This easy dip was featured in The Times on Saturday a couple of weeks ago. It is a great store cupboard recipe, quick to throw together and can definitely be made ahead. I used half fat creme fraiche as my store cupboard did not have double cream that the original recipe called for, but it worked brilliantly and has to be a tiny bit healthier. You can see in the picture I served it with crisps, but fresh vegetables or pitta would work well too. The flavour of this dip is delicious, deep, rich and full of umami-ness (if there is such a word), but with anchovies and Parmesan it’s not surprising. Ingredients 6 anchovy fillets 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped Knob of butter 15g grated Pa

Our courgettes are desperately trying to reach marrow status, growing furiously, faster and faster. It’s a race to pick them and then find different ways to use them. Last year’s courgette cakes are still a delicious option. These courgette rolls are pretty good too. Ingredients - makes approximately 12 2 medium sized green courgettes 2 tbsp olive oil 3 rounded tbsp ricotta 0.25 small red chilli, very finely chopped (or more depending on how much of a kick you like) Zest of half a lemon 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tbsp finely shredded basil leaves plus 12 extra small leaves to decorate 3 tbsp pine nuts toasted and chopped Method Cut fine lengthwise slices of courgette. I managed 6 or 8 from each

Tomatoes chopped and spooned onto toasted pieces of bread isn’t exactly new, just about every Italian restaurant has something like this on the menu. However grating ripe tomatoes and allowing the liquid to drain off gives a delicious intensity of flavour, which is what is needed in a one bite canapé - and it is far easier to get into your mouth. This is perfect for casual entertaining either as a canapé or with larger pieces of ciabatta as a starter. Ingredients - makes 20 approximately 5 largish ripe tomatoes 0.5 loaf ciabatta 6 large fresh basil leaves, shredded and several smaller ones to decorate Seasoning to taste 0.5 tsp sugar (more or less depending on how naturally sweet the toma

It’s Wimbledon again, so if it’s not strawberries it has to be Pimms. These pocket-sized lollies are great for summer parties and they are so simple to make. Only 2 ingredients required (no prizes for guessing what they might be). Take a look and then get mixing. Ingredients Pimms Lemonade Garnishes can include: Fresh mint leaves, the smaller the better, or cut larger ones Small strawberries, cut into small slices or quarters Cucumber, peeled and finely sliced Orange, remove all the tough pith Ice lolly moulds Method Make up the quantity of Pimms you need using 1 part Pimms to 3 parts lemonade. Pour carefully into the lolly moulds. Strawberry, cucumber, orange and mint can be added at th

Football and burgers seem to go well together, so whether you love all the football that is around at the moment or hate it, you might still be able to have a bit of fun with these little burgers. They definitely have a bit of wow appeal, they are pretty easy to make and unlike some of their close cousins, these little canapés really are just one mouthful. Why not give them a go - they are guaranteed to make you and your guests smile, even if the football doesn’t. Ingredients - makes approximately 40 400g beef mince Small onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tsp dijon mustard 1 egg, lightly beaten 0.5 tsp ground cumin Seasoning 5 Brioche buns Sesame seeds Olive oil 80g strong che