12 holiday-inspired bakes to brighten your coffee table
From Greek-inspired cakes to Spanish-style slices and Italian snacks, these Mediterranean bakes will whisk you away for ultimate holiday feels
Looking to add a bit of sunshine to your afternoon tea spread? Want to indulge in a spot of Italian baking? End a meal of meze sharing plates with one of theses cakes, bakes or sweet treats and dream of bathing on a Mediterranean island. Mediterranean-style baking recipes Fragrant orange portokalopita This syrup-soaked cake from Edd Kimber is inspired by the sunshine flavours of Crete. Cannoli Create a batch of homemade cannoli for a sweet Italian treat for your next dinner party, served with a shot of espresso. Portuguese custard tarts Make classic Portuguese custard tarts Pastéis de Nata with step-by-step help from the test kitchen. Dusting the pastry with icing sugar gives the tarts a golden, caramelised crust when cooked. Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) One of the pleasures of a Greek holiday comes in those moments after dark (and after dinner) when everyone moves to the tables in a local square to drink coffee and eat plates of tiny cinnamon-scented doughnuts. Whether your preference is for the sugar-dusted variety or those soaked in honey, try making them at home for a crowd-pleasing dessert with a difference. Check out more doughnut recipes here. Effortless madeleine 'baba' Cut corners with this cheat on a rum baba – it’s simple to make, and you can use whichever rum you like. Sicilian ricotta cake This impressive Sicilian ricotta cake will steal the show at dinner, with chunks of chocolate studded through creamy baked ricotta. It's deceptively easy to make, too. Baklava Try our version of baklava, drenched it in a salted honey sauce. This sweet and sticky filo pastry treat comes packed with four types of nut, cardamom and cinnamon. Italian lemon cake Amalfi lemons give a strong, intense lemony aroma in our Italian cake recipe, making a fitting summery cake which is a real crowd pleaser, too. Tres leches cake with rum and toasted coconut Tres leches is translated from Spanish as ‘three milks cake’, where evaporated milk and cream are used alongside condensed milk. Biscotti These twice-baked Italian biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. They are traditionally made with skin-on almonds that give a delicate nutty flavour. Lemon and lime tart The perfect make-ahead French pud and similar to a classic tarte au citron – recreate Edd Kimber's epic lemon and lime tart with a coconut macaroon case and fill with a citrussy curd. Dark chocolate, olive oil and sea salt focaccia Achieve baking heaven with our sweet focaccia. Peppery olive oil and dark chocolate pair really well – throw some sea salt in the mix for a sweet/salty edge. French crullers Make Edd Kimber’s crullers, a classic French dessert, for glazed donuts which are crispy on the outside and light on the inside. Churros with hot chocolate sauce Make these Spanish sweet treats for a comforting dessert or breakfast. The rich, indulgent hot chocolate sauce is also delicious over ice cream.
16 recipes that make olive oil the star of the show
Celebrate fruity, peppery olive oil by putting this Mediterranean staple front and centre in these easy recipes
Looking for more ways to give your storecupboard ingredients a little TLC? Discover our healthy bean recipes, pasta recipes or tinned fish recipes. Discover more sunny Mediterranean-inspired recipes or replicate Janine Ratcliffe's easy entertaining menu featuring delicious mix-and-match sharing plates.
30 wholemeal baking recipes for a fibre boost
Add flavour and nutrition to your bakes with our easy recipes using wholemeal flour, from muffins to banana bread and a healthy chocolate cake
Looking for wholemeal flour recipes? Want to make a healthier version of your favourite bake? Try our favourite wholemeal baking recipes, such as muffins, banana bread, cookies and chocolate cake. For more sweet treats, check out our best healthy baking recipes, healthy dessert recipes and sugar-free baking recipes. Looking for more bread recipes? Check out our best bread recipes, sourdough recipes and stale bread recipes. Why we love using wholemeal flour in baking Wholemeal flour is higher in fibre, which is beneficial for digestive health and can help you to feel fuller for longer. Wholemeal flour has more iron and zinc than white flour, and it contains more vitamins and minerals overall. Wholemeal flour gives baked goods a nutty, robust flavour and a denser texture.
12 dinner recipes packed with healthy fats
Enjoy the benefits of healthy fats in our range of nourishing recipes, from harissa roast salmon to avocado fusilli pasta
Looking to increase your intake of healthy fats? Discover which heart-healthy fats you should be adding to your diet and learn about their health benefits. We also share nourishing recipes which showcase the versatility of healthy fats in a variety of cuisines and dietary needs, supporting heart health, brain function and overall wellbeing. It’s worth including a wide range of fat sources to ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients in your diet. For more healthy dinners, check out our best healthy dinner ideas, healthy fish recipes and our all-time healthiest recipes. Looking for mood-boosting recipes? Check out the best foods to improve your mood and these mood-boosting recipes. What are healthy fats? Healthy fats are types of dietary fat that have a beneficial impact on the body, supporting heart health, brain function and cell growth. The main healthy fats are monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats are found in foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, and oily fish. Unlike saturated and trans fats, which are common in processed foods and can contribute to cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammation, healthy fats help to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellbeing. Top healthy fat foods and their benefits Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, herring): rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. Extra-virgin olive oil: rich in monounsaturated fats, with anti-inflammatory properties and positive effects on cholesterol. Avocados: high in monounsaturated fats, fibre and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios): provide a mix of healthy fats, protein and micronutrients. Seeds (flaxseed, chia, pumpkin, sunflower): high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and fibre. Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew): good sources of healthy fats and plant-based protein. Full-fat yogurt: contains both healthy fats and protein, helping to keep you fuller for longer. Eggs: offer a balance of protein, healthy fats and an array of vitamins and minerals. 12 dinner recipes with healthy fats Harissa roast salmon with warm herby grains and yogurt dressing Salmon is a top source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain function. This dish combines harissa and honey roasted salmon with wholegrains and a yogurt dressing for a meal rich in healthy fats and protein. The addition of grains and yogurt makes it filling and gut-friendly. Avocado fusilli pasta Avocado is blended into a creamy pasta sauce in this vegetarian recipe, providing plenty of monounsaturated fats as well as fibre, which aids digestion. When ready to serve, spoon over the nut dressing, crumble over the feta and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over. Miso mackerel with chilli brown rice Mackerel is another fish loaded with essential fatty acids. This dinner, served with brown rice, is high in healthy fats and protein. The miso marinade adds gut-friendly probiotics too. Mediterranean baked hake This Mediterranean-inspired meal uses olive oil and olives, both rich in monounsaturated fats. Hake provides lean protein, while the vegetables add antioxidants. It’s a healthy, gluten-free option. Warm lentil, avocado and feta salad Lentils offer plant protein and fibre, while avocado and seeds boost the healthy fat content. Feta adds calcium, making this a nourishing, vegetarian and gluten-free meal. Sea trout, new potato and asparagus traybake with dill mustard sauce Make brilliant use of sea trout in this vibrant traybake, packed with baby new potatoes and asparagus, with a creamy dill mustard sauce. Roast vegetable salad with kale pesto Try this colourful salad of sweet potatoes, peppers and lentils, topped with a kale and nut pesto made using extra-virgin olive oil. This dish is high in fibre and protein, and is suitable for vegetarians and those on a gluten-free diet. Spanish mackerel Mackerel brings omega-3 fatty acids, while chickpeas add plant protein and fibre. Naturally gluten free and high in protein, this simple dish makes brilliant use of storecupboard staples like chickpeas and tinned tomatoes. Cavolo nero, pink grapefruit, avocado and walnut salad This vibrant salad features walnuts and avocado for healthy fats, while cavolo nero and grapefruit add vitamins and antioxidants. It’s vegetarian, gluten free and low in calories too. Sumac salmon with spring fattoush Looking for new ways to cook with salmon fillets? This nourishing salmon dish packs in 10 different plant foods thanks to a vibrant, no-cook fattoush made with beetroot, cucumber, feta and plenty of fresh herbs. Spelt and apple salad with crispy nuts and seeds Spelt is a wholegrain rich in fibre, and here it's paired with apples, watercress and a crunchy topping of nuts and seeds for extra healthy fats. The olive oil dressing ties it all together, making it a filling yet low-calorie vegetarian meal. Salmon and avocado rice bowls These rice bowls, featuring heart-healthy avocado and salmon, can help you make use of whatever you already have in the fridge. Radishes, peas, blanched broccoli, carrot ribbons or peppers make great alternative toppings. This protein-rich dish is a great option for lunchboxes too.
