Food editor Jane Curran brings you the best fresh produce and latest products to buy this spring Leeks, delicious sautéed in butter What’s in season APRIL After the long winter months, spring is finally upon us and we’re beginning to see more variety in home-grown produce. The British watercress season kicks off this month, perfect … Read more
Simnel cake Filled with feel good spice, zest and fruit – a small slice with satisfy any cravings. Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes Serves 11 Easy Simnel cake 500g (1lb 2oz) marzipan 250g (9oz) plain flour 300g (10oz) mixed dried fruit 50g (2oz) candied peel, chopped 1/2tsp baking powder 2tsp … Read more
Thai green curry with quinoa Thai green curry with quinoa Serves: 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Per serving: 591 calories, 15g protein, 43g fat (of which 31g saturated fat), 36g carbs (of which 5g sugar), 3g fibre, 0.2g salt For the spice pasta 1 tbsp each cumin and coriander seeds 5 … Read more
Spring meadow biscuits These pastel-hued biscuits are so pretty, and small enough for a feel good treat. Preparation tiivie: 35 minutes, plus chilling Cooking time: 15 minutes, plus cooling Makes 24 Easy/prepare ahead/freeze (undecorated) Spring meadow biscuits 125g (41/2oz) butter, cubed 125g (41/2oz) golden caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 175g (6oz) plain flour 1 large … Read more
Enjoying a meat-free diet can be effortless and delicious, with Aldo Zilli’s easy recipes Whether for ethical, environmental or health reasons, more and more people are shunning meat. As it happens, health reasons were top of the list for chef Aldo Zilli when he decided to go meat-free. “Meat is not good for my cholesterol,” … Read more
Set your table to match the occasion with spring flowers, pastel-hued crockery and all things eggy – from chocolates to decorations. Easter passion cake Carrots and pineapple make this cake incredibly moist – a real teatime treat! Preparation time: 45 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Serves 16 Easy/prepare ahead/freeze (cake only) Easter passion cake 300g … Read more
In knots over nutrition? We have news, know-how and meals in minutes… Blitz it in the blender Beetroot and pepper smoothie Don’t be put off by beetroot, it’s in season now and packed full of antioxidants and iron, which help fight free radicals and is a welcome boost if you’re menstruating. 2 carrots (peeled, unless … Read more
Do you wear the same clothes as your 17-year-old niece? Listen to the same music (using the same technology)? Lust after the same movie stars and obsess over the same TV series? Did you just forget to grow up, or are we in the process of redefining adulthood? Either way, it looks like the generation … Read more
The humble walnut has a lot to offer: from boosting memory and moods to looking after your skin, it’s got every base covered… Brain food These knobbly looking nuts are in fact excellent ‘brain food’. They are packed full of good fats and are a great source of essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and 6, … Read more
4 DESSERTS. For those weekend moments when you want to impress Smart idea The whole pears will keep for 2 weeks in their poaching liquid in the fridge. Why not make a double batch and serve the remaining ones sliced with blue cheese? Pear and almond tart A perfect way to end a meal, this … Read more
The weight-loss pariah has hampered your efforts for too long. It’s time to crack down on salt… We tend to point the finger at fat and sugar when it comes to diet demons. But there’s another, sneakier ingredient that’s often ignored. It has no calories, and it’s packed with important minerals we all need. We’re … Read more
With differently subtle as well as diversified components and flavors, grain becomes an ideal food for you to enjoy and cook. You must have heard of quite much information about whole grains. Recently, such plant-origin foods rich in energy are considering the most nutritional foods in the world. Because of containing much fibre and important … Read more
3 Big Salads. These are great as a light meal or as part of a buffet Easy Caesar salad A pared-down version of the classic, this can be knocked up in no time. Easy/ Prepare ahead – Preparation time: 15 minutes – Cooking time: 10 minutes – Server 4 For the dressing · 4 salted … Read more
Denise Lewis, 39, talks to Lorraince Conway about her love of glamour, the importance of having a date night – and never losing that competitive edge. “Winning a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics was the high spot of my career” Denise live in Buckinghamshire with her husband, Steven O’connor, and three children, Lauryn, nine, … Read more
Lobster, new potato and pea salad Sharp-flavored sorrel may help to maintain healthy sinuses. Preparation time: 25minutes Serves 4 Easy Lobster, new potato and pea salad 700g (1lb 9oz) new potatoes, cooked until just tender 300g (10oz) fresh or frozen peas, cooked 1.5kg (3lb 6oz) cooked and prepared lobster meat Several handfuls sorrel or micro … Read more
2 easy suppers Exciting new flavours to liven up midweek eating Cajun chicken with giant couscous The sweetcorn and couscous salad is perfect for a packed lunch, so any leftovers won’t go to waste Easy/ Prepare ahead – Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus marinating – Cooking time: 25 minutes – Server 4 · 4 free-range … Read more
Actress Emilia Fox, 37, lives in London with her one-year-old daughter Rose. Mum and I share a lot of friends – my pals adore Mum and confide in her, because she’s completely unshockable. Rose’s father and I have separated, and one good thing to come out of that is spending more time with Mum. In … Read more
Make the most of lazy weekends by serving a lovely brunch – much quicker to make than a whole roast, and just as relaxed Salmon-filled croissants Deliciously smoky salmon is perfect brunch food and boosts brain health too. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Serves 4 Easy Salmon-filled croissants 4 large croissants 150g … Read more
3 Make Ahead Have something ready when catering for a crowd. Chicken and mustard gratin This is comfort food at its very best – richly flavoured and a doddle to make Easy/ Prepare ahead/ Freeze – Preparation time: 45 minutes – Cooking time: 30 minutes – Server 4 to 6 · 12 free-range chicken thighs, … Read more
Four famous mothers and daughters talk to Lorraine Conway about the fun, the food – and the fiery moments – in their relationships. Actress Minnie Driver, 42, lives in Los Angeles with her son Henry, three. “I was 14 when Mum told me that we were Dad’s secret family” I grew up with the … Read more