THE SUN-SOAKED PLATE...Mediterranean recipes for family and friends

As the winter starts to kick in and the chilly weather begins to bite, it’s a time to indulge in a few heart-warming dishes designed to keep out the cold and to revive flagging spirits and jaded palates when there’s a little chill in the air. If i’m cooking at home, I love to throw everything into one pot and place it in the middle of the table for serving. It not only saves on the washing-up but it also helps to stimulate and heighten your senses so you can enjoy your meal even more. One-pot dishes are real comfort food at this time of the year, winter warmers that really sooth the soul. The Spanish have invented a great variety of one pot dishes called “potajes”.   One of the most revered is known as “Fabada”. This is a traditional and hearty white bean stew from the northern Spanish region of Asturias. Particularly popular during the colder months, it is traditionally eaten with crusty bread and a glass of Asturian cider. Good quality chorizo and morcilla (black...

Like many busy people, when I’m cooking at home I don’t really want to spend hours slaving over complicated recipes. My philosophy on cooking for friends and family is to keep it simple, fresh and Mediterranean. Above all, I want it to be the type of food that draws people together, to sit around a table sharing food, wine and conversation. Food is, after all, a communal experience – for all of us in the Mediterranean, it’s one of the biggest pleasures in life. At home I love to cook one-pot dishes with big flavours that you can bring straight to the table and just tuck in. This months recipe, Iberian pork meatballs with spiced pumpkins and chickpeas, is one of those delicious, simple dishes that I often cook for family & friends. It’s real comfort food and the perfect winter warmer! Pumpkins have a wonderful flavour and a smooth, silky texture that combines perfectly with chickpeas and Iberian pork. Warm spices also have a particular affinity with pu...