Rice

Labne is drained yoghurt. You can buy it from supermarkets. Roast nuts and seeds together on an oven tray (keep the cumin seeds separate on a small piece of foil), in a 180°C oven for 8 minutes, stirring half way through, or buy pre-roasted. Note

To prevent them from drying out, keep finished ura-maki wrapped in plastic, uncut, until ready to serve. Goes well with sesame dipping sauce, and oysters osaka. Note

Serve risotto quickly after stirring the radicchio through the rice, as the radicchio will discolour from the heat. This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

You can use any type of berry you like in the compote. Note

This recipe is best made just before serving, and not suitable to freeze. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. You can use any dried fruit in place of the raisins in this recipe such as dried apricots or peaches. Note

If you cannot find doongara rice, use white long-grain rice instead. Doongara rice was developed and is grown in Australia. It’s a white, long-grain rice similar to basmati, and has a higher content of amylose (starch) than other rice, which means it is more slowly digested ­ it has a lower glycaemic index than most […]

Ready-made seasoned bean-curd skins and seasoned gourd (kampyo) strips are available from Asian specialist grocery stores. For rice vinegared water, add 1 tablespoon rice vinegar to medium bowl of cold water. Note

The lamb will be easier to cut if you freeze it for about 20 minutes before slicing. Note

Labne is yoghurt that has been drained of whey. A short draining time, results in a thick, creamy yoghurt, while a longer one, will achieve the consistency of a soft yoghurt-cheese, that can be rolled into balls. You can make your own or buy it from supermarkets. Note

A creamy beef and coconut cream soup that packs a big spicy punch.

You need to cook about 1¾ cups of white medium-grain rice to get the amount of cooked rice required for this recipe. Note

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using a pressure cooker. Note

The crunchy sesame seed crust on the tuna gives a nutty aroma while leaving the tuna rare. Note

If you can find it, use a short-grain Spanish-style rice such as calasparra or bomba, in place of the arborio for an authentic taste and texture. Some mussels might not open after cooking. These might need to be opened with a knife or might not have cooked as quickly as the others ­some will not […]

Cook ½ cup (100g) white short-grain rice for this recipe. Note

Flat-leaf parsley can be substituted for the basil. A simple covered cooking method replaces the usual labour-intensive non-stop stirring required in more traditional risottos. Best results will be achieved by using arborio rice, but you can use any medium-grain rice, such as calrose. Note

When cooking risotto, it is vital to use Arborio or Carnaroli rice as these grains release the starch that gives risotto its creaminess. Swap the vegetables in this recipe for whatever is in season. Note

Italian arborio rice from supermarkets will hold its shape better than locally grown arborio. Canned caramel filling is found in the baking aisle in supermarkets. Any sweet sherry is fine, however one of the nicest is Pedro Ximénez, a sweet dark sherry with a rich raisin-y taste. Note

Crispy Italian-style risotto balls that are fantastic for sharing with friends and family.

Substitute red curry paste for green curry paste if you prefer. Note

Use vegetables of your choice such as green beans, snow peas or buk choy. Use sliced chicken breast or thinly sliced beef rump steak as an alternative to the pork fillet. Use regular basil if thai basil is unavailable. Note

Some clams might not open after cooking. These might need prompting with a knife or might not have cooked as quickly as the others ­you don’t have to discard them, just open with a knife and cook a little longer if you wish. Note

Baby green beans can be used instead of snake beans. Note

Freeze beef for about an hour­ this will make it easier to slice. To obtain ginger juice, squeeze grated fresh ginger into a sieve set over a bowl. A piece of ginger measuring about 10cm in length will yield 2 tablespoons of grated ginger; this amount of grated ginger should in turn yield the 2 […]

Recipe is based on a traditional lamb roast recipe from northern India. Note

You can substitute a white medium-grain rice if koshihikari is unavailable. Note

Risotto cakes came about as a way of using up left-over risotto. It is far easier to shape the cakes when the mixture is cold. It is worth lining oven trays with baking paper to stop the cakes sticking. Note

Chicken drumettes are drumsticks with the end of the bone chopped off. They are also sold as “lovely legs”. Note

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You need to cook 1 cup (200g) rice for this recipe. Or, use two 250g sachets of pre-cooked jasmine rice. Nasi goreng seasoning is a spice paste found in sachets in the Asian food section of supermarkets. Note

Use only the lower white part of the lemon grass stem. Garlic, lemon grass and sweet chilli sauce lend a Thai accent to this recipe Note

Be careful when frying mint as it will spit. Note

Many cooks think pecans are only suitable used in desserts, but they are just as good in salads, stuffings and main courses. They are also great tossed in curry spices then roasted or coated in chocolate or toffee. Studies show that pecans contain the most antioxidants of any nut and about 60 per cent of […]

A sweet, sour, fresh and fragrant Asian-style rice noodle salad with wasabi dressing.

This Asian-style dish creates the perfect lunch box for busy days.

The traditional paella pan is shallow and wide. One large or two smaller frying pans can be used. The mixture should only be about 4cm deep. Note

Seafood curry