic pesto too (the
rhubarb syllabub recipe This is a classic spring pudding – easy and quick to make, as well as being light, frothy and delicious. serves 6–8 Juice and grated zest of 1 orange 100g caster sugar 6 stems of
orange and lemon cake with marmalade cream recipe Based on a Claudia Roden recipe, this is an ideal cake for a picnic, moist but easy to transport and slice. The marmalade cream can be spread over the top or served alongside each slice. The
rhubarb charlotte recipe Rhubarb is one of the easiest plants to grow - it will put up with most shade and continue to be productive despite being almost totally neglected. In fact, it's so extremely persistent that when arch
persian jewelled rice recipe The textures, colour and flavour of this rice make it an almost stand-alone dish. Where in summer and autumn I cook Broad bean pilaf, in the winter and spring I cook this - one of my favourite things
potato gratin with sorrel recipe The flavour of sorrel is excellent with potatoes, which absorb some of it's citrus taste. This is delicious with salmon or chicken.For 4-6 30g unsalted butter, plus more for the dish1kg potatoes150g
provençal squid, new potato, olive and tomato stew There are many versions of squid stew, but this one has a particularly rich flavour. Squid goes brilliantly with tomatoes and together they make excellent heart-healthy food.Serves 4 1 tbsp cold-pres
healthy spicy ginger cake recipe Stem ginger in syrup is crammed with sugar, so if you have time, make your own version for this. Blackstrap molasses is a powerhouse of goodness.for 9 pieces 100g wholemeal flour 2 teaspoons grou
lemon and poppy seed kugelhopf cake recipe This is one of my favourite cakes, with an intense taste of lemon. I love the shape of it too – a Polo mint – which looks wonderful with unevenly dripping icing. serves 8-10 for the cake
lemon and courgette drizzle cake recipe You can make this cake at any time of year, but all citrus fruit is good in the winter and early spring. The courgette adds a brilliant moistness and cuts through the sweetness of this sugar
lemon and anchovy purple sprouting broccoli recipe Purple sprouting broccoli is good just as it is, but this sharp dressing improves it. Served like this, it's great with a strong-flavoured casserole or fish dish. The key thing with any broccoli
quick rhubarb chutney with cardamom recipe You can use this chutney in the usual way – with bread and cheese or alongside cottage pie – but it's also good heated through and served with roast duck, pork or grilled mackerel.Makes 2 × 500g jars
ham in hay with parsley sauce recipe A traditional Luxembourg dish, this is an excellent thing to cook for a party when you're feeding lots of people. The hay keeps the meat really succulent and gives it a distinctive sweet, grassy
French strawberry jam recipe An excellent jam that is not too sweet and not too set, perfect with scones and cream or added to yoghurt or porridge.makes approximately 5 jars 1kg strawberries (if you are not adding wild