Bring the sun to your table with these meze sharing plates
Channel summery holiday vibes with these delicious mix-and-match sharing plates, inspired by Mediterranean flavours
Sun-drenched ingredients, sizzling grills and dishes made for passing around, this is casual entertaining at its best. Inspired by simple Mediterranean flavours, these vibrant sharing plates are all about celebrating fresh, seasonal produce, from chargrilled steak with herby mojo to garlicky prawns and smoky souvlaki spreads. Bring all these dishes to the table and let everyone help themselves. Then, put out extra bowls of olives, soft flatbreads and dips to make a real feast. Discover more recipes for entertaining this season, including these spring show-off dishes for the long weekend or, for your plant-based friends, replicate Georgie Mullen’s elegant vegetarian spring menu. Meze-style sharing plates Chargrilled steak tagliata with green mojo sauce Buying a thicker piece of steak means you can control the cooking more easily, and slicing it thinly will make it go much further. Roasted prawns with pil pil butter This sizzling dish of prawns in a smoky, spicy butter is so simple but really packs a punch. Use a heatproof dish then you can bring it straight to the table. Make sure you have plenty of napkins and some dishes of lemony water for rinsing hands. Smoky souvlaki platter with tzatziki potato salad Souvlaki evokes holiday memories of sizzling chicken cooked over charcoal. Make the potato salad ahead and chill until you need it. If you're not barbecuing, the addition of smoked sea salt gives these skewers a little taste of the flames. 'Nduja meatballs in tomato sauce A spreadable spicy Italian salume, ’nduja can be used to bump up the flavours in sauces or melted into butter and oil to dress fish and seafood. Here, we’ve used it to give juicy meatballs a spicy boost. Serve with lots of warm crusty bread as part of a sharing feast. Crisp feta parcels with sesame and hot honey drizzle Crisp filo parcels drizzled with golden honey and sesame gives a lovely salty-sweet contrast. Feta is lovely when cooked, breaking down into creamy softness. Here it’s wrapped in filo and fried to give a gorgeously crunchy contrast.
Channel holiday vibes with our pick of the best cocktails, from Italian spritzes to Spanish sangria
Check out our round-up of the best travel-inspired drinks, including lots of Mediterranean creations, from punchy three-ingredient negronis to fruity sangria and bittersweet spritzes. Need more summer drinks inspiration? Explore our feel-good summer drinks recipes, summer drinks ideas to cool you down and 40 summer cocktails. Garibaldi spritz – Italy This recipe combines two iconic Italian drinks: the spritz and the garibaldi. Zesty and refreshing, Campari, fresh orange juice and prosecco come together for a surprisingly crushable brunch cocktail. Next-level tinto de verano Tinto de verano, a simple mixture of red wine and lemonade, is a fizzy, refreshing cocktail that’s popular in southern Spain during warm weather. Sweet vermouth adds a herbal, bittersweet edge in this recipe. No need to spend a lot on the wine – something young and fruity works best. Limoncello lemon drop – Italy Limoncello is the perfect addition to this sweet retro cocktail. Don’t skip the sugared rim – it provides necessary sweetness that rounds out the tart, boozy elements of the drink. Rum punch – Jamaica A big jug of fruity rum punch screams summer holiday and this tropical recipe using coconut, lime and pineapple is perfect for barbecues and garden parties. Whip up a batch and explore our guide to Jamaican cuisine. Venetian spritz – Venice Venice might be the birthplace of the spritz but rather than Aperol many Venetians favour the more bitter Select Aperitivo as their base – garnished with a green olive. Enjoy this grown-up aperitif while reading about Venetian food. Mojito – Cuba This Cuban creation has to be one of the most refreshing rum cocktails out there – a zesty mix of rum, lime and mint lengthened with soda water. We've also got a clever – and equally delicious – virgin mojito. Drink while listening to our podcast on 10 things you need to know about Cuban food and cooking. Spicy margarita – Mexico A classic marg – zesty and zingy – is a thing of beauty but adding chilli salt and a dash of hot sauce gives a delicious spicy kick to this Mexican cocktail that works really well with the tequila. Our top tip? Add extra smoky depth by swapping the tequila for mezcal. The Mexican state of Oaxaca is one of the country's biggest mezcal producers and is full of other foodie highlights that make it a must visit. Explore our guide to Oaxaca cuisine here. Sangria – Spain This classic Spanish tipple is a simple yet delicious combination of red wine, brandy, lemonade and plenty of fruit. Drink it while perusing our best Spanish hotels for food lovers. Pisco sour – Peru and Chile Both Peru and Chile claim this zingy brandy sour as their national drink, though recipes differ between the countries. In Chile, egg whites are left out of the mixture, plus Chilean pisco – which follows different production methods – is used. Whip up a pisco sour (or two) while you explore our favourite Peruvian recipes. Negroni – Italy This classic Italian aperitivo is winningly simple to make, made with one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, then garnished with orange peel. It also has lots of variations: try swapping the gin for prosecco to make an equally holiday-worthy – and less boozy – negroni sbagliato. Mix yourself one, then check out our best Italian hotels for food lovers. Sazerac – New Orleans This boozy whisky cocktail is a New Orleans staple, using rye whisky, Peychaud bitters and absinthe. The Big Easy is the home of several classic cocktails, including the vieux carré and grasshopper. Inspired to visit? Explore the vibrant culinary scene of this lively city in our New Orleans guide. Piña colada – Puerto Rico Creamy, fruity and delightfully retro, the piña colada is the national drink of Puerto Rico, where it was invented in the mid-20th century. White rum and pineapple juice are the key ingredients in this kitsch tropical number, and one sip will transport you to a sandy beach. Drink one while you read our foodie guide to Puerto Rico. Daiquiri – Cuba One of the all-time great rum cocktails, this Cuban creation first came to fame in the 1920s, when Americans flocked to the island during Prohibition (including one of the daiquiri’s biggest fans, Ernest Hemingway). Its simplicity is its strength: a carefully balanced blend of just lime juice, sugar and white rum. Fresh, bright and zesty, it’s the perfect summer cocktail. Manhattan – New York The manhattan is a classic cocktail that doesn’t pull any punches. Spicy rye whisky (use bourbon for a more mellow result), fruity sweet vermouth and bitters come together in a dark, rich, intense drink. Sip it while you plan your next city break across the pond. Caipirinha – Brazil Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil and is made with the country’s sugarcane spirit, cachaça. The only other ingredients you need are lime and caster sugar – stir the three together for this zesty tipple. Best drunk while diving into our São Paulo culinary highlights. Michelada – Mexico This low-ABV cocktail features light Mexican beer spiked with umami ingredients like hot sauce and worcestershire sauce for a super-refreshing, spicy drink that's perfect for sunny days – sip on one while you decide what to make from our top 50 Mexican recipes. Espresso martini – London This coffee vodka drink was created in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie (supposedly at the request of a tired model, who was looking for a pick-me-up). Adding a shot of hot espresso to a cocktail shaker full of ice may seem odd, but it’s essential for that all-important creamy layer at the top of the drink – so don’t let the coffee cool down! Enjoy one while you plan your next trip to the Big Smoke with our best restaurants in Soho guide. Sake martini – Japan Sake (also known as Japanese rice wine) is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting rice. Here we’ve mixed it with gin for a Japanese-inspired take on the martini – drink while exploring our Kyoto foodie guide Rebujito – Andalucia The rebujito, popular in Andalucia, is just the ticket for warm weather: a highball cocktail where dry fino sherry is mixed with lemonade for a tall, thirst-quenching drink. Lower-ABV cocktails are perfect for warm weather drinking when pacing is important. When it comes to the lemonade, don’t pick a cloudy variety – 7 Up or Sprite is best, and we also like it made with Fanta Lemon. Enjoy a rebujito while you plan your next Spanish feast with our guide to Andalusian cuisine.
