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Bushra Riaz, 2689 Traders Alley, South Lake Tahoe, CA (2025)

09/16/2025

Method
Step 1
Put one of the mackerel fillets on a board and cut a ‘V’ down the centre, either side of the pin bones, to create two smaller fillets, then remove the bones. Repeat with the other fillet. Rub with the oil and season with plenty of ground black pepper. Set aside.
Step 2
Put the fennel in a bowl with the beetroot, cucumber and apple. Drizzle over the lemon juice, add the yogurt and mix well. Roughly chop the dill, putting aside a few fronds to garnish, and scatter over the salad, then season with ground black pepper and toss together lightly. Set aside.
Step 3
Put a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. When hot, add the fish, skin-side down, and cook for 2 1/2 mins. Flip the fish over and cook for 30 secs on the other side.
Step 4
Put the fillets on top of the salad and serve with the dill fronds and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Mackerel fillets contain beneficial fats, are quick to cook, and really complement this earthy and vibrant salad with a yogurt dressing

09/08/2025

Method
Step 1
To make the sweet & sour beetroot, mix all the ingredients, except the beetroot, with 125ml water in a medium pan and bring to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and leave to cool. Drain and rinse the cooked beetroot, then slice half into thin rounds, cutting the rest into larger wedges for a contrasting texture. Once the pickling liquor is completely cold, pour into a large jar, add the beetroot and chill overnight.
Step 2
The next day, brush the mackerel all over with the soy sauce and leave to marinate for 20 mins while you make the dressing. Whisk together the wasabi and crème fraîche, seasoning to taste. Heat your grill to its highest setting.
Step 3
Remove the beetroot from the pickling liquor with a slotted spoon and divide evenly between each plate. Layer over the shallot, pickled ginger and toasted sesame seeds, then scatter over the chives to create the salad. Layering the salad creates a professional finish.
Step 4
Put a wire rack over a baking tray and brush with the oil. Put the fillets on top of the wire rack and grill the fish, skin-side up, for 2-3 mins until the skin is charred and the fish is lightly cooked. If you want to char it further, use a blowtorch (see my tip below).
Step 5
To serve, place the fish on top of each salad with a spoonful of the dressing. For added wow factor, drizzle the oil around the salad, along with a little of the pink pickling liquor from the beetroot, then serve immediately.

Fresh mackerel is always a winner and grilling gives a deliciously charred quality. Pickled beetroot wedges add an extra tang in this party-perfect, budget-savvy starter

08/28/2025

Method
Step 1
Cook the beans in a large pan of boiling salted water for 2-3 mins until just tender. Remove to a colander using a slotted spoon and rinse under cold running water. Pinch off the skins to reveal the bright green centres. The beans can be blanched and the skins removed up to a day ahead. Chill until needed.
Step 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the pancetta for 4-5 mins until crisp. Stir in the garlic clove and some cracked black pepper, and cook for 1 min more until fragrant. Pour in the cream and add the parmesan rind, if using. Bring to a simmer. Stir well, then stir through most of the parmesan and gently warm through the sauce.
Step 3
Return the pan of bean cooking water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a mugful of the water. Tip the pasta into the sauce with the broad beans, mint and lemon zest, set over a low heat and toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved water to loosen, if needed. Divide between warm bowls, scatter over the remaining parmesan, then serve immediately with crusty bread.

Make the most of broad beans with this moreish pappardelle recipe. Remove the pasta and bacon, and you’ll still have a tasty side to serve with a roast

08/21/2025

Method
Step 1
Peel and devein most of the prawns (a fishmonger should be able to do this for you), keeping a few whole for decoration, if you like. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or shallow flameproof casserole over a medium-low heat and fry the onion for 5 mins until softened. Add the bay leaf, saffron, rice and tomato purée, and cook for 1-2 mins more, stirring.
Step 2
Pour in the wine and bubble for 1-2 mins, then pour in the seafood stock and 150ml water. Cook for 5 mins, then add the squid, season well and stir to combine. Bring to the boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 12 mins more, adding a little more water if the mixture starts to look dry.
Step 3
Uncover the pan and stir through the peeled prawns, then arrange any whole prawns on top of the rice mixture. Cover again and simmer for a further 5-6 mins until the prawns are pink and cooked through. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes before serving from the pan.

Make a Spanish-style feast with a prawn and squid paella. Serve directly from the pan for a flavourful family meal – mop up the juices with crusty bread

08/12/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat ½ tbsp oil in a 20cm-wide skillet or ovenproof frying pan, and fry the spring onions and courgettes for 5 mins until lightly golden. Stir in the frozen peas and sugar snap peas, and cook for a few minutes until the peas have defrosted. Tip in the butter beans, crème fraîche and 50ml water. Stir, then bubble for 2-3 mins until the sauce coats the greens. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in the mint and lemon zest. Season.
Step 2
Clean the pan and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Use 1 tbsp oil to brush the filo sheets all over, then stack them up. Add the filo stack to the pan, pressing it into the base and leaving plenty of overhang. You can cut the filo sheets in half, then use them to line the pan, if you find that easier.
Step 3
Mix the egg into the greens and crème fraîche mixture, then spoon over the stack of filo. Scatter over the feta, then scrunch up the overhanging filo around the sides to make a crust. Brush the exposed filo with the remaining oil.
Step 4
Return the pan to the heat and cook for 5 mins to crisp the filo base. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 mins until the filo is fully crisp and golden, and the filling has set. Cut into wedges and serve with some salad leaves, if you like.

