sushi popcorn Popcorn is an excellent fat-free snack, ideal as a substitute for crisps – crunchy and satisfying. It is best to pop the corn in a non-stick pan. The intense heat needed for the popping converts sunfl
Iranian herb and feta salad recipe Here's a starter that's as simple as it gets – bunches of all the first spring herbs, a heap of feta and piles of warm pitta. It's a brilliant way to start a huge feast at Easter. serves 10-12
smoked mackerel, broccoli and almond salad recipe This is an excellent salad for lunch or as a starter for dinner. Serve with griddled sour dough, scraped lightly with garlic and drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil. There are two different
primrose lemon curd cupcakes recipe My friend Sarah Wilkin, who is a cupcake queen, gave me this recipe. It makes fabulous cupcakes, with a gooey middle of sharp lemon curd. In fact, the recipe makes plenty of lemon curd, so if you have
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
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 sugary cake. T
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
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
hot cross buns recipe These buns are best eaten fresh out of the oven with butter; if not, they are better toasted. The mixture of flours (half wholemeal, half strong plain flour) gives good flavour and texture. The singl
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
stilton and celery tart recipe This delicious stilton and celery tart tastes wonderfully fresh with seasonal produce. It's a perfect alternative to a standard cheese quiche, and will impress your friends and family.Serves 6-830g bu
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