Support your mood and overall wellbeing with these nutritious snacks, from savoury muffins to dark chocolate cookies and frozen yogurt bark
Looking for delicious ways to lift your mood and support your mental wellbeing? These serotonin-boosting snacks are packed with ingredients known to encourage the production of one of our key happy hormones, serotonin. Each recipe is both a treat and a boost for your brain, showcasing nutrient-rich ingredients including dark chocolate and gut-friendly yogurt. For more healthy snacks, check out our best healthy sweet snacks, low-carb snacks and dairy-free snacks. Looking for more mood-boosting recipes? Check out the best foods to improve your mood and these mood-boosting recipes. Serotonin-boosting snack recipes Pumpkin seed butter on rye Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for serotonin production. They also provide zinc and magnesium, the relaxing mineral. Blitz pumpkin seeds into a creamy butter to spread on rye bread for a simple, satisfying snack. Healthy banana bread Bananas are another excellent source of tryptophan, improving our mood and making us less anxious. This healthier banana bread is a wholesome option for when you fancy something sweet, providing a more nourishing way to satisfy your cravings and support your mood. Breakfast egg muffins Egg yolks are one of the most reliable food sources of vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', which is associated with better moods. Vitamin D is found in only a few foods, so these bacon and egg muffins make an easy option to help support your mood. Baked avocado with smoked salmon & egg This snack brings together three powerful mood-boosting ingredients. Avocados are a source of healthy fats and potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure. They also contain B vitamins that play a role in reducing stress and anxiety. Salmon is a source of tryptophan, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, which all impact serotonin levels. Eggs add protein and vitamin D, further supporting mood and energy levels. Together, this trio makes for a creamy, low-carb snack that nourishes both body and mind. Healthy chocolate cake This healthy twist on chocolate cake is brimming with feel-good compounds, including protective plant flavonoids found in dark chocolate. Chocolate with a high cocoa content (at least 70%) is known for its ability to help increase feelings of calmness and improve mood. This cake combines good-quality dark chocolate with sweet potatoes, dates and wholemeal flour for a more wholesome bake. Dark chocolate and cacao powder also gives it a wonderful richness. Kefir, banana, almond and frozen berry smoothie This berry smoothie uses gut-friendly kefir, packed with good bacteria, as well as antioxidant-rich berries, naturally sweet banana and almonds. The combination supports gut health and may influence levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin. Dark chocolate and olive oil cookies Enjoy a crunchy sweet snack with these dark chocolate and olive oil cookies. Dark chocolate is celebrated for its mood-boosting properties, thanks to its rich supply of magnesium and protective plant flavonoids. These can help stimulate the release of serotonin and endorphins, supporting a sense of wellbeing. Banana and pumpkin seed muffins These muffins are packed with bananas and pumpkin seeds, both of which are linked to serotonin production. Bananas provide vitamin B6, important for making feel-good brain chemicals including dopamine, while pumpkin seeds add magnesium and zinc. Together, they create a snack that supports your mood and energy. Beetroot brownies These beetroot brownies combine the earthy sweetness of beetroot with the mood-enhancing benefits of dark chocolate. The high cocoa content in dark chocolate is thought to help increase serotonin levels, while beetroot itself offers antioxidants and fibre for overall health. Blueberry smoothie Blend up this simple blueberry smoothie with just four ingredients. Blueberries are loaded with healthy antioxidants, which help support the production of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. Try it for a quick and easy way to boost your mood naturally. Vanilla yogurt cheesecake pots Fermented foods such as yogurt can help improve gut health by changing the balance of gut bacteria, which may influence levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin. These low-calorie mini cheesecake pots feature a toasted oat flapjack crumble topping and juicy raspberries for natural sweetness. Turmeric pickled eggs Eggs are a great source of protein and contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid for serotonin production. Adding turmeric not only gives these pickled eggs a vibrant golden hue but also known to release feel-good brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin. Enjoying these pickled eggs as a snack provides a boost of protein and beneficial nutrients to help keep your mood steady. Sugar-free banana bread Bananas are a valuable source of vitamin B6, which plays a key role in making feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Bananas are also a natural sugar, which makes them great for sweetening recipes without a blood sugar spike. This vegan banana berry traybake uses natural, unrefined sugars and tastes wonderful served with dairy-free yogurt. Devilled eggs Devilled eggs are a retro nibble that combines the mood-boosting benefits of eggs with the creamy richness of a spiced filling. Eggs provide high-quality protein, vitamin D, and B vitamins, all of which support the production of serotonin and help maintain stable energy levels. These bite-sized snacks are ideal for keeping you satisfied. Frozen yogurt bark Yogurt is not only a good source of protein and calcium, but it's also rich in probiotics, which can support gut health. A healthy gut is closely linked to mood and the production of serotonin, making this frozen yogurt bark a refreshing and mood-supportive snack. More wellbeing guides Expert explains: how to increase serotonin 10 ways to boost energy when tired Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet? Expert explains: 11 ways to have a better night's sleep What is sleep hygiene and how to improve it How ayurveda can help healthy digestion 10 natural remedies for hayfever to try
Cook your way through April with recipes inspired by the season
How to make the most of the best Spring ingredients, from vibrant rhubarb to fresh chives and nutrient-packed asparagus
Want to know what’s in season in April? Looking for April recipe ideas? Use fresh seafood, jersey royal new potatoes and herbs from your fruit and veg boxes or local greengrocer to make these seasonal dishes and bakes. We’ve included plenty of tips for how to shop for particular varieties, prepping guides and useful ideas to use up leftovers. After, check out our best May recipes, June recipes and July recipes. What's in season in April? In April, seasonal produce includes tart rhubarb, delicate cod, sweet peas, tender asparagus and firm new potatoes. Discover our recipes and tips for building a balanced spring plate. Rhubarb April is often the month (weather depending) when the rhubarb that is available in the shops changes from that grown indoors to outdoor-grown, which can vary in colour, texture and flavour. Some varieties are much redder, others are green much further down the stalk. Pick from more rhubarb recipes, including this creamy rhubarb kefir smoothie or this aromatic pork and rhubarb traybake. Rhubarb and custard cake This rhubarb and custard cake recipe is soaked in vanilla milk syrup, filled with rhubarb jam and covered in mascarpone whipped cream. White chocolate panna cotta with stewed rhubarb This classic, creamy dessert is enriched with white chocolate, which provides a perfect contrast to the sharpness of the rhubarb. Cod Cod is a mild-flavoured, white fish with a firm, flaky texture that makes it a versatile choice for many dishes. It is often found in fillets or loins and is popular for its ability to hold its shape during cooking. Cod is a lean fish, low in fat but high in protein, making it a healthy option for a light meal. Coconut fish curry Enjoy the best of the season with perfectly caramelised onion and turmeric-coated cod, nestled in a rich coconut curry sauce. Sweet cherry tomatoes add a vibrant pop of colour, making this dish as visually stunning as it is flavourful. Peas If you’re serving peas as a side, it’s best not to boil them in a pan of water. Though quick to cook, the more water you use, the more nutrients are lost. Opt for steaming instead to make the most of those sweet little spheres. Discover more of our pea recipes including this fresh pea risotto and colourful spiced grains with peas, spinach and jammy eggs. Pea, coconut and lime ice cream Fresh garden peas are the star ingredient in this spring-hued ice cream flavoured with coconut milk and a splash of vodka. Pea and halloumi fritters with charred lemon dip Use fresh or frozen peas to make these quick and easy halloumi fritters, flavoured with mint and chilli flakes for a little kick. Radishes This root vegetable is a member of the mustard family, which explains its peppery bite. It comes in red, white, green, purple and black, and a surprising variety of shapes and sizes. You may be used to seeing the round, cherry-like version but you can also get French Breakfast, which has an elongated shape, Watermelon radish, with its nubbly green exterior and a bright pink interior, and daikon, which is shaped similarly to a carrot, large, white and used mostly in East Asian cooking. When buying, look for leaves in good condition – the radish beneath will be equally as fresh. Roast radish and peanut salad A vibrant combination of radishes and cucumber is tossed in a soy, peanut and honey glaze to create this refreshing seasonal salad. Pork fried rice With garlic, chilli, soy and hoisin sauce, this easy pork dish is a flavour-packed dinner that can be ready in 30 minutes and uses leftover cooked rice. Lamb Lamb doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. Buying lesser-used, cheaper cuts means you’ll get the most from your meat and even more flavour. Shoulder is a great alternative to leg, either whole or chopped up for a stew. The scrag, cut from the neck, is also a great cost-cutting option, best used in casseroles and soups. Slow-cooker leg of lamb This leg of lamb is slow-cooked with madeira, red onion, prunes and thyme, so it's rich and intense in flavour with a hint of sweetness. Lamb cutlets with mustard and shallot sauce Try our take on dibi, a Senegalese street food of roast lamb served with a piquant mustard dipping sauce on the side. It's perfect for sharing. Crab Any crab you eat in the UK will likely be brown crab, which is abundant on our coastlines. They have plenty of white and brown meat, and can weigh as much as 3kg. Try more crab recipes including our vibrant crab tostadas and easy crab cakes that make the perfect dinner party starter. Coconut crab rice Delicate white crab meat is uplifted with fresh, zingy Thai flavours. If you’re using a large tin of coconut milk, freeze the leftovers for another time. Crab mac ’n’ cheese This comforting crab mac 'n' cheese uses crème fraîche in the béchamel to make it lighter while also accentuating the mild, sweet flavour of crab. New potatoes New potatoes are precisely that – younger spuds with a thinner skin, waxy texture and a sweeter flavour as the sugars haven’t yet converted to starch. They are sometimes sold as young or baby potatoes, and Jersey Royals are a particularly prized variety. Unlike their older siblings, they hold their shape much better once cooked, making them perfect in salads. New potato, raclette and spring onion galette If you are new to pastry but still looking to impress your family and friends, look no further than this dish for a rustic and hearty bake. Patatas bravas and chorizo salad Bring sunny Spanish flavours to the table with our patatas bravas and chorizo salad, served with plenty of homemade aïoli. Spinach A leafy green veg that comes either in large bunches with a crunchy stem or as lots of small, baby leaves. When buying spinach it’s important to remember that its bought weight reduces hugely when cooked – so it may seem like a lot in the recipe but it will wilt down. We have many more spinach recipes, including this creamy chicken one-pot with spinach and sundried tomatoes and lightly-spiced vegan spinach, chickpea and potato curry. Florentine spinach poached eggs Soft baby spinach in a creamy, nutmeg-infused sauce makes the perfect bed for crispy parma ham and runny-yolked eggs – dunk slices of toasted ciabatta in for brunch. Saag paneer This easy side dish, featuring spinach, crisp golden cubes of paneer and spiced with cumin and chilli, will go down a treat on curry night and only takes 30 minutes to prepare. Sausage, spinach and chilli pasta Have this speedy meal, made with spinach and crispy sausage, on the table in less than half an hour – with chilli, garlic and dijon mustard, it packs a punch in terms of flavour. Asparagus Thin, young asparagus shoots are packed with nutrients and are prized for their deep savoury flavour and tender texture once cooked. Not to be confused with white asparagus – which are cut before they breach the surface and become green – they have a short season in the UK, from spring to early summer. Asparagus risotto Make the most of seasonal asparagus in this vibrant springtime risotto, finished with lemon zest, chives and a mountain of parmesan. Asparagus and anchovy pasta with fennel seed pangrattato It’s the crunchy fennel seed pangrattato topper that really makes this dish sing. A simple yet delicious asparagus spaghetti recipe, it's ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes.§ Chives Chives, part of the allium family, have a bright, fresh oniony flavour, a little like baby leeks or baby spring onions. They’re best very finely chopped and stirred through dishes at the end, sprinkled into dressings or used as a garnish just before serving. Looking for more ways to make chives the star of your dish? Try our cheddar, chive and miso loaf or bacon and chive brioche buns next. Rosemary roasted smashed new potatoes with mustardy chive aïoli This side dish of golden, crispy roasted new potatoes are a spring dream with our cheat's aïoli elevated with dijon mustard, chives and lemon. Boiled pork and chive dumplings Make your own boiled pork and chive dumplings in just 45 minutes. Soft and pillowy, they're best served with soy sauce, chiu chow chilli oil and chopped chives. Soured cream and chive potato scones Tattie scones, a classic Scottish comfort food, are made using floury potatoes, soured cream and fresh chives. Serve with crispy bacon and roasted tomatoes. Little Gem lettuce A sweet, crunchy lettuce with a compact heart and vibrant green leaves. It’s smaller and more flavourful than its larger counterparts, with a crisp texture that holds up well in salads or as a garnish. Explore more ways to cook these greens and try our grilled Little Gem lettuce with tosazu dressing or parmesan risotto. Wedge salad with blue cheese dressing Make the most of Little Gem lettuces in this gluten-free salad. It would be great served with a crispy skinned, soft-in-the-middle baked potato. Lettuce wraps with sticky chicken Serve succulent honeyed chicken thighs in crisp Little Gem lettuce cups, garnished with a scattering of sesame seeds and a hint of fresh red chilli. This vibrant starter is the perfect balance of flavour and lightness, making it an ideal choice for a dinner party without overfilling guests. Carrot A vibrant, crunchy root vegetable that comes in various colours, with orange being the most common. Carrots have a naturally sweet flavour, which becomes more pronounced when cooked. They can be eaten raw, roasted, steamed, or added to soups and stews. They’re a versatile addition to savoury and sweet dishes, whether sliced, grated or whole. Carrot cake traybake This cream cheese-frosted traybake is a showstopper for any Easter gathering, effortlessly feeding a crowd. With carrots in abundance, thanks to their early spring planting and late spring harvest, it’s the perfect time to showcase their sweetness in this indulgent, seasonal treat. Carrot and coriander soup Make this warming carrot and coriander soup for lunch and then jazz it up with ras el hanout-spiced crunchy flatbread croutons. A comforting vegan meal for four.
Our Easter cocktail recipes are perfect for sipping over the bank holiday. These indulgent seasonal drinks range from creamy chocolate martinis to hot-cross bun sours
Celebrate the long Easter weekend with our favourite seasonal cocktails, from indulgent chocolate martinis to Aperol mimosas and pretty pink fizz. Need more drinks inspiration? Explore our best spring cocktails next. Need to plan your Easter menu? We have an Easter recipes collection packed with inspiration. Check out our Easter dinner recipes and Easter baking ideas, including the best Easter cakes and Easter desserts. Best Easter cocktail recipes Hot-cross bun amaretto sour This delicious twist on an amaretto sour uses stale hot-cross buns to make an Easter-flavoured syrup to sweeten the cocktail. Chocolate cherry martini A smooth, chocolate twist on a vodka martini, made extra sweet with maraschino liqueur. The perfect way to use up any leftover Easter chocolate. If the idea of left-over Easter egg chocolate is a foreign concept to you, swap in good-quality dark chocolate. A drizzle of syrup from the jar of cherries lends extra fruity depth. Grapefruit sharing mimosa This sharp and zesty cocktail is a twist on the classic mimosa – the orange juice is swapped for grapefruit and a little triple sec to balance the tart citrus. It makes a great Easter brunch sharing cocktail for the long weekend celebrations. Mint gimlet Refreshing mint is a match made in heaven for the citrus zing of a gimlet in this bright and tangy cocktail, ideal to serve over the long Easter weekend. Chocolate martini It's not Easter without plenty of chocolate and this three-ingredient martini will satisfy your cocoa cravings, using both dark chocolate and chocolate liqueur for a dreamy dessert cocktail. Use a good-quality chocolate liqueur for this recipe – we like Mozart. Rosé negroni sbagliato You'll need Lillet Rosé and pink fizz to make this light and floral spin on the classic Italian cocktail. Bakewell tart fizz We used the flavours of a bakewell tart to make this sparkling aperitif, which features fruity cherry liqueur and nutty amaretto. Tom collins This classic is essentially a sour cocktail lengthened with sparkling water. Winningly simple to mix, it makes for a refreshing aperitif. Feel free to swap the gin for other spirits – vodka, cognac, blanco tequila, white rum and blended whisky would all work well. Gin fizz A light and bright gin cocktail that's speedy to make. The egg white in this recipe isn't essential but does add a lovely silky texture to the drink. Rhubarb and rose gin fizz We’ve given a classic ramos gin fizz an update, swapping the usual orange blossom water for rose water and adding a touch of homemade rhubarb syrup to give it a blush of pink. Classic bellini Planning an Easter brunch? This fruity sparkling wine cocktail is just the ticket. Made using chilled prosecco and white peach purée, it's an easy-drinking, low-ABV aperitif. If you can't find white peaches then yellow will also work. For a drier cocktail swap the prosecco for brut champagne or crémant. Aperol mimosa Another brunch-worthy addition, here Aperol adds grown-up bitterness and colour to this classic drink. Baileys cocktail We love sipping a sweet dessert cocktail in lieu of pudding if we're feeling too full – this indulgent drink uses double cream, vodka, coffee liqueur and chocolate shavings for a delicious post-supper treat. Rhubarb gin Seasonal rhubarb is a magic cocktail ingredient and this easy recipe is foolproof – infuse rhubarb with sugar and gin for several weeks and the end result is a tangy pink liqueur that makes a delicious G&T, sour or highball.
