An Italian pasticcio is a baked dish of vegetables, meat or pasta that is bound together with béchamel sauce, eggs and cheese. It can either be turned out like a pie or served straight from the baking dish. This tasty version contains well-cooked green beans and is based on a Marcella […]
Burbunya pilaki is a popular Turkish dish of fresh borlotti (burbunya) beans stewed in olive oil with vegetables. Borlotti beans are pretty pink speckled beans that lose the markings when cooked. They are similar in taste to chestnuts and are very nutritious. Dried or canned borlotti beans can be used […]
This is my friend Gabi Radinger’s recipe for mixed bean salad using canned beans and a tasty dressing of pumpkin seed oil and apple cider vinegar. It is quick and easy to make and perfect for a barbecue or to take on a picnic. I always keep a couple of […]
Sformato is an Italian baked dish usually made with vegetables and eggs and similar to a soufflé. It can be cooked in a mould and turned out to serve. This version has ricotta as the base and is quite a delicate dish and quick to make. It is lovely for […]
This rustic and fresh-tasting soup is from Lebanon. The main ingredients are common-or-garden green lentils and a big bunch of silverbeet, with the potato being optional. The soup is flavoured with lemon juice and you can add pomegranate molasses as well for a more complex tang. The soup is definitely […]
This beautiful tomato tart (torta di pomodoro) is from Tuscany and is really quite similar to a quiche. It is lighter and brighter and doesn’t contain any cream. Serve it for a special first course or as a main course with a salad. It is also a great vegetarian main […]
Homemade vegetable stock is a great ingredient to have on hand for soups, sauces, pilaffs and risotto. It is not difficult to make and once the vegies and water have been brought to the boil it really looks after itself. Avoid using strongly flavoured vegetables in stock such as cabbage, […]