Naomi Sherman

There are so many variations of this very traditional Persian rice cookie (or nan-e-berenji); some have rosewater, some cardamom. You can use poppyseeds or not. They can be decorated or left plain. All of them gift you with melt-in-your-mouth, buttery, crisp cookies that will become your new favourite.

A glorious entertaining dish that is served at room temperature, meaning you can have it cooked and ready to dress before your guests even arrive. Soft, perfectly cooked salmon is smothered in a delicious coating that combines fresh pops of flavour with rich and earthy spices.

I’m going to be honest; my dream meal would be savoury cheesecake with sweet cheesecake for dessert. There is something about that rich and creamy filling, contrasted with the crunch of a good shell, that I find irresistible. This cheesecake is creamy and cheesy and can be tweaked with whatever flavours you prefer. Add some basil and sundried tomatoes or heaps of fresh herbs, maybe some chunks of roasted pumpkin.

This classic dish of rice-stuffed tomatoes combines the sweetness of tomatoes with the saltiness of olives and the crunch of pine nuts. Baked to perfection in a juicy sauce, it’s perfect as a starter, or serve with extra vegetables for a main course.

Black beans, antioxidant properties of cacao & the healthy fats from coconut oil, these refined sugar-free brownies are a health food!

A rich sauce with the tender bite of lentils creates a bolognaise sauce that can’t be forgotten. Use it over pasta or as a lasagne base.

With two tins of chickpeas and some basic pantry items, you have a healthy, satisfying and delicious dinner.

Fortunately for all of us, it’s an incredibly tasty Scottish version of bubble and squeak. It’s traditionally made using leftover vegetables

Who can resist a cream bun, or cream cookies as they are also called in Scotland? Not me, that’s for sure. A sweet, enriched dough is baked to perfection, glazed and then filled with velvety cream. What more could you ask for?

Gran had to feed a large family on a budget, so simple, healthy and filling recipes were her mainstay. You can stretch it as far as you need to with extra vegetables. Any cut of chicken will work, too. Gran used cream in hers, but I’ve swapped it for light evaporated milk. Try it for yourself and see why she was my hero.

I know you’re going to find this hard to believe, but that crunchy, crispy coating on our friend The Colonel’s chicken can be made just as easily at home — without deep-frying! Try it and you’ll never look back.

My father-in-law used to cook the most incredible yet simple meals for us on a cast-iron plate over a wood fire while we all worked on our bush block. His specialty was potatoes, sliced super thin on the spot using his pocketknife, cooked to perfection on that hot plate until they were crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. He would team them with freshly caught flathead fillets, dusted in seasoned flour and cooked in a light coating of butter. To this day, Pop’s Chips are the solution to anything that ails us.