12 best matcha recipes for vibrant drinks, desserts and bakes
Add matcha green tea powder to your bakes for an earthy, bitter, savoury note. Our matcha recipes include cupcakes, crepes and tiramisu.
Want to know about matcha tea? Fancy making some recipes with matcha? Read our guide all about this healthy green tea, then check out our superfood recipes. What is matcha? Matcha is a finely ground powder made of processed green tea leaves. Traditionally, matcha has been consumed in East Asia, namely in Japanese tea ceremonies, where serving and drinking matcha as hot tea symbolises a meditative spirituality. These days, it’s also used as a flavouring and dye in desserts and drinks, such as mochi, ice cream and lattes. ‘Ceremonial-grade’ matcha refers to the higher quality powder used in tea ceremonies, whereas ‘culinary-grade’ refers to that of a lower-quality, even though no standard industry definition or requirements for matcha exist. How do you use matcha? The simplest way to begin using matcha is as a flavouring, think of it as a spice like vanilla or cinnamon. Try it as an ice cream flavouring or by making a matcha milk shake. Matcha salt - a mix of sea salt and matcha powder - makes a new sprinkle for poached, boiled or fried eggs. Check out our trend spotlight on matcha for more matcha recipes and the best matcha spots in London.
8 quail's egg recipes for elegant starters and snacks
Take your dishes to the next level with our quail's egg recipes, from black pudding scotch egg sliders to turmeric pickled eggs
Looking for the best quail's egg recipes? Want the best scotch egg or dinner party canapé? See our recipe ideas below to make the most of this unique ingredient. For more inspiration see our best ever egg recipes, our easy dinner party starters and more vegetable starter dishes.
11 Biscoff recipes for showstopping desserts and sweet treats
Use golden, caramelised Biscoff spread to make irresistible cookies, fudge and cheesecakes – they're real crowd-pleasers
Looking for Biscoff recipes? Want to make the best easy bake? Try our favourite Biscoff-flavoured treats, such as cupcakes, cookies, fudge and cheesecake. For more sweet treats, check out our best easy dessert recipes, cheesecake recipes and cake recipes. Looking for more cookie recipes? Check out our triple chocolate chip cookies, miso chocolate cookies and cereal cookies.
93 best ever lamb recipes for impressive roasts and easy dinners
Discover our best lamb recipes including lamb chops, roast leg of lamb, lamb shoulder, lamb meatballs and curry Perfect for Easter, Sunday lunches and more
Looking for roast lamb recipes? Want to make a lamb shank? Try our easy lamb recipes below, then check out our leftover lamb ideas. Lamb doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. Buying lesser-used, cheaper cuts means you’ll get the most from your meat and even more flavour. Shoulder is a great alternative to leg, either whole or chopped up for a stew. The scrag, cut from the neck, is also a great cost-cutting option, best used in casseroles and soups. Serving lamb as part of a Sunday roast? We have plenty of ideas for roast lamb, including roast anchovy butter lamb with boulangere potatoes, rosemary and apricot-stuffed leg of lamb. We have tips for how to prepare lamb, which roasting tin to use and how to get juicy lamb. For more ways with this versatile meat, try our lamb mince recipes and lamb curry recipes. If you're looking for alternative roast recipes, check out our best ever roast recipes.
40 pork mince recipes for budget-friendly, flavour-packed meals
Use versatile pork mince in everything from crispy pork noodles to spiced burgers and meatballs. Our minced pork recipes make for easy midweek meals
Looking for recipes with pork mince? Want the best pork meatballs? Try our ideas below, then check out our healthy mince recipes, beef mince recipes and turkey mince recipes. Wondering what to make with pork mince? Whether you're craving hearty meatballs or looking for a picnic pie to feed the family, you'll find loads of inspiration on how to use up that minced pork right here. What are the advantages of cooking with pork mince? As well as being budget-friendly, it is typically lower in saturated fat and calories than beef and lamb mince, whilst still being full of flavour.
42 feta recipes to liven up your midweek dinners
Discover our feta cheese recipes - this tangy, creamy Greek cheese is delicious in everything from spanakopita to Greek salad and baked whole with figs
Looking for the best feta recipes? Looking for a vegetarian salad? Try our ideas below then check out our easy Greek recipes, too? What is feta cheese? Feta cheese is a brined cheese made from sheep's milk and originating from Greece. It's characteristically tangy, salty flavour and crumbly texture make it a staple in many Mediterranean-style dishes including salads and filo pastries as well as pasta and other warm dishes. It can be served cold cut up into squares in a salad or sprinkled over dishes as crumbs. It can also be baked or grilled whole and combined with sweet toppings like honey or sprinkled with herbs like oregano. How long does feta last? A pack of unopened, vacuum-sealed feta can last up to three months in the fridge. Once opened, it should be consumed within a week and kept in its original brine or another saltwater solution to maintain its moisture and freshness. Without brine, feta tends to dry out quickly and should be used within a few days. For longer term storage, feta can be frozen for up to six months, though this may alter its texture slightly, making it more crumbly.
50 easy puff pastry recipes for golden pies, tarts and more
Make one of our golden puff pastry treats, including perfect beef wellingtons, quick cinnamon buns and comforting chicken pie
Looking for puff pastry recipes? Try our ideas for savoury and sweet dishes using this flaky pastry, including quick ideas using ready-made puff pastry (festive vol-au-vents, cheese pies and three different variations of tarte tatin) along with recipes to make puff pastry from scratch. Next, try our or filo pastries.
These meatball recipe ideas are perfect for a family dinner. Discover classics such as Swedish meatballs, spaghetti and meatballs plus plant-based options
Looking for homemade meatball ideas? Read our guide to find out how to cook meatballs, including everything from Swedish meatballs to Italian meatballs and Spanish albondigas. Take your pick of turkey meatballs, pork meatballs, chicken meatballs and vegan meatballs. For the ultimate comfort food, try our spaghetti meatballs, Sloppy Joe bake or our cheesy pan bake. Or why not try our indulgent pasta bakes for the whole family? For more ideas, check out our beef mince recipes and lamb mince recipes.
14 easy mozzarella recipes for oozy traybakes, fresh salads and more
Make the most of creamy mozzarella with our easy recipe ideas, from gooey mozzarella sticks to melty quesadillas and lasagne
Looking for mozzarella recipes? Want the best cheese recipes? Indulge in a melty sharing starter, a light lunch salad or a hearty main. Try our ideas below and check out our best camembert recipes for more cheesy dishes.
Spring show-off dishes for the long weekend
Impress your guests with these four spring dishes, from an easy one-pot to a boozy lemon dessert
Long weekends are made for lingering lunches, laidback dinners and dishes worth gathering around. These spring showstoppers brings bold flavours to the table while keeping things low-effort and shareable – think an easy one-pot, punchy roast and build-your-own raclette spread. And, because no celebration is complete without something sweet, there’s a boozy lemon dessert to round things off in style. Discover more recipes for entertaining this season, consider a few unexpected ideas for hosting guests, or replicate private chef Nisha Parmar's vibrant sharing menu for a simple yet impressive three-course dinner at home. Slow-cooked spiced lamb with orzo This effortless one-pot is cooked with fragrant spices of cinnamon and allspice, which don't overpower, but provide gentle warmth. Fresh herbs, feta and lemon lift the finished dish. Bring the platter to the table for maximum wow-factor. Cowboy butter-roasted chicken A punchy butter instantly boosts the flavour of roast chicken. Spatchcocking the bird means it roasts evenly and fast – and, it's much easier to carve for guests. Serve with skinny fries and a vinegary salad to cut through the richness, and don't forget to spoon over all the buttery roasting juices. Raclette party This is a great way to serve a mix-and-match spread for friends. Traditionally, you'd serve raclette simply with boiled potatoes, charcuterie and pickles, but we've added a few extra flourishes to make your guests feel you've worked extra hard! You can buy various raclette sets, but you can also use small heatproof frying pans or dishes. Boozy lemon meringue trifle This zingy spring trifle is made with mostly ready-made ingredients, then finished with marshmallowy Italian meringue. Using hot sugar syrup means the meringue is 'cooked' and becomes much more stable. We think it's worth the extra effort, but if you want a simpler finish, you could pile up some shop-bought meringues and whipped cream instead.