Make this filo tart in a frying pan for a fuss-free dinner. Peas, crème fraîche, butter beans, courgette, feta and mint make up the fabulous filling

08/04/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Toss the broccoli with the sesame oil, sesame seeds and some salt, then spread out on a baking tray. Roast for about 15-20 mins until charred and tender.
Step 2
Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the eggs and cook for 6 mins 30 seconds. Remove using a slotted spoon and lower into ice water to cool for 3 mins before peeling the shells. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a bowl.
Step 3
Cook the noodles following pack instructions, then drain and toss with the dressing.
Step 4
Divide between two serving bowls and top each with a halved egg, the spring onions, radishes and charred broccoli. Finish with extra sesame seeds and crispy chilli oil, if you like.

Let broccoli take centre stage in our ramen noodle bowls. Versatile, easy to cook and nutritious, it's especially delicious when roasted until crisp

07/24/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat ½ tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and soften for 5 mins, then add the garlic and fennel and cook for 2 mins longer. Tip into a bowl. Add the pork mince, parsley stalks and grated courgette to the bowl, season well, mix, and shape into 10 meatballs. Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan, add the meatballs and fry for 5-8 mins, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Set the pan aside.
Step 2
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the spaghetti for 1 min less than pack instructions. Using tongs, transfer the pasta to the pan of meatballs, sloshing in some of the cooking water as you go. Add the courgette ribbons to the pan and put it back over the heat. Toss the pasta and meatballs with the courgette ribbons in the pan with a ladleful of pasta water and add the lemon juice. Season well, tip into bowls and scatter over the chopped parsley leaves, lemon zest and a generous grating of parmesan.

Make a quick and easy meal for two with these pork meatballs, served with spaghetti, courgette ribbons, lemon and parmesan – perfect for summer evenings

07/16/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy frying pan and gently cook the red onion and garlic for 5 mins until just starting to brown. Scatter over the aubergine and red pepper and sizzle for another 4 mins, adding more oil if you need to. Season well and stir through the paprika, then splash in the vinegar and soy sauce. Pour over the passata, then simmer for 5 mins until glossy and thick. Turn off the heat. Can be made up to two days ahead and kept in the fridge.
Step 2
To make the cheese sauce, heat the milk in a heavy saucepan until simmering. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the flour. Stir to make a paste. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and simmer gently for 2-3 mins, stirring continually until thickened slightly. Stir in the parmesan and season.
Step 3
Tip the ratatouille into an ovenproof dish, then completely cover it with the cheese sauce. Crumble over the goat’s cheese and arrange the courgette slices on top in concentric circles, alternating between green and yellow if you have them. Can be assembled several hours before cooking.
Step 4
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Brush or drizzle the remaining oil over the courgette slices and season with sea salt. Bake in the oven for 25-30 mins until the courgettes are cooked through and starting to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 mins before serving.

Transform ratatouille into a bake with a layer of cheese sauce and you won't look back. It makes a great late summer dish and delivers three of your 5-a-day

07/01/2025

Method
Step 1
Remove the beards, then wash the mussels well in cold water. Refresh the water and repeat until it is clear. Discard any mussels that are broken or stay open when tapped.
Step 2
Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole. Fry the onion until very lightly brown, then add the ginger, garlic, chillies, spices, a good pinch of salt and a grinding of pepper. Cook for 2-3 mins until fragrant and toasted. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to the boil, then simmer for a few mins to get everything mixed together.
Step 3
Tip the mussels into the dish, cover, turn up the heat to maximum and boil for 3-4 mins until the mussels have just opened. Scatter over the coriander sprigs and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

You can add any other seafood to this quick aromatic green curry - prawns can go in with the coconut milk and clams with the mussels

06/18/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat oven to 110C/90C fan/gas ¼ and line a baking tray with baking parchment. Drain the can of chickpeas over a bowl, saving the chickpeas for another recipe.
Step 2
Using an electric whisk, beat the chickpea water until soft peaks form (similar to egg whites). Add the sugar a little at a time, whisking constantly until thick and glossy. This step is crucial to helping the meringues hold their shape and you'll be whisking for up to 10 mins – far longer than for a traditional meringue.
Step 3
Spoon or pipe the meringue mixture over the tray in 8cm blobs. Bake for 1 hr 15 mins until crisp. Leave to cool, then pile with the soya cream and fruit, if using.

Whip up some crunchy meringues for a showstopping dessert. This recipe uses vegan aquafaba (chickpea water) in place of eggs

06/06/2025

Method
Step 1
Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Put the flour, paprika, garlic granules, a large grind of black pepper and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth batter that’s thick enough to coat a spoon (you may not need it all).
Step 2
Put the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Toss each floret in the batter mix, tap off any excess, then toss in the breadcrumbs to coat. Transfer to the lined baking tray, and repeat with all the cauliflower florets.
Step 3
Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway through so they bake evenly.
Step 4
Meanwhile, put all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and whisk to combine, lightly seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Put the cooked cauliflower in a large bowl and mix through the sauce until they’re all coated. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds so they stick to the sauce, and top with the chilli and spring onions.

Try a veggie twist on bang bang chicken, and replace the meat with cauliflower florets. With a crispy coating and a spicy sauce, it makes a great starter or side

05/23/2025

Bircher muesli with apple & banana
Method
Step 1
Put the grated apple in a bowl and add the oats, seeds, half the nuts and the cinnamon. Toss together well. Stir in the yogurt and 100ml cold water, cover and chill for several hours or overnight. Spoon the muesli into two bowls and top with the sliced banana, sultanas and remaining nuts.

Soaking oats and seeds overnight makes them easier to digest, and the muesli will be extra creamy. Great for a quick breakfast straight from the fridge

Bushra Riaz

09/16/2025

09/08/2025

08/28/2025

08/21/2025

08/12/2025

08/04/2025

07/24/2025

07/16/2025

07/01/2025

06/18/2025

06/06/2025

05/23/2025

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