Barley, beetroot and beef pie
This barley, beetroot and beef pie—easily turned vegan or vegetarian—comes from the most easterly region of Germany near the Czech border. Steeped in the delicious flavours of celery, mushrooms, spinach, curly leaf parsley and caraway seeds, it's notable for having both a summer style and a winter one. Either is delicious. Furthermore, it freezes very well if you make a number of pies with these quantities.
Durban vegan eggplant curry
This Durban vegan eggplant curry —usually simply called brinjal curry after the lead vegetable's name in various Indian languages —uses baked or grilled eggplant (aubergine) to bring a deep, slightly smoky flavour to a curry brimming with the flavours of onions, pepper, chillies, tomatoes, coconut, and sweet potato in a rich mix of spices. It can be cooked fiery hot in accordance with the cliché about Durban curries or as a milder affair.
Linguine with crab, peas and lemon
This linguine with crab, peas and lemon, and more besides, is the perfect dish for hot weather. With its notes of fresh herbs and healthy ingredients, it's fully satisfying yet easily digested. And, it is also both quick and easy to make when temperatures mean the last thing you want is to spend time slaving over a hot stove.
Stir fried monkfish with Sichuan pepper
This stir fried monkfish with Sichuan pepper is not one of the traditional Chinese recipes my father picked up on his travels in Asia and later taught me, but something I created after being reminded of the joys of monkfish in Scotland. But, it owes everything to him. Here the buttery monkfish works perfectly with spiky ginger, elegant star anise and tingly Sichuan pepper. Accompanied by egg fried rice and a side dish of bok choy and sweetcorn.
Thai Sunday roast
Another in my series of a fusion approach to the British tradition of the Sunday roast, this Thai Sunday roast—with chicken—is a fusion Sunday meal influenced throughout by Thai cooking, an easy way to make a Sunday fixture a little different. A spiced Thai rice stuffing, sweetcorn fritters, peanut and ginger roast potatoes and Thai style vegetables.