Maunika Gowardhan's joyous Keralan dishes
Discover Maunika Gowardhan's mouthwatering recipes, inspired by her travels in Kerala
One of the most stunning regions within southern India is undoubtedly the state of Kerala. Most people I speak to who have visited always rave about the scenic views, food, culture and the local people. My first trip and introduction to the Malayali community was at the age of 12 when I made a trip to travel with family and friends across the city. Ever since, I have been so many times to explore the city, cuisine and also, by chance, for a family wedding. Seeing the varied communities within one region including Christians, Muslims and Hindus, and the differences in cooking styles, fascinates me. For instance, the Malayali Hindus have a unique cooking style with recipes and traditions which include religious practices that differ to the Christian and Muslim communities in Kerala. The prevalence of cooking fish, meat or poultry within the coastal region have come from the culinary influences of the Christian and Muslim families. A region renowned for its use of black pepper in curries and stir-fried dishes much before chillies made an entry into India. For me, delving into Syrian Christian cooking holds joyous memories as a young girl. I always turned to Mariam, a lovely lady who left Kerala to join our family home and brought along with her an abundance of local knowledge and recipes that I have adored. This in its truest form is where my love for (and introduction to) Kerala and its people began. She used to cook the most delicious avial (potato curry) and plenty of fish, as well as meat curries, too. She would share stories of her hometown and how they grew local veg, went fishing and ground spices. I could listen for ages and that is one of the reasons I thoroughly enjoy visiting Kerala even today. Maunika Gowardhan's Keralan dishes Kerala fish moilee This is best made with fish steaks, which are held together with the help of a centre bone and ensure the fish stays intact (ask the fishmonger to do this). If you can’t get steaks, chunky fillets will work. Nadan chicken peralan Last year during my travels in Kerala, I ate this chicken peralan and loved the flavours. Most family homes I’ve eaten this dish at have cooked the chicken separately to the gravy, although I prefer to make it all at the same time rather than in stages. Chicken peralan has heat, so tailor the level of spice based on how much you prefer. Vinegar, pepper and fennel add so much flavour, as well as a gorgeous aroma while complementing spices such as mustard seeds and curry leaves. Serve with rice, paratha or pathiri. Thakkali pachadi Delicious tomato chutney with chilli, coconut and curry leaves. Traditionally this pachadi is eaten with soft dosai or as part of a feast. Discover more of Maunika Gowardhan's crowd-pleasing recipes below: Chole palak (spiced chickpea curry) Vegetable raita Rajma tikki Sindhi dhal pakwan Chilli paneer fry Lamb chop curry Tarka dhal Goan prawn and coconut pie Nankhatai (cardamom biscuits)
Ring in the spring with March's seasonal ingredients
How to make the most of the best spring ingredients, from vibrant blood oranges and tart grapefruit to bitter chicory and nutrient-packed spinach
Want to know what’s in season in March? Looking for March recipe ideas? Use fresh seafood, spinach leaves and citrus from your fruit and veg boxes or local greengrocer to make these seasonal dishes and bakes. We’ve included plenty of tips for how to shop for particular varieties, prepping guides and useful ideas to use up leftovers. After, check out our best April recipes, May recipes and June recipes. What's in season in March? In March, seasonal produce includes earthy purple sprouting broccoli, peppery watercress, zesty lemons, and delicate spring onions. These recipes are perfect for transitioning from cold winter bakes to lighter spring plates. Blood oranges Blood oranges are celebrated for their ruby red flesh and juice. Blood oranges are only in season for a short time as they need huge temperature shifts in order to grow well – hot in the day and then down to below freezing at night. Pick from more blood orange recipes, including this sweet blood orange drizzle cake or savoury duck confit with slow-cooked broccoli and blood orange. Blood orange loaf cake Edd Kimber's show-off bake combines the ruby red brilliance of blood oranges with crunchy poppy seeds and grated marzipan. Blood orange margarita Blood oranges add a beautiful ruby hue to a pitcher of margaritas. Remember to add a large pinch of hot chilli powder to really make your cocktail sing! Blood orange trifles Our individual trifles make a quick and easy dessert using seasonal blood oranges, ready in just 15 minutes. If you've got people coming round for a weeknight dinner party, these are a great choice. Bananas Bananas are the UK’s most popular fruit and, on average, people eat 100 a year. When buying, look for yellow, unblemished skin – green is underripe, any brown or dark marks may mean it is close to over-ripening. Banoffee cheesecake This banoffee cheesecake has all the comforting flavour of the old-school pud but the style of an impressive dinner party dessert – and it takes less than 30 minutes of hands-on time to make. It's guaranteed to be a hit. Banana fritters Serve these battered, deep-fried bananas with a dusting of icing sugar – they use very ripe, yellow bananas. The combination of sweet cooked banana with the hot, crisp fritter coating is seriously good. Classic banana split With just five everyday ingredients, this old-school dessert couldn't be easier – or speedier – to make. It's a good job it'll never go out of style. Hake Hake is from the same family as cod and haddock, although its flesh is a bit meatier when cooked. It is a favourite in Spanish cooking, although it is native to British waters. Try more hake recipes including this comforting baked chorizo orzo with hake or opt for a lighter hake with radish, mussels and cider butter. Spanish-style hake Chorizo brings savoury heat to this veg-filled stew. Topped with meaty hake fillets and vibrant slices of orange, it makes for a flavour-packed supper. You could serve with a slice of sourdough bread for a more filling meal. Spinach Absolutely jam-packed with iron, antioxidants and other nutrients, spinach is especially good for us. We love its vibrant green colour when added to dishes. Florentine fish pie with eggs and spinach If eggs florentine is your brunch favourite, this comforting pie will quickly steal your heart. Packed with vibrant seasonal spinach, it’s the perfect family-friendly dish that comes together in under an hour – ideal for a fuss-free midweek meal. Saag aloo An Indian classic of spiced potatoes and spinach that packs in plenty of this nutritious leafy green. Serve as part of a full Indian spread with lots of other fragrant dishes. Spinach gnudi Whizz blanched spinach into ricotta to make these delicious, pillowy gnudi – they are similar to gnocchi, just a little lighter. Saag paneer We love anything involving squeaky paneer. Make this classic side dish, where spinach is mixed with crisp golden paneer cubes, for your next curry night. Spinach, leek and pea soup For a soothing lunch, blitz spinach, leeks and peas together to make a wholesome seasonal soup. Lobster You can usually source live or cooked lobsters from your local fishmonger, but if not, then larger supermarkets often stock frozen cooked lobster which will work just as well. Lobster thermidor Serve this luxurious classic with a big green salad and plenty of crusty bread for mopping up that rich, creamy sauce. If you can’t get lobster, chop some cooked king prawns and mix through the sauce, then put into a gratin dish and grill. Lobster toastie Take your toastie up a notch with chunky chopped lobster in a silky, oozy four-cheese sauce. Don't forget the quick pickle on the side, it's needed to cut through the richness. Classic lobster roll You can find frozen lobster tails online, making these rolls easy to make yourself at home. Other supermarkets sell smaller, Canadian lobsters, which you can also use in this recipe. Purple sprouting broccoli This smaller, more tender variety of broccoli has vibrant purple florets and a long, thin stalk. Avoid buying any that have turned slightly yellow as