Dip deep into the Mediterranean . . . A simple dish made with simple locally grown produce.  Villa Bologna has some great produce here in Malta.  I visited last week, and just couldn’t resist the produce and the pottery, simply beautiful (the Ceramika Maltija bowl in the picture is one of theirs).  Their broad beans match no other that I’ve ever laid my eyes on, and their lemons ever-so-fragrant. This is made with locally grown garlic [...]

As Northern Europe enters the last stages of winter (or the last storms before the heat kicks in, in our case here in Malta), it seemed fitting to make another comforting dish for the weekend.  In fact, this is my mouthwateringly vegan variation of the good old English favourite, the shepherd’s pie.  But for the protein and bulk, this version is using Linda Mac sausages, and borlotti beans – fast becoming my favourite legume.  Serve [...]

This is the most amazing seafood dip ever.  Tasty, ‘fishy’, the sea in your mouth, for all those vegans who miss the taste of fish – this one’s truly for you !  A great sandwich filler, perfect for picnics to come, party food, or just a weekday snack filler.  Make it, enjoy it, and come back to me with your feedback.  Thanks. INGREDIENTS 1 400g can cannellini beans, or 2 cups home-cooked cannellini beans 2 [...]

My father ran his own restaurant for decades – if you were to survive in London’s West End, competing with fierce outlets that were fighting for the ‘same piece of bacon’, so to speak, then you had to prove your own ‘bacon’ (pardon the terminology, no pun intended). I saw those early morning breakfasts being dished out, and my father sweating over the high temperature cookers – but he made a mean bean breakfast – [...]

This is an excellent recipe that I created, which has brought a huge smile to my face, because my young discerning daughter is the best barometer I have in the short term when I have just created something new, and my partner is even more discerning.  They both gave it a resounding thumbs up !  And I also know I have high standards to meet when I think of you all out there. As you [...]

This dip is simply awesome.  It’s got a little kick, and is so flavoursome.  It can be eaten on toast, you can make bruschetta with it, or have it with crudités. It’s also great in sandwiches for picnics, so mark this as a sandwich filler too –  particularly if you serve it on ciabatta bread with thinly sliced tomatoes and olives, a drizzle of oil on the tomatoes, and you have the perfect sandwich ever.  [...]

This is a delightful chilli. I served mine with a mixture of short grain brown rice and pearl barley mixed – I boiled the two together.  Then I dolloped on a couple of spoons of vegan yoghurt, and some plain tortillas. INGREDIENTS olive oil 1 400g tin crushed tomatoes 1 large onion, finely chopped 5 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups veggie mince (I use Linda McCartney myself) 1 400g tin borlotti beans 1 cup cooked [...]

This creation was a revelation in the art of wholesome pick me ups, warm me all, fill me up combinations – a soup and stew marriage, that embraces and pampers the senses.  Because it was almost impossible to define as either one or the other, it is one of those ‘twin recipes’ – but who cares about that ?  Taste and texture are always my No.1 priority, together with colour, passion – and a sense [...]

This salad is awesome, and not that dissimilar to my Middle Eastern-Style one in terms of the chosen bean and some of the veggies, but otherwise it’s different because of the amazing lime pickle dressing, which just takes it around the other side of the globe, and leaves your mouth watering for the next spoonful – it’s outrageously good ! INGREDIENTS 2 cups cannellini beans – I used a tinned brand, washed and drained (or [...]

Here is my take on a goulash – it’s vegan of course, it’s full-on on the flavour front, and it’s totally rich.  This goulash is wholesome and filling.  I have defined it well in texture and taste, and it has a distinct character of it’s own.  Serve with rice or jacket potatoes and salad, and if you wish, sour cream – it’s easy and fast to prepare. (see my  Chilli con ‘Carne’ recipe