Another great theme, giving us a huge choice, of any book shown on the puzzle that Janet and Paul had finished in a quiet moment a couple of months ago. And despite the wide range of possible chefs, the meal went together beautifully.

Starters

Sue – asparagus and ricotta tart with miso and black garlic

This was an Ottolenghi treat involving miso and black garlic in the sauce.

 https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/recipes/asparagus-ricotta-tart-miso-black-garlic

Julie – halloumi saganaki from Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan 

This was a chef I’d not heard of, but I’d certainly make it again. It had semolina on the halloumi, with honey and thyme. Really crunchy coating

Mains

Janet – Pork tenderloin with spiced rhubarb sauce and pickled rhubarb herb salad from MOB: a ‘groovy millennial’ book

The rhubarb was pickled in lemon juice and honey, for only 15 minutes. It involved lots of herbs from the garden plus rhubarb from the garden, and was finished with a rhubarb sauce

https://www.mob.co.uk/recipes/pork-tenderloin-with-spiced-rhubarb-sauce-pickled-rhubarb-herb-salad

Justine – courgette asparagus and goats cheese tart from the ‘Green roasting tin’

Although it looked similar to Sue’s starter tart, it was different flavours. Jus said that it was very easy and they have it for a midweek supper regularly. 

Sides

Debrah – Nigel Slater’s tomato salad with feta and pea

Feta, mint, parsley, lemon, olive oil plus cucumber whizzed up. Debrah had time to make it even though she arrived back from holiday at 5.30 this afternoon. 

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/sep/05/nigel-slater-recipes-for-tomatoes-with-peas-and-feta-and-blackberry-and-apple-pancakes

Jane – aubergine, yogurt and nut salad from The Palestinian Table by Reem Kassis

This was the great combo of being very easy and very tasty!

https://www.eatyourbooks.com/library/recipes/1852070/eggplant-aubergine-yogurt-and-nut

Puddings

Karen – Lemon meringue cake by Nigella

This involved a cake mix with a meringue on top which was then all baked together. Karen thought it would be easy and it was a faff. However, it was very successful, with the two components working together very well.  

Tracey – sweet and salty cheesecake with cherries – Ottolenghi

This was like a deconstructed cheese cake. The cheese bit was Feta, cream and cream cheese, and it should have had olive oil on the top but Tracey decided against. There were nuts in the crumble plus butter and sesame seeds. And then the cherries were a compote including star anise. So delicious, I’ve imitated it two or three times since with our cherry glut!