these are not as fresh. Make them the star of the dish by topping them on a bed of tahini yogurt and spiced seeds or pair them with tofu for an easy, low-cal weekday meal. Gnocchi with crispy purple sprouting broccoli and garlic butter This is the kind of dinner you need during the week. Purple sprouting broccoli is fried until crisp and heaped onto a bed of comforting gnocchi, slicked in a buttery, cheesy sauce. Purple sprouting broccoli, spiced fried eggs and lime yogurt on toast You can also enjoy purple sprouting broccoli for something different on toast. Lime yogurt and a fried egg makes this a filling, healthy lunch. Broccoli and peanut soba noodles Our recipe for purple sprouting broccoli and peanut soba noodles is really easy to make and ready in 20 minutes. The zingy sauce gives the broccoli an injection of flavour, while the roasted peanuts add a crunchy texture to the dish. Rhubarb Rhubarb has an intensely tart flavour. We like to make the most of it by adding it to as many dishes as possible while it's in season. Stewed gently with orange or ginger, it makes a delicious healthy breakfast, when served with porridge, pancakes or yogurt. The best combination of all is rhubarb and custard – whether in the form of a pavlova, panna cotta or a tart. Surprisingly, rhubarb is delicious with rich meaty dishes, like pork and duck. Consider making rhubarb and custard crumble bars as a mid-week snack or pairing the tart vegetable with pork in an aromatic traybake. Rhubarb compote In-season rhubarb is mixed with zesty orange and aromatic cardamom to make this oven-roasted compote. Try it dolloped on pancakes and porridge, or served with a dessert. Apple and rhubarb crumble Nothing beats a seasonal crumble. Here the star is sweet-tart rhubarb, cooked apple and the best ever crunchy crumble topping. All you need to do is decide on ice cream, cream or custard... Rhubarb and custard eton mess This fruity dessert is packed with juicy rhubarb and can be whipped up in record time. The secret is buying ready-made meringues and custard to speed up the process. Cauliflower From the same brassica family as cabbages and broccoli, cauliflower is among the most versatile vegetables. It can be eaten raw in salads, pickled, steamed, grilled, roasted, fried or barbecued. Its firm texture turns creamy when cooked and it has a delicate flavour that’s often overlooked as an everyday vegetable but it’s made the star of the show in our recipes. Cauliflower soup Creamy cauliflower soup is comfort in a bowl, plus you can throw it together in just two simple steps. It's a nice nourishing option for cold, grey days. Gobi manchurian This Indo-Chinese dish is traditionally deep-fried before being tossed with the sweet and hot sauce, but here we’ve roasted it in the oven for a simpler, lighter version. Roast cauliflower korma Check out our veggie take on korma using roasted cauliflower. This curry is low in calories and ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for an easy midweek dinner. Best ever cauliflower cheese Arguably one of the heroes of British food – is it really a roast dinner if there’s no super cheesy, crispy-topped, piping hot cauliflower cheese on the table? Pink grapefruit Available all year round, this citrus fruit is even better in winter and spring when it’s juicier and sweeter. When looking for the juiciest ones, opt for fruits that feel heavy. Grapefruit upside-down cake A classy, grown-up take on an upside-down cake, with ruby red grapefruit, clementines, a light almond sponge and a gin-spiked drizzle on top. It's a beautiful one to bring to the table after a meal. Grapefruit and mint syllabub This easy dessert is made with floral rosé wine and sharp, refreshing grapefruit – it may take just 10 minutes to make but will end your dinner on a high note. Serve with chocolate-dipped biscotti, if you like. Grapefruit marmalade Mix up your marmalade game and add some zing to breakfast with this foolproof pink grapefruit marmalade. Follow the recipe and you’ll get it right every time. Watercress In season from April to September, this peppery little leaf has a slight mustardy kick and crunchy, refreshing stems. Use it in salads or whizz into soups, pestos or sauces to pour over baked salmon. Buy in bunches rather than bags to keep it fresher for longer, then store in a glass of water in the fridge to keep the leaves crisp. Discover more of our watercress recipes including our new potato deli salad, watercress and asparagus emmer risotto, and vegetarian roulade with ricotta and nutmeg. Watercress and pea soup This watercress and pea soup has been pepped up with some baked lemon and sesame croutons. It's veggie and low-calorie – perfect for a healthy midweek meal. Prawn and watercress stir-fry You can use watercress in more than just salads. Here it provides fresh, peppery notes in this prawn stir-fry, perfect for a springtime dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Salmon and watercress tartlets Ready in under 20 minutes and packed with the tastes of spring, these puff pastry treats make an easy dinner party starter your guests will love. Chicory Also known as endive, these crisp, slightly bitter leaves are great in salads and make an excellent vehicle for dips. They are also delicious grilled, balancing the bitterness with nutty, earthy flavour. Chicory tart with dolcelatte Make the most of chicory in this stunning dolcelatte tart – the sweetness of the honey works well with the bitter edge of chicory. It will make for an impressive veggie centrepiece at your next dinner with friends. Chicory with mixed pulses and grains Chicory is in its prime from January to March, so try it in our easy salad with lentils, borlotti beans and crunchy panko breadcrumbs. This recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden. Grilled radicchio, blood orange, manchego and sour cherry molasses dressing Sour cherry molasses impart a bright piquancy to this radicchio salad, balanced out by nutty slivers of manchego, toasted walnuts and aromatic basil leaves. Spring onions Spring onions are the young shoots of standard onions, before the bulb has had a chance to grow and develop. This produces a sweeter, milder allium flavour that can be used raw in salads or as a garnish – both the green and white parts add flavour and crunch. Spring onions often get overlooked as a side dish as they’re usually just a base for flavour but, when braised, they’re great with a roast. Consider more ways to add spring onion into your cooking: top it on soy steamed sea bream for a fragrant lift or bake them into muffins with gruyère and marmite for a savoury bite. Cheddar and spring onion risotto with balsamic tomatoes Try our creamy risotto, oozing with mature cheddar cheese and topped with pan-fried cherry tomatoes. This comforting recipe is bursting with beautiful flavours. Ham hock, pea and spring onion salad Quick, simple and delicious, this ham hock, pea and spring onion salad is perfect for a midweek meal. It's ready in just 10 minutes and is well under 500 calories but doesn't feel like you're missing out. Cheese and onion quiche Using spring onions alongside ready-made pastry cuts down the cooking time so you can bake this classic vegetarian tart midweek. Leeks Along with garlic and onions, leeks, members of the allium family, offer a distinct flavour profile. While rather harsh when raw, especially mature leeks, cooking brings out a delicate, mild onion taste with a subtle sweetness. See more easy ways to add leeks to your diet by baking them into pies, gratins, casseroles, or lasagne. Vegan leek and potato soup Create a plant-based take on the classic leek and potato soup, with all the creamy goodness of the original. Topped with fresh chives and a dollop of vegan yogurt or cream, it's the perfect pairing with your favourite crusty bread for a satisfying bowl of comfort. Lemon With their sour, zesty and juicy characteristics, lemons are versatile fruits for sweet and savoury dishes. They are available all year round but are at their best from January to March. When selecting lemons, choose unblemished, firm ones that feel heavy for their size. Gluten-free lemon drizzle cake This lemon drizzle cake is light, zesty and wheat-free, making it a great option to bake for a crowd. Enjoy with a cup of tea for the perfect afternoon treat.
