Delicious as a dip, or served as a side alongside chargrilled meat or chicken, this white bean puree is lovely and garlicky. For a bit of colour, top with some thinly sliced green onions just before serving.

These two Croatian specialties, Cevapi, a spicy sausage, and Raznjici, beef kebabs, are typical Balkan ways of cooking meat. Both are delicious, homely fare traditionally served as part of a picnic menu in summer, and eaten in home-style restaurants year round.

For a lovely, light lunch serve these lamb koftas with tahini yoghurt dressing, tabbouleh salad and pita bread.

Swiss brown mushrooms, also known as roman or cremini, are light-to-darkbrown in colour with a full bodied flavour. Store on a tray in a single layer, covered with dampened absorbent paper, in a spot where cool air can circulate freely around them. Note

This traditional Middle Eastern favourite is a versatile vegetarian dish that everyone will love.

As with the word casserole, tagine also has two different culinary meanings. Originally from Moroccan kitchens and now found in many of ours, a tagine is the earthenware, cone-lidded vessel in which the spicy, fragrant North African stew with the same name is cooked. The lid serves as a vent, allowing the steam to escape, […]