Perfect for brunch ~ a highly seasoned mixture of slowly simmered tomatoes, onions, and lots of garlic, char-grilled bell peppers, and herbs in which you poach an egg, served with a spicy couscous and sausages.

Hunan Dumplings are wontons filled with a fragrant pork mixture that are gently simmered, then served with a peanut butter chilli sauce and sliced scallions (green onions). Whether or not they’re part of authentic Hunan cuisine, they’re absolutely delicious and simple to make!

This aubergine dish is so good that it has managed to convert many die-hard, non-eggplant eaters! Stuffed with a fragrant filling of beef, rice, lots of fresh basil & parsley, parmesan, a little garlic & fennel, then baked and served with a basil tomato sauce, it can be prepared in part or completely ahead of time for convenience.

Home-smoked, freshly caught mackerel filets, tiny, marinated Ox-eye daisy buds, & beautiful crystallised lilac flowers – a few of the special treats my aunt prepared for us. And her recipe for Smoked Cod Appetisers [Recette également publiée en français : Bouchées à  la morue fumée].