Best spring entertaining dishes to shake off winter funk
Bring the best of the season to your dinner table with these entertaining dishes – this joyful celebration of spring’s best ingredients is sure to lift spirits
As the days grow longer and the first shoots of green emerge, there’s no better way to banish any lingering winter blues than with a table full of light, bright and flavour-packed dishes. These recipes showcase the very best of spring produce — think tangy rhubarb, crunchy radish and fresh garden peas — guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Whether you’re planning a celebratory meal or a sharing-style feast, these recipes will shake off winter funk and bring a burst of brightness to your entertaining. Discover more ways to bring joy this spring, including morning rituals and expert tips. Or find more seasonal dishes in our curation of spring recipes, colourful, plant-packed breakfast recipes and healthy spring recipes. Spring entertaining dishes Smoked cod’s roe dip with spring vegetables, soft-boiled eggs and flatbreads This rustic and bright sharing platter brings together smoky cod’s roe, crisp spring vegetables, jammy eggs and fluffy flatbreads for a fresh, springtime starter. Spring risotto Celebrate the best of the season with a risotto packed with asparagus, peas, broad beans and mint, finished with a scattering of green spring onion and a spoonful of mint oil. Chicken schnitzel with pickled radishes Crisp chicken schnitzel is paired with a colourful side of quick-pickled radishes, cucumber and fennel, lemon wedges and dill for a fresh and seasonal twist on a classic. Miso-buttered radishes Peppery radishes are at their best in spring, and this quick side transforms them into something truly special with a buttery miso glaze. Serve as a simple side or a punchy addition to your sharing table. Asparagus quiche with capers A nutty brown butter pastry crust, punchy capers and gruyère make this seasonal asparagus quiche a stunning centrepiece for weekend entertaining. Rhubarb gin Make your own pink gin by infusing tart rhubarb with sugar and gin — it's especially delicious over ice or in a spring G&T. Beetroot carpaccio This beetroot carpaccio with stracciatella make a brilliant starter. Serve it on a big platter for sharing and hand round extra pistachio pesto for people that want it. Steak tacos These tacos pair juicy steak with the crisp bite of radishes and a scatter of fresh herbs, making a special dinner idea for two which is deceptively easy to make. Spring roast chicken A centrepiece worthy of any gathering, this roast chicken is infused with lemon and thyme, sitting atop a bed of new potatoes with a pea salad and dill aïoli on the side. It’s the ultimate way to celebrate the arrival of spring. Asparagus wrapped in bacon A sophisticated yet simple dinner party nibble, seasonal asparagus spears are wrapped in crispy bacon — ideal for passing round at springtime gatherings. Pea, coconut and lime ice cream This refreshing, dairy-free ice cream makes the most of fresh garden peas, creamy coconut and zesty lime. Pepped with a splash of vodka, it's ideal for rounding off a relaxed springtime meal. Roast new potatoes with chilli crab salsa Jersey Royals take centre stage in this colourful sharing dish, topped with a zingy crab and chilli salsa — perfect for a light lunch with a glass of chilled white wine in the garden. Pea and halloumi fritters with charred lemon dip Sweet peas and salty halloumi are a match made in heaven. These fritters – flavoured with mint and chilli flakes for a little kick – are light, golden and perfect for sharing, especially when dipped in a tangy lemon yogurt. Broccoli and mozzarella focaccia Chewy focaccia is layered with soft and squidgy broccoli and creamy mozzarella for a satisfyingly salty sarnie. You can customise your sandwich by adding some fennel salami, olives, capers or a spread of soft cheese or whipped ricotta under the broccoli. Spanish-style hake Meaty hake is paired with plenty of colourful veg and vibrant orange slices in this flavour-packed, Mediterranean-inspired supper. Serve with crusty bread and a salad, if you like. Spring greens curry A bowl of green goodness, this vegan curry is loaded with spring greens, baby corn and chickpeas, plus a homemade curry paste packed with fresh aromatics. Burrata with sweet and sour spring veg Creamy burrata is served with a medley of sweet and sour spring vegetables (pickled asparagus, baby carrots, radishes), offering a lovely and light veggie dish. We’ve used rich burrata for this recipe, but any creamy fresh cheese (including mozzarella, ricotta or even young rindless goat’s cheese) would work. Elderflower and kiwi pavlova A dreamy, cloud-like pavlova topped with elderflower cream, kiwi and a scattering of toasted almonds — try it for a springtime showstopper for any celebration. Spinach gnudi These pillowy ricotta and spinach dumplings make a light, elegant vegetarian dish — perfect as an impressive starter or posh lunch. To serve, spoon over sage leaves and butter, grate over parmesan and sprinkle with black pepper. Asparagus and anchovy pasta A quick, punchy pasta dish that makes the most of asparagus’ short season, topped with a crunchy fennel seed pangrattato. Try it for a flavourful dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes. White chocolate panna cotta with stewed rhubarb Creamy white chocolate offsets the sharpness of rhubarb in this sophisticated dessert, perfect for ending a spring-style feast.
Rejuvenate spring breakfasts with these colourful, plant-packed recipes
Breakfast repertoire needing a little spring refresh? Uplift your mornings with these vibrant recipes packed with plant protein and fibre
Spring clean your breakfast routine with our recipes to help you escape a winter rut. January may be all about new year resolutions, but it can be difficult to stick to any drastic regimes when it's cold, dark and miserable outside. With the arrival of spring, bring vibrancy to your breakfast with a tricolour stack of pancakes, golden turmeric bircher bowl, zingy rhubarb and yogurt pots and more in-season inspiration. Find out more ways to bring joy this spring, along with even more spring inspiration. Next read about 30 gut-friendly ways to sneak in extra plant foods to hit your weekly target, then how to eat 30 plant foods a week. Discover our plant-packed recipes to keep you thriving as the seasons change and then try our wholesome and hearty plant-forward recipes. Vibrant spring breakfast ideas Rhubarb breakfast pots Is there anything more beautiful than those first stems of forced rhubarb? Roast it until really tender, then layer up with your favourite Greek yogurt and top with a plant-packed homemade granola for texture and flavour. View Green Video on the source website Mocha porridge This porridge is swirled with a homemade cocoa powder and freshly brewed espresso drizzle to give your morning a little boost. Load up with toasted nuts and slices of banana to further increase the plant foods. View Green Video on the source website Golden milk bircher A breakfast that leans slightly more savoury, this golden milk bircher also packs a punch with its warming spices of ground turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and a grating of black pepper to help increase absorption. View Green Video on the source website Quinoa porridge Give your breakfast a protein boost without any artificial powders. A complete, plant-based protein, quinoa adds protein and fibre to this porridge bowl along with a nutty taste and texture. View Green Video on the source website Vegan pancakes Treat yourself to a colourful brunch with a stack of these vibrant pancakes. After making your pancake batter, divide it into three equal portions. Add a couple of handfuls of spinach into one, roughly 30g of grated carrot into another and 30g of chopped cooked beetroot into the last one. Blend each of them until you have a smooth batter, then cook your pancakes as written in the recipe. View Green Video on the source website Kimchi and beans shakshuka Get your day off to a nourishing start with this veg-packed shakshuka. If you want to make a fully vegan version (with extra plant points, too) you can blend a block of silken tofu with ½ tsp of turmeric, 1 tbsp of nutritional yeast and seasoning to use in the place of eggs. For extra nourishment, I've added in half a chopped red pepper, a few handfuls of spinach and wholemeal bread instead of white. View Green Video on the source website High protein yogurt bowl For a spring twist on this simple yet delicious yogurt bowl, make a blood orange and rhubarb compote and serve it with our healthy granola. View Green Video on the source website Matcha overnight oats Give your overnight oats a caffeine-boost by adding 1 tsp of matcha powder into the oat mixture. For extra plants, add 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed. Layer up your overnight oats with coconut yogurt and top with pumpkin seeds and frozen raspberries. View Green Video on the source website Blackberry crumble baked oats For a seasonal, plant-packed twist, cut up two apples and sprinkle with cinnamon. Simmer with 250ml milk of your choice until the apple pieces have softened. Add them to your baked oats with some chopped toasted pecans and mix. Make your crumble topping with 2 tbsp oats, a pinch of mixed spice, a sprinkle of brown sugar and a splash of milk to hold it together. Dot over the top of your baked oats and bake until golden. View Green Video on the source website Masala french toast with coriander chutney If you want to make a plant-packed batter, whisk chickpea flour with soy milk to achieve the thickness of an eggy batter. Then stir in the seasonings as below. Use wholemeal seeded bread rather than regular white for extra fibre, then top with sliced avocado for even more plants. View Green Video on the source website Cherry bakewell baked oats For an extra plant point, substitute the two eggs for two tbsp flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp hot water. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until gloopy. For a cherry bakewell version, substitute the vanilla extract for almond extract, add 50g ground almonds, then fold through a handful of frozen cherries. Top with a sprinkling of flaked almonds before baking, then dust with icing sugar when cool. View Green Video on the source website Pumpkin seed butter If you have a high speed blender, you'll be surprised by how easy it is to make your own homemade pumpkin seed butter. Spread it on toast, drizzle on pancakes or simply enjoy it by the spoon! View Green Video on the source website Smashed green beans on toast Make your toast topper go further – and boost the plant points – by mashing in some fresh avocado. Sprinkle a mixture of seeds on top for more plants, as well as sun-dried tomatoes for added skin benefits. View Green Video on the source website Blended overnight oats To up the plant points of these overnight oats, I added a handful of frozen mixed berries and blended the mixture with a pinch of spirulina and 2 tbsp flaxseed. The next day, top your overnight oats with even more plants – here I used chopped pistachios, goji berries, frozen blueberries and mixed seeds. View Green Video on the source website
16 easy mocktail recipes for every occasion
Want all the flavour with none of the hangover? From elderflower-flavoured sips to drinks that'll warm the cockles in winter, our non-alcoholic cocktails will do the trick
Looking for the best mocktails? Try our ideas below, including a refreshing virgin mojito and zesty non-alcoholic gimlet. Other mocktails recipes include passionfruit martinis, kombucha spritzes and mulled tea punch. Need ingredients for your cocktails? We've got lots of non-alcoholic spirits to try out, including plenty of non-alcoholic gins.
22 lamb mince recipes for flavour-packed, budget friendly meals
Make the most of minced lamb with our easy ideas, from hearty meatballs to comforting shepherd's pie and sausage rolls
Looking for lamb mince recipes? Want the best meatballs or easy ragu recipes? Try our ideas below, including comforting pies and simple sausage rolls. See more ideas with our best pork mince recipes, beef mince recipes or turkey mince